Richard Branson has been ridiculed for his unwillingness to expend his personal fortune to save the airlines he founded. But can you blame him? I certainly cannot. Virgin Australia is in Australia’s version of bankruptcy protection. Virgin Atlantic is...
Thai Airways Faces A Momentous Dilemma
Thai Airways is in another fight for survival. As usual, the question is less about whether the airline will survive and more about how the airline should be transformed. It’s a momentous dilemma for the Thai flag carrier. Losses...
Why You Should Avoid Redeeming Miles For Merchandise
Put simply, using miles for merchandise is generally a horrible deal versus using your miles for travel. Airlines Are Happy To Send You Fancy Electronics In Exchange For Your Miles Most loyalty programs are happy to let you burn...
Richard Branson’s Questionable Plea For A Virgin Atlantic Bailout
Virgin Atlantic is in big trouble. Backed against the wall with mounting debt and declining revenue, the iconoclast founder and majority owner, Sir Richard Branson, has made one final plea to the United Kingdom, warning Virgin will collapse without...
Honeymooners Trapped In Fiji, Unable To Return Home
Honeymooners have been trapped in Fiji far longer than planned after a diplomatic snafu that has rendered them unable to return to New Zealand. Abdulla Mohsin and Catherine David are British nationals. Moshin was recruited by the government of...
Indicted Air Peace CEO May Become Nigeria’s Next President?!
I have not written about Air Peace before, but the Nigerian-based airline has been mired in controversy since its inception, with a questionable safety record and dodgy practices from its founder, chairman, and CEO. Sounds like the perfect transition...
United Airlines Sells 22 Jets To China
United Airlines, in an effort to raise cash, sold 22 of its jets to Bank Of China Aviation. It plans to lease them back. Bank of China (BOC) is one of the largest state-owned commercial banks in China. The...
United Airlines Will Suspend Service To 21 International Markets This Summer
United Airlines announced it will suspend planned seasonal service to 21 international markets this summer, but only announced five specific routes as part of its plan to roll out schedule reductions gradually. United Suspends Five Additional Atlantic Destinations For...
Dodging American Airlines Amid Bankruptcy Fears
As I re-examine and position myself for post-coronavirus travel, American Airlines is one I will avoid due to bankruptcy concerns. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you...
Southwest Airlines Unions Idealistic Not Realistic
Southwest Airlines, temporarily the largest in the world due to the coronavirus crisis, will have to make changes to their operations. But the unions that are being idealistic, but not realistic. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
Had to Fly This Week: Hauntingly Quiet
I had to take a work trip this week and just couldn’t bring myself to snapping photos but wanted to share my hauntingly quiet experience. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
A Hot Pastrami Sandwich On United Airlines
Each week, 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. During this...
The First Female Flight Attendant Was A Nurse. Are We Headed Full Circle?
The first female flight attendant was a nurse. With COVID-19 ushering in new realities, might we be heading full circle? In 1930, 25-year-old Ellen Church became the first female flight attendant, then called stewardess, in the world. She was...
Review: American Express Lounge Sydney (SYD)
The new American Express Lounge in Sydney (SYD) is a nice improvement over the older one, with great coffee and a respectable selection of food and drink. American Express Lounge Sydney Location + Hours The lounge is open from...
Is It Proper For Adults To Order Off The Kid’s Menu?
This discussion came up in the context of my review of the Park Hyatt Aviara yesterday and I think it is an interesting question. Should Adults Be Able To Order Off The Kid’s Menu? I’m asking this generally, though...
Is Rapid Testing The Key To Flying In This New Era?
Would you feel safer stepping onto an airplane if you knew that everyone around you, even in close quarters, had developed antibodies to COVID-19? With rapid testing technology rolling out and even put into use by Emirates to screen...
The Demise Of South African Airways Is Truly A Tragedy
South African Airways is certainly poorly run, but its demise would be a huge loss to travelers. My recent trip on SAA is a testament to that. Reports have emerged that the South African government will provide no further...
Delta’s New Snack Bag Is Practical And Smart
In an era in which in-flight service has essentially been eliminated, Delta is at least thinking creatively when it comes to offering passengers food and drink onboard. Delta has eliminated meals on all domestic flights in the COVID-19 era,...
United Airlines Suspends Catering From Most Line Stations
While passengers won’t notice much difference, United Airlines is suspending catering operations at most line stations in an effort to cut costs and respond to reduced demand and service onboard. In a note to catering employees (most of whom...
Lufthansa And Cathay Pacific May Cancel 777-9 Orders
With passenger demand low and resources scarce, Cathay Pacific and Lufthansa are reportedly in talks with Boeing to defer or cancel 777-9 (777X) deliveries. Cathay Pacific Wants To Cancel 777-9 Order Cathay Pacific ordered 21 777-9 aircraft, set to...
