With the exception of American Airlines, I have been fortunate enough to fly in the forward cabins on each of America’s legacy carriers. While seat comfort, service, route network, and most importantly mileage program will likely be more determinate...
Too Fat to Fly? Dealing with Passengers of Size
photo credit to Flightglobal.com Discussing overweight passengers is like discussing politics or religion around the Thanksgiving dinner table with family: generally not a good idea. When I saw the picture above, though, I felt compelled to address the issue....
Mother Smothers Baby while Breastfeeding on a United 777 from Kuwait to Washington
Unlike my last mother-baby story (mother and newborn get free flights for life on AirAsia after mother gives birth onboard), this story does not have a happy ending: A baby girl died when her mum fell asleep as she...
Day 6: Bogota + BOG-MEX-LAX on Mexicana in Elite Class
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
A Recap of My Thanksgiving Travel on United – Yes, I scored another $600 bump
I mentioned last week that I had a row with a Service Director at SFO on Wednesday. I had just arrived from San Diego (surly and argumentative SEA-based FA’s on the flight) and had a tight connection down to...
Easy Bump or Illusory Hope? Gauging my Chances for a VDB Opportunity on United Today
I am scheduled to fly from Ontario, CA (ONT)-SFO-ORD-PHL later today and am hoping that I will get the opportunity to give up my seat on one of the flights. Unfortunately, it looks like my best shot is ONT-SFO...
Day 5: Cusco to Lima on LAN Peru + Lima + Lima to Bogota on Avianca
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
Day 4: Machu Picchu + Aguas Calientes to Cusco on Peru Rail
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
Giving Thanks for United Airlines
I had a mediocre day of cross-country travel yesterday that included a run-in and heated exchange with a UA Service Director at SFO. I am going to save the details for a post next week, but UA has some...
Day 3: Cusco to Aguas Calientes on Peru Rail + Climbing Putucusi Mountain
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
Day 2: Lima to Cusco on LAN Peru + Cusco
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana, Bogota to Lima on Avianca
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
Day 0: Introduction -> My Quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru
Day 0: Introduction -> My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima...
South America Trip Report on Mexicana, Avianca, and LAN Peru…
…begins tomorrow. Stay tuned!
United Airlines to Order Up to 150 New Jets Including A350s or 787s
The Chicago Tribune reports that United is close to finalizing a deal with either Airbus or Boeing to augment its long-haul fleet. UA plans to place a firm order for 25 jets with an option for up to 75...
Passenger Arrested in New Mexico for Refusing to Present ID to TSA
This story really makes my blood boil. A passenger scheduled to fly from Albuquerque to Seattle politely refused to show his identification to a TSA officer. The TSA officer called a supervisor. The supervisor came over and the passenger used his digital...
United Pulls $550 Ontario-Tampa First Class Fare
I sadly announce this evening that United has pulled the "fare of fares" between Ontario and Tampa. For over a year, travelers have been able to book a round trip First Class (A) fare between these cities for only...
Reciprocal Upgrades Coming for United and Continental Elites and UA to Keep Regional Upgrades for 1Ks
Great news today for top-tier United flyers. First, 1K members will continue to earn confirmed regional upgrades. Details here: 1K® members will continue to earn Regional Upgrades Sometimes no change is good news. After our last announcement, we heard...
Almost Another $600 Bump on United Airlines from San Francisco to Chicago
Yesterday evening I flew from Burbank to Philadelphia via San Francisco and Chicago and almost got another $600 bump at SFO. I got to the gate in San Francisco and peered up at United’s EasyInfo screen in the gate...
Picture of the Week #4: Surveying Greenland in Lufthansa First Class
The photo of Greenland below was taken from my window on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Denver in August. Maybe it was just a hot day, but if the warm weather continues, maybe there will be a lot...
