Passengers will always remember their British Airways flight to Lagos…and the memory will not be a savory one after a disturbed passenger defecated on the galley floor, smeared it around the cabin, and even chased other passengers with it....
Review: Airlink ERJ-135 Economy Class (PZB-JNB)
From Pietermaritzburg to Johannesburg we flew on Airlink, the only game in town. Even with a monopoly on the route and a small ERJ-135 regional jet, the carrier really impressed me. Airlink ERJ-135 Economy Class Review With South African...
Review: Pietermaritzburg Aero Club (PZB)
We arrived at Pietermaritzburg Airport about two hours before our Airlink flight to Johannesburg, which was far too early. Thankfully, we were invited to use the Pietermaritzburg Aero Club, which served as a very comfortable lounge to wait for...
Emotional Support Fish On American Airlines
I’m not a pet owner and not really interested in being one, but I do understand the affection many have for their “children” and I had to chuckle at how well a fish was looked after on a recent...
Etihad Trolls Us: The “New Constellation” Is A Nothingburger
Ok Etihad, very funny. The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has been building up momentum for a huge announcement and we’ve just received the official news. It’s just new bedding and plates from Etihad Armani / Casa. Well done Etihad for...
My Chinese Car Rental From Avis
For the first time in my life, I got to test drive a Chinese car, a Haval Jolion, while in South Africa. The verdict? It felt no different than many others SUV crossovers I have driven over the years. Driving...
An Austrian Lunch In The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Of South Africa
South Africa really is a beautiful country. After morning meetings in Pietermaritzburg, we drove out into the country and enjoyed lunch at a quaint Austrian pub called The Bierfassl. It felt like I had stepped into the Germanic world....
“For My Next Trick, I’m Going To Make Your Legroom…Disappear!”
The New Yorker magazine is running a cartoon caption contest with an airline theme. How would you caption the picture above? New Yorker Caption – What Is The Airline Flight Attendant Saying? I was alerted to the contest by...
Man Dumps His Wife In Economy Class While He And His Friend Sit In First Class…
I have only been married for eight years, but here is one thing I learned really quickly: only the best for your spouse. A sacrifice is an act of love. Today we explore this issue in the context of...
Will Etihad Join Star Alliance?
We’ve heard rumors and rumblings for years that Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways will be joining Star Alliance. Will this finally be the week or are we just being teased once again? Etihad Hints It Will Join Star Alliance, But...
Review: Southern Sun Pietermaritzburg Hotel & Casino
We stayed at the Southern Sun in Pietermaritzburg, a comfortable and convenient hotel for our meetings in the city. Breakfast was a real treat. Southern Sun Pietermaritzburg – Golden Horse Casino Review While $89/night is on the higher side...
Yerevan, Armenia to Tbilisi, Georgia by Taxi (Yandex)
Getting home from Armenia was a challenge, but an opportunity arose at the last moment. The only problem was that my flight would depart from another neighboring country that I couldn’t reach by flight, bus, or train due to...
JetBlue Mosaic “Enhancements” Coming
JetBlue Airways sent out an email announcing “enhancements” to its Mosaic elite status program before the end of the 2022 calendar year, but it doesn’t bode well for members of the loyalty program. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Would You Risk Flying To Or Through Amsterdam Right Now?
Amsterdam is continuing its summer of operational issues with extensive waiting times but also presents some great availability for travel in the next few months – would you risk flying to or through Amsterdam right now? If you are...
Chicken Fajitas On Virgin Atlantic
My Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. Sometimes an airline meal...
United Airlines Asks California For Crew Rest Exemption
United Airlines is actively lobbying California lawmakers to exempt airlines from minimum break rules for employees, part of controversial law protecting workers in the Golden State, including pilots and flight attendants. United Airlines Lobbies California Lawmakers To Exempt Flight...
American Airlines Taunts Passenger Who Complained About Being “Sandwiched” Between Two Obese Passengers
American Airlines effectively taunted a passenger who complained about being wedged between two obese passengers in economy class. There’s so much going on here and many issues to discuss. American Airlines Unbelievably Taunts Passenger Who Had The Audacity To Complain...
An American-Style Diner In Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (Great Coffee Too)
Our hosts decided we would have lunch at the Heavy D Caffeine Cafe in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, a restaurant that resembles an American-style diner. But unlike most American-style diners, the coffee was also excellent. Great Coffee (And Lunch) In...
Great Coffee (And Breakfast) In Hillcrest, South Africa
After landing at King Shaka International Airport in Durban, we stopped by Avis to pick up a car and were soon on our way. We had a bit of time before our first appointment and stopped for coffee (which...
FTU Returns To Southern California – Save $50 On Your Ticket
For the last decade, I’ve spoken at Frequent Traveler University (FTU) events around the nation and I invite you to join me for a great discussion about miles, points, and travel in beautiful Orange County, California next month. FTU...
