United believes that Southwest cannot match the quality of United’s service to Hawaii. But that’s not really the point. United CEO Oscar Munoz just returned from a multi-stop Asia Pacific trip that included Seoul, Tokyo, and Hawaii (including Honolulu...
Woman Sues Emirates, Claims She Was Denied Water On Longhaul Flight
A woman who claimed to collapse after being denied water on Emirates flights to Dubai is finally having her day in court. Before the Victoria Supreme Court in Melbourne, Australia, Lina Di Falco’s attorney argued that she was denied...
My Favorite Priority Pass Lounge Re-Opens In Bangkok
The Oman Air Lounge in Bangkok is open once again after a one-month “refurbishment” closure. For better or for worse, it remains virtually unchanged. I’ve written positively about the Oman Air Lounge before. You can read my full review...
Hilton CEO Demonstrates Dilemma Of Tipping Housekeeping
Last week Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta said he does not tip housekeeping staff. Now Nassetta said he gladly tips. The flip-flop offers a poignant reminder of how controversial tipping remains. Asked about tipping at the NYU International Hospitality Industry...
Italian Law Allows For Clever Airline Ticket Manipulation
What if you could take advantage of Italian law to beat airlines at their own game? The possibilities are fascinating. In theory, you can book a multi-city airline ticket “in” Italy on any airline, then skip whatever segments you...
Dubai Is Manipulating Weather To Create More Rain
Dubai and other emirates in the United Arab Emirates are creating rain through cloud seeding technology, hoping to bring year-around precipitation to the sun-baked land. I’ve been to Dubai several times over the years during the summer months. The...
United Airlines Reaches Secret Compromise Over Los Angeles Landmark
More than two years later, United Airlines and the University of Southern California have reached a compromise on naming rights for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The agreement is shrouded in secrecy. In May 2017, USC and United announced...
Dinner In SAS Plus Enroute To Arctic Circle
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. This week’s...
A Supremely Comfortable Business Class Seat, Even At Eight-Across
I got the rare treat of widebody aircraft on the short flight from Chicago to Los Angeles last Saturday evening. Even though the seat is “woefully” outdated, I still consider it the most comfortable business class seat in the...
United Polaris On Display At Saks Fifth Avenue
United Airlines is front and center at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship New York City store this weekend. Through Monday, Saks Fifth Avenue is highlighting United’s new summer destinations from Newark and its Polaris business class product in the ground...
British Airways Abandons Special 747 Flights
British Airways has scrapped plans to operate a trio of Boeing 747s on domestic routes in commemoration of its 100th birthday. As I wrote about on Monday, 747s suddenly popped into the schedule for the following six flights on...
United Airlines Operates “Flight For The Planet”
United Airlines claims it operated “the most eco-friendly commercial flight of its kind in the history of aviation” from Chicago to Los Angeles on Wednesday. Combining biofuel with carbon credits and compostable service ware with “gentle” taxiing, United achieved (virtually)...
Review: Emirates 777-300ER NEW First Class Dubai To Brussels
The day finally arrived. The perfect opportunity had arisen. It was time to check out Emirates’ new first class on the 777-300ER. But with expectations so high, would Emirates deliver? In a word, YES. I booked my ticket from...
Hot Deal: New York To Paris In Business Class For $1,000 Round-Trip
During a La Compagnie flash sale, you can travel between New York and Paris for only $1,000 round-trip in business class with a fully lie-flat seat. I’ve never seen a “legit” ticket so cheap. La Compagnie is an all-business class...
Uber Copter Will Compete With BLADE For Manhattan – JFK Traffic
Uber will offer helicopter service between Lower Manhattan and New York JFK starting this summer. The ride-sharing service plans to take on BLADE, which currently offers helicopter service between all three New York airports (JFK, LGA, and EWR) and...
My Spectacular New Camera For Travel Blogging Is A Phone
For years I carried around a bulky Canon SLR camera with me during my travels. Last year, I downsized to one mobile phone. Now I’ve got two… Go back to my older trip reports and you’ll notice fairly nice...
Is It Poor Lounge Etiquette To Put Your Feet On Furniture?
Is it rude to place your feet on a coffee table in an airline lounge? How about if you take your shoes off? What is “lounge feet” etiquette? Before my Emirates flight to Dubai, I spent some time in...
United CEO Bemoans Honolulu Airport
United CEO Oscar Munoz is in Hawaii this week and had some choice words for Honolulu International Airport. As he toured airport facilities on Tuesday, Munoz told local media: I hate to be over dramatic but we’ve got to...
How Airport Security May Soon Become Much Easier
The widespread use of new technology promises to speed up airport security lines by no longer requiring that laptops or liquids be removed from carry-on bags. It has now been 13 years since the carry-on liquid ban went into...
Review: Park Hyatt Dubai (Executive Suite)
I had a very pleasant stay at the Park Hyatt Dubai and want to specifically highlight what Executive Suite guest rooms look like as well as the tremendous breakfast at Brasserie du Park. This property has not changed much...
