United Airlines wants a steady stream of pilots. It also wants to avoid the labor costs it pays to mainline flight attendants. The result is a convoluted acquisition of a regional airline that really takes some unpacking to understand....
India’s Grand Plan To Save Air India
If you can’t sell it, you might as well pour $330 million more tax dollars into it, right? That’s the new plan for Air India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Parliament for 23 billion rupees ($330 million USD)...
Review: P.F. Chang’s LAX (Priority Pass Restaurant)
Thanks to my forgotten passport, I had a chance eat dinner at P.F. Chang’s last week in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. This restaurant is the latest addition to the Priority Pass portfolio at LAX, which makes...
Review: American Airlines A321T Business Class New York To Los Angeles
My evening flight from New York to Los Angeles on American Airlines was a nice change of pace from my usual United flight. I generally don’t stray from United Airlines domestically, but United was sold out in business class...
Help! A Medical Emergency On A Cruise To Antarctica
A dear Award Expert client and friend sent me a frantic What’sApp message yesterday: Help! My husband has a detached retina and we are in the middle of the sea. We won’t reach Antarctica for three days. The doctor...
Super Cheap Business Class Fares To New York On Air Serbia
Air Serbia is offering incredible business class fares on flights to New York from Prague via Belgrade. If you’re looking for a New York getaway this winter or early spring, now is your chance. Fares from Prague to New...
Use Miles For A Sneak Peek At LAX Polaris Lounge
United’s fifth Polaris Lounge opens at Los Angeles International Airport on January 12, 2019. But through a special sale to MileagePlus members, you can enter the day before. As with past lounges, United is offering a special preview to...
Negative First Impressions: Virgin Atlantic 787-9 Upper Class
I flew home from London to LA on Virgin Atlantic’s new 787-9 in Upper Class, my first Virgin Atlantic flight since 2014. I’ve got to say, I was disappointed. The flight attendants onboard were fabulous: very attentive, witty, and...
South African Airways Turns To Emirates For Help
Cash-strapped South African Airways has turned to Emirates in a bid to turn around its dire financial situation. I’ve written about South African Airways several times, but stopped recently because I was just writing the same thing, over and...
Flying While Blind
Have you ever wondered what it is like to fly commercial as a blind person? An opinion column in the New York Times vividly shares a first-hand account. It’s well worth a read. Georgina Kleege is an English lecturer...
Join The Entire Live And Let’s Fly Team At FTU Seattle!
You can meet the entire Live and Let’s Fly team at Frequent Traveler University in Seattle this March! Carly, Kyle, and I will be speaking on a number of relevant travel topics including manufactured spending, leveraging frequent flyer miles...
The Angry German On My British Airways Flight
I’ve written about the seat recline debate on many occasions, but finally experienced a real-life incident on my recent British Airways flight. My position has been consistent over the years. Whether you recline your seat is your prerogative, not...
United Announces 11 New Routes From Four Hubs
United Airlines will add 11 additional domestic/Canadian routes next summer on top of the recently announced addition of 22 new domestic and four international routes. Focusing on growth in Chicago O’Hare, Houston, Los Angeles, and Washington Dulles, the routes...
Paid Upgrades At The Gate On British Airways
Some airlines are aggressive at hawking upgrades, others do so in a more subtle way. I flew British Airways in economy class from Los Angeles to London last week. Just for kicks, I asked a gate agent if any...
A Warning To Air Italy
A friendly warning to Air Italy: learn from the mistakes of others, for you cannot live long enough to make them all yourself. Air Italy is in expansion mode. Last week, the carrier announced plans to add service to...
United Served White Wine To My Two-Year-Old Son
Sometimes, we just go through the motions. I’m guilty of it. And one United flight attendant was guilty of it when it came to my son. My wife and son flew from Los Angeles to London last week. While...
12 Hours In British Airways Economy Class
My little passport mistake relegated me to economy class on British Airways, my first time behind the wing on BA’s Airbus A380. Boarding was delayed for an unspecified reason until about 9:10PM, five minutes after scheduled departure. Onboard, the...
Southwest Denies Boarding…To A Fish
Southwest Airlines refused boarding to a pet fish, forcing a college student to make a difficult choice. Lanice Powless was traveling home to California for the holidays. She is a student at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs and...
United Makes It Easier To Give Up Your Seat
United Airlines is making it easier than ever to volunteer your seat in an oversell situation. New technology on the mobile app, united.com, and airport check-in kiosks will provide more options, including instantly confirmable alternate flight arrangements (with compensation)....
Short-Term Parking Rates At LAX Go Way Up In 2019
Short-term parking rates at LAX are rising by 33% next month. When parking at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) earlier this week, I noticed the following sign: In short, the daily rate will rise from $30 to $40. That’s...
