Is the U.S. on the verge of a “tourism shock”? One digital travel agency is claiming the answer is YES. Its analytics reveal the interest in traveling to the USA in 94 countries has fallen sharply since the Trump inauguration...
Two Great New Priority Pass Lounges, Including London Restaurant/Bar
Priority Pass adds and subtracts members from its 1000+ network of lounges each month. This month two notable additions are worth your attention: the Turkish Airlines lounge at Washington Dulles and the Grain Store Cafe & Bar inside London Gatwick Airport....
TSA Admits It Likely Cannot Spot Terrorists
Internal documents reveal that the TSA’s behavior detection program aimed at rooting out terrorists is inherently flawed according to an ACLU report. The TSA’s behavior detection program utilizes specially-trained agents — some uniformed, some in plain clothes — to scope out signs...
Air France Adds Maldives Service
Air France is starting year-around service to the Male this fall, providing another option to use points to reach the Maldives. Per Routes Online, the outbound flight from Paris will operate on Wednesday and Saturday, returning on Thursday and Sunday...
Pictures: Sexy New South African Airways A330-300 Business Class
Beleaguered South African Airways is taking delivery of five new A330-300 aircraft which will feature a refreshed business class cabin and new lie-flat seat. Check out the impressive pictures below. The A330-300 will feature Thompson Aero Vantage XL seats, similar...
Will American and United Match Delta’s Free Meals in Domestic Economy?
Delta Air Lines is bringing back complimentary meals — not just snacks, meals — to its premium transcon routes between JFK and LAX/SFO. Will this force American Airlines and United Airlines to match? Delta’s New Meal Plan Delta is...
Virgin Atlantic Flight Diverts Over Spitting Passenger
A Virgin Atlantic flight from London Gatwick bound for St. Lucia diverted to the Azores after a passenger became belligerent, shouting and spitting at cabin crew, and threatening to open the aircraft door midair. This is just conjecture, but it...
United CEO Vents About Small Planes, Washington Dulles
United CEO Oscar Munoz has a message about Washington Dulles: we screwed up. Fly between Newark and Washington Dulles — United’s two east coast hubs — and you’ll find yourself on a 37-seat turboprop (Bombardier Q200). Admitting that United’s share of traffic...
Etihad and Lufthansa Announce Closer Partnership
In a joint press conference with Etihad CEO James Hogan and Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, the two carriers announced a strengthened codeshare agreement, terminal relocations for Etihad in Germany as well as new LSG Sky Chefs and Lufthansa Technik contracts...
Delta Ditches Taiwan, Further Dismantles Narita Hub
Delta will end service to Taipei in May, further eroding its Tokyo Narita hub. Delta currently operates a daily Fifth Freedom flight between Tokyo Narita and Taipei, Taiwan. That flight will end on May 24, 2017. Blaming the international expansion of...
Is Hacking to Blame for Delta Outage?
The FAA has announced a domestic ground stop on all Delta flights– GROUND STOP DAL AND SUB CARRIERS TO DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ARE EXEMPT. THIS IS DUE TO AUTOMATION ISSUES WITH DAL. UPDATE AT 0030Z. Many are reporting that ALL...
Retaliation: Iran Will Ban Americans
News broke last night that with the stroke of a pen, U.S. President Donald Trump had blocked immigrants from a number of predominantly Muslim nations and halted the flow of refugees into the United States. Now Iran has responded by...
United Airlines’ Secret Expansion Plan at LAX
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby told pilots in a recent closed-door meeting that United is eyeing a major expansion at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) after years of letting its competitors gain market share. The plans include claiming back...
Park Hyatt Bangkok Opening in June
The long-delayed Park Hyatt Bangkok is slated to open in June and reservations are now being accepted. I am so excited about staying at this property! Thai hospitality is a wonderful thing and Bangkok luxury hotels offer both a great experience and...
United May Cut p.s. Name, but not Premium Service
In 2004, United Airlines introduced p.s. (premium service) onboard its transcon flights between New York Kennedy and Los Angeles/San Francisco. This enhanced domestic product mimicked an international flight with menus, enhanced meals, and a premium business and first class...
Will Emirates Squeeze United Out of Athens?
Emirates announced it would offer daily non-stop service between Newark and Athens effective March 26, 2017, the carrier’s latest Fifth Freedom route. The new route puts United and Emirates on collision course — who will blink first or can both survive?...
Woman Thrown Off Alaska Flight After Anti-Trump Rant
First a pro-Trump voter before the election, now an anti-Trump voter after. A woman was thrown off an Alaska Airlines flight from Baltimore to Seattle on Saturday after berating a Trump supporter in a conversation she initiated. As I witnessed,...
What is World’s Most Powerful Passport?
I tend to spend far too much time reading the Daily Mail, and came across a story a few days ago ranking passports. Passport Index is a great resources for passport information and each years ranks countries based upon visa-free...
United Announces Final 747 Flight
UDPATE: Final United Boeing 747 Flight Will be SFO-HNL on November 07, 2017 Scott Kirby promised a proper send off for the Queen of the Skies and with United’s schedule update, it appears that will be on October 29, 2017. Retirement...
Minneapolis to be Launch Market for United Basic Economy
In a call with investors yesterday, United Airlines President Scott Kirby announced that United will begin selling Basic Economy tickets next quarter and Minneapolis (MSP) will be the launch market. Kirby stated MSP will be the launch city because it...
