United Airlines has just confirmed with me that the Polaris Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will officially open on Saturday, January 12th, 2019. We’ve been waiting for months (years really) for this lounge to open, but the...
I Truly Just Made The Most Embarrassing Travel Mistake Of My Life…

I stand before you today, deeply humbled. Let me set the scene and you’ll quickly understand why… Friday evening had been planned for many weeks. It was the night my wife Heidi, son Augustine, and I were traveling to...
When A Drone Strikes A 737

A drone allegedly slammed into an Aeromexico Boeing 737 landing in Tijuana, inflicting severe damage to the aircraft. Looks at these pictures: we are talking some serious damages… Flight 773 from Guadalajara to Tijuana, just over the border from...
Seriously Great Business Class Deal On TAP Air Portugal

TAP Air Portugal, a Star Alliance member, is expanding substantially in the USA and represents a continual source of reasonably-priced airfare. TAP currently flies to Miami, Boston, Newark, and New York JFK. Next year it will add service to...
Review: Hong Kong Airlines NEW A350 Business Class – Hong Kong To Los Angeles

While I enjoyed my fight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong very much, I was pleased to experience Hong Kong’s newest aircraft for the flight home to LA, featuring the carrier’s latest business class seat. After a long layover...
Delicious Dinner On 45-Minute Austrian Airlines Flight

Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. We return...
I’d Like Airlines To Offer MORE Service In Business Class

My friend Ben from One Mile At A Time wrote a story earlier this week entitled, I’d Like Airlines To Offer LESS Service In Business Class. I offer a friendly rebuttal here. His focus is on shorter overnight flights...
Review: Hong Kong Airlines Business Class Lounge (HKG)

The Hong Kong Airlines Club Autus Lounge offers beautiful lounge space and several nice amenities in HKG’s Midfield Terminal. I had a chance to check out this lounge twice. Both visits were comfortable: the lounge was never too full...
Review: Hong Kong Airlines A330 Business Class Bangkok To Hong Kong

Here’s a brief review of my quick early morning flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong on Hong Kong Airlines aboard the A330 in business class. With no line for business class passengers, check-in took mere moments. After a longer...
Help Me Get Home From Israel!

It is not often that the Award Expert needs award help, but I find myself in a unique position. I’ll spend Christmas in Germany this year and have a bit of time after for a trip with my family. I...
Cute: Air Canada Offers Free Flight To Young Artist

Air Canada awarded the diligence of a 9-year-old with a generous offer: come see how real airplanes are painted. A proud mother, Dawn Alcock, shared a painting her son Reid had spent hours via Twitter. She added that he has...
American Airlines Announces Domestic And International Expansion

American Airlines will add 18 new routes next summer, including increasing international service from Dallas. Dallas remains a very profitable hub for American and the carrier will double service to both Paris and Madrid. From DFW, both new flights...
WOW Air Cuts More Flights, Offers 50% Off Remaining Ones

Beleaguered WOW Air will lay off more employees and cut more routes, including to Los Angeles and New Delhi. But flights are now on sale… Icleandic media is reporting that WOW Air laid off 111 permanent employees. Many contractors...
United Airlines Has A Special Gift For Those Who Miss Christmas…

Thanks to the international date line, you may well miss Christmas this year if you are in the air. But if you are traveling on United, expect a little bonus in your MileagePlus account. All westbound United flights to...
Big Brother American Airlines Is Watching

American Airlines is keeping a closer eye on its reservation agents, warning them that their screens and calls are being monitored. Why? To discourage creativity in award bookings. I’ve written about married segment fare logic in the past, including...
Hollywood Actor Sues American Airlines After Pinky Stuck In First Class Armrest

A California man is suing SkyWest and American Airlines after his pinky became stuck in a first class armrest. It took both mechanics and firefighters to dislodge his finger. The incident took place on September 09th aboard an American...
Virgin Galactic Will Attempt To Reach Space Today

Virgin Galactic plans the next test flight on its SpaceShipTwo suborbital spacecraft today. The goal: reach “space” for the first time. Departing from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California, the test flight will aim to reach an altitude of...
Review: Miracle Lounge Bangkok (BKK)

While Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) actually has nine Miracle Lounges throughout its terminals, this review will give you a good sense of what to expect at any of them. These are all Priority Pass lounges and also contract with many airlines...
Analyzing United’s “Historic” Expansion At SFO

United Airlines will add four new international routes at San Francisco, double service to one Asian destination, and make two Pacific destinations year-around. In a highly-anticipated press conference, United CEO Oscar Munoz announced the following new service from SFO to:...
Avianca Brasil Files For Strategic Bankruptcy

Citing fear of aircraft repossession, Avianca Brasil filed for bankruptcy protection in São Paulo on Monday. Earlier this week I wrote about the issues facing Avianca Brasil…and how it might indirectly impact United Airlines. After a Brazilian court ordered...