Bad news for United MileagePlus members, with last week’s devaluation of premium cabin awards now spreading to regions wholly outside the USA. Business class awards are now absurdly more expensive and some economy class awards are more expensive too....
I Got “Felt Up” By The TSA After Body Scanner Detects Suspicious Package
True story. I recently had the oddest TSA security experience at Los Angeles International Airport that has left me wondering what possibly could have triggered the full body scanner to pinpoint my…package. TSA Body Scanner Flags My Suspicious Package...
Better Than Uber: Express Bus To Bucharest Airport
I took an Uber from Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport into town, then Express Bus 100 back to the airport. The bus was the more efficient option… Guide: Bucharest Airport Bus After arriving in Bucharest, I summoned an Uber...
Photo Essay: Bucharest, Romania
I only spent 21 hours in Bucharest on my last trip, but there were several things I appreciated about the city that warrant a future visit. I’ve compiled the photo essay below from my walk around Bucharest. Bucharest, Romania...
Last Chance: FTU Seattle Is This Weekend
If your Saturday is free and you’re in the Seattle area or able to get there, consider a last-minute ticket to Frequent Traveler University (FTU). It’s going to be a great day in Des Moines (Washington, not Iowa!). Coming...
Taylor Swift Flew 178,000 Miles In 2023
Pop singer Taylor Swift is naturally quite the world traveler, though her air travel totals for 2023 are not quite as high as I would have thought. Taylor Swift 2023 Air Travel: A Closer Look 21-year-old Jack Sweeney is...
I Just Had One Of My Best United Airlines Flights Ever…
I’ve got to hand it to the crew of UA892, my flight from Seoul to San Francisco in Polaris Business Class. It was one of the best United flights I have ever flown. My Truly Great Flight On United...
Selfish Passengers Take Carry-On Bags With Them Down Emergency Slide As Aircraft Fills With Smoke
A recent evacuation of a passenger aircraft in Venezuela shows us the extreme danger and foolishness of trying to escape from a smoke-filled airplane with your hand baggage. Foolish Passengers Flee Smoke-Filled Plane Via Emergency Exit Slide…With Their Carry-On...
Review: Dacia Business Lounge Bucharest (OTP)
The Dacia Business Lounge, formerly the TAROM Business Lounge, at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) is a mixed bag. While I was very thankful to wait for my flight here instead of the gate area, it is by...
Review: The Marmorosch Bucharest (Marriott Autograph Collection)
I spent a night at The Marmorosch, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel centrally located in Bucharest’s Old Town, and very much enjoyed the stay. This is a unique hotel with nice amenities. The Marmorosch Bucharest Review, A Marriott Autograph...
Will Southwest Airlines Abandon Open Seating?
Southwest Airlines has sent mixed signals concerning its long-term strategy of open seating as it prepares to introduce a new generation of economy class seats. Will Southwest Airlines finally eliminate open seating? My gut still says no… Will Southwest...
Great Coffee In Bucharest, Romania
I enjoyed an excellent cup of coffee during my 21-hour layover in Bucharest, a city that (once you move beyond the Old Town) is full of charm. Best Coffee In Bucharest, Romania Bucharest has a fascinating history and a...
If You Leave Ammo In Your Carry-On Bag, Expect To Be Arrested
While I do not think a prison sentence of up to 12 years is proportional to accidentally bringing ammo into Turks & Caicos, I don’t place primary blame on the TSA for failing to catch it…I blame the one...
Knackered Brit Must Pay United Airlines $20,000 For Bad Behavior Onboard
It’s nice to see passengers held accountable for their poor behavior onboard when they get drunk and make a scene. One British man has been ordered to pay United Airlines over $20,000 in restitution for his drunk and disorderly...
How A Flight Attendant Turned My Economy Class Seat Into A Business Class Seat…
For those who missed my earlier TAROM A318 business class review, I want to focus here on how a flight attendant turned my economy class seat into a business class seat…which helps understand why European carriers do business class...
Review: TAROM A318 Business Class
Flying on TAROM is like stepping back in time 20 years. My TAROM A318 flight from London to Bucharest reminded me of what it was like to fly when I was a child–both the good and the bad. TAROM...
Pathetic: Lebanon Upset Over “Israeli” Ethiopian Airlines 787-9
Lebanese authorities were so incensed at seeing “Tel Aviv” on the side of an Ethiopian Airlines 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft that Africa’s largest air carrier was forced to remove it before it could take off from Beirut. No folks, this...
Review: Plaza Premium Lounge – London Heathrow T4 (LHR)
Unlike my previous visit, the Plaza Premium in London Heathrow (LHR) T4 was packed with a dismal selection of food…I stayed only a few minutes, preferring to wait for my flight in the gate area. Plaza Premium Lounge Review...
United Airlines Captain Retires With Dignity
After 32 years with United Airlines, Captain Mark Hardcastle just piloted his last commercial flight…a fitting send-off to a remarkable man. United Airlines Captain Mark Hardcastle Retires Denver-based Captain Mark Hardcastle spent 32 years flying for United Airlines, retiring...
Review: Delta Air Lines A330-900neo Business Class
My trip to Europe began with a Delta Air Lines flight in “Delta One” business class onboard the Airbus A330-900neo from Los Angeles to London. No, the Delta One Suite is not my favorite business class seat, but the...
