Sometimes a short afternoon respite can turn a tiring day into a much more relaxed one. That’s one of many reasons I am thankful for the Park Hyatt New York. Yesterday, I wrote about my hectic business trip to...
Review: Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa (ADD)
I returned to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport about 90 minutes before my flight to Bangkok, giving me about 20 minutes in the lounge prior to boarding. As you pass exit immigration and proceed upstairs, you’ll come to a...
A380 Landing from the Perspective of a British Airways’ Pilot
Ever wondered what an actual landing looks like from the view of the cockpit? Or perhaps how pilots handle it? British Airways has just released a great video documenting an A380 landing in Johannesburg. Here’s the video– The video...
United Cancels Service to Xi’an, China
United Airlines is cancelling its summer seasonal service between San Francisco and Xi’an, China. Effective today, the flight has been removed from the schedule. In an internal memo, United blamed poor yields for the decision to abandon service– In...
Introspection: I’m Now a Real Road Warrior
With the new start-up I’ve co-founded now spreading its wings, I’m being re-acquainted with more traditional business trips. Let me tell you about my trip to New York this week. First, some background. For the past several years I’ve...
Mayhem at JFK: Terminal 4 Security Line
Oh man, this was truly horrific. I fly often. Very often. I’ve set foot in 130 countries and have certainly seen my fair share of long airport security lines. But last night was a new low… Here’s the point...
Aeroplan Rebooks Me on Air Canada…Without Notice
Yesterday evening I received an email from Aeroplan. It was a new e-ticket receipt. My nonstop flight in SWISS First Class had suddenly become two Air Canada flights in business class with an overnight connection in Toronto. If you’re...
Review: Hilton Addis Ababa
What was supposed to be a temporary resting place turned into a fortress I did not exit. I spent my entire 17-hour layover in Ethiopia at the Hilton Addis Ababa. Upon arriving in Addis Ababa, I visited the Ethiopian Airlines...
Aeroplan Plan of Attack: DOT First, Lawsuit Later
Aeroplan apparently won’t honor the SWISS First Class award tickets issued last week. I say apparently because Aeroplan still hasn’t contacted me directly concerning my ticket and the reservation still shows intact if I login to my Aeroplan account....
Deconstructing Aeroplan’s Disingenuous Statement
Aeroplan has passed off blame on SWISS for the cancellation of hundreds of first class award tickets, including my own. Let’s unpack Aeroplan’s latest public statement. A small number of first class bookings were made using Aeroplan miles on SWISS;...
Aer Lingus Answers Skit on SNL with Trumpesque Tweet
Aer Lingus was lampooned recently on Saturday Night Live. But the good-natured Irish carrier offered a stinging rebuttal in an all-too-familiar-style. Honestly, the SNL clip isn’t all that funny, though the the accents are absolutely perfect. I know the...
Aeroplan: We Won’t Honor SWISS First Class Award Tickets
Just 11 minutes after publishing a cautiously optimistic post on the Aeroplan/SWISS First Class award issue, the other shoe dropped…Aeroplan is throwing in the towel. Here’s the update from Aeroplan– A small number of first class bookings were made...
Impressive: United’s Free Coach Meals on Domestic Transcons
Upgrades are much more difficult when you purchase a same-day ticket. Yesterday was one of those days. Three urgent meetings in New York today meant a last-minute redeye yesterday. While my upgrade never cleared, it gave me a chance...
SWISS First Class Update: No News is Good News?
I’ve received over 50 emails the last two days asking for an update on the Aeroplan/SWISS First Class issue. Thus far, I’ve only been advised to be patient. At this point, we know that SWISS is the culprit for...
My United 1K Dilemma
As the year draws to the close, I find myself in a paradoxical position: top-tier United 1K status is within reach, yet hopelessly distant. I’ve racked up over 86,000 EQM this year and I’m on my next trip this...
A Guide to Ethiopian Airlines’ Free Transit Hotel
If your layover in Addis Ababa is between 8-24 hours, chances are you can score a free hotel room courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines during your long layover. Not everyone with a transit between 8-24 hours will receive a free...
It’s Raining Poop! New Delhi Residents Blame Airlines for Toxic Downpour
Residents near Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi are complaining of human waste dropping from the heavens. Many are fingering airlines as the culprit… A great debate has arisen whether it is bird poop or human waste. I’d...
5 Reasons Lufthansa is a 5-Star Airline
Lufthansa was named a five-star airline by Skytrax yesterday, making it the first European airline to receive such recognition. Per Skytrax: A critical factor for an airline to achieve 5-Star Certification is consistency of standards, and this is where...
Best City for a Night Out is…Hamburg?
I’m not much of a nightlife person, preferring to be in bed by 9pm, but in my travels to over 125 nations I’ve certainly experienced my fair share of nightlife. Which world city is best for a night out?...
Addis Ababa (ADD) Transit Guide
Addis Ababa may not have the most beautiful airport and the lack of gates is annoying, but transit is fairly easy. Here’s a handy guide to help make your transit easy. I landed from Toronto at a remote gate,...
