Both good news and bad news for United today. United Airlines is seeing a strong recovery in international passenger traffic, especially on transatlantic routes, executives of the Chicago airline said Wednesday. "Clearly, international strength is playing a disproportionate role"...
Air New Zealand to Offer "Sleeper Seats" to Economy Passengers
Air New Zealand is my preferred Star Alliance carrier if I must fly in Economy and now I have another reason to choose them: In the ongoing game of creative airline seating, Air New Zealand is introducing a welcome...
Los Angeles Times: More Airline Passengers Getting Bumped
Interesting article in the Los Angeles Times yesterday about bumps. But there is a growing trend that spells trouble for travelers: More passengers are getting bumped from flights. In the first nine months of 2009, the rate of ticketed...
United Airlines <3 Continental Airlines: My Take on Glen Tilton’s Merger Prediction
Mike beat to me it, but I too want to address Glen Tilton’s interview with the Chicago Tribune about the “inevitability” of another airline merger in the next two years. Listeners to our podcast know that I believe a...
British Airways to Upgrade First Class Cabin
For all the talk recently about the dire financial straits facing BA and rumors that they were on the verge of axing their First Class cabin, it comes as a surprise–a welcome surprise–that BA has announced it will be...
Maximizing Your Chances to Effectively Use Your Miles
Scott McCartney has a decent Middle Seat column today in the WSJ on how to maximize your chances to redeem frequent flyer miles. A couple sections particularly caught my eye: On the airline side, road warriors suggest checking alliance...
Pickpocket Steals €4,000 on Air France Flight
PARIS – French police are investigating whether a pickpocket stole thousands of euros from passengers as they slept on an Air France flight from Tokyo to Paris. "There is an investigation under way," a spokesman for the border police...
"Explosive" Honey Shuts Down California Airport
A golden substance found in the checked baggage of a man traveling from Bakersfield, CA to Milwaukee, WI that tested positive for TNT and TATP (plane go boom) led to the evacuation and closure of BFL for several hours. Turns out the...
You Might Want to Avoid Connecting in Denver if You are Traveling in United First
I grimaced when I saw this thread on FlyerTalk today: The FDA has changed the classification of LSG Sky Chefs’ Denver facility from “Approved” to “Provisional” based on an inspection that turned up some real stomach turning findings, such...
UPDATE: TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
Earlier this week I blogged about the TSA serving subpoenas to Chris Elliott and Steven Frischling, demanding that the two men reveal how they got their hands on the TSA security directive that went into effect after the Christmas Day terrorist...
TSA Serves Subpoenas to Two Bloggers for Disclosing Latest Security Directive
I know, I know: another attack on the TSA. But after reading this, I hope you agree another post was warranted. Chris Elliot, a travel blogger, Washington Post columnist, and MSNBC contributor asked the TSA to clarify its new...
TSA Loosens Security Restrictions
Good news: the TSA has apparently loosened some of the draconian restrictions they imposed earlier this week. After a two-day security clampdown prompted by a thwarted attempt to bomb a jetliner, some airline officials told The Associated Press that...
Homeland Security Chief Napolitano: New Airport Security Rules are None of Your Business
I can’t believe I am quoting the Village Voice, but I I liked this story: Apparently it wasn’t an accident that the TSA neglected to tell us how airport security rules have changed in response to Friday’s terror attempt. Homeland Security Secretary...
See, I was Right: New Security Measures from the TSA
Lucky just blogged about a new travel advisory from Air Canada: As a result of the added security precautions, passengers should also expect delayed and cancelled flights as well as missed connections. Air Canada will endeavour to transport passengers...
Not Just a Firecracker: Man Claiming Ties to Al Qaeda Fails in Attempt to Blow Up Delta A330 with 288 Aboard
Just as the story was breaking yesterday, I blogged about media reports concerning a passenger attempting to use firecrackers aboard a Northwest/Delta flight from AMS to DTW. Hours later, we learned it was not just an innocent holiday celebration, but...
Christmas Greetings and a Salute to United’s Fantasy Flight
I used Thanksgiving day to express my thanks to particular people at United for their hard work and dedication throughout the year and I want to use this Christmas Day post to commend United for their annual Fantasy Flight...
Passenger Ignites Firecracker on Delta Flight from Amsterdam to Detroit
1948 ET UPDATE: I reported on this earlier today just as the story was breaking. Apparently it was not just a firecracker. See Hunter’s link below. More details and analysis as the story develops. Well, I can’t blame this...
What the new DOT Tarmac Delay Guidelines Mean for You
While a Passenger Bill of Rights in the United States remains gridlocked in Congress, the AP reports the Obama Administration has announced new rules that: Prohibit tarmac delays beyond three hours Require airlines to provide "adequate" food and drinking water for...
AA 737-800 Skids off Runway During Rainstorm in Jamaica
photo credit: Associated Press An American Airlines 737-800 skid off the runway in Kingston, Jamaica last night during a rainstorm, seriously injuring two passengers (as well as the pilot) and sending an unspecified number to the hospital. Thankfully,...
UPDATE: Man Violates Federal Law by Asking for Orange Juice on American Airlines Flight?
Last week I blogged about an alleged altercation between an AA FA and and a First Class passenger on a flight from Sacramento to Dallas in which the FA accused the passenger of "threatening, intimidating, and interfering with a...
