We spent about 90 minutes in the SkyTeam lounge in Dubai prior to our Saudia First Class flight to Riyadh. The lounge was comfortable, wi-fi fast, and food decent. It’s also the best Priority Pass Lounge in Dubai (DXB)....
Would You Switch to a Suite for One Night?
Earlier today I published a review of my recent stay at the Park Hyatt Dubai. Only standard rooms were available the first night, but I was offered a suite my second (and final) night. Would you move rooms just...
Review: Park Hyatt Dubai (Suite)
The Park Hyatt Dubai has not changed at all since my last visit in 2011. While the hotel is well-maintained with an extremely convenient location near the airport, I will be trying a different Hyatt property next time I...
My Final Flight on Air Berlin
Last week I flew Air Berlin from Zurich to Dusseldorf. I suspect it will be my last time ever flying the carrier… Air Berlin has been vexed with poor management, high operating costs, and a competitive environment in Germany...
Woman Sues Delta, Claims In-Flight Meal Led to $10K Dental Bill
Who would ever guess that biting into a mid-flight snack on Delta would change your life forever? Two years ago a California woman was on a Delta flight from Istanbul to New York. Midway through the flight she was...
United Airlines Adds New Service to Iceland, Portugal, Scotland and Switzerland
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby suggested his airline would re-focus on domestic service, but that has not led to any slowdown in international expansion. Quite the contrary, United is using its fuel-efficient fleet to expand to new destinations around...
Jetlines: Canada’s New Ultra-Low-Cost Airline
Hoping to become Canada’s first truly ultra-low-cost airline, Jetlines boasts an ambitious two-year plan for growth in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Service starts on June 1, 2018. Jetlines plans to build upon the success of ultra-low-cost-carriers (ULCCs)...
What is the Difference Between United Polaris First and Polaris Business?
Although United is gradually phasing out its international first class product, 777-2oos featuring an eight-seat first class section could conceivably be operating for the next three years as United gradually retrofits its fleet. What is the difference between Polaris...
Turkish Airlines Considers 747-8i
Turkish Airlines is reportedly in talks with Boeing to acquire eight 747-8i jets for use on passenger flights. We’ve heard rumors for years about interest from Turkish Airlines in acquiring 747-8s (and A380s) but past 747 rumors centered around...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: September 10, 2017
After three consecutive weeks of travel, it was great to be home this week. I’m traveling a bit in the week ahead, but just with family and just by car. Hurricane Harvey and Irma have dominated news headlines this...
First United 767-300 with Polaris Seats Takes Flight
Last month I wrote about the completion of United’s first 767-300 retrofit. Last night, the reconfigured aircraft took its first flight, from Newark to London. > Read More: Revealed: United 767 Polaris Cabin Layout There was some controversy that the...
How to Check In Hands-Free for Your Next United Airlines Flight
You can now check-in for your United Airlines domestic flights without even lifting a finger or tapping a key. Just ask Alexa… I bought an Amazon Echo when it first came out…and have never opened it. I liked it...
Can You Skip Flight Segments in Middle of Trip?
One of the most common questions I receive at Award Expert is can I just skip that segment? The answer is no, unless it is the last segment of the ticket. The question is innately reasonable. Most people assume...
A Delicious Ethiopian Meal on Ethiopian Airlines
I mentioned it briefly in my first thoughts on flying Ethiopian Airlines, but want to focus on an unexpectedly delicious Ethiopian meal on Ethiopian Airlines for my Meal of the Week post this week. Airline food is still airline...
Delta Infuriates Me With Lack of Common Sense
I don’t fly Delta, but it is heralded by many as the best carrier in the United States with good operational reliability and great customer service. Forgive me for being skeptical. Yesterday, an employee was flying from New Orleans,...
Breaking: Shooting at Miami International Airport
Miami-Dade Police shot a knife-wielding man who managed to breach a security checkpoint and make it all the way to the tarmac before being apprehended. Terminal J remains closed. I received an text from one of my employees a...
Review: Somon Air 737 Business Class Dushanbe To Dubai
Somon Air is the sole private airline (versus state-owned Tajik Air) in Tajikistan. We flew from Dushanbe to Dubai aboard a 737-900ER, the crown jewel of the fleet. While I’d rate the flight experience as good overall, Somon Air...
New Houston to Sydney Flight on United Airlines — Too Long?
United Airlines is launching new service from Houston to Sydney, Australia, an ultra-longhaul route that showcases new markets made possible by the 787-9. The new route will be daily and begins on January 18, 2018. Tickets are already on...
Hypocrisy: Delta Announces (Subsidized) New Indianapolis to Paris Route
Good news for citizens of Indianapolis: starting next May, you can fly non-stop to Paris on Delta. Ironically for an airline that decries Gulf subsidies as distorting real demand, the new international route will be subsided by the State...
Heartwarming Video: United CEO Visits Houston
United Airlines just released a heartwarming video covering CEO Oscar Munoz’s visit to areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey in Houston. I don’t think the video requires much commentary. Here it is– I love the simple truth in this video...
