Award earning and redemption options just got a little better on American Airlines. As of 01 June, American Airlines AAdvantage miles can be earned on most Etihad flights. Three notable exclusions are flights between Abu Dhabi and New York,...
Dubai to Kish Island, Iran on Kish Air + Interrogation at Iranian Border
With a 12:30p departure to Kish and a late arrival from Muscat the previous night, it was nice to sleep in for a bit. We arrived at Terminal Two in Dubai at around 11:00a and had no trouble checking...
This Southwest Captain Hates "Gays and Grannies and Grandes"
I would feel sorry for the Captain, if he wasn’t such an idiot. Apparently a Southwest Airlines captain didn’t know his microphone was stuck on the “on” position and broadcast to the FAA and everyone else within earshot a...
The Kish Air Experience in Dubai
Last night, I left you on a cliffhanger–would I make it to Iran or not? Early the next morning I asked the Park Hyatt concierge to call Kish Air’s ticketing office to see about traveling to Iran later in...
A Spur of the Moment Trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran
It all started around the brunch table Saturday in Dubai. I casually mentioned that Kish Island, a small Iranian island just 30 minutes from Dubai by air, would be an interesting place to visit. Why Iran? For years I...
It Has Been One Heckuva Day
For those of you wondering why I was missing in action the last couple days, stay tuned for a fascinating report that will cover my time in Dubai and Oman, but primarily Iran–yes, Iran. And there was drama in...
Feeling at Home in Dubai
Hello from Dubai. The weather is over 100°F, but Dubai is one cool city–and it is making me feel like I am back in the States. It is my first time in the United Arab Emirates and I am...
Review: Park Hyatt Tokyo
Rated as one of the top hotels in Tokyo, I arrived at the Park Hyatt Tokyo with high expectations—and they were all exceeded. The Park Hyatt chain prides itself on personalized service that distinguishes it from its competitors. It...
Cheap Flights to Barcelona and Madrid on US Airways – from $340
Spanair codeshares with a number of their Star Alliance partners and once in a while, the codeshare flights can be very reasonable, or in this case, extremely reasonable. Fall fares to Barcelona and Madrid are currently available for as...
Naked Man Barricades Himself in Lavatory on Iberia Flight
Excessive alcohol and flying just do not mix–I’ve made that abundantly clear in previous posts. But sometimes passengers are just crazy (recall the deranged passenger that caused my United flight to divert to Omaha last year). Take the German...
Reminder: United Airlines Award Chart Changes Tomorrow
United Airlines’ updated mileage award chart comes into effect tomorrow and for the most part, the changes are good. There are a few award regions that will see an increased mileage requirement, however, so it might be wise to...
United to Close Denver Hub?
A piece ran in the Denver Post yesterday speculating on the future hub status of Denver, implying that United is ready to axe it. I see no cause for concern just yet. The rumors stem from internal UA documents...
Blame Me or Blame Lufthansa for Missed Dublin Flight?
This evening I arrived at Frankfurt at around 2015 from Munich after a long day of flying. I had a separate ticket from Frankfurt to Dublin booked months before, and I chose not to check my bags all the...
Two Calls to American Airlines, Two Very Different Outcomes
I fail to understand why airline reservations agents cannot do simple things like search for award availability. Today I called American Airlines about an award reservation on Cathay Pacific. I had already verified first class inventory on British Airway’s...
The Lady Who Tried to Steal My Seat…Thrice
As is often the case when I am departing on a weekday from Frankfurt, I stay far longer than I should in my office and find myself making a mad dash to make my flight. Yesterday was no different...
"Have you ever been to our First Class Terminal?"
At Star Alliance Gold check-in at Frankfurt earlier today, the smiling female Lufthansa agent glanced at my passport, pulled up my ticket, then asked, “Have you ever been to our First Class Terminal?” For a brief moment, I thought...
US Airways 100% Bonus on Dividend Miles Purchased Through June 30th
After a long hiatus, the 100% bonus offer on purchased miles from US Airways has returned. If you have ever considered purchasing miles before, this is the time to do it and this is the program to invest in....
Next Stop: The City of Lights (Paris)
Well, actually I am already in Paris. It was all the way back in 2006 when I was last here and it is nice to be back in this bustling hub of French commerce. The flight over, a quick...
United Shuns Continental and Reinstates Zone Boarding
Finally, a United policy wins out! During my travels in the United States last month I witnessed the birth of United’s “new” boarding policy, which could only be described as chaotic and inefficient. Mimicking Continental, UA began boarding military...
Hawaiian Flying on United Airlines
I enjoyed four Hawiian flights on United Airlines last month and provide this brief review of each flight to demonstrate that onboard amenities have improved since I compared United and Continental between Los Angeles and Honolulu last year. Flight...
