Before my flight to Newark last Saturday I spent about an hour in the Fort Lauderdale United Club. It served its purpose nicely. As you might expect on a Saturday afternoon in Florida, the airport was packed. Thus, the...
My Massive Suite Upgrade At The Wynn Las Vegas
My suite at the Wynn Las Vegas this week was bigger than my house and included such “necessities” as a bar and private massage room. I’m in Las Vegas for meetings this week and it occurred to my business...
Let’s Give Alaska Airlines The Benefit Of The Doubt
Alaska Airlines has taken a lot of heat this week over an allegation that it deliberately separated a gay couple onboard a New York to Los Angeles flight so a straight couple could sit together. But I’m ready to...
Air India Seeks New Government Bailout To Pay Bills
Beleaguered Air India is seeking another $309MN from the Indian government to pay off vendors, further scaring away potential investors. The Indian government, which currently owns a 76% stake in Air India, has been actively courting investors to buy...
Should I Cruise Or Fly To Europe?
I’m looking ahead to Christmas travel to Europe this year and seriously considering a ship over a plane. Little Augustine (who’s running circles around me and starting to put sentences together) has reached the age in which flying is...
Review: United Club Newark (EWR)
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,...
