Two carriers, two unannounced devaluations effective immediately. Using your miles and points may be easier than ever before but it will cost you like never before. The bottom line is this: don’t trust the airlines and always consider your...
Victory Day on Turkish Airlines
August 30th is Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) in Turkey, a national holiday to “commemorate the victory in the Battle of Dumlupınar, one of the final and the most decisive battles in the Turkish War of Independence in 1922.” In light of the...
Buy a United 747 on eBay!
United’s first 747-400 was retired in 2014 and sent to the boneyard in 2015. Now you can own it for $300K. Appearing on eBay, we see a cabin still filled with economy, business, and first class seats as well as...
Let’s Give Scott Kirby a Chance
Scott Kirby made the odd pivot from President of American Airlines to President of United Airlines yesterday. Walking away with a $13MN severance package from AA without a non-compete clause, he has already begun work for United, where he...
Why American’s New Ad Campaign Fails
American Airlines is out with a new ad campaign, asserting that “World’s Greatest Flyers” (the tagline of the campaign) choose to fly AA. The intent behind the new campaign is laudable– American Airlines’ new ad campaign celebrates people from...
The Real Reason LAX is Still a United Hub
A spirited discussion commenced last week on the hub status of United Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport. I argued that LAX remained both a de facto and de jure United hub while Cranky argued that United had abandoned...
Approved for the Chase Sapphire Reserve!
I see now many of the bloggers are on their post-approval victory laps, but I figured I’d throw in my approval story for the Chase Sapphire Reserve as well. Turns out I could have applied online, but I took...
New IMAX Trailer for Captain Sully Movie
It has all the makings of a good film — directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks — and a new IMAX preview for Sully, which portrays the crash landing and subsequent investigation over US Airways 1549, is...
Lost Cat Turns Up on Air Canada Flight
Have you ever heard a flight attendant come down the aisle asking, “Has anyone seen a cat?” I haven’t either, but I wasn’t on Air Canada Flight 189 from Ottawa to Vancouver earlier this week, where about 20 minutes...
Priority Pass Guest Access with Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase has been as clear as mud when it comes to whether the Priority Pass Select membership included with the Chase Sapphire Reserve allows only complimentary cardmember access (like Priority Pass Select via American Express) or complimentary access for two...
How Would You Handle a Harassing Seatmate?
There is a story trending about a woman who was traumatized on a British Airways flight by a man behind who “refused” to let her recline. After physical and verbal assault, she finally spoke to the crew and was...
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worthwhile?
The blogosphere has exploded with posts about the new Chase Sapphire Reserve card and I would not begrudge you for wondering whether the card is worth securing or just a marketing ploy from bloggers either trying to generate affiliate...
British Airways’ Curious Strategy for Growth
You’re shopping for a ticket from London to New York and opt to pay an extra $500 for a Premium Economy seat on British Airways, which promises among other things “delicious meals” (with an “s”). Your flight time is about...
Should United De-Hub Los Angeles? No, And It Won’t.
Cranky Flier argues that United has abandoned its Los Angeles hub in a piece entitled Should United De-Hub Los Angeles? It Already Has. The article is worth a read and presents some fascinating stats, but Cranky ultimately gets his analysis...
Odd New Commercial from United Airlines
United Airlines has released a commercial highlighting its new Polaris Business Class product, which will begin to roll out later this year. The commercial is well-done with great music and visuals but the strangely exotic, British narration strikes me...
I am Spending the Night in an Abandoned Russian Mine!
Tonight should be interesting — I’ll be staying at the Tulpan Hotel in Pyramiden, an abandoned Russian mining community in Svalbard, Norway. I’ve ordered the “Soviet accommodation” and will be cut off from the outside world until tomorrow, for I have been...
An Incredible Flight on SAS
If I could describe my SAS flight from Los Angeles to Stockholm in one picture, it would be this– My flight simply could not have been better. To be honest, I had some trepedation stepping onboard. Last time I...
Hey SAS, I Chose My Seat for a Reason!
Hello from 37,000 feet above the ground enroute from Los Angeles to Stockholm! The SAS flight has been incredible (more on that tomorrow) but a friendly warning if you are flying SAS and concerned about your seat assignment: check...
New Pet Relief Area at LAX or Secret Smoking Patio?
LAX has opened a new pet relief area on the site of a former smoking patio in Terminal 6. The “Pet Park” is LAX’s third: there is also one beyond security in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and another...
First Look: Turkish Airlines Lounge Washington Dulles
Back in April, Pizza in Motion reported that Turkish Airlines would be opening a lounge at Washington Dulles. I am on my way home to Los Angeles this morning and was pleased to see lounge construction is progressing nicely. The...
