What happens when passengers react to a long flight delay by refusing to leave rather demanding to deplane? One Air Asia captain had to resort to fairly unorthodox tactics…at least that’s what passengers are claiming. An Air Asia flight...
Why JAL First Class Was The Best Flight Of My Life
I recently published my JAL 777-300 first class trip report. The more I think about it, the more it becomes clear that this was the best flight of my life in terms of overall onboard product. But why? What...
Bankrupt Alitalia Abandons Beautiful Retro Uniforms for Ugly New Look
Alitalia logic: our airline loses money every year, costs are out of control, but let’s unveil totally new uniforms even though we just changed them a few years ago. Tell me how you really feel… Ok, I’ll try be...
United Airlines Condemns Trump Immigration Policy, Echoing American Airlines
As in the NRA debate, sometimes airlines choose to wade into politics…or morality, depending upon how you view the issue. Just moments ago, United released a statement from CEO Oscar Munoz condemning the Trump Administration policy of separating minor...
Five First Class Products I Should Have Tried By Now
Recently, I listed five “commonplace” business class products that I should have tried by now, but hope to try in the near future. Now I’ll do the same for first class. As with business class, a primary mission on my...
Review: Iberia Express A320 Business Class Madrid to Palma Mallorca
Yesterday I reviewed Iberia’s domestic mainline A320 in business class. Today, I’ll review the same plane in the same cabin, flying under the Iberia Express banner. It was a short overnight in Madrid. I arrived at 10:40pm and was...
United App Now Lets You Check Star Alliance Flight Status
Already my favorite airline app, the United Airlines mobile app now allows you to check on the flight status of Star Alliance carriers beyond United and its codeshares. But the technology is still a work in progress. In terms...
SWISS Giving Away Business Class “Throne” Seats for Free
I noticed something odd after completing my wife’s business class reservation on SWISS from Los Angeles to Zurich. Seat assignments that should have been complimentary were not…and seats that should have incurred a charge were complimentary. Heidi was traveling...
Review: Iberia A320 Business Class Bilbao to Madrid
The short flight from Bilbao to Madrid once again left me with the premium cabin to myself. But Iberia’s domestic business class service, at least on this late evening departure, was anything but premium. Bilbao is a beautiful airport....
Coming Soon: Moxy Airways?
JetBlue-founder David Neeleman wants to start another U.S. airline by 2020. He sees an opening for utilizing fuel efficient aircraft between secondary airports. But is the timing right? Originally reported by Airline Weekly, Neeleman hopes to form a new lost-cost airline...
Review: Premier Lounge Jakarta (CGK)
The best thing this Priority Pass lounge has going for it is the spa inside. That’s worth a visit, even if you skip the food and drink. In terms of Priority Pass lounges, this one rates above average. Dark...
Lufthansa Twitter Team Makes My Day
Twitter has become a top source across several industries to receive quick resolution to customer service issues. A recent exchange with Lufthansa’s Twitter team demonstrates how great Twitter can be. I was traveling to Italy on an Aeroplan-issued ticket...
Review: Malaysia Airlines A380 First Class Kuala Lumpur to London
As boarding neared completion, I looked around the Malaysia Airlines A380 first class cabin…seven seats remained open: I was the only passenger onboard. A FA walked by and I asked where the other passengers were. “It’s just you today,”...
China Airlines Reducing Service to Ontario, California
Despite strong loads, Taipei-based China Airlines is reducing service to an unlikely West Coast city. China Airlines serves Ontario, California daily…an odd route, despite the large Chinese diaspora in the San Gabriel valley of Southern California. The airport remains...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 17, 2018
Greetings from Italia. Sadly, I’ve had to spend Father’s Day away from my family…but my trip, like every trip, is in order to provide for them. Even so, every trip in which I am separated from my family is...
A Hot Meal on Ryanair
This week’s Meal of the Week takes us back to 2011 and a hot lunch I enjoyed on Ryanair. It was a crisp, spring day and my brother and I had booked an incredibly cheap fare from Frankfurt Hahn...
Christopher Elliott Misleads Consumers on Travel Perks for U.S. Politicians
Like the rail passes of the Gilded Age, are U.S. politicians being bought out by airlines through lucrative and exclusive travel benefits? That’s what consumer advocate Christopher Elliott would have you think. The reality, however, is a bit more...
Review: Malaysia Airlines 737-800 Business Class Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur
The last time I had flown a Malaysia Airlines 737-800, I had experienced the scariest flight of my life. Since then, two 777s from the same airline had gone down: one shot down over Ukraine and the other crashed...
Houston Polaris Lounge Opens June 29th – Get an Early Bird Look
United Airlines will open its boutique Polaris Lounge in Houston (IAH) on June 29th. But you can get a sneak peek using your United miles before the lounge is opened to the public. 2,500 miles gets you a two-hour...
On Anthony Bourdain, Travel, and Suicide…
When news broke last week that CNN star Anthony Bourdain had taken his own life, I was saddened but not shocked. Not because I personally knew Bourdain was struggling, but because I know how hopeless life can feel sometimes. I’m...
