United Airlines has named former White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest as its Chief Communications Officer. In a press release, United describes his job description: At United, he will be responsible for developing the company’s global communications strategy, leading a...
A Horrible Stay at the Famed Plaza Hotel in New York City
What happens when a five-star hotel that runs over $1,000 night doesn’t have any food or beverages? That’s what happened at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City (and still is…). One of my best Award Expert clients...
These Dogs And Cats Are Banned From United PetSafe
When United Airlines begins accepting new reservations for its PetSafe program this summer, many dog breeds and a handful of cat breeds will no longer be welcomed. United’s PetSafe program is currently under review. Working in collaboration with American...
Customer: AA Agent is Sending Me Vulgar Text Messages!
After one customer cursed out an airline employee over the phone, she suddenly received a pair of abusive text messages from an unknown number. I’m not going to defend the conduct of Marla Margolis. She flew from Boston to...
My Last Meal on Virgin America
I’m going to miss the food on Virgin America in both first and economy class. I touched on this in my review last week of my final Virgin America flight, but want to dedicate this week’s Meal of the...
A321 with 200 Passengers Lands on Unfinished Runway, Now Trapped
A Vietnam Airlines A321 with over 200 passengers onboard landed on a wrong, unfinished runway. Civil aviation authorities are now questioning how and why. From the Telegraph: Vietnam Airlines Flight VN7344 from Ho Chi Minh City touched down on a...
Emirates Tells Passengers With Severe Nut Allergy To Sit In Lavatory…For 7 Hours
What happens when nuts are served on a flight with passengers who have a severe allergy to such nuts? In the case of one Emirates flight, the crew suggested the allergic passengers take refuge…in the lavatory…for seven hours. Shannen...
Booking a 50K Lufthansa First Class Award with Asiana
A first class Lufthansa award ticket between North America and Europe is only 50,000 Asiana Club miles, an excellent value. But be warned, booking is not a straightforward process. Asiana Club is a Starwood Preferred Guest transfer partner, meaning...
Great Hotel Concept: Hospitality Suite
What happens when you check-in and your hotel room isn’t ready or you check-out but are not ready to leave the hotel? The Kahala in Honolulu provides a great solution: a hospitality suite. I wrote about my recent stay...
American Airlines May Soon Find Itself Locked Out of Venezuela
Last month, American Airlines announced increased service to Caracas, Venezuela. While other U.S. and European carriers have abandoned air service to the beleaguered nation, AA has steadfastly remained. But that could soon change. American flies twice daily to Caracas...
My Conversation with Oscar Munoz at SFO
United CEO Oscar Munoz was on hand for a United Polaris Lounge media event last week in San Francisco. Unlike my last encounter, I asked him a couple questions this time. There were about 30 members of the media...
Tacos and Other Exciting Items on Latest United BOB Menu
Fancy a taco or barbecue chicken sandwich on your next flight? United’s latest buy-on-board menu includes a duo of comfort food favorites. Starting in May (that’s tomorrow), United’s latest buy-on-board menu will include egg and chicken chorizo (as if...
Passenger Who Survived Fatal Flight is Now Suing Southwest
One passenger onboard Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 has wasted no time in suing the airline. Lilia Chavez was was sitting three rows behind the smashed window. Per NPR: The lawsuit alleges that the traumatic events of Flight 1380 left...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 29, 2018
Greetings from the fairly remote Las Padres National Forrest about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. It was special weekend for me: my brother is getting married next week and this weekend was his bachelor party. Heidi, don’t worry…it...
Impressive: How Southwest Sprang Into Action After Disaster Struck
How does an airline deal with a disaster? In the case of Southwest Airlines, impressively well. Scott McCartney, author of the Middle Seat column in the Wall Street Journal, shares the amazing story of how Southwest swiftly dealt with...
Dining and Bar Menus at United Polaris SFO Lounge
The new United Airlines Polaris Lounge at SFO offers a great mix of a la carte dining options and adult beverages. I’ve consolidated all the menus in this post. First, note that all food and drink are complimentary. Tipping...
How You Can Have Your Face Plastered on a 737
It’s not as bad as it sounds: I’m not talking about an accident. Instead, I’m taking about a larger-than-life picture of your face gracing the fuselage of a 737. Kulula Airways, a South African budget airline affiliated with British...
AA Passenger Finds Dead Rat in Luggage, Told to Burn It
An AA passenger found a very unpleasant surprise in her delayed checked bag…a dead rat. Merry Cannon was happy to join her husband Leighton in Europe on a business trip. The couple lived in Arkansas with their two children...
Singapore Airlines Will Resume World’s Longest Flight by End of 2018
Singapore Airlines will resume nonstop service to New York by the end of 2018, reclaiming the title for world’s longest flight. Singapore Airlines served Newark, NJ from 2004 to 2013 using an A340-500 configured exclusively with 100 business class...
New Cookies Onboard United Polaris Business Class
Chocolate is out, cookies are in. And not just any cookies, but delicious white chocolate cranberry cookies. When United first unrolled its Polaris business soft product, every longhaul flight began with a chocolate truffle in premium cabins. Currently United passes...
