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...
United Surprise and Delight Program Surprises and Delights Me
United Airlines began a “Surprise and Delight” program last year as an effort to surprise “High Value Flyers” (HVFs — essentially those who spend a lot of money on tickets) with complimentary upgrades, sometimes cleared weeks in advance. The program...
Qatar Amiri Flight 747-8 at LAX
I am on my way to FTU in Washington this weekend and upon driving into LAX this morning I noticed a 747-8 with Qatar Airways livery parked in one of the VIP slots on the SE side of the airport. I...
On Turning 30
Yesterday I turned 30 at 38,000 feet somewhere over Nevada. I was flying JetBlue Mint Class with Lucky and just past the stroke of midnight he came over from his Mint Suite to mine and rubbed in that I...
Sneak Preview of United Polaris Dining Menu
“240 new entrees. 96 new appetizers. 48 new salads.” United describes its new Polaris Business Class menu as a “complete redesign of the culinary experience”. Earlier today, a group of FAs in Chicago had a chance to sample the...
Unpacking the Latest United MileagePlus Changes
United has announced “enhancements” to its United MileagePlus program starting this fall and as usual, the enhancements are anything but enhancements. Here’s what I do not understand — why can’t United just call a devaluation a devaluation? Claiming stopovers...
First Thoughts on Pakistan Airlines 777 Business Class
I’m finding it difficult to summarize my experience on Pakistan Airlines today from Manchester to New York in business class. On the one hand, the FAs displayed incredible Pakistani hospitality and the buffet-style main course was really delicious —...
Surprising New Name for Turkish Airlines Lounge
The failed coup attempt in Turkey last month has emboldened President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to crack down further on dissidents and spawned a concerted campaign to define July 15, 2016 as a turning point in Turkish history. State-run Turkish Airlines...
Shockingly Terrible Service on Saudia
Pull up a chair, for you’re about to hear a tale of woe from 38,000 feet between Colombo and Jeddah on Saudia! As Lucky pointed out, this trip has truly shattered expectations. I expected a nice flight on China...
Don’t Tell My Wife What Happened at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca!
Lucky and I dined at Dar Beida last night, the Moroccan restaurant inside the Hyatt Regency Casablanca. It was billed (by the hotel) as the “most authentic Moroccan food in Casablanca” but we figured it was at least the...
Review: Etihad Lounge LAX
Etihad opened a new lounge in Los Angeles earlier this week and I was able to get a sneak the morning after it opened. Located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, the lounge is small but luxurious as far...
China Eastern Delights and Disappoints
China Eastern showed today its potential to offer industry-leading ground and air service while at the same time showing that it has so much that it can improve upon. In an earlier post I discussed our pre-flight VIP treatment...
Suddenly We are VIPs on China Eastern
Lucky and I offered less than stellar initial feedback yesterday on our China Eastern Flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai. The primary problem was onboard smoking but there were several service lapses that ultimately made for a disappointing in-flight...
Smoking on China Eastern Airlines
Before today, I had been on one smoking flight my entire life: Burbank to Seattle in September 1987. I was a year old and do not remember it…My second smoking flight was earlier today on China Eastern from Los...
