Keep a close watch on Turkish Airlines: the carrier is growing fast and fiercely competing with its rivals. I have watched its route network grow over the last few years and am amazed that the carrier continues to add...
TSA SPOT Program Wastes Time and Money
The Transportation Security Administration is actively testing its new Israeli-style interrogation program at Boston’s Logan Airport. The new screening method is part of the TSA’s SPOT (Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique) initiative that began in 2001, encompasses the...
Bribed TSA Officer Conspires with Drug Smuggler at LAX…9 Times!
I wish I could say I am surprised, but I am not: a Transportation Security Administration Officer at Los Angeles International Airport was busted on Sunday for aiding and abetting a drug smuggler sneak 15lbs of marijuana past security....
The Dark Side of Paris
I had a wonderful weekend in Paris. Great food, time with family and friends, and beautiful weather made for an incredible few days. And is there a city more beautiful than Paris? I just love the architecture, the gardens,...
Virgin America’s Clever but Deceiving New Ad Campaign
From Ben, Virgin America released a clever new ad campaign featuring two twins flying on identical routes, one on Virgin, the other on a competitor, then comparing notes after the flight. Watch the videos below and see if you notice the same...
Fight Breaks Out at Lufthansa Priority Screening Checkpoint at Frankfurt
You never hear me complaining about the airport security screeners at Frankfurt International Airport in Germany. I travel from FRA on a weekly basis and I have experienced nothing but professional service trip after trip. These men and women...
Turkish Airlines Award Seats Now Bookable on Continental.com
As I have blogged about before, my favorite way to check for Star Alliance award space is with Continental Airlines’ online award search tool. It quickly searches space, offers triple connections if necessary, and presents a two-month calendar so...
Ryanair to Remove Toilets on Aircraft
When speaking about Ryanair, it is always difficult to determine whether they are serious or just fishing for publicity, but they are in the news again, and once again the issue is lavatories. While the Irish carrier dropped plans...
50% Off + Free Shipping on United Airlines Tuilp Merchandise
As United Airlines transitions from the tuilp logo to Continental’s globe logo, they are clearing out old merchandise from thier online store, the United Shop. Now until supplies are exhausted, you can purchase most United-branded items for half price...
US Airways Raises the Price of Purchased Miles…Again!
For the second time in just over a year, US Airways has raised the price of purchased miles. Effective immediately, miles now cost 3.5 cents each–a 27% increase over the 2.75 cents the miles were previously available at and...
Return to London
Hello from London. My parents have finally flown across the Pond for a visit and my brother is still in town, so we decided to meet up in London this weekend. This is my second trip to London this...
Dismal Service in United Airlines International First Class
If United Airlines wants to be, as Jeff Smisek puts it, “World’s leading airline,” treating international first class passengers like they are flying in steerage (or worse) is not going to cut it. This recent account posted on Flyertalk...
EU Court: Airline Carbon Trading Scheme is Legal
A European Court held today that the European Union can proceed with ambitious plans to implement its Emission Trading Scheme on 01 January, 2012. European Court of Justice Advocate General Juliane Kokott said the “EU legislation doesn’t infringe the...
Three United Airlines Mileage Award Bookings in 15 Minutes
The most frustrating part of booking an award trip is when a telephone call to the airline is required. Some agents are quicker than others, but generally telephone awards just take a long time to book. I type this...
Airport Security Screening of the Future
A little blurb on airport passengers screening in the Washington Post caught my eye today: AMSTERDAM — The airline industry has presented its vision for a security ‘checkpoint of the future,’ which would speed up safety checks by sorting...
American Airlines Headed for Bankruptcy?
The balance sheet at American Airlines is looking more troubling by the day. Some are warning about bankruptcy, though I am not convinced that will be necessary. In fact, if you are the gambling-type, this may be the perfect...
Aeroplan Points Devalued: No More Domestic First on Business Class Awards
Effective 06 September, two-cabin flights coded as “first class [O]” require three-cabin first class redemption rates when using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. I discovered the new policy while attempting to book a relatively straightforward award trip for a client...
My Intra-Europe bmi Award to Armenia via Iceland
I recently redeemed a chunk of my British Midland International (bmi) points for an intra-Europe award that includes Iceland and Armenia. The trip is coming up soon, but the more I think about the itinerary, the more I think...
Last Day to Purchase Lifetime United Club Membership
Tomorrow marks the final opportunity to purchase lifetime membership to the newly-branded United Clubs through Continental Airlines. As of today, the lifetime membership options have been removed from Continental’s site, but will still be available for purchase over the...
Master’s of Food and Wine Event – Park Hyatt Zürich
Greetings from Zürich. I was invited to attend the Zürich segment of the Hyatt Master’s of Food and Wine – Tour of the World 2011 and will be in Switzerland the next few days taking part in various activities...
