United announced this week that CEO, Oscar Munoz, would step down with United President, Scott Kirby, taking over May 1st, 2020. Changes like these don’t affect flyers often but I’m reconsidering my loyalty to United. If you are considering...
The Case For, Against Airline Loyalty
Following unwanted management changes at United and unrequited management changes at American, I am re-examining my airline loyalty. Here are the arguments for and against holding loyalty status. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Manchester’s Principal Hotel Rebranded Kimpton Clocktower
We know Manchester (we lived there for several years) and love The Principal hotel. IHG acquired it (along with 13 others) last year in an effort to bolster the Kimpton brand. In January, the Kimpton Clocktower will launch where...
South African Airways Placed In Business Rescue: What Does That Mean?
South African Airways will receive a bailout even though all parties deny it is a bailout. But what does this mean for the airline and its customers? I sort of asked this question already in a post last week,...
Does Terror Alter Your Travel Choices?
Another terror attack in London and the Hague sparked concerns for my family and raised the question of whether or not acts of terror alter our travel choices. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Mass Arrests Across USA As Airport Catering Strikes Bring Civil Unrest
Catering workers are being arrested at airports across the United States as they protest for higher wages and benefits. A nationwide series of strikes and sit-ins have blocked traffic and terminals at airports across the nation. Arrests have been...
Has American Airlines Turned The Corner?
American Airlines has had a rough couple of years, but after a decent performance in the third quarter and some management “changes” has the carrier finally turned the corner? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Hyatt’s “Surprise and Delight” Does Just That
Hyatt began running a “surprise and delight” campaign for Globalist members of the hotel chain’s World of Hyatt program. The promotion is accomplishing its stated goal. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
EU Ambassador Bolts From Impeachment Hearing To United Polaris
U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland must have a very good driver after leaving Capitol Hill at 4:00PM and somehow still making his 5:50PM flight to Brussels on United. After providing testimony implicating President Donald Trump, Secretary...
Cover-Up? The Real Reason An American Airlines A330 Diverted To Dublin
An American Airlines A330-300 did not divert due to a spilled cleaning product. Instead, an oil leak is likely to blame, even as AA denies it. Last month, AA729, pushed back from the gate at London Heathrow on schedule at...
Bonvoyed: Deceptive Redemption Prices Frustrate, Annoy
Marriott’s new Bonvoy program has not been the success CEO Arne Sorenson has suggested it is. Bonvoy’s award redemption nights don’t just deceive members, they also frustrate and annoy them. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
United Will Operate More Boeing 787s From Chicago
United Airlines will concentrate more Boeing 787 Dreamliners at Chicago O’Hare next year. In August, United announced the 787 was finally coming to Chicago, United’s home base. That included service to: Brussels (starting on March 28, 2020) Frankfurt (starting...
Employee Groups Wage Proxy Boeing Fight for Southwest
The Boeing 737 MAX is a very delicate issue. Airlines are owed for down time but getting passengers back on the planes may be tough. Southwest employee groups are effectively fighting Boeing for Southwest by proxy. If you are...
Austrian Airlines Announces Cuts, Blaming “Brutal Competition” In Vienna
We learned about cuts at Lufthansa earlier this week to the onboard product. Today, Lufthansa announced it would make cuts, including staff cuts, at its troubled Austrian Airlines subsidiary. Austrian followed with further clarification. Trouble At Austrian Airlines After...
Scary: American Eagle Embraer E175 Diverts After Pilots Lose Control
An American Eagle Embraer 175 safely returned to Atlanta after encountering severe flight control issues during takeoff. The situation is eerily similar to an Air Astana Embraer 190 incident that occurred just under a year ago. On November 6,...
Swede Busted In Australian Airport With Lethal Drugs In Lining Of Suitcase…
A Swedish man was caught trying to smuggle over $8 million worth of drugs into Australia using the lining of his suitcases. The man had originated in Turkey and was traveling with two suitcases. Officials pulled him aside for...
How A Cockpit Photo Outraged China
A pilot lets his girlfriend sit in the cockpit. She posts it on social media. A blogger notices and complains on Weibo. Outrage grows. Many are punished. The pilot is banned for life. But was the reaction a bit...
“LAXit” Will Expand After Rough First Week
Los Angeles International Airport will significantly expand its new “LAXit” pick-up lot for rideshare vehicles and taxi after a chaotic rollout last week. One week ago, LAX banned taxi, Uber, and Lyft from picking up passengers curbside at LAX....
American Airlines Flight Attendants Refuse to Fly the 737 MAX, Southwest Pilots Sue Because They Can’t
Boeing’s 737 MAX has been a divisive issue amongst airlines employees and the traveling public. American Airlines flight attendants refuse to fly it while Southwest pilots sue Boeing because they can’t. What?!? If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
ANA Struggling To Fill Business Class As Profit Slumps
Even with a beautiful new business and first class product, ANA is struggling to sell premium cabin seats and facing an unexpected dip in profit. Blaming tightened corporate travel budgets, ANA is expected to report a decline in profit...
