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....
IAG Group Moves Closer to Aer Lingus Acquisition
IAG Group, parent company of British Airways and Iberia, has made its third offer to acquire Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, this time at €2.50/share. Irish news sources are reporting the Aer Lingus board is “set to accept” the latest...
Illiterate Chinese Farmer Fined for Smoking Onboard Cathay Pacific Flight
The “glory days” of smoke-filled 747 lounges with baby grand pianos and circular staircases has been replaced with a harsh new reality–light up onboard and you’ll face a heavy fine or jail time. From Britiain’s finest news source, it...
No Imminent Star Alliance Membership Announcement for Royal Air Maroc
I knew it sounded too good be true — could Star Alliance really woo Royal Air Maroc into its alliance when it already was the dominant alliance in Africa? Would EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, South African Airways, and Brussels Airlines...
Royal Air Maroc to Join Star Alliance?
The formalities are not complete, but a Swiss news agency is reporting that Royal Air Maroc, the national carrier of Morocco, will join Star Alliance. Royal Air Maroc would bolster’s Star’s dominance in the region, joining Egypt Air, Ethiopian...
The Cuba Travel Ban is Over!
While pure tourism is still not technically allowed for Americans in Cuba, the travel ban is over – the veil has been lifted and Cuba is now open legally to all. Under new rules issued in response to President...
No Tourist Visas After All for Saudi Arabia
Well, when something seems too good be true, even if we are just talking about a visa to Saudi Arabia, it probably is… The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has now denied that it will issue tourist visas starting...
Saudi Arabia to Offer Tourist Visas Starting in June 2015
06 JAN 15 UPDATE: No Tourist Visas After All for Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is not quite the hermit kingdom of North Korea, but it remains an elusive destination, difficult to enter and currently impossible to be an official tourist...
United Humiliates Family with Disabled Child or Family Shamefully Tries to Game System?
A story called United with Ivy has been gone viral over the last 48 hours. It goes something like this– Large family (of 16) traveling from Dominican Republic to Newark together Husband and wife have four children Youngest child,...
Breaking: AirAsia Flight from Surabaya to Singapore Missing
In a year in which two Malaysian Airlines aircraft have tragically been lost, another airliner has sadly lost contact with air traffic control this evening. The AirAsia Indonesia A320 was (hopefully is) carrying 155 passengers and seven crew members. An...
Woman Spends Weekend in Jail for Changing Seats on United
When I was thrown off a United Airlines flight for taking a picture of my seat, many were quick to attack — blaming me for being over-entitled and concluding that I was wrong to even question the FA’s confusion...
Air New Zealand to Start Auckland to Buenos Aires Route
For Star Alliance flyers trying to connect between Australia or New Zealand and South America, options are not just limited — there are no flights at all. Connecting via North America or Africa is required, adding hours to an...
United Airlines Now Processing Lufthansa GPU Upgrades Electronically
United Airlines and Lufthansa were both founding members of the Star Alliance and have maintained a close relationship as both codeshare and joint venture partners over years. United’s top-status 1K flyers receive six GPUs (Global Premier Upgrades) each year...
United Airlines Announces Service to Venice, Additional Service to Dublin and Paris
United Airlines announced three new Summer 2015 routes today, including new service from Newark to Venice and Chicago to Dublin as well as a second daily flight from Washington to Paris. Newark to Venice The 767-400 scheduled on this...
United Airlines Mimics Delta, Raises 2016 Elite Requirements
The consultants United Airlines hires to provide strategic advice on loyalty innovation and how to increase profit must have a pretty easy job…watch Delta, then copy. Once again, United has mimicked Delta in increasing elite status thresholds for 2016...
Chinese Tourist Visas Now Valid for 10 Years
President Obama is in Asia this week at APEC and the headline has been the climate change deal he announced with China…but wait, there’s more! Of particular interest to travelers is another deal cut with China to extend visas...
United Airlines, Hertz Partnership Adds Elite Benefits to MileagePlus
United Airlines and Hertz have announced a new partnership in which MileagePlus elite members will receive elite status in Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program and more miles for Hertz rentals. Discounts and Bonus Miles with Hertz Hertz is already...
5 Things to Know About the Latest Lufthansa Strike
Lufthansa pilots are striking again over proposed cuts to a lucrative early retirement program and will continue until 23:59 CET tonight. While the 35-hour strike was originally planned only to affect regional traffic within Europe, longhaul pilots have joined...
Ontario, CA Fights for Control of ONT Airport
Southern California’s Inland Empire is a vast sprawl of affordable housing and big box stores east of Los Angeles that also is home to Ontario International Airport (ONT). The once-bustling airport now looks like a ghost town at most...
Airplane Food Delivered to Your Door!
I have a confession to make about airline meals. While most curse United Airlines for the “unchanging” “nasty” “disgusting” “tried” breakfast entrée pictured below, it is one of my favorite meals and if I had the chance to order...
