Poor Ben Smith has his work cut out for him. The Air Canada President and Chief Operating Officer was named CEO of Air France-KLM today. Already, unions representing Air France are up in arms, threatening strikes and condemning Smith’s...
Hot Deal: Under $700 R/T Business Class from West Coast to SE Asia With Hong Kong Stopover
Many have written about a hot deal currently available from Hong Kong Airlines, with business class airfare from Los Angeles to Southeast Asia pricing at economy class levels. But I haven’t seen any reports of stopovers on these tickets…until...
First Impressions: Middle East Airlines A330 Business Class
I received quite a surprise when I stepped aboard the Middle East Airlines A330-200 that would take me to Frankfurt. Based on Seat Guru, I assigned myself a seat in Row 5, which appeared to be a standard row...
Why Did AA Really Pull Back Partner Award Space Online?
After briefly appearing on the American Airlines’ website for several hours on Tuesday night, partner award space on five carriers disappeared like a subway car leaving the station. What really happened? First, let’s breakdown AA’s own statement on the incident....
Turkish Airlines Is A Pawn In The USA-Turkey Chess Game
Turkey and the USA are in the midst of a severe diplomatic spat and Turkish Airlines finds itself as a pawn of the Turkish state. As the carrier cuts ads in the USA, are flights next on the chopping...
Contest: Win One Million United Miles
United Airlines is giving away 1 million award miles to three travelers who share a particularly compelling photo or video from their travels. Here’s how the #UnitedJourneyContest Works: 1. Select a travel photo or video Do you have a...
A Smoking Good Time On Middle East Airlines
As I walked onto my Middle Eastern Airlines A320 flight from Dubai to Beirut, cigarette smoke wafted out of the cockpit. What was in store for me? I know the cigarette smoke will immediately and automatically turn many people...
Why AA’s Expanded Online Award Space Is Devastating News
AA is making it easy than ever before to book oneworld partner award space. That’s devastating news to savvy travelers. Last night, award space on the following partners appeared on AA.com for the first time: Cathay Pacific LATAM Malaysia...
Africa’s Strongest Airline Grows 21% In One Year
Africa’s largest and most profitable airline transported 21% more passengers this year than last year. And that’s just one measure of the carrier’s rapid growth. The 2017-18 fiscal year just ended for Ethiopian Airlines and the numbers are impressive....
Business Class Lunch From Easter Island On LATAM
A hot lunch and a lie-flat bed were the perfect antidotes to a bad sun reaction, as both led to sleep. This week’s Meal of the Week focuses on a business class lunch from Easter Island to Santiago. This...
I Loved Flying Air France (777-300 Business Class)
First it was Aeromexico, now Air France. SkyTeam carriers have really impressed me so far on this trip. I just had a wonderful flight aboard the 777-300ER in business class on Air France. Air France features a reverse herringbone...
SkyTeam Sends Me A Note On Delta Lounge Incident
Yesterday I wrote about Delta’s response to my lounge denial incident at LAX. Now SkyTeam has weighed in. I received an email from Michael Schutzbank, Director of Customer Loyalty at SkyTeam. His email stated: Matthew, On behalf of SkyTeam...
Why I Turned Down An Upgrade To First Class On Air France
It was hard to resist, but I turned down a 1079EUR upgrade offer from Air France Business Class to La Premier (First Class) on my recent flight from Paris to Dubai. That is probably the cheapest price I’ll ever...
UPDATE: Official Delta Response To Lounge Denial Incident
Last week, Delta agents denied me access to the LAX Sky Club in Terminal 2, even though I was traveling on an international business class ticket. Now Delta has officially weighed in on the issue. The day after the...
My New Favorite AMEX Centurion Lounge
Mexico City is home to my new favorite American Express Centurion Lounge. I enjoyed a great massage, shoe shine, haircut, and meal between Aeromexico flights. Talk about a productive layover! The Mexico City AMEX lounges are run a bit...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 12, 2018
I’m back in Las Vegas, anxious to get home to my family, after a whirlwind trip over the last several days to Mexico City, Paris, Dubai, Beirut, Frankfurt, and Washington, DC. All in a day’s work… Tomorrow, look for...
First Impressions: Aeromexico 787 Business Class
My 11-hour flight from Mexico City to Paris aboard the Aeromexico 787-9 in business class was superb. Boarding began late, but due to favorable tailwinds we still landed on time. I was first to board and found the 787...
The BEST Airport Lounge Breakfast I’ve Ever Had…
I am careful to throw around the “best” adjective, but I cannot think of a better lounge breakfast than I had at the Delta Sky Club at LAX earlier this week. If you know me, you know I love...
Top Secret Government Airline Now Hiring Pilot
First it was flight attendants, now it is a pilot. I’ve written about JANET before, the “secret” government airline that transports workers to highly-classified government facilities. The airline is now hiring a 737 first officer! But this won’t be a standard...
Commercial Aircraft Stolen From Seattle, F-15s Pursue, Pilot Commits Suicide
A Horizon Air Q400 turbojet was stolen from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport then crashed 25 miles away as it was being pursued by F-15s. Sadly, this is not a joke. Alaska Airlines, of which Horizon is a subsidiary, initially issued this...
