Each night an overnight train runs from Baku to Tbilisi, leaving Baku at 08:45p and arriving into Tbilisi the following morning at 11:40a. Baku’s central railway station is in the heart of the city and accessible by cab or...
Are Airline Safety Videos Worth Playing?
For years we have been told to set aside our reading materials while an airline safety video is played prior to takeoff, but few people comply with that request. In fact, most openly ignore it–continuing conversations, remaining focused on reading...
Delta Skymiles Logic: A Devaluation Before the Devaluation
You have to wonder what is going through the minds of the decision makers at Delta Air Lines when they announce a devaluation of their Skymiles award chart effecting all travel on or after 01 June 2014 then decide...
Book Your Summer 2014 Family Vacation in Lufthansa First Class with United Miles!
Lucky shares that Lufthansa has opened the award space floodgates on its new route between Toronto and Munich that begins on June 5, 2014. Space is going fast already but Lufthansa has released eight business class seats and four...
An Armed TSA is a Threat to All
In the wake of a lone wolf gunman storming a Terminal 3 security checkpoint at LAX last Friday and murdering a TSA screener, some are now calling for a cadre of TSA screeners to be armed at every airport....
Review: Park Hyatt Baku
Other than its barrage of CNN advertisements, you don’t hear too much about Azerbaijan. When you do, it is usually a story encouraging investment by heralding the country’s favorable interest rates and stable government or perhaps a blurb on...
Baku Metro (Pictures)
Every time a population surpassed one million in a Soviet city, Soviet law allowed for construction a Metro system. The Baku Metro, which debuted in 1967, was the fifth Soviet Metro system and boasts a similar blending of utility,...
The Other United Airlines Devaluation: Fewer Upgrades at a Higher Cost
The big news Friday was United’s devaluation of its MileagePlus award chart starting 01 February 2014, particularly for premium cabins on Star Alliance partners, but United also announced a policy change eliminating complimentary upgrades on flights to/from Northern South American and...
Clarification from United Airlines on Award Chart Changes
United has addressed some initial confusion stemming from its announcement yesterday that on 01 February 2014 the award chart chart will be massacred. 1. United claims the cost of premium seats on partner carriers is “out of sync” with...
Fly The Unfriendly Skies of United: Massive Devaluation of Award Chart
Another Friday, another devaluation at United Airlines. United posted an updated award chart today and it is not pretty. Targeting primarily premium cabins on partner airlines, mileage required will rise by as much as 87% over current levels! The new...
Delta and JetBlue Moving Quickly to Allow Electronic Devices Below 10,000 Feet
Now you won’t have to hide your cell phone anymore as the flight attendants walk by! With the ink still drying on the FAA’s decision to lift the ban on the use of electronics below 10,000 feet onboard aircraft,...
The Real Reason United is Blocking Award and Upgrade Space from Expert Flyer
Friendly Skies reported earlier today that United has asked Expert Flyer to stop displaying upgrade and award space beginning Friday, October 30, 2013. United responded this evening, blaming Expert Flyer for accessing space in an unauthorized manner and promising...
Baku – A City of Illusions?
Walk around the city of Baku and you cannot help but to be impressed. It is clean, well-manicured, and burgeoning with skyscrapers. Historic districts have been restored with beautiful façades and shopping and restaurants abound. Families are out for...
"I Can’t Give Away this First Class Seat!"
Once in awhile on United I see a domestic flight go out with open seats in first class despite a long waitlist of elites waiting for a complimentary upgrade. This is usually attributable to a lazy or rushed gate...
Istanbul to Baku in Azerbaijan Airlines Economy Class
I arrived into Istanbul with about seven hours between flights and was informed at the transit desk that it was too early to check in for my Azerbaijan Airlines flight to Baku. I headed upstairs to the lounge where...
American Express Transfer Bonuses
Update: Offer Expired American Express launched two transfer bonuses last week that are far from earth-shattering, but still valuable under the proper circumstances. Through December 31, 2013, AMEX was offering a 20% bonus on points transfers to partner British...
United Airlines Reduces Free Checked Baggage Allowance for Star Alliance Gold and Silver Members
United Airlines has quietly reduced domestic checked baggage allowances for both Star Alliance Gold and Silver members, clandestinely updating its baggage policy with a posthumous disclaimer. Holders of Star Gold status outside of the Mileage Plus program who once...
United Airlines Customer Service Shines at JFK After Mishap
On our way back from Asia last week, my brother and I split up at JFK, with him flying to SFO for work and me flying home to LAX. His 5pm flight appeared full in the newly refurbished BusinessFirst...
Last Day for 100% Bonus on Shared US Airways Miles
Update: Offer Expired. US Airways’ amazing 100% bonus on miles transferred between accounts ends tonight. If you have US Airways miles and are considering an award redemption next year, this offer could help you reach that goal and save a...
Kuwait City to Istanbul in Turkish Airlines Economy Class
A 3.5hr flight at 2:20a is not all that memorable, but a few observations from Turkish Airlines Economy Class— 1. New Airbus A321 with “real” business class seats Unlike many of its European counterparts, Turkish is slowly introducing a...
