As I walked onto my Middle Eastern Airlines A320 flight from Dubai to Beirut, cigarette smoke wafted out of the cockpit. What was in store for me? I know the cigarette smoke will immediately and automatically turn many people...
Why AA’s Expanded Online Award Space Is Devastating News
AA is making it easy than ever before to book oneworld partner award space. That’s devastating news to savvy travelers. Last night, award space on the following partners appeared on AA.com for the first time: Cathay Pacific LATAM Malaysia...
Africa’s Strongest Airline Grows 21% In One Year
Africa’s largest and most profitable airline transported 21% more passengers this year than last year. And that’s just one measure of the carrier’s rapid growth. The 2017-18 fiscal year just ended for Ethiopian Airlines and the numbers are impressive....
Business Class Lunch From Easter Island On LATAM
A hot lunch and a lie-flat bed were the perfect antidotes to a bad sun reaction, as both led to sleep. This week’s Meal of the Week focuses on a business class lunch from Easter Island to Santiago. This...
I Loved Flying Air France (777-300 Business Class)
First it was Aeromexico, now Air France. SkyTeam carriers have really impressed me so far on this trip. I just had a wonderful flight aboard the 777-300ER in business class on Air France. Air France features a reverse herringbone...
SkyTeam Sends Me A Note On Delta Lounge Incident
Yesterday I wrote about Delta’s response to my lounge denial incident at LAX. Now SkyTeam has weighed in. I received an email from Michael Schutzbank, Director of Customer Loyalty at SkyTeam. His email stated: Matthew, On behalf of SkyTeam...
Why I Turned Down An Upgrade To First Class On Air France
It was hard to resist, but I turned down a 1079EUR upgrade offer from Air France Business Class to La Premier (First Class) on my recent flight from Paris to Dubai. That is probably the cheapest price I’ll ever...
UPDATE: Official Delta Response To Lounge Denial Incident
Last week, Delta agents denied me access to the LAX Sky Club in Terminal 2, even though I was traveling on an international business class ticket. Now Delta has officially weighed in on the issue. The day after the...
My New Favorite AMEX Centurion Lounge
Mexico City is home to my new favorite American Express Centurion Lounge. I enjoyed a great massage, shoe shine, haircut, and meal between Aeromexico flights. Talk about a productive layover! The Mexico City AMEX lounges are run a bit...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 12, 2018
I’m back in Las Vegas, anxious to get home to my family, after a whirlwind trip over the last several days to Mexico City, Paris, Dubai, Beirut, Frankfurt, and Washington, DC. All in a day’s work… Tomorrow, look for...
First Impressions: Aeromexico 787 Business Class
My 11-hour flight from Mexico City to Paris aboard the Aeromexico 787-9 in business class was superb. Boarding began late, but due to favorable tailwinds we still landed on time. I was first to board and found the 787...
The BEST Airport Lounge Breakfast I’ve Ever Had…
I am careful to throw around the “best” adjective, but I cannot think of a better lounge breakfast than I had at the Delta Sky Club at LAX earlier this week. If you know me, you know I love...
Top Secret Government Airline Now Hiring Pilot
First it was flight attendants, now it is a pilot. I’ve written about JANET before, the “secret” government airline that transports workers to highly-classified government facilities. The airline is now hiring a 737 first officer! But this won’t be a standard...
Commercial Aircraft Stolen From Seattle, F-15s Pursue, Pilot Commits Suicide
A Horizon Air Q400 turbojet was stolen from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport then crashed 25 miles away as it was being pursued by F-15s. Sadly, this is not a joke. Alaska Airlines, of which Horizon is a subsidiary, initially issued this...
Last Chance: FTU Washington, DC This Weekend
Frequent Traveler University is returning to Washington, DC this weekend. This is your last chance to register for what promises to be a great weekend of learning and fellowship. As this post goes live, I’m enroute to DC. If...
Aeromexico Business Class Impresses On Flight To Mexico City
Based on some of the comments when I announced that I had booked a trip to Paris on Aeromexico, I was bracing myself for horrific service and inedible food. As it turned out, my flight on Aeromexico wasn’t bad...
United Airlines Updates Brand Image
United Airlines, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly, is updating its brand design. In a note to employees, United argues “a visual identity that reflects our new spirit as a thoughtful, modern and innovative airline will make us memorable to our...
Cathay Pacific Is Still Losing Money
Cathay Pacific has a lot going for it: higher ticket prices, strong cargo loads, and more passengers. But the carrier is still losing money thanks to high fuel costs. That’s a huge red flag in this era of aviation...
Corporate Travel: Comfort Vs. Price
Price is still king when it comes to corporate travel, but queen comfort is a powerful consort. I was speaking to a friend of mine last week about his corporate travel policy. He works for a software company in...
Accused Of Being A Child Predator at Park Hyatt Vienna!
I cannot make this stuff up… Ok, first a lesson on European spa etiquette, especially in the Germanic countries. You sit with your clothes off in the sauna. There are no exceptions. It is absolutely sacrosanct. The fastest way...
