Last night I figured something was up when award ticket prices appeared to vary based on day of travel and my prediction was correct–AA announced a substantial devaluation to its AAdvantage loyalty program today, effective immediately. US Airways also...
Variable AAnytime Awards on American Airlines?
While American Airlines has not formally announced a devaluation of its award chart, the consensus is it is only a matter of when, not if. Tonight, AA.com is either acting up or gives us a preview of what a...
Spin-Off of Thai Smile Another Blow to Star Alliance
Thai Airways will spin-off its Thai Smile Air unit into a separate subsidiary that will not participate in Star Alliance. Created in mid-2012 as a low-cost division of Thai Airways, Thai Smile has now obtained its own air operators’ certificate (AOC)...
United Airlines Releases Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Seat Map
United Airlines has released the seatmap on its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, set to enter service in late October on the new Los Angeles – Melbourne route. Slightly larger than the 787-8, the new aircraft will have more...
New Nostalgic Ad Campaign from Air France
Air France has released a beautiful new ad campaign that plays up the stereotypical glamour and nostalgia for France and highlights the carrier’s refreshed product. Ads emphasize the comfort of the A380, the new La Première (first class) and fully lie-flat...
A Meaningless Supreme Court Decision on Frequent Flyer Miles
While nearly all the national focus on Wednesday morning was on the U.S. Supreme Court’s bitterly divided 5-4 decision on campaign fiance reform, McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, the Court also handed down a unanimous verdict affecting our old friend Binyomin Ginsberg,...
Incredible Business Class Summer Airfare to Europe on United and Air Canada: $1468+ Round-Trip
Earlier this week several carriers ran a summer promotion sale in which business class seats were essentially the same cost as economy class seats for travel during the summer months from North America to Europe. United Airlines and Air...
Forcing Lufthansa into Submission Over Cancelled Flight
I hope that most of my friends, family, and clients would attest that I am a nice guy. I’m very mild-mannered, slow to anger, and try to be pleasant to all people. Sure, I could be a bit more...
United’s Baggage Cutoff is 45 Minutes at LAX, but no less than 40
Oh me! Oh life! As much as I love Los Angeles, its unpredictable traffic and my penchant to cut things close resulted in quite a screw-up today. First off, I really need to settle. As much as I love the...
US Airways + TAM Join oneworld Alliance
As Star Alliance shrinks, oneworld grows. Effective today, both US Airways and TAM transition from Star Alliance to oneworld, adding a more robust route network across the U.S., South America, and Europe for oneworld flyers. How Will This Affect You? If...
US Airways Adds Meals to Shorter Flights + Improves IFE
US Airways offers a very decent meal on domestic flights–when you can get one. The problem is that unless your flight is scheduled for more than 3.5 hours during conventional meal times, you’re out of luck. That has put...
British Airways’ Unfortunate "Escape to the Indian Ocean" Ad Campaign
I’ve raved about British Airways’ “To Fly, To Serve” ad campaign and its 2012 London Olympic ad, but sometimes ads just miss the mark–even if it is not deliberate. I present BA’s latest ad campaign rolled out at London’s...
End of an Era: United Pulls 747s from Australia Routes
The Boeing 747 has the graced the skies for more than four decades and is inextricably linked with the exotic heydey of global air travel. United Airlines has a been a prominent operator of the 747 and maintains a...
Leaked Video of Train Derailment at Chicago O’Hare Airport
CCTV footage has leaked out that captures the train wreck on Chicago’s CTA Blue Line Monday at Chicago O’Hare Airport— The train operator has admitted that she “dozed off” before the accident and has done so before. National Transportation...
US Airways is a Huge Loss for Star Alliance
US Airways’ upcoming departure from Star Alliance on March 30, 2014 is a huge loss for the airline alliance and a particular burden for North American flyers using United MileagePlus miles. My most-requested award redemptions are business class to...
Should I Burn my US Airways Dividend Miles Now or Later?
US Airways is leaving Star Alliance on March 30, 2014 and we can only guess at what the future Dividend Miles loyalty program will look like. Will the award chart stay the same for now? Will you be able...
Train Derails at Chicago O’Hare – Dozens Injured
Not being a car guy, I have often availed myself to Chicago’s CTA Blue Line to get from O’Hare Airport into the city and back. This morning, though, I am glad I was far away as a train derailed...
Last Call on the US Airways 90K USA + Europe + Asia Business Class Award
US Airways is leaving Star Alliance on March 30th, 2014, meaning your last chance to book on many Star Alliance carriers with US Airways Dividend Miles is this week. There are several gems on the chart, but the most...
United Cuts Special Meals on Premium Transcon Routes Between Newark and Los Angeles & San Francisco
There was no formal announcment, but in fine print on the United Airlines North American premium cabin dining webpage, the following has appeared: *Effective May 1, 2014, we no longer offer special meals on flights between New York/Newark and...
Air Canada Suspends Service to the Failing State of Venezuela
Air Canada is halting its thrice-weekly service between Toronto and Caracas as hyperinflation and violence continue to engulf Venezuela. In a statement, Air Canada said– Due to ongoing civil unrest in Venezuela, Air Canada can no longer ensure the...
