Thanks to a missed train, we were stuck in Frankfurt for an extra night and opted to spend it at the Hyatt Regency Mainz. Though not the fault of the hotel, check-in proved to be a nightmare. The last-minute...
Introduction: Star Alliance Business Class Adventure in Europe and Asia
I promised I would rotate between old and new trip reports as I clear the backlog of previously written reports that were never published on UPGRD. Even so, I am selectively omitting certain portions of this report because some...
Why the In-Flight Electronics Ban Represents Poor Public Policy
The USA has blocked electronic devices larger than mobile phones onboard flights from eight nations to the USA. Now the UK will also join the bandwagon. Here’s why the new electronics ban is a beautiful political ploy but poor public policy. Let’s...
Monkey See, Monkey Do: UK Will Copy USA In-Flight Electronics Ban
Travel is about to get even more aggravating. I just received a BBC alert on my phone that the UK will be instituting an in-flight electronics ban similar to what the USA formally announced this morning. As a reminder, the...
More British Airways First Class Cuts
More cuts at British Airways, this time in the first class cabin. Amuse-bouches – CUT Fresh flowers in lavatories – CUT Amenity kits – DOWNSIZED Slippers + blankets – ONLY UPON REQUEST Three minor cutbacks, but another sign that British...
Official Details on New USA Electronics Ban
Electronic devices larger than a mobile telephone are now banned on flights from eight predominantly Muslim nations to the USA. Officials called the directive an attempt to address gaps in foreign airport security, and said it was not based on any...
Why I’m Still Hesitant to Tip on Uber
The issue of tipping and Uber is still a difficult one for me. One of the most popular posts I’ve ever written on Live and Let’s Fly is 5 Tips for Using Uber at LAX. I wrote it in August 2015 and...
Gripe: Bottled Water in Europe…
My wife and I had a good laugh over it last night, so I figured I’d share it with you. We are in the Frankfurt area for a couple days in a little hotel we like north of the city center....
Another Stealth Alaska Devaluation
Last year, Alaska Airlines massively devalued Emirates award redemptions without notice. While the latest cut is not as draconian, it still represents a fundamental problem with Alaska: the airline cannot be trusted to give advance notice of program changes....
Will US Airlines Now Boycott Alitalia?
The problem according to U.S. airlines is this– The nations of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are funneling billions of dollars in government subsidies to their state-owned airlines, distorting the international aviation market and undermining fair competition....
Stupid! $400 for a Slice of Airline Pizza
I think I speak for all of us when I say there are certain moments in life that we look back on with on regret. My regret this morning: giving up a bump voucher because of an airline meal. This...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 19, 2017
Hello from Stuttgart. Thanks to these anti-jetlag tips, I quickly adjusted to Central Europe Time and have acclimated back to life in Germany. Little Augustine is meeting many family members for the first time and we’ve had a very pleasant...
United Ends Duty Free Sales
Citing a lack of sales, United Airlines is ending onboard duty free sales at the end of this month. In an AFA news release, the demise of duty free sales was blamed on “declining sales revenue”– United announced this week,...
Exposed: Shameful Double Standards on Airline Subsidies
Breaking news. The sun rose in the east today. If you’re wondering why I often dismiss the outcry of U.S. airlines over subsidies, look no further than two news items this week. News Item #1: A protest over Emirates’...
Why United Won’t Sweat the Polaris Seat Delays
Zodiac Aerospace, the seat manufacturer for United’s new Polaris Business Class seat, is in trouble. With labor issues threatening production schedules, United faces further delays in its Polaris retrofit program. Nevertheless, I contend United will not lose too much sleep over this setback....
Great Flight on United Airlines 787-9 Business Class
I don’t want to be known as the United Airlines fanboy, but I turned lemons into lemonade earlier this week and had a great flight to London on United’s new 787-9. Thanks to a mechanical delay out of Burbank,...
Emirates A380 Wake Turbulence Flips Over Private Jet!
Wake turbulence from an Emirates A380 traveling from Dubai to Sydney flipped over a private jet, forcing an emergency landing in Muscat and rendering the aircraft scrap metal. Back in the days of “Channel 9” (ATC communications) on United Airlines, I’d...
Huge Bonus Miles Offer for New York City Residents on United (Targeted)
United Airlines is offering select New York residents a huge mileage bonus for flying United thru the end of June. In an email that went out to select NYC-area travelers yesterday, United invited MileagePlus members to enter their MileagePlus number...
Trump Budget: Higher Passenger Fees
U.S. President Donald Trump’s first budget proposal includes a number of travel-related items including increased TSA fees, privatizing the air traffic control system, and cutting Amtrak and Essential Air Service funding. Let’s not forget that Trump said this during...
The Kentucky Derby VIP Experience
After a packed day before the race, the big day arrived. First stop today was breakfast at Keene Place. Known as Keene Place and built in 1805 by the Keene Family, the mansion is among the oldest homes in...
