The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge in Osaka (KIX) is hardly worth showing up early for, but I appreciated the attentive service. After arriving from Guam on United, I proceeded to the transit counter, obtained my boarding pass, and...
Please Don’t Exploit The California Wildfires To Save Big On Airfare
I write about this topic with a heavy heart for two reasons. First, wildfires have wrought destruction across California. The consequences are real. The damage is breathtaking. 42 people have died. Second, what I am about to cover is...
Manila To Osaka Via Koror And Guam, All On A United Airlines 737!
When you think about which airline to fly from Manila to Osaka, your first thought is probably not on United. It wasn’t mine either. But I could not resist. United has a hub in Guam. This was once a...
Delta Will Resume Atlanta Flights Next Year From Burbank
After a multi-year hiatus, Delta will resume flights between Atlanta and Burbank, California next July. Delta is billing its new route as “media and entertainment” route. Ranjan Goswami, Delta’s Vice President of Los Angeles and West Coast Sales said, “And if...
France Seizes Ryanair 737 In Bordeaux, Kicks Passengers Off
Ignore warning letters at your own risk: eventually patience runs out. France’s patience indeed ran out last Thursday, as it grew tired of Ryanair’s failure to even acknowledge a bill of 525,000EUR. The Irish budget carrier had received “incentives” to...
Magnifico: Lufthansa First Class Slippers
I must admit, I’ve fallen in love with my Lufthansa First Class slippers. We have a policy against shoes in my house. That’s not how I grew up, but my wife is adamant about it. And I’ve signed on...
Introduction: Chasing The A380 First Class On Thai And Asiana
I’ve just got a trio of “old” trip reports left before the backlog is officially filled. I hope to knock out the remainder the by end of the year so I can start off 2019 with a clean slate....
LAX Loses Another Priority Pass Restaurant
After losing Campanile last month, Priority Pass will soon lose a second restaurant at Los Angeles International Airport. Language has been added to the Barney’s Beanery Priority Pass page that the restaurant will leave the program on November 30,...
How Turkish Airlines Serves As A Political Sword
As Istanbul’s beautiful new airport opens for business, it serves as a reminder of how state-backed airlines serve to advance the power of the regimes that fuel them. The Financial Times shares a fascinating account of the history of Turkish...
United CEO Reflects Upon Veterans Day
As the world commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz weighed in with his own thoughts. Thanks to a FA friend for passing on this note, which reflects upon the...
Adria Airways Business Class Supper
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. Last week...
Philippine Airlines Flight Attendant Is A Hero
It has been a rough week. Fires are scorching California and a deadly shooting killed 12. On a far lesser note, the travel news has also been predominantly negative. So let’s just take a quick pause from the bad...
United Airlines Flight Attendants Protest Staffing Cuts, Warn Of Poor Service Onboard
Flight attendants from United Airlines are resisting management efforts to reduce staffing on international flights. Earlier this week, I wrote about a memo to FAs from VP John Slater. Citing competitive pressures, he informed FAs that on certain international...
A United Airlines Trip Report From An American Airlines Executive
An American Airlines Executive VP just flew United Airlines…and offered her thoughts on Twitter. Elise Eberwein is AA’s Vice President of People, Communications, and Public Affairs. She was flying from Chicago to Salt Lake City yesterday on United 521, a...
Big Trouble For Thai Airways As Losses Double
After the latest fiscal quarter, Thai Airways has much more to wrestle with than unhappy pilots who delay flights when they are denied a first class seat. But it is all connected. Thai Airways just suffered a particularly bad...
Update On My Lufthansa EU261 Claim
Lufthansa finally contacted me concerning my extended flight delay in June. Unsurprisingly, the issue remains unresolved. If you missed out on the details of my issue with Lufthansa, I’ll briefly summarize: Itinerary: Milan – Frankfurt – Munich – Los...
What I Transferred To British Airways During American Express Transfer Bonus
Time is running out on a lucrative 40% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards to British Airways Executive Club. If you have not yet moved over any points, check out my earlier post, which outlines why you may...
A European Loyalty Program Devalues Without Notice
The only thing worse than a devaluation is a devaluation without notice. SAS EuroBonus is guilty of both. Or, depending upon your perspective, the program may have suddenly become more valuable. SAS has a great new ad out concerning...
American Airlines Gold Status? No Thanks.
I have not flown a single flight on American Airlines this year. Nevertheless, I received an offer this week to buy up to Gold status for 2019. You might recall that I earned nearly enough AA miles last year...
Review: United Polaris Lounge Houston (IAH)
The United Polaris Lounge in Houston (IAH) offers a tremendous upgrade to international business class passengers versus the United Clubs. I spent two hours in the lounge but could have easily spent much longer. United calls this its “boutique”...
