As the year draws to a close, here’s a look back at my 10 best flights in 2017. 1. Saudia 777-300 First Class, RUH-LAX The best flight of the year was due to one man: Chef Rahmi. I’ve never...
Still No Word from Air France or Travelocity Over First Class Cancellation

It has been 10 days since I booked a cheap Air France first class ticket on Travelocity and six days since Air France cancelled it. I still have not received notice from either party concerning the cancellation. Lack of...
Review: United 777-300ER Economy Class Frankfurt to San Francisco

What is United Airlines’ economy class product like on its 10-across 777-300ER between Europe and the USA? Once in awhile, a bit of a reality check is nice. Although I love premium cabins and am fortunate to routinely secure...
Fascinating: Foul Play and Intrigue Onboard ANA Flight to Nowhere

Turns out there may have been a very good reason to turn an ANA flight around over four hours into its journey…a genuine stowaway onboard. > Read More: Supermodel’s Account of the 8hr ANA Flight from LAX to LAX I...
Burnt Bagel Causes St. Louis Airport Evacuation

Authorities are blaming a burnt bagel for the evacuation of Terminal 2 at Lambert Airport in St. Louis earlier this week. Better safe than sorry? Airport officials say a bagel burned in a restaurant in Terminal 2 around 6...
Aer Lingus Flight to LA Diverts After Engine Failure

An Aer Lingus flight bound for Los Angeles was forced to divert to Shannon, Ireland after one engine shut down during takeoff. EI145, an A330-200 traveling from Dublin to Los Angeles, departed Dublin on-schedule at 3:25p from Dublin. But...
British Embassy Warns UAE Expats Against Drunkenness in LEGO Video

In a mildly hilarious video, the British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates is warning British Expats to respect local law. But not everyone is amused. The five-minute video is surprisingly well done, using stop-motion animation with LEGO figures. Titled,...
Hot Deal: Scandinavia to Australia in Qatar Airways Business Class $1658 R/T Plus 30K Bonus Miles

Qatar Airways is like the gift that keeps on giving. Business Class companion fares out of Scandinavia to Australia remain incredibly low. Let me make clear from the outset, this is for companion fares…meaning for two tickets purchased together,...
Business Class Upgrades on Turkish Airlines at the Airport

If unsold seats remain, Turkish Airlines will sell you an upgrade at the airport. While checking in for my Los Angeles to Istanbul flight last week, I noticed a small sign in the Star Alliance Gold check-in line: The...
Awakened by a Barking Dog Halfway Over the Atlantic

I’ve flown with a lot of dogs over the years, but recently experienced a loud one for the first time. This was once again my Turkish Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul last week. I did not mention...
UPDATE: United Insists It Did NOT Boot Woman From First Class for Congresswoman

I had a telephone conversation with United Airlines yesterday about the events surrounding the Washington, DC woman who found herself booted from first class and a Congresswoman in her original seat. If you missed out on yesterday’s post, you...
Supermodel’s Account of the 8hr ANA Flight from LAX to LAX

An ANA flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo turned around yesterday, four hours into the flight, after a potential stowaway was found onboard. Interestingly, play-by-play coverage was brought to us by Chrissy Teigen, a supermodel onboard (who View from the...
Bye, Bye Mr. Turkish Guy, Drinking Rakı and Rye

Forgive my pun playing on Don McLean’s famous American Pie in my title…I could not resist. Nor could a Turkish man resist his own bottle of Rye Whiskey at LAX last week. If you recall, my Turkish Airlines flight from...
Congresswoman Poaches First Class Seat, Accuses Victim of Racism

A teacher has accused a prominent Democratic Congresswoman of stealing her first class seat on a United flight from Houston to Washington, DC. Jean-Marie Simon was traveling back from Guatemala to Washington, DC via Houston. Upon boarding her connecting flight...
Sleeping Rooms in Qatar’s Al Mourjan Lounge (Doha)

My layover in Doha (DOH) was too short for even a nap, but if you ever find yourself there with a long layover, a relaxation area is available. During my recent transit in Doha, I wanted to shower before...
Reflections on a Christmas Eve Hug

A very Happy Christmas to you from Germany. Sometimes we find life in the least expected places. Last night I attended a late-night candlelight church service, a cherished tradition. But what struck me was not the familiar lessons and...
All the 2017 Airline Holiday Videos

Christmas has arrived and many airlines have released holiday videos for 2017. I have compiled them into one place for your viewing pleasure. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. Air Canada Air France Air New Zealand American Airlines...
The Aer Lingus Worker Who Saved Christmas

An Aer Lingus worker in Dublin delivered a Christmas miracle to a woman in New York City. Few things makes your heart sink more than realizing that you left something valuable behind on an airplane. For Laura Begley Bloom,...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 24, 2017

It’s Christmas Eve and I hope, like me, you are spending it with family friends. I’m on “vacation” in Germany for awhile, but there is never really any true vacation in the world of blogging and Award Expert. Posts...
Review: Qatar Airways A350 Business Class Doha to New York

Sleep and food…two of my favorite things and the two items my Qatar Airways A350 flight from Doha to New York centered on. After spending a couple hours inside the Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge in DOH, it was time...