It has been a bit of an open secret, but hundreds of Americans are still traveling freely back and forth between Europe, even without the requisite dual citizenship or family ties. Several European Union nations have made exceptions for...
From Chicago To Los Angeles Via Newark (ORD-EWR-LAX Report With 767-300 Premium Transcontinental Business Class)

You can read about my outbound trip here. My trip home Chicago could have been easy, a straight shot from Chicago to Los Angeles with an upgrade. But I opted to fly via Newark instead. Why? Social distancing…oh yes,...
A Petition To Help 800 American Airlines Flight Attendants

An American Airlines flight attendant forwarded me a change.org petition, which merits discussion from a perspective of legality and equity. Should flight attendants who accepted an early exit package receive the same favorable terms as their colleagues who held...
“Big Brother” Apple Will Now Ask You To Quarantine If You Visit Airport

Apple is very much part of many of our daily lives. We are reminded to close our exercise rings, get to sleep, and are alerted when our heart rate surges. Now we can expect to be reminded to quarantine...
Nuts Over Mixed Nuts? A Shell-Shocking Sale On First Class Airline Nuts

What happens when most flights are grounded and airlines stop serving meals in first class? The answer is a surplus of first class mixed nuts. But you if you love these delicious treats you can now stock up…at half...
An Eerily Quiet Journey To Chicago On United (LAX-SFO-ORD Report)

When Mark wrote a trip report about traveling during COVID-19 back in March showing empty airports and planes, I figured things would be much busier nearly four months later. But my journey to Chicago this week was surreal in...
Unanswered Questions After U.S. Fighter Jet Intercepts Iranian Passenger Plane

Depending upon where you are in the world, you may have heard that the U.S. bullied an Iranian passenger plane over Syria causing serious injuries or you may have heard that an Iranian pilot needlessly overacted to a routine...
Air India Promises “No Layoffs”…But Up To Five Years Of Unpaid Leave

While airlines around the world are threatening or implementing layoffs due to unprecedented drops in demand, Air India is promising no jobs will be lost. Ah, the joys of being a state-owned, state-backed airline. But the practical effects of...
50 Years Ago Today: Queen Of The Skies Debuts On United Airlines

50 years ago today United Airlines debuted a new aircraft type, the Boeing 747-100. A half century later, the Queen of the Skies remains a beloved aircraft and symbol of beauty. July 23, 1970: United Debuted 747 United took...
United Airlines Will Also Eliminate Medical Exemptions For Face Masks

United Airlines will join American and Southwest in eliminating medical exemptions to the carrier’s mask mandate. If you have a medical condition which precludes you from wearing a mask, you will not be welcomed on United until after the...
Chicago O’Hare: A Tale Of Two Terminals

I took a brief trip to Chicago for personal reasons earlier this week. What I found most interesting was the difference in crowds between the United Airlines and American Airlines terminals. It felt like two totally different places and...
Union Opposes Accelerated Discipline For United Employees Who Fail To Wear Mask

While the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) union is supportive of mandatory mask requirements for all United Airlines employees, it does not like that United’s new mandate could lead to immediate termination for violators. Union Backs United Mask Mandate,...
American And Southwest: No More Medical Exemptions To Mandatory Mask Policy. But Is It Legal?

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines will no longer offer medical or other exceptions to their mandatory face mask policies. All passengers two and over will be required to wear a mask for the duration of the travel journey, both...
United Airlines Threatens To Terminate Employees Who Don’t Wear Masks

Earlier today I wrote about United’s expanded mask mandate, which now requires passengers as young as two to wear masks not just onboard aircraft, but in the airport. United is also warning employees that they too must respect United’s...
Major Airlines Push To End Transatlantic Travel Bans With Coordinated Testing

American, British Airways, Iberia, Lufthansa, and United have teamed up to call for coordinated COVID-19 testing as the path to end European Union and USA travel bans and restore transatlantic traffic. Airlines: Testing Will Lead To Safe Re-Opening Of...
Is Qatar Airways Forcing People To Buy Business Class Seats If They Want To Travel To Australia?

Australia currently caps international arrivals at 50 passengers per flight, no matter how large the aircraft is. This has created a potential business opportunity for Qatar Airways (and every other airline serving Australia): buy business class or stay behind…...
New Mask Requirement From United Airlines Requires Parental Coaching

United Airlines expanded its mask mandate this morning and will now require masks throughout the airport and on young children two and older. To that latter mandate, I can only say that parents better start coaching their young ones...
United Introduces New Onboard Filtration Protocol To Purify Cabin Air

United Airlines claims it will further reduce the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the air flow volume of its HEPA filters. United Airlines Sees HEPA Filters As Key To Healthy Onboard Environment United will “maximize air flow volume” on...
Review: Grand Hyatt At SFO (Corner Suite)

The Grand Hyatt At SFO is a fabulous airport hotel, providing convenience and comfort that is worth the premium over other airport hotels at San Francisco International Airport. This review covers my stay in a corner suite. Grand Hyatt...
Aeroplan Is Really Worrying Me…

The old “if it is sounds too good to be true…” adage has me worried after a barrage of customer-friendly initiatives at Aeroplan. Is Aeroplan really embarking upon a different path or setting us up for a huge disappointment?...