One of my Washington rituals over the last decade has been to eat lunch at Ebbitt Express, if time permits, every time I arrive in the city. Located adjacent to Old Ebbitt Grill and a block from the White...
What Does the US Airways and American Airlines Merger Mean For You?
Not to pat myself on the back, but seven months ago I predicted— …It appears the combined airline will take the American Airlines name, maintain its headquarters in Fort Worth, and be run by US Airways CEO Doug Parker....
United’s Murky Future at Washington Dulles
UA has a “United Inflight” segment before each safety video and preceding the carrier’s new safety video is a new feature on United’s infrastructure enhancement, particularly at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. But there was one glaring omission from...
United’s New Safety Video Reminds Me Of…
Lufthansa. And that’s not a bad thing. On my San Francisco-Philadelphia flight Sunday night I noticed a new safety video that featured flight attendants (in their new uniforms) welcoming passengers onboard in several languages. I had a déjà-vu moment....
UA1275 EWR-LAX: United First to United Worst
As it turned out, my flight from Newark to Los Angeles on Friday went out almost full, but the oversold first class cabin problem resolved itself and I did not have to fight for a seat. Nevertheless, in many...
Venezuela Currency Devaluation = Good Flight Deals?
The Venezuelan government announced today that it would be devaluing its currency once again, moving the fixed rate against the dollar from 4.30 to 6.30 bolivars. This move will push the dollar up 46.5% against the bolivar and is...
The Lawyer Behind the AA-US Merger
Never underestimate the capacity of one man to make a difference. The pages of history make that clear and as the dust settles around the almost certain merger of American Airlines and US Airways next week, we are now...
Confirmed in First Class but No Seat Assignment
Thanks to shrewd planning and a watchful eye, I’ve dodged landmines and avoided most calamities in the post-merger world of United Airlines. Others have not fared so well. Will today be my day of reckoning? I’m flying from Newark...
Changing Travel Plans During Bad Weather
With a fresh Nor’easter headed for New York and New England this weekend, airlines have loosened up rules on restricted tickets in order to help travelers avoid being stranded. For this storm and every other act of nature affecting...
US Airways Call Center Humor
If US Airways and American Airlines do end up merging, I hope the good folks at the US Airways call centers do not lose their positions. I depend on them to get my jollies… I just have to share...
Air Tahiti Nui Removes First Class, Adds New Business Class Seats
Getting to Tahiti using your points (and in general) is not the easiest prospect. Two carriers fly from the continental US non-stop to Papeete–both from Los Angeles: Air France and Air Tahiti Nui (Hawaiian Airlines also offers once-weekly service...
This is the United Airlines That I Love
I had a great weekend in Chicago. I’m in Philadelphia or Los Angeles, my brother is in San Francisco, and we do not get to see a lot of each other anymore, but we both made time to meet...
More Sleaze by Air France-KLM Flying Blue
Sleazy ˈslē-zē also ˈslā- (adjective): carelessly made of inferior materials; marked by low character or quality. I do not use the term “sleazy” lightly, but I can think of no adjective more apt for the Air France-KLM Flying Blue loyalty program. I’ve bemoaned the...
Review: Four Seasons Beirut
Beirut is a city of contradictions. It has a rich French-influenced history, a proud culture, and a warm and affable people. Yet Beirut has suffered from great political turmoil over the preceding years and it shows—a strong military presence...
A Perfectly Good Transcon Redeye…in COACH
I was very critical of United Airlines yesterday, arguing that the carrier’s business model and frankly its persona from the top down would make wining back lucrative business customers much more difficult than CEO Jeff Smisek envisions. I stand...
Reaching the Same Telephone Agent Two Times in a Row
While on the phone with US Airways today completing an award reservation, the call got cut off. I redialed and was elated to be connected to the same agent I had just been speaking with a moment earlier. She...
Why United Airlines Will Have Trouble Winning Back Business Travelers
United Airlines announced a new push today to win back business travelers who have been leaving the carrier in droves for the competition. United will have to do more than plead to get these corporate accounts back– Is it...
Splitting a Record Is Always Possible
In booking award tickets on a daily basis, I often encounter situations in which I must split a record before ticketing. Put simply, say there are two people on an award reservation and they want to use their own...
Frankfurt to Washington Dulles in United Airlines Business Class
After enduring a long and sleepless ride over the Atlantic in economy class, I was prepared to stay in Frankfurt until I was able to secure a seat in United business class going back to Washington. Flying standby meant...
Escaping the Cold – Back to California
The last couple days have been cold, and I mean cold. As a California native who has spent a handful of winters on the East Coast (and Germany), I honestly cannot recall weather this cold before. It was 13ºF...
