I was sitting the in the Airspace Lounge at JFK recently when all of a sudden a dog ran up to me and started barking. Oh…another emotional support pet. Let’s start with this. Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are protected...
The Marriage Proposal Onboard United’s Final 747 Flight
In an unexpected moment on an already historic last flight, a man proposed to his girlfriend on the upper deck of United’s 747. It was just after lunch and passengers were beginning to stream upstairs to view the upper deck....
Passport Nostalgia: Retiring My First Passport
After a decade with my passport it was time to file for a replacement. Reflecting on what has transpired since my very first stamp to the point in which I find myself now has been therapeutic and nostalgic. My...
I’m Assembling the Trip of a Lifetime
Although there will be plenty of business travel, with the exception of my upcoming final 747 and Qatar QSuite trips, I am voluntarily suspending new “review” trips until next August. That doesn’t mean I will not be traveling on...
Watching the World Series from 40,000 Feet
Yesterday I flew back from Singapore to Los Angeles on United. 15 hours…right in the midst of Game 5 of the World Series. But even with no satellite TV onboard, I still managed to keep up with the game....
When You Get Sick in the Middle of an 18hr Flight…
I’ve been sick over the last 36 hours like I haven’t been sick in over a decade…a virulent stomach flu so bad that I have not even been able to keep water down. The worst part of it? My...
The World’s Most Powerful Passport is Now in Asia
Earlier this year I wrote about the most powerful passport in the world, which at the time was Germany. While Germany remains a very powerful passport, it is no longer the world’s most powerful. That honor now belongs to...
This Airport Has a Huge Fitness Center
With all the air travel I do, one concern is that when my metabolism starts to slow down as I further age, I face an increased risk for packing on the pounds. Too bad I don’t connect through Toronto...
My Trip to a Charming Italian Village
I had the chance recently to spend a couple days in a small town called Atina nestled in the mountains of central Italy. A long-time friend who emigrated to the USA from Italy over 40 years ago has encouraged...
Ethical Implications of Upside.com Business Trips
Incentivized purchases are nothing new though no one has really cracked the travel space. Upside has been very aggressive in its quest for users and offered big incentives to consumers for their purchases but focused on business travelers. What...
100 Countries, Only 11 Without T-Mobile Service!
T-Mobile is my go-to carrier since the day they came to America in 2001. As a frequent international traveler, T-Mobile has been nothing short of revolutionary in changing the way I use my mobile phone abroad. I’m in Europe...
Fact: An A380 Can Fly on One Engine
A recent engine blowout on an Air France Airbus A380 left it with only three of four engines. The plane made it safely to land. But imagine if three engines blew out. Would the plane have crashed? As it turns...
I Think I Got It Wrong RE: Southwest Dragging
How long must an airline wait before asking police to escort off an unruly passenger? I appreciated the discussion yesterday on the Southwest dragging indent. While I asserted that dragging off a passenger is simply never justified, many disagreed....
Air New Zealand Makes My Case
I had previously discussed the issues with fare price protection for both consumers and brands. I outlined how fares have been priced so competitively that they rival genuine mistake fares and that the need for legislation protecting both is...
What is Biofuel? Should Airlines Embrace it?
Airlines love to tout their environmental-friendly initiatives and the new trend is biofuel. But is “biofuel” a subjective term like “all natural” or a clearly-defined, objective fuel type? Is it actually a good thing? United released the following video...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 06, 2017
A pleasant Sunday evening to you. It has been a quiet week for me that included a nice trip with my family to Carmel, CA. I’ll have a full report on the Hyatt Carmel Highlands in the weeks ahead....
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: September 10, 2017
After three consecutive weeks of travel, it was great to be home this week. I’m traveling a bit in the week ahead, but just with family and just by car. Hurricane Harvey and Irma have dominated news headlines this...
Review: St. Regis Shanghai Jingan – Suite
Combining the end of a mattress run for Marriott Platinum status and the only trip of my United 1K status match, I thought I would stray from my old mainstays and get a little wild. The St. Regis Shanghai...
I Win! I’m in the Air…on the Ethiopian Airlines Sale Fare
For those who doubted that I would ever fly on my Ethiopian BKK fare, I’m sorry to disappoint you. By the time this post goes live I’ll be traveling between Dublin and Los Angeles on an Ethiopian Airlines 787...
Would You Approach a Hollywood Star in First Class?
The title says it all: would you approach a celebrity (or other famous person) onboard an airplane? My friend John and I debated that onboard our Lufthansa First Class flight earlier this week and reached different conclusions. > Read...
