In addition to many remarkable flights this year, I’ve also enjoyed many excellent lounges. Here’s a look back at my top 10 lounges of 2017. Although I have visited many superior hotel lounges, I’ve constrained my list only to...
Review: United 777-300ER Economy Class Frankfurt to San Francisco
What is United Airlines’ economy class product like on its 10-across 777-300ER between Europe and the USA? Once in awhile, a bit of a reality check is nice. Although I love premium cabins and am fortunate to routinely secure...
Sleeping Rooms in Qatar’s Al Mourjan Lounge (Doha)
My layover in Doha (DOH) was too short for even a nap, but if you ever find yourself there with a long layover, a relaxation area is available. During my recent transit in Doha, I wanted to shower before...
New “Pop-Up” United Club in Newark Airport
With ongoing construction on a new Polaris Lounge at Newark’s Liberty International Airport, United faced a critical overcrowding issue in its only other Terminal C United Club. The solution? A new “Pop-up” United Club near Gate C-124. United’s lounge...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 17, 2017
After another trip to New York, I’m back in Los Angeles until tomorrow…when I’ll fly to Germany for Christmas. It has been a hectic month, so I am looking forward to some downtime. American Airlines’ opened a beautiful new...
Review: AA Flagship First Dining Los Angeles (LAX)
The new Flagship Lounge is nice, but I was most excited to sample American Airlines’ new Flagship First Dining experience at LAX. This lounge within a lounge is reserved exclusively for first class passengers traveling on longhaul international routes...
Dinner for Breakfast in Lufthansa First Class Terminal
Last week I had the chance to visit the Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT) on our way home from Frankfurt and enjoyed a steak for breakfast. > Read More: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt Review Though it was only 7am,...
Review: Apricot Lounge Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Qatar Airways uses the Apricot Lounge in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) for its business class passengers, a nice independent lounge that partners with six airlines. I liked the bright colors, natural light, and tarmac views of this lounge....
Review: Vietnam Airlines A321 Economy Class Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
My unexpected flight on Vietnam Airlines gave me a positive first impression of the Vietnamese flag carrier. In case you missed my intro post, I wound up on this flight after I was denied boarding on VietJet for lack...
Review: Ethiopian NEW 787 Business Class Addis Ababa to Bangkok
This review will be shorter than my previous two longhaul Ethiopian Business Class trip reports, focusing primarily on the new 787-8 lie-flat business class seat. Ethiopian Airlines has two different business class seats on its 787-8. Both are configured...
Review: Park Hyatt Shanghai (Suite)
Considering that we do not yet know if, when and where we will go on vacation over the holidays this year I found myself looking back in the way-back machine and remembering our time at the Park Hyatt Shanghai....
Review: Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa (ADD)
I returned to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport about 90 minutes before my flight to Bangkok, giving me about 20 minutes in the lounge prior to boarding. As you pass exit immigration and proceed upstairs, you’ll come to a...
Review: Hilton Addis Ababa
What was supposed to be a temporary resting place turned into a fortress I did not exit. I spent my entire 17-hour layover in Ethiopia at the Hilton Addis Ababa. Upon arriving in Addis Ababa, I visited the Ethiopian Airlines...
Review: Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester – Suite
When we booked our mistake fare to Manchester we wanted to pick our hotel very carefully. After living in the city for several years, we didn’t have much opportunity to try out area hotels. The Radisson Blu Edwardian in...
Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto (YYZ)
Executive summary: a perfectly comfortable lounge with a decent food spread, showers, and fast wi-fi. Before my flight on Ethiopian Airlines from Toronto to Addis Ababa I spent an hour in Air Canada’s Terminal 1 Maple Leaf Lounge. An...
Review: Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong – Suite
As part of my United 1K Challenge I headed to Shanghai for a quick status run. I wanted to stay in some new properties as I had previously stuck to Hyatt and hadn’t spread my wings beyond the brand....
Review: Park Hyatt Toronto (Suite)
Here’s a review of a hotel that will close next week for two years. Consider this the “before” review in preparation for the “after” review in late 2019. But even the old Park Hyatt Toronto is, well…was still a...
Review: Ethiopian Airlines 787-8 Business Class Dublin to Los Angeles
Ethiopian Airlines’ Fifth Freedom service from Dublin to Los Angeles featured an outdated seat in business class, but genuinely friendly service and a great meal. Ethiopian Airlines runs a bustling operation in Dublin, Ireland. Flights to Washington, New York,...
Review: Dublin Airport Executive Lounge
The Dublin Airport Executive Lounge offers scorching-fast wi-fi and barista-made coffee. It’s well worth a visit before your flight from Terminal 1. After checking in for my Ethiopian Airlines flight from Dublin to Los Angeles, I proceeded through security....
Review: SWISS 777-300ER Business Class Los Angeles to Zurich
The SWISS 777-300ER has a lot going for it. A great hard product in business class, good IFE, wi-fi, and generally professional service. But there were some rough edges. Food was poor and one particular FA was quite rude....
