After New York last week, John and I had to fly to Frankfurt to meet with a shipping transport company. We had planned to use miles, but Thursday turned out to be a particularly busy travel day so nothing...
Review: Ethiopian NEW 787 Business Class Addis Ababa to Bangkok
This review will be shorter than my previous two longhaul Ethiopian Business Class trip reports, focusing primarily on the new 787-8 lie-flat business class seat. Ethiopian Airlines has two different business class seats on its 787-8. Both are configured...
TSA Calls in Reinforcements, No One Comes
What happens when the TSA calls in reinforcements at JFK, but they’re on their coffee break? Nothing, as it turns out. When I described the horrific security lines at JFK last week, I mentioned an assault incident that deserved...
Spirit Airlines Justified in Kicking Off Breastfeeding Mother
Spirit Airlines removed a breastfeeding mother, her son, and her elderly parents for refusing to follow crewmember instructions. I believe this action was justified. Oh no, don’t worry…this isn’t going where you may think. Not that it matters, but...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 10, 2017
I’m back in LA after a whirlwind trip to New York and Frankfurt. I’ll have more details on that trip tomorrow, including a dismaying incident at JFK. My focus over the last week has been on the SWISS First...
Afternoon Swim at the Park Hyatt New York
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...
