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: 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...
Convalescing on the California Coast
I’ve been sick a lot lately. More this year than the several previous years combined. Nothing deadly, but a particularly vicious stomach flu and several colds, which all seem to manifest themselves in the same cycle of sore throat,...
Introduction: Adventures on Ethiopian Airlines and Qatar Airways
Two so-called mistake fares. One mega trip. It was a hard-fought battle, but eventually I prevailed and successfully reinstated my discounted business class ticket on Ethiopian Airlines. Soon thereafter, Qatar Airways published an amazing business class fare between Ho...
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...
Another Fabulous Weekend in Green Lake, WI
Last weekend I made my annual pilgrimage to Green Lake, WI, now a six-year tradition. Every time I go I realize I live in a bubble in LA. While I am in no rush to move to Wisconsin, there...
Review: Spirit Airlines Big Front Seat Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale
I took a gamble. The Spirit fare was so cheap it equated to a “first class” seat for an economy class price and the ability to fly nonstop. Unfortunately, it did not pay off. Maybe it was because of...
Review: Aerolineas Argentinas Lounge Buenos Aires (EZE)
This is a huge lounge, but also an underwhelming one. While you’ll have no trouble finding a seat (or dozens of seats), you will be very disappointed if you arrive hungry. You walk in and see a huge seating...
Review: American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires (EZE)
I found the American Express Centurion Lounge to be the best lounge in Buenos Aires’ Ministro Pistarini International Airport. It’s worth a visit. Arriving at 8am, I had the lounge to myself for 30 minutes. Compare that to the crowded...
Review: Star Alliance Lounge Buenos Aires (EZE)
With an extended layover between flights, I had time to go lounge hopping in Buenos Aires. My first stop: the Star Alliance Lounge, now part of the Priority Pass network. Upon landing I followed the signs for “international transit”,...
Review: Aerolineas Argentinas A340 Business Class Cancún to Buenos Aires
I poked fun at Aerolineas Argentinas “Club Condor” Class in an earlier post, but was really looking forward to trying it. With a limited route map and limited award space, catching a longhaul Aerolineas Argentinas flight is not an...
Review: Aeromexico Lounge Cancún (CUN)
My connection turned out so quick that I had plenty of time to relax prior to my Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Buenos Aires. The airline uses Aeromexico’s Salon Premier in Terminal 2. The lounge is small, but access is limited...
Introduction: Los Angeles to Rome via Argentina and Spain on SkyTeam
It’s time for my next trip report, a short one that will detail my trip to Italy last month. Let’s just say I took the scenic route… An ambitious goal to be sure, but it is my desire to...
Review: Saudia 777-300ER First Class Jeddah to Los Angeles
This is part two of SV41, from Riyadh to Los Angeles. In the first installment of this report, I covered the short flight from RUH to JED and the ground stop in Jeddah. This flight covers the 16hr journey...
Review: Saudia 777 First Suite Riyadh to Jeddah
Even though Riyadh to Los Angeles is sold as a direct flight and there is no way to purchase the Riyadh to Jeddah portion alone, I am going to break up the review into two parts. Note that even...
Review: Saudia Business Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)
Earlier today I reviewed the Saudia First Class Lounge in Riyadh (RUH). During my long layover, I also had time to check out the business class side of the Alfurshan lounge. The lounge is subdivided into the following sections: Surprisingly, the business...
Review: Saudia First Class Lounge Riyadh (RUH)
The first class section of the Saudia Alfurshan Lounge in Riyadh (RUH) proved to be a very comfortable place to spend a 7.5hour layover between flights. To reach the lounge, simply follow the signs for “Alfurshan Lounge”. You will...
Review: Saudia 777-300ER First Class Dubai to Riyadh
The quick two-hour flight from Dubai to Riyadh was merely long enough to whet my appetite for the 19hr Riyadh to Los Angeles longhaul to come on the same aircraft. We checked in a few hours before the flight...
Review: SkyTeam Lounge Dubai (DXB)
We spent about 90 minutes in the SkyTeam lounge in Dubai prior to our Saudia First Class flight to Riyadh. The lounge was comfortable, wi-fi fast, and food decent. It’s also the best Priority Pass Lounge in Dubai (DXB)....
Review: Park Hyatt Dubai (Suite)
The Park Hyatt Dubai has not changed at all since my last visit in 2011. While the hotel is well-maintained with an extremely convenient location near the airport, I will be trying a different Hyatt property next time I...
