Greetings from Alton, England where I woke up this morning to this beautiful backyard view: I’m in England for a family wedding this weekend and staying with my new extended family to celebrate. How’s that for a backyard? I faced a...
Father’s Day Note from United CEO Oscar Munoz
A friend forwarded me a Father’s Day greeting sent from United CEO Oscar Munoz to all employees today– Dear United family, Our parents are our first and most important teachers we ever have in life. The example they set...
Review: Iberia A340-600 Business Class from London to Madrid
For years I’ve had my eyes on an evening Iberia A340-600 flight that operates from London Heathrow to Madrid. Last month, I finally had the chance to fly it. With a same-day flight necessary from London to Madrid and prices sky...
Iberia Impresses Me With Follow-Up on Photo Policy
Last month a pair of Iberia FAs prohibited me from taking pictures onboard my flight from Madrid to Los Angeles. I reached out to Iberia via Twitter and asked for photo policy clarification. Yesterday, I received a final follow-up note. I...
Review: Lao Airlines ATR 72 from Bangkok to Vientiane
Flying a new airline for the first time is always fun, even in economy class. With the choice of flying Air Asia or Lao Airlines for the short flight from Bangkok to Vientiane, I did not hesitate to choose Lao Airlines....
How Heathrow Locals Ruined the Sofitel Lounge for Everyone
After arriving in London Heathrow this afternoon I thought I would check out Club Millesime at the Sofitel London Heathrow, which joined the Priority Pass network last year. Unfortunately, I was turned away: since 09 June 2017 the lounge is no longer affiliated...
Trump Rolls Back Obama’s Cuba Policy: Will Travel Still Be Legal?
Although not a complete rollback, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a different direction for U.S. policy toward Cuba today. Let’s review the details, particularly how it will affect travel. Nothing will change immediately. The President’s Executive Order tasks the...
Chinese Airline Kills Dog, Offers $7/Lb “Luggage” Compensation
From the airline that prides itself in looking the other direction at onboard smoking comes a tone-deaf response to a dead pet. China Eastern has offered to pay the owner of a dog killed in transport compensation based upon the dog’s...
Sky High: My Stoned, Stinky Seatmate
Have you ever encountered a seatmate who is high as a kite? I did on a United flight in California (of course) yesterday. I’ll say this, which I hope you can appreciate. First, I am agnostic about pot legalization:...
Tasty Snack on Thai Airways
There are certain things I love about Thai Airways…the first class ground experience being the highlight. Then’s there the onboard food…usually quite forgettable. For this week’s Meal of the Week, I give Thai credit where credit is due. Let...
Hot Deal: Cheap Summer Tickets to Europe on American and Delta
Great summer and autumn fares on oneworld and Sky Team have popped up this evening to a variety of cities in Europe from cities (and smaller towns) across the USA. This comes from DealRay and I have not explored every...
Review: Biman Bangladesh 777-300ER Business Class from Dhaka to London
I’m pleased to report that Biman Bangladesh Airlines exceeded expectations onboard after a very forgettable ground experience. I already wrote about my transit experience: let’s fast forward to where I left off, stepping into the departures terminal. Check-in desks are...
Livid Over a Stupid Airline Meal
Repeat after me: it’s just an airline meal. It’s just an airline meal. I wish stuff like this did not bother me… I flew from Minneapolis to LA earlier this week on United. The flight was operated by a...
Review: Biman Bangladesh “Maslin” Business Lounge Dhaka
After a lackluster check-in experience that took nearly an hour, I was bracing for the worst. Just how bad would the Biman Bangladesh Business Class lounge be? Turns out, not bad at all. After passport control, I followed the “Executive...
Latest Lawsuit Could Cost United More than Dao Incident
Earlier today I wrote about a horrific incident that happened in Houston where a United agent shoved a 71-year old man, knocking him to the ground unconscious while other employees just stood around and watched. Here’s my legal analysis: the senior...
United Agent Shoves Senior Citizen, Knocking Him Unconscious
Disgusting surveillance video from 2015 has surfaced, showing a United Airlines agent in Houston shoving a 71-year-old man to the ground. I’ll note at the outset that the agent has been fired by United and faced felony charges. Now the...
My Dhaka Transit Hotel Courtesy of Biman Bangladesh Airlines
I already wrote about my transit adventures in Dhaka, Bangladesh but want to provide some additional details here, including a review of the transit hotel provided by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. There are some jet bridges in Dhaka, but we...
Lufthansa vs. Condor on New San Diego Route
Condor and Lufthansa used to be married. But Condor ran off with a British chap and now is part of the Thomas Cook Group. Although Condor retains (Lufthansa’s) Miles & More as its loyalty program, the two carriers are direct competitors....
Alitalia Files for Bankruptcy in NYC to Protect U.S. Routes
Here’s an astounding statistic: Alitalia serves more than 100 worldwide destinations but its five U.S. destinations account for 30% of all revenue. Even more startling, New York JFK alone accounts for 15% of overall revenue. So with JFK threatening to block Alitalia,...
United’s Upgraded Hawaii Service a Ruse to Scare Away Southwest?
United Airlines is increasing service to Hawaii and making lie-flat seating standard on routes from five domestic hubs. United will offer lie-flat beds on all Hawaiian flights to/from the following U.S. hubs: Newark Washington Dulles Chicago Houston Denver While...
