Greetings from Southern California. My family is now re-united in LA and I’m happy to remain on the ground this week as I prepare for my next big trip.
My RTW trip report stalled this week — the photos have taken an extraordinary amount of time to edit and organize. But it will pick-up again tomorrow and hopefully resume at a much faster pace in the days ahead.
It was otherwise a quiet week in the world of point and miles. Air France/KLM, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic will form a joint venture and United is expanding international service in Denver in response to Norwegian’s new year-around service to London Gatwick starting this autumn. That’s about it.
Here’s a look at the week’s top stories.
TOP STORY: Reader Question: Where to Transfer 224K AMEX Points?
A reader asks for advice on where to send points after closing his American Express Platinum card.
Review: China Eastern 777-300ER Business Class Los Angeles to Shanghai
My regrettable experience flying from LAX to PVG on a smoke-filled flight.
Wild Onboard Bachelorette Party Leads to Ejection and Arrest
The hen party gone wrong…all aboard a Ryanair flight to Spain
Avoid Unnecessary Frustration: Essential Call Center Lingo
Use this guide to make your calls to airlines much easier.
REPORTS & REVIEWS
Review: China Eastern 777-300ER Business Class Los Angeles to Shanghai
Review: Grand Hyatt Shanghai
How is Breakfast on a Chinese Domestic Flight?
Review: JW Marriott Houston (Galleria)
NEWS & COMMENTARY
United Flight Diverts When Passenger Rushes Cockpit
New Airport Security Measures: Business as Usual
Avoid Unnecessary Frustration: Essential Call Center Lingo
Overconfident? United Airlines Mocks Frontier Airlines
The Good Samaritan: Onboard Charging Edition
VIP Treatment in China Eastern VIP Lounge Shanghai Airport
Why Isn’t Delta Protesting South African Airways?
United Airlines Adds New London Service from Denver
Ouch! Ramifications of Etihad’s $1.87BN Loss
United 747 Will Fly Domestic on Friday
Virgin Atlantic to Join Air France-KLM + Delta Joint Venture
United Pilots: Foreign Airlines Should Be Required to Hire U.S. Pilots
Oddly, I Was Approved for the United MileagePlus Explorer Card
Wild Onboard Bachelorette Party Leads to Ejection and Arrest
United Airlines’ Food Trucks in New York + San Francisco
Reader Question: Where to Transfer 224K AMEX Points?
Court Victory May Prohibit Airlines from Further Shrinking Seats
Delta, Air France, Iberia, and Avianca Suspend Service to Venezuela
Should you bring the car seat?
Matthew Is Wrong About Gulf Carriers
I got kicked off a United flight NYC to PR for complaining about the strong urine smell in the area where my seat was located.