Christmas is upon us once again. This year has been a strong year for most airlines, though an interesting divergence has opened between budget carriers (losing money) and full service carriers in the USA (profitable). On the contrary, we see budget carriers thriving in Europe and Asia. Many airlines have released special holiday videos this […]
Has Air Canada Launched A Clandestine War Against Fraud?
While a series of concurrent acts may be unrelated, it is reasonable to ask whether Air Canada has just launched a multi-prong war against what it views as fraud. But are the innocent travelers caught in the dragnet simply acceptable collateral damage? Three Things Suggest A Concerted Effort To Stamp Out Fraud By Air Canada, […]
Donald Trump Calls Boeing 737 Max “Unattractive, Fat, And Slow”
Speaking of Rosie O’Donnell the Boeing 737 MAX, former US President Donald Trump called the aircraft “unattractive, fat, and slow.” He further lamented that Boeing missed an opportunity by not updating the 757 aircraft instead. I find it terrific that Trump has taken such an interest in America’s premiere aircraft manufacturer. Trump Unleashes On Boeing […]
No, The 1500 Hour Pilot Rule Does Not Compromise Safety
Last Wednesday, Gary Leff at View From The Wing published an article entitled, “How The 1500 Hour Rule To Become A Commercial Pilot Compromises Safety.” The idea that requiring an airline pilot to have more hours is less safe than the alternative is a very radical one. I’ll say upfront that I don’t find Gary’s […]
How I Maneuvered My Way Onboard And Saved My Trip To Kenya After I Forgot To Apply For Visa
Earlier today I laid out how to obtain an e-visa to Kenya. In 2021, Kenya abandoned its visa-on-arrival program. For most nationalities, that means that you need to arrange your visa before stepping onto a flight to Kenya. That little detail slipped my mind, though I was able to save my trip through some last-minute […]
Review: SWISS Alpine Lounge Zurich (ZRH)
At the SWISS Alpine Lounge in Zurich, less is more and yet the simple, subtle design and offerings of this lounge make it one of my favorite in the world. SWISS Alpine Lounge Review ZRH I recently spoke fondly of this lounge in the context of a recent visit but wish to provide a more […]
Airmanship: What Pilots Need Most
Editor’s Note: In light of the recent American – Delta ATC incident at New York JFK, we are featuring this story again by 121pilot. It is chillingly prescient. In part two of this series, we looked at some of the challenges facing the airline pilot profession. What I will do now is offer some ideas […]
The Problems Pilots Face Today
This is the second in a three-part series that talks about flying airliners and some of the challenges this pilot sees for the profession. If you read part one of this series, you will hopefully recall how I discussed the sacred trust inherent in being an airline pilot. It is in executing that sacred trust that […]
Review: LOT Polish 787-9 Business Class Krakow – Chicago
For my trip home, I flew LOT Polish from Krakow to Chicago in business class on the 787-9. While not horrible, I was disappointed by several aspects of the business class experience. LOT Polish 787-9 Business Review The trip started with a long delay. Upon cheeck-in at John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport we were […]
Fuel Crisis At Johannesburg Airport Nears Conclusion
South Africa’s Central Energy Fund plans to deliver an extra 1.5 million liters of jet fuel to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to protect against further supply shortages. The announcement comes as the fuel shortage crisis slowly stabilizes after weeks of disruption. Fuel Crisis Improving At Johannesburg Airport, With Government Promising Extra Supply At […]
Hong Kong Continues To Cripple Cathay Pacific
For Cathay Pacific, the hits keep on coming. New rules sharply limiting flights continue to severely cripple the beleaguered flag carrier of Hong Kong. Even as Cathay Pacific bears the brunt of the burden, strict rules adversely impact all carriers and effectively destroy Hong Kong’s once-proud status as a global aviation hub. Hong Kong Cripples […]
Misbehave In Lounge? You’ll Lose Your Miles And Elite Status
Ethiopian Airlines is taking a novel approach to encouraging good behavior in its airport lounge: follow the rules or you’ll lose your miles and your status. Ethiopian Airlines Threatens To Confiscate Miles, Reduce Status For Poor Behavior In Airport Lounge Over the weekend, Sean Mendis, an airline executive in Africa who is one of the […]
First Look: United Airlines Polaris Lounge Washington Dulles
I had the chance to visit the brand new United Airlines Polaris Lounge in Washington Dulles (IAD) yesterday ahead of its public opening tomorrow, October 21, 2021. Put simply, the space is stunningly gorgeous and this new lounge will be a great perk to international business class flyers from Washington Dulles. First Look: United Airlines […]
Review: Air Burkina Embraer 195 Lomé To Cotonou
While the journey between Lomé, Togo and Cotonou, Benin was only 79 miles, I chose to fly instead of drive. With roads and land borders unpredictable, I figured flying would be the safer option, especially because my return flight departed from Cotonou (COO). Air Bukina, operating a Fifth Freedom route from Lomé (LFW) to COO […]
Photo Essay: Exploring Lomé, Togo
Early on a Sunday morning, before the sun rose, I was up and ready to explore. The following photo essay recounts my walk through Lomé, Togo. Lomé Togo Photo Essay Just outside my hotel was the Monument de l’Independance (Independence Monument), built to commemorate Togo’s independence from France in 1960. Speaking of independence, Togo is such […]
I’m Ready To Fly On The 737 MAX. Are You?
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has just “ungrounded” the Boeing 737 MAX, clearing the path for the troubled airliner to take to the skies once again in the USA. I’m ready to fly this aircraft. Are you? FAA Ungrounds 737 MAX After being grounded for over 600 days, the 737 MAX has been cleared to […]
Insanity: South African Airways Receives Huge Bailout
During a time in which even once-healthy airlines around the world are fighting for survival, South Africa just injected a whole lot more cash into South African Airways. Is this simply doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a result, the definition of insanity? Or is it even worse considering the current […]
1 Flight. 59 Coronavirus Cases.
A new report by researchers in Ireland links one flight to 59 cases of coronavirus. Ireland Flight Linked To Coronavirus Spread The flight took place over the summer, though researchers have not divulged the date or airline. But we do know several things about the flight: The load factor was 17% 13 of the 49 […]
Ironic: Middle East Governments Accused Of NOT Protecting Airlines
In what seems like a previous life, Gulf carriers like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar were accused of surviving only due to the extravagant spending of their governments to prop them up. But now these same governments have been accused of failing to support their airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) blamed Middle East and […]
First Impressions: South African Airways A330 Business Class
I recently had the chance to fly South African Airways onboard the A330-300 in business class from Johannesburg to Accra. It turned out to be a very pleasant flight experience that greatly exceeded expectations. South African Airways is operating under “business rescue” protection with an outside administrator imposing severe austerity measures on the beleaguered carrier. […]