Passengers rose to the occasion and neutralized a grim threat from a crazed man who not only tried to open the emergency exit door mid-flight, but also took a flight attendant hostage with a knife he had saved from...
Traveling with an Infant in International First Class
Few travel issues evoke more controversy than the matter of children in premium cabins, especially in international first class. I’m not here to debate that, directly. Instead, I want to help guide parents who are considering whether to bring...
Ben Baldanza, Former CEO Of Spirit Airlines, Dies At 62
The witty and approachable Ben Baldanza, the charismatic former CEO of Spirit Airlines, has lost his battle with ALS and died at age 62. RIP Ben Baldanza, Former Spirit Airlines Chief Executive And Ultimate AvGeek Baldanza was not just...
American Airlines Restricts Power Of Employees To Remove Passengers From Flights
American Airlines has limited the discretionary ability of employees to remove passengers from flights to all but the most egregious circumstances invovling safety or security. American Airlines Limits Employee Discretion In Removing Passengers From Flights Earlier this year, I...
Review: United Airlines 777-200 Premium Economy
After a long layover in Newark spent in the Polaris Lounge, I flew from Newark to San Francisco on a United Airlines 777-200 in Premium Plus, United’s premium economy product. United Airlines 777-200 Premium Economy Review I purchased a...
Danke: Condor Challenges Lufthansa On Key European Routes
Condor, once a strictly leisure carrier, is now a growing threat to Lufthansa’s dominance over the wider German market. With the addition of domestic and regional flights, Condor is laying the foundation to more robustly challenge Lufthansa. Condor Adds...
What Trump’s Victory Means For Airlines
Donald Trump’s victory last night took many by surprise. The return of President Trump to the White House will directly impact airline regulations and mergers. Here are my predictions. What Donald Trump’s Victory Means For Airlines And Passengers The...
On Election Day, I Offer A Travel Promise
I think it’s often interesting to look back on our musings to see what we have learned or what has changed. Below is an essay I wrote on the day of the 2020 election. One of the candidates is...
RIP: Bouncy Moving Walkways At SFO
While San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has gone from good to even better with its ongoing terminal connector project, I’m sorry to report a casualty: the bouncy moving walkways connecting Terminal 3 to the F Gates. Strange as this...
How My SSSS Boarding Pass Was (Mis)Handled In Dubai
Flying out of Dubai on United Airlines was an interesting experience–apparently, secondary screening is just a suggestion? Look, I’m not complaining, but my “SSSS” treatment at Dubai Airport was beautifully non-existent. SSSS In Dubai Airport – Nothing Secondary About...
Russia Accused Of Planning Terrorism Using US-Bound Jetliners
Intelligence officials from several Western nations have accused Russia of plotting to take down jetliners bound for the United States via incendiary devices according to an explosive report in The Wall Street Journal. Report: Russia Planned To Sabotage US-Bound...
Review: United Airlines 777-200ER Polaris Business Class Dubai – Newark
I enjoyed a smooth longhaul journey on United Airlines onboard the 777-200ER in Polaris business class from Dubai to Newark, a flight I’d argue is a better option than Emirates’ older business class cabin on the same route. United...
Vintage American Airlines Ticket Shows How Astronomically Expensive Airfare Used To Be
A vintage American Airlines ticket from New York to St. Louis shows just how expensive airfare used to be…and how great we have it today in an era of cheap airfare. Vintage American Airlines Ticket Shows How Good We...
My Five Favorite United Clubs
I recently had a chance to revisit the United Club at Washington National Airport. It’s a beautiful club and in terms of architecture, my absolute favorite of all United Clubs. I thought it might be fun to compile a...
I Skipped The Lounge And Spent My 7-Hour Layover At Grand Hyatt Dubai…
I tried something different in Dubai, spending my extended layover at the Grand Hyatt Dubai rather than in the Emirates Lounge. Grand Hyatt Dubai Review – A Nice Layover Hotel I’ve trained myself to be productive during layovers…it’s generally...
Review: Air India 787-8 Business Class
My first flight on Air India, onboard a 787-8 in business class, exceeded expectations and was marked by a comfortable seat with warm and friendly service. Even so, there is room for improvement as the carrier seeks to transform...
United Airlines Flight Attendant Claims Bankruptcy Was Necessary Due To “Abysmal” Salary
A United Airlines flight attendant claims she was forced to file bankruptcy despite taking on a second and third job due to “abysmal” pay for her work, which led to insurmountable credit card debt. While her story is probably...
Unsolved Mystery: American Airlines 777 Diverts Over Inexplicable Banging Noises In Cargo Hold
Halloween, American Airlines style: a 777-300ER diverted to Buenos Aires after both passengers and crew heard “strange” banging sounds coming from the cargo hold while in the air. But after federal police stormed the cargo hold in Buenos Aires,...
A United Airlines Flight…From Tenerife To Marrakech?!
A United Airlines Boeing 767-300 flew today from Tenerife, Spain to Marrakech, Morocco. Is United getting even more creative in its route planning or was something else going on? United Airlines Flies 767-300ER From Tenerife To Marrakech On October...
Ruckus On My Air India Flight After Russian Man Bumps Elderly American Woman During Boarding
I observed quite a ruckus on my Air India flight from Delhi to Dubai after a Russian man bumped into an older American woman during boarding. A Boarding Bump On My Air India Flight Leads To Heated Cabin Exchange...