United’s only true club in Newark’s Terminal C is overcrowded, but functional. I say only true club, noting that a beautiful Polaris Lounge is now available for longhaul business class passengers. This is an incredible lounge, but not accessible...
A $105,000 Fine For Drinking And Flying
As seat pitch shrinks and amenities are slashed, many passengers have taken to the bottle. But drunk passengers in the UK may soon get six-digit bill for drinking one too many. Drunk and disorderly conduct by airline passengers is...
Review: Emirates A380 First Class Dubai to Frankfurt
By almost every measure, my second flight on Emirates in first class far surpassed the first. With excellent food and service, my only complaint that the flight was too short. Boarding commenced directly from the first class lounge, a...
Quiet Skies: The Secret TSA Program To Spy On You
What do a Southwest Airlines flight attendant, a federal law enforcement officer, and a businesswoman who recently traveled through Turkey all have in common? They’ve all been trailed by Federal Air Marshals in a new program called Quiet Skies....
The Sudden Collapse Of Ryanair
Spain? Strike. Portugal? Strike. Belgium? Strike. Italy? Strike. Ireland? Strike. It has not been a good month for Ryanair… The Irish-based carrier is facing a summer of discontent as labor strife across its European bases spirals into total disaster....
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 29, 2018
After a whirlwind trip to New York and Miami, I’m back in Los Angeles for the day, then off to Las Vegas tomorrow. Over the last week, we’ve seen a new photo policy at United Airlines, Chinese anger at U.S. airlines, and a...
A Surprising Steak Dinner on Air China
I was shocked to see it on the menu and even more shocked over how it tasted. A steak dinner on Air China is the subject of the week’s Meal of the Week. Air China, whether valid or not,...
Help Me Get Home From Dubai!
I’ve now got a one-way ticket to Dubai, but nothing back. It’s time to get creative. My first thought was to fly Kuwait Airways in first class back to New York. This was a flight option that Ben and...
China Rejects Compromise On Taiwan By U.S. Airlines
China has rejected an attempt at compromise over the thorny Taiwan issue by the three U.S. legacy carriers. Earlier this week, I wrote that U.S. airlines agreed to Chinese demands that Taiwan not be listed as an independent nation...
Lost in Translation: Air China Flight Returns To Paris Due To “Bomb Threat”
An Air China flight from Paris to Beijing returned to Paris 40 minutes after taking off due to a bomb threat…that was never actually made. When I worked at Frankfurt Airport, we would receive “alert” emails no less than...
Booked! Aeromexico + Air France Business Class
Last week I wrote about my dilemma over an expiring Korean Air award. I’ve now found a solution and thankfully salvaged the ticket. Since Korean Air SkyTeam partner award tickets must end in the same country as they begin,...
Ghost Flights From London Heathrow
Three of the most valuable commodities in the world: gold, silver…and LHR slots? Take a worldwide financial hub and throw in an airport bursting at the seams and you have a classic supply and demand dilemma. But the ironic...
Deplorable: Bed Bugs Invade Business Class!
Bad service and poor food are one thing, but bed bugs? It takes “horrible flight” to a whole new level. Several passengers aboard an Air India 777-300 from Newark to Mumbai found their business class seats infested with bed...
A Golden Shower at 40,000 Feet
No, not that golden shower. Please… Instead, we’re talking about glitzy and gaudy Emirates, where golden shower takes on a whole new meaning. Emirates (and Etihad) offer first class passengers the chance for a five minute shower aboard the A380....
How I Saved $600+ On Aeroplan And STILL Booked Lufthansa
While there is no way to fully avoid fuel surcharges when using Aeroplan miles to book Lufthansa, there is an easy way to at least reduce them. An Award Expert client earlier this week needed a round-trip from Washington,...
Last Chance: How To Claim Your British Airways Lawsuit Cash Settlement
If you are party to the British Airways class action lawsuit, don’t forget you only have until July 29th to file your clam. Here’s how to do it. If you are a member of the class action, you should...
United Airlines Cuts Strategic Silicon Valley Flight from Newark
Just a year and a half after entering the market, United Airlines will end daily service between Newark, New Jersey and San Jose, California. The route has not performed as hoped for. In March 2017, I wrote about United’s...
Review: Emirates A380 First Class Los Angeles to Dubai
Emirates First Class is rite of passage for any aficionado of miles and points. I was absolutely giddy with anticipation for my flight. But were my expectations too high? Check-in was easy at LAX and the the agent did...
United Teases Premium Service Between Los Angeles And Boston
United is testing out lie-flat beds for a couple months on flights between Los Angeles and Boston. United Airlines operates premium transcontinental service routes between three city pairs: Los Angeles ⇄ Newark San Francisco ⇄ Newark Boston ⇄ San Francisco > Read More: Premium...
Even With New Photo Policy, I Still Would Have Been Kicked Off United Flight
Yesterday, I wrote about United’s loosened new onboard photo policy, which now permits other passengers and FAs to be captured without consent. It’s a positive development and I give United credit for the update. In thinking more about this...
