Although it has been eight years since Air New Zealand launched its innovative SkyCouch product, a new variant will allow more undisturbed sleep for toddlers. The modified seats will include a dedicated infant harness and belt, allowing little ones to...
Alitalia, ANA Form Strategic Partnership

Alitalia and ANA are linking up…further proof of the waning power of alliances. Until recently, Alitalia and ANA would have been viewed as strange bedfellows. Alitalia is a member of SkyTeam and ANA a member of Star Alliance. But...
Venezuela Bans Copa Airlines

In an escalating diplomatic spat between Venezuela and Panama, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has banned Copa Airlines from flying to the Bolivarian Republic. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela shrugged over the news. Although word of the ban sent Copa stock tumbling...
Perspective: Why More Dogs Die on United

We know that more dogs die United Airlines than any other U.S. airline. But there’s more to the story. United is pushing back. The stats are alarming. 506,994 animals flew on a U.S. airline last year. 24 died. 18 of...
No Lounge? No Problem! A Creative Solution from SWISS

SWISS is currently remodeling its Business Class and Senator Schengen lounges near the A-Gates in Zurich. As a result, these lounges will be closed until at least July. But that’s actually a GOOD thing. In the interim, SWISS provides...
Fly the Fokker 100 While You Still Can!

Although increasingly rare in the west, it is still possible to fly on a Fokker 100. It is now an aging aircraft, but I highly recommend it. I wrote about this aircraft before and even reviewed a brief flight...
Stunning: Pictures from the New SWISS First Class Lounge in Zurich

Leave it to SWISS to create a sophisticated, beautiful new first class lounge now open in the A Gates (Schengen) area of Zurich Airport. Like the E-Gates First Class Lounge, the bar design resembles a plane fuselage–made of beautiful...
New Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Munich is Excellent

The recently-opened Lufthansa First Class Lounge in Munich’s Satellite Terminal 2 is top-notch. It’s not that the design style is different than the old one. Rather, it is a testament to Lufthansa’s enduring quality as a top-tier carrier. >...
I’m Delayed In Zurich…But Why?

So much for reaching Rome on time… Last night, my flight from Zurich to Frankfurt posted creeping delays, 15 minutes at a time. The flight ended up departing 90 minutes late. With only a 55-minute connection in Frankfurt, it...
Scam “British Airways” Agent Defrauds My Client

A cautionary tale: be careful when you search Google for an airline’s telephone number. One of my Award Expert clients just got ripped off, big time. We had booked a trip for her in American Airlines + British Airways...
Lufthansa First Class Never Disappoints

Lufthansa First Class never disappoints. Never. Yesterday I flew from Los Angeles to Munich, a route now served by the A380. There wasn’t really anything new and different (though Wi-Fi is now free). And that’s the point. I’ve never...
How I Almost Missed My Flight (Again…)

Yesterday afternoon, I almost missed my flight to Munich despite arriving at the airport two hours before departure. It’s a long story, perhaps too much information, but bear with me. Yesterday I was driving to lunch with my business...
Express Dining on United Airlines

United offers express dining on long-haul flights in Polaris class for those who wish to dine quickly and maximize sleep. That’s the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week. I took advantage of it on a trip last...
Why I’m Flying Los Angeles to Rome via Munich, Zurich, AND Frankfurt

You know you’re an airline junkie when you fly from Los Angeles to Rome deliberately via Munich, Zurich, AND Frankfurt. I’m traveling through Italy later this week and next on business. This is no vacation–I’ll be spending most days...
The Perfect Post-Trip Meal

It became almost cliché among the “mileage run generation” (may that era rest in peace), but even several years later there is nothing like an In-N-Out burger at LAX after a trip. When I arrived back home last Thursday,...
A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant

United Airlines has created a video which recounts a “typical” day in the life of four FAs. It is highly choreographed, but I still enjoyed watching it. As much as we passengers love to complain, it has been a...
A Novel Way to Collect Compensation from Airlines

Here’s a novel way to collect compensation from an airline. One thing I’ve learned about the law is this: enforcement is often no easy feat. Think about it. EU law, for example, states that passengers are due compensation for...
An Update on the Way I Post Trip Reports

I’m listening to you, my daily readers. While most of my traffic comes via Google searches, a big part of why I write is for those of you who come back every day to read what I have to...
Three Airlines Take on April Fool’s Day

Yesterday was not only Easter, but April Fool’s Day. I’ve never really understood all the jokes surrounding this day, yet several airlines take time each year…a great deal of time based on the vides below…to have fun with this...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 01, 2018

Happy Easter and Happy Passover. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful day spent with family and friends and trust you have as well. I’m looking forward to a very “Matthew” like trip coming up this week. Details on that on Tuesday....