I sense a growing fever pitch for consolidation in the U.S. airline industry, and now a key member of the Trump administration is signaling openness to it. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy Signals Openness To Airline Mergers, Says “Trump Loves...
TSA Quietly Sharing Passenger Data With ICE, Leading To Arrests At U.S. Airports
If you think airport security screening in the United States is only about keeping flights safe, think again: the mission has secretly expanded. TSA Quietly Feeding Passenger Data To ICE, Leading To Hundreds Of Arrests A Reuters report reveals...
Review: Air France Lounge Chicago (ORD)
The Air France Lounge in Chicago O’Hare (ORD) is a small but comfortable SkyTeam lounge in Terminal 5 with a selection of food and drinks that satiated my family ahead of our transatlantic flight. Air France Lounge Chicago Review...
United A321neo Redeye Economy Review: I Didn’t Sleep, But Landed To A Perfect “Hallelujah”
I enjoyed a comfortable redeye journey on United Airlines onboard an Airbus A321neo in economy class from Los Angeles to Chicago, with an unexpected moment of sublimity after landing. United Airlines A321neo Economy Class Review (LAX-ORD Redeye) Despite the...
United Airlines Unveils Adidas Sneakers For 100th Anniversary But You Probably Can’t Get A Pair
United Airlines has unveiled a sharp new pair of Adidas sneakers for its 100th anniversary…but good luck getting one. It is also marking its centennial with a collectible vinyl record tied to the song that is inextricably linked to...
Trump Administration Floats Pulling Customs From Major Airports In Sanctuary Cities, Threatening To Shut Down International Flights
The Trump administration’s new Department of Homeland Security Secretary has floated the idea of pulling customs officers from airports in so-called sanctuary cities, effectively shutting them down to international traffic. While this is simply the latest unserious idea from...
Alaska Airlines Flight Attendant Wears “ICE OUT” Pin Onboard, Reigniting Debate Over Politics In The Cabin
An Alaska Airlines flight attendant is facing backlash after wearing an “ICE OUT” pin while working onboard a recent flight, raising the perennial question of whether airline crew should be displaying political messages in the cabin. Alaska Airlines Flight...
American Airlines Reassigned Confirmed Business Class Seats To Employee Standbys During Boarding: Here’s How To Avoid It
Here’s a cautionary tale that should make you think twice about when you board your next flight. Checked in, confirmed seat, and still almost left behind on American Airlines… When Confirmed Seats Aren’t Really Confirmed (American Airlines Edition) A...
Introduction: The Holidays At 40,000 Feet On SAS, easyJet, And United
Welcome to my next trip report, which will retell our brief Christmas holiday trip to Germany to visit my wife’s family on United, SAS and easyJet. A Holiday Trip To Germany On SAS, easyJet, And United I’ve spent over...
Crying Baby Gets Family Kicked Off Allegiant Flight But Was The Airline Wrong?
An Allegiant Air flight turned into a viral controversy after a couple says it was unjustly removed from a flight over concerns their infant was sick. But while the outrage is understandable, this situation strikes me as more complicated...
British Airways Strands Passengers In Sub-Zero Canada For Two Days While Failing To Communicate
British Airways passengers endured a miserable two-day ordeal after a longhaul flight diverted to Canada, but was it incompetence or simply a string of misfortunate occurrences beyond BA’s control? British Airways Strands Passengers For Two Days In Canada—Bad Luck...
Aer Lingus Adds Starlink, Delta Stands Alone
Starlink lands on Aer Lingus, expanding its airline takeover while Delta bets elsewhere. Will that gamble pay off as competition finally emerges? Starlink’s Grip On Airline WiFi Tightens Aer Lingus just joined the growing list of airlines rolling out...
Royal Caribbean’s New Credit Card Points To Alliances
Royal Caribbean’s new credit card could be a model for airline alliances. It’s a parent company finally leveraging its own brands the way alliances have not, yet. What Royal Caribbean Actually Launched Royal Caribbean Group just rolled out a...
Brightline Las Vegas Will Reshape US Short Haul Flights
The Brightline Las Vegas high-speed train could gut short haul air routes across the US. Here is what it means for Southwest, Spirit, and your fares.
What Easter Demands Of Us In A World That Chooses Violence
As we approach Eastertide, I offer a brief reflection on this holiday amid turbulent times in our world. On Easter morning, Christians proclaim something extraordinary: that death has been defeated, that Christ is risen, and that a new kingdom...
United Served Steak In Economy Class? A Look At A 1966 Easter Menu
A classic United Airlines Eater menu from 1966 showcases how economy class passengers used to be fed on domestic flights. When Economy Class Included Steak: United’s 1966 Easter Menu A Flyertalk member shared pictures of a special Easter menu...
United’s New “Basic” Business Class Won’t Lower Prices, It Only Cuts Benefits
United Airlines is introducing a new tiered fare structure for its premium cabins, including what amounts to “basic” business class and premium economy. It’s exactly what I warned about last year, though we now have more details. UPDATE: These...
Trump Moves To Privatize Airport Security, Slash TSA Funding
President Donald Trump is taking aim at the Transportation Security Administration, proposing a partial privatization of airport security alongside funding cuts. It is an idea that has surfaced before, but this time it comes amid lingering operational chaos, staffing...
SWISS Charges A Premium In Europe, But For What Exactly?
My SWISS Airbus A220-300 flight from London to Zurich was pleasant enough, but it left me asking a simple question: what exactly are you paying a premium for to fly SWISS versus a budget carrier? SWISS Vs EasyJet: What...
Senator Demands TSA Shoe Removal Return…It Still Makes No Sense
Senator Tammy Duckworth is demanding that the TSA reverse its “shoes on” policy, calling it reckless and dangerous. The argument is familiar: if there is any vulnerability, no matter how small, we must close it. While that is an...
