Earlier this week I wrote about the collapse of Ryanair as strikes continued to plague the budget carrier. The problem is only getting worse. Strikes have already occurred in Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. That led to the...
Review: EasyGo VIP International Lounge – Hangzhou (HGH)
The EasyGo VIP International Lounge in Hangzhou (HGH) served one key purpose: I was able to charge my devices prior to my AirAsia flight. You might have trouble finding this Priority Pass lounge unless you can read Chinese. Look...
The One Hyatt Hotel I Will Never Review
There is one Hyatt Hotel that I would love to review but will never be able to, a Hyatt locked behind the closed doors of a city that someone like me is not welcome in. I’m talking about the...
Award Space On United’s New Tel Aviv Flight From Washington Dulles
Earlier today, United Airlines announced new non-stop service between Washington Dulles and Tel Aviv. The flight is now available for booking revenue and mileage space. The new service starts on May 22, 2019 and will operate three-times weekly per...
Why I’m In FAVOR Of New TSA Plan To Eliminate Security
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) wants to eliminate airport security at 34% of U.S. airports in a new process to “streamline” security. I’m actually in favor of the idea. The plan would see the elimination of security at...
Pilots Suspended After Fistfight in Cockpit Over Meal Tray
Two pilots have been suspended for a fight over a meal tray that turned bloody. An Iraqi Airways flight heading for Baghdad with 157 passengers onboard encountered a problem during meal service. According to the first officer, who later...
Review: United Club Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
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...
