Tonight should be interesting — I’ll be staying at the Tulpan Hotel in Pyramiden, an abandoned Russian mining community in Svalbard, Norway. I’ve ordered the “Soviet accommodation” and will be cut off from the outside world until tomorrow, for I have been...
Qatar Amiri Flight 747-8 at LAX
I am on my way to FTU in Washington this weekend and upon driving into LAX this morning I noticed a 747-8 with Qatar Airways livery parked in one of the VIP slots on the SE side of the airport. I...
China Eastern Delights and Disappoints
China Eastern showed today its potential to offer industry-leading ground and air service while at the same time showing that it has so much that it can improve upon. In an earlier post I discussed our pre-flight VIP treatment...
Suddenly We are VIPs on China Eastern
Lucky and I offered less than stellar initial feedback yesterday on our China Eastern Flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai. The primary problem was onboard smoking but there were several service lapses that ultimately made for a disappointing in-flight...
Smoking on China Eastern Airlines
Before today, I had been on one smoking flight my entire life: Burbank to Seattle in September 1987. I was a year old and do not remember it…My second smoking flight was earlier today on China Eastern from Los...
Independence Day, Brexit, and Mr. Bean
Independence Day in America, also known as Thanksgiving Day in Great Britain, brings on a whole new meaning this year in light of Brexit, the UK’s own recent declaration of independence. I do not really care to discuss history...
A KL Taxi Driver Threatened to Hurt Me for Using Uber
I was in Kuala Lumpur Tuesday night on a long layover between Malaysia Airlines flights. I needed a haircut and wanted a massage, so I hopped on the KLIA Express train to KL Sentral and there picked up an...
Memorial Day 2016: United Airlines Ramp Worker Goes Extra Mile
Each year on Memorial Day in the USA I write a post that attempts to grapple with the world outside the bubble of miles and points. We live in an age of an all-volunteer army in which drones are...
Why I Want to Travel on EgyptAir More Than Ever
EgyptAir is in the news again, and it is never good news with EgyptAir. Lucky and I are planning our trip home from Colombo and had I not been traveling last week we likely would have confirmed our trip...
Help Lucky and Me Get Home from CMB!
When Lucky posted an incredible deal between Colombo and Casablanca yesterday which included flights on Royal Air Maroc, I knew I had to go. After coordinating dates with Lucky, we booked a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Colombo...
2016 Freddie Awards Winners and Commentary
I made my annual pilgrimage to the Freddie Awards yesterday, something I look forward to every year. Due to inclement weather in Las Vegas, this year the festivities were held on the floor of the brand new T-Mobile Arena...
90 Years of United History in One Minute
Yesterday I shared 15 Cool Facts About United Airlines and today I want to share a cool video UA put together tracing back the many companies and subdivisions that eventually coalesced to form the United Airlines we know today....
15 Cool Facts About United Airlines
United Airlines celebrates its 90th birthday today and has been my airline of choice for more than a decade. I’ve flown over a million miles in “the Friendly Skies” and have no plans to shift that loyalty. While contemporary...
It’s Official! Alaska and Virgin America Announce Merger (FAQs)
Alaska Airlines and Virgin America have formally announced a merger agreement in which Alaska will acquire Virgin America for $2.6BN. No, April Fools was four days ago. I’ll try to sum it up through a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs):...
FTU Signature Event in Las Vegas April 29 – May 01, 2016
Frequent Traveler University (FTU) is coming to Las Vegas later this month and there is still time attend this event if you have not already signed up. From April 29 through May 01, 2016 you can hang out in...
Airside Tunnel Between Tom Bradley International Terminal and T4 Now Open at LAX and Why it Matters
The plan to link all terminals airside at Los Angeles International Airport took a giant leap forward today as the connection between Terminal 4 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) opened. This is huge news for savvy frequent...
Amal Clooney Cautions Against Visiting Maldives
Human Rights lawyer Amal Clooney was on Meet the Press on Sunday to discuss the Maldives…not a usual topic for the Sunday morning talk shows. I found the segment fascinating and encourage you to watch it in its entirety–...
In the Maldives, When They Say No Alcohol, They Mean No Alcohol
The Maldives is not the only nation that take a hard-line stance against alcohol, but it certainly is one of the more paradoxical examples. While the nation maintains a strict Islamic façade, it looks the other way as dozens...
A Premature Evaluation of 2015
It is the last day of 2015 but I think it is still too premature to evaluate the year. Award Expert and this blog continue to grow, I appeared on TV three times, was quoted in several publications, spoke at...
2015 Airline Christmas Videos
Merry Christmas from Germany! I am spending my first ever Christmas away from Los Angeles with my wife’s family. There is something magical about being in Germany for Christmas and I am looking forward to relaxing and recharging for...
