In response to the Continental Express (Colgan Air) crash outside of Buffalo last year that killed 50 people, Congress has passed a new bill aimed at bolstering the safety of airline passengers: The legislation requires all airline pilots to...
Continental tests self-boarding at IAH
Tired of the grouchy attitude or bad breath of your gate agent? Well now there’s a solution if you’re flying through Houston! Self-boarding is being tested select Continental gates at IAH. Lufthansa has already offered self-boarding for years, as do...
Another Large Order for Emirates: 30+ Boeing 777s
Just a month after ordering 32 additional A380s, Emirates is adding at least 30 more 777s to its fleet. Fast-growing Emirates Airline of Dubai will announce Monday it is ordering over 30 Boeing 777 jets, a month after it ordered...
Emirates’ A380 returns to JFK
With 32 more A380s on the way, Emirates is bringing back the A380 to the Dubai-New York Kennedy route this fall. Beginning on October 31, you’ll have the chance to enjoy private suites, showers, and a cocktail bar if...
Swiss International Airlines Joins the Blogosphere
Swiss International Airlines has joined the blogging world. Check out their new blog here. In the innagural post, LX’s two-man blogging team, Christian and Parand, lay out this goal: Having been active on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter...
DOT Tarmac Delay Rules Seem to be Working
Count me as one of the surprised. When the DOT announced new tarmac delay guidelines last December, I opined that the rules would hurt the very people they intended to help. I am not ready to eat my hat...
TSA Recruiting on Pizza Boxes
Some call it creative. Others call it a sign of desperation. I call it stupid. The TSA is hiring at Washington Dulles and Reagan National and has resorted to a peculiar medium of advertising…pizza boxes. photo courtesy: Michelle Basch, WTOP...
Pet Relief Areas Now Available at Dulles and National
Complying with new federal guidelines mandating that airports provide “service animal relief areas” for animals that accompany passengers, Frodo now has a place to play if you are traveling through WAS. Both Reagan National and Dulles have made available...
United 757 Sidelined in ANC After Plowing Into Jetbridge
A United Airlines plane struck a jetbridge yesterday in Alaska as it was taxiing to the gate. …No one was injured in the mishap at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport involving a Boeing 757 shortly before 1:30 p.m. Thursday,...
Changes Proposed to DCA’s Perimeter Rule
Do you ever wonder why there are so few transcon and longer flights scheduled to/from DCA? Like similar restrictions at LaGuardia and Dallas Love, a perimeter rule prohibits most flights longer than 1,250 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National...
United Orders Musician to Purchase First Class Ticket…For His Cello
What is it with United and musical instruments? First it was broken guitars. Now comes a story from the NY Post about a cello "forced" to fly in first class. I love the way the Post sensationalizes things, so...
“King Solomon couldn’t start a U.S. domestic airline these days”
“King Solomon couldn’t start a U.S. domestic airline these days,” said Hubert Horan, an aviation consultant. “No matter how well they’re run, it’s tough for any airline that’s small to survive.” For an interesting take on competition and structural...
"Theme Building" Observation Deck at LAX Reopens on July 10
Anyone who has visited LAX will recognize the iconic Jetson-esque structure (officially called the “Theme Building”) in the center of airport that houses the Encounter Restaurant. What you may not have known is that above the restaurant sits an...
Ryanair Showcases "Standing Room" Vertical Seats
Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary is scheduled to announce a formal proposal today for “vertical seats”, which will provide standing-room spots on short-haul flights for as little as £5. These seats have been in the works for years, but...
CAUTION: Your Airline Meal Could Be Tainted
Earlier this year I blogged about the problems discovered in LSG Sky Chefs’ flight kitchen at Denver International Airport. Unfortunately, it appears the problem is more widespread: Many meals served to passengers on major airlines are prepared in unsanitary...
United’s fuel-saving "green" flight deemed a success
Earlier in the month, UA tested a new fuel savings maneuver on a Chicago-Frankfurt flight in which pilots were given greater leeway in setting their flight path. This allowed them to better utilize favorable winds. While 900 gallons of fuel...
United pilot detained for showing his underwear in Brazil
I have not had the pleasure of visiting Rio de Janeiro yet, but it seems they take airport security even more seriously than the TSA: SAO PAULO – A United Airlines pilot was briefly detained at the international airport in Rio...
United loses liquor license at SEA Red Carpet Club for serving alcohol to minors!
If you are flying though Seattle-Tacoma International over the next five days, don’t bother to pull out your drink chits if you stop by United’s Red Carpet Club. UA’s liquor license has been suspended for allegedly serving alcohol to...
An airline horror story: Trapped On A Plane
Imagine boarding a delayed flight from London to Newark. With nerves already frayed, you are told that all the mechanical issues have not been resolved and the air conditioning onboard is not working. You wait a little longer for...
The Soviet Era is over for Aeroflot
I had the pleasure of flying on Aeroflot three times in late 2008 and have become a big fan of the airline that many bypass simply because of its Soviet-era reputation. Aeroflot understands it still has some work to...
