U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Cuba today to officially re-open the American Embassy in Havana, which for years as operated in the same harbor-front building as a diplomatically-downgraded United States Interests Section. This is a must-visit location...
Cameras Now Permitted on White House Tours!
I used to work at the White House and once in a while I would volunteer to conduct weekend East Wing tours — I remember how delighted I was to visit the White House for the first time as...
How Bad is Delta’s Latest SkyMiles Devaluation? Time to Buy Delta Stock!
Delta announced an immediate devaluation of its Skymiles program on the redemption side this week effective for flights on or after 01 June 2016. We are now seeing just how draconian these changes are. Folks, this is a devaluation...
United Airlines To Offer Swanky Cowshed Amenity Kits
United Airlines is teaming up with Cowshed Spa, a division of Soho House, to offer brand new amenity kits in intercontinental premium cabins and United lounges. Beginning Aug. 1, 2015, United will exclusively offer Soho House’s Cowshed skin-care products onboard...
JetBlue Will Expand Mint Business Class to Boston
JetBlue announced an expansion of its popular Mint lie-flat business class service to Boston with service starting next year. In March 2016, JetBlue will commence three daily flights between Boston and San Francisco and add Boston – Los Angeles...
United Airlines Leaves JFK, Moves p.s. to Newark
Big news for New York City travelers, as United announced plans to move its premium service (p.s.) flights from JFK to Newark and discontinue service to JFK starting on October 25, 2015. United cuts p.s. because it was not...
FA Who Told Muslim Passenger She Could Not Have Unopened Soda Can for Security Reasons is Sacked
Another week, another drama at United Airlines. This time on a United Airlines Express flight operated by Shuttle America. Let’s review the situation: Tahera Ahmad, Director of Interfaith Engagement at Northwestern University who was also wearing a hijab,...
Aer Lingus to Join oneworld: No Irish Luck for Me!
In January I wrote a piece entitled IAG Group Moves Closer to Aer Lingus Acquisition and speculated that Aer Lingus would rejoin the oneword alliance if the acquisition by British Airways’ parent company IAG was successful. Today, the Irish government announced plans to...
New Beta Edition of United.com Available to All
I have been testing the beta version of the new united.com for over a month now via special invitation but now United has opened its beta site to everyone, with a planned launch date of the “new and improved”...
Recap and Winners of 2015 Freddie Awards
The 2015 Freddie Awards were held at the Delta Flight Museum last night just down the road from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Created in 1988 by Randy Petersen to recognize the world’s best and most innovative frequent travel programs, the awards...
Real Meals Coming to United Express on March 1, 2015
While Delta Air Lines and American Airlines already serve “real” meals onboard their regional jets, United has been a holdout, offering only junk food snack boxes. That changes on 01 March 2015 when United will begin to serve hearty...
Legal Analysis of DOT Decision to Back United on Cancelled Mistake Fares
The U.S. DOT has issued its verdict on United Airlines’ unilateral decision to cancel thousands of cheap first class tickets, ruling that it will not take action against United for failing to honor the fare. Although this ruling comes...
Exciting New Business Class Experience Arriving on Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus is not only introducing a new fully lie-flat business class seat, but also a totally redesigned business class experience. I had a chance to learn more about the product and test out the new seat at a...
Scorpions on a Plane!
I am not an animal person–to put it mildly. I was bitten by a dog when I was five while riding my bike outside my grandma’s house and have always had a fear of dogs. I was stung by...
I’m Booked on the American Airlines 787 Inaugural!
I had a great time on the Qatar A350 inaugural from Doha to Frankfurt last month — there is something special about being on inaugural flights. American Airlines took delivery of its first 787-8 this week and has just...
DOT Examining United Danish Kroner Mistake Fares
The DOT has taken the unusual step of issuing a press release noting that it is examining the “United Airlines mistaken fare” and will determine whether or not United must honor the fares purchased. My gut tell me this...
United Will NOT Honor $50 Transatlantic First Class Mistake Fares
I generally silence my iPhone at night and woke up this morning to a flood of tweets, text messages, e-mails and Flyertalk PMs about a “DKK” fare sale from United Airlines. My first thought was “where the heck is...
Qantas A380 Diverts to Ontario Airport (Video)
A Qantas A380 was forced to divert to Ontario International Airport yesterday due to fog at LAX. Poor ONT does not see a lot of mainline jets anymore, let alone A380s so it was quite an event. Post by...
Aer Lingus Business Class A330 Fleet Will Be Fully Lie-Flat by 01 April 2015
Aer Lingus is installing new fully lie-flat business class seats throughout its longhaul A330 fleet and the retrofit will be complete by the end of March. The New Seat The new seat is a variant of the Vantage Seat by Thompson...
United Slashes Partner Earning Rates
With cuts coming left and right in the world of airline loyalty programs, I must admit I no longer wince in pain when a new devaluation announced. The question of devaluation is not if, but when and how much....
