Bad news or good news: it all depends on how you look at it. American Airlines now lets you book awards on oneworld partner Iberia online. That’s great news for those who never knew Iberia existed, but bad news for...
A Glowing Review of Delta from My German Cousins
I have German cousins in town this week and around the dinner table last night, they showered Delta Air Lines with praise. They flew economy class from Stuttgart to Atlanta and exclaimed, “Never have we had so much food on...
Sweden Mulls Pricey New Airline Tax
Sweden’s governing coalition has proposed a tax of up to 439 Krona (~$49) on airfare originating in Sweden, a move that critics say will cripple the country’s growing and competitive aviation industry. The UK’s “Air Passenger Duty” and Germany’s “Air...
Review: British Airways 747-400 First Class London to New York
British Airways’ 747-400 First Class is a bit of a tight squeeze, but a comfortable product. My midday flight from London to New York flew by. With excellent service and tasty meals, I landed in JFK with a smile on my...
Why Singapore Airlines Must Be Cautious About Cuts
Singapore Airlines reported a quarterly loss for the first time in five years. CEO Goh Choon Phong has warned that job cuts may be on the horizon. But if Singapore is not careful, it will find itself in an even worse...
My Midyear Hyatt Dilemma
We’ve reached June and I’m facing a new reality: qualifying for Hyatt Globalist status is going to be even more difficult than I thought. I knew that 60 nights is a far different beast than 25 stays. Last year...
Uncle Willie’s Tall Tale
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” –1984 “It was not a failure of IT.” -Willie Walsh Willie Walsh, the chief of IAG (parent of company of British Airways) is blaming the media for exacerbating the fiasco...
United Airlines Agent Attempts to “Wrestle” Violin from Passenger
I know that the Dao dragging incident has emboldened many to come forward with stories of dubious veracity. Yet there is something about a new “United violin incident” that seems so outlandish that I have trouble believing it was made up....
Review: British Airways Concorde Room London Heathrow
The British Airways Concorde Room at London Heathrow has to be one of most hellacious lounges in the world. Let me tell you about my visit. First, the lounge looks like grandma’s house. You know, your grandma whose furniture is about two...
Update: More Route Suspensions + Statement from Qatar Airways
More bad news for Qatar Airways today, as the Doha-based carrier has suspended flights to Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Yesterday the carrier suspended service to Saudi Arabia. These nations have also blocked Qatar from using its airspace. As...
Booked! Sun Country Airlines First Class
If you’re wondering how little I regard elite status these days, this should make it clear: I just booked a ticket on Sun Country Airlines. Sun Country Airlines is “The Hometown Airline” of Minneapolis (MSP). With no partner carriers,...
United CEO on London Attack
United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz has issued a statement to United employees on the weekend attacks in London. United has a flight attendant crew base in London and I count United’s London-based crews as some of the best in the system....
Flying Qatar This Week? Why You Shouldn’t Panic
News broke overnight that a handful of Gulf nations would diplomatically isolate Qatar. The isolation may include blocking air space vital for Qatar Airways to smoothly operate. While news is still developing and the situation could get much worse, for now...
Will Qatar Airways Be Destroyed by Geopolitics?
Beware if you are flying Qatar Airways in the days ahead: expect delays and/or flight cancellations as the Gulf airline finds itself in the middle of a larger diplomatic row. The following nations have ceased diplomatic relations with Qatar:...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 04, 2017
Although it has been a relatively quiet week, I find myself tired on this beautiful spring Sunday. I’m trying to rest up because travel picks up later this week and then again next week. I hope to see some of you...
Review: Qantas A380 First Class Dubai to London
This first class flight report is a continuation of Qantas 001 which travels from Sydney to London Heathrow with a stop in Dubai for a crew change. You can check out Part I from SYD to DXB here. Just to note,...
The Secret U.S. Government Airline
Next time you fly through Las Vegas, take a look around for an unmarked white 737-600 with a red cheatline down the center. That’s “Janet” Airlines, a top-secret U.S. Air Force contractor that shuttles workers to sensitive government installations. Area-51, officially known as...
United Airlines Suspends Service to Venezuela
Venezuela is on the verge of economic collapse and United Airlines has decided enough is enough. Effective July 01, 2017 United is suspending service to Caracas (CCS). Although corrupt President Nicolás Maduro has promised to prevent any carrier who halts service...
Review: Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai
The Emirates First Class Lounge in the A Concourse of Dubai (DXB) is a sight to behold: it feels more like being in a private terminal. I’m merging two visits into one for this review. I’m in the midst...
Hilton Horror Story: Why You Should Not Complain…Too Much
Compensation is a good thing, when warranted. But when you push too far, the consequences can be great. I know most of us like to game the system where we can: it’s part of the allure of miles and...
