It has been a tough week filled with one bad news story after another. With so many serious issues to contend with, I hope this posts serves as welcome diversion, even if only for a few minutes. Whenever I...
United Airlines’ Strategic Fleet Retirement Plan
Earlier I wrote about the revenue challenges United is facing during this time. That was not the only issue discussed during yesterday’s virtual “town hall” meeting with employees. United has also identified which aircraft it will retire and in...
Germany Backs Lufthansa Effort To Stop Issuing Refunds
The German government has endorsed Lufthansa’s argument that it cannot survive if it must issue refunds for cancelled tickets. Just last week the European Commission re-affirmed regulation that mandates airlines to promptly refund tickets for flight cancellations. Lufthansa, among...
United Suspends Service To Four Hawaiian Cities
With airplanes running virtually empty, United will further reduce domestic flights and axe service to four stations in Hawaii. Between April 8 and May 3rd, United will suspend service between the U.S. mainland and: Hilo (ITO) Kona (KOA) Lihue...
Wow: United Airlines Loses $100MN In Revenue Per DAY
Speaking to employees in a town hall-style meeting, United’s two leaders presented sobering numbers and warned that recovery may be much slower than originally hoped for. Incoming CEO Scott Kirby and Outgoing CEO Oscar Munoz virtually sat down with...
Review: Air France Lounge Houston (IAH)
I stopped by the Air France Lounge during my last connection in Houston. While not a bad place for a quick snack, the Priority Pass lounge felt a bit like a dungeon. The lounge is located in the far...
Air France Downgrades Me From First Class To Business Class…
It goes without saying that there are far more important issues going on today than my Air France ticket. Still, consider this a diversion. As feared, Air France has re-issued my A380 and 777-300 tickets, knocking me out of...
Why Two Southwest Pilots Are Heaping Praises On United Airlines
There’s a kinship in the airline business that transcends company uniforms. Just ask two Southwest Airlines pilots who are now singing praises to United Airlines. In an internal story shared with Live and Let’s Fly, the act of kindness...
Is Virgin Atlantic On The Verge Of Collapse?
With cash-starved Virgin Atlantic fighting for survival, Airbus, Rolls Royce, and Heathrow Airport have urged the British government to support the beleaguered carrier. Per Sky News, Airbus, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Heathrow Airport each delivered letters of support to Grant...
Is Now The Time To Buy Miles?
Airlines, desperate for cash, are running lucrative purchased miles promotions. The opportunities seem almost too good to pass up, don’t they? But don’t buy miles unless you have a very specific trip in mind. Not in this world of...
Trip Report: Flying United During COVID-19 Epidemic
Reader Mark, a family friend, travelled on United earlier this week. He shared with me with this report, which is interesting on so many levels about what it was like to travel across the country during the height of...
Booked! Air France A380 + 777 La Première First Class…For Now?
I took advantage of a cheap fare offered out of Algeria last weekend to confirm two trips in first class on Air France. But will Air France honor the tickets? Flying Air France First Class on the 777-300ER was...
Virgin Australia’s New Humanitarian Mission: Toilet Paper
With a worldwide shortage of toilet paper caused by mass hoarding in many nations, Virgin Australia has embarked upon a new humanitarian mission. Instead of its usual April Fool’s Day jokes, Virgin Australia is donating toilet tissue to vulnerable...
Democrats Demand Airline Ticket Refunds For Everyone Who Wants One
A group of nine U.S. Senators from the Democratic Party have signed a letter urging airlines to promptly refund tickets that consumers cancelled due to COVID-19. While I’m sympathetic to such pleas, I think that ship has passed… To...
My Interview With A COVID-19 Positive United Employee
A United employee who has contracted COVID-19 reached out to me. We spoke. He shared some disturbing information which United, not surprisingly, has pushed back on. But his story warrants our attention. The employee chose not to go on...
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...
A Five-Page Application Worth Billions To U.S. Airlines
In case you’re curious how the aid process works for U.S. passenger airlines, the Treasury Department has made the application process quite transparent. Posted on its website (.pdf) with detailed instructions, airlines have until 5:00PM EDT on April 3,...
British Airways Suspends All Service To London Gatwick
London Gatwick was poised to grow in 2020. Then COVID-19 hit. EasyJet suspended all flights and now British Airways has followed. With the United Kingdom encouraging citizens to avoid all non-essential travel and travel demand greatly depressed due to...
I’m Dreaming About Future Travel, But Not Planning…
What will next year look like? How about next month? Or next week? Will we contain COVID-19? How much will it destroy the world economy? Short and honest answer: we don’t know. Are You Panning Travel Or Just Dreaming...
All-In Pricing: Marriott Deserves No Praise For What Should Be A Given
Marriott now gives you the option to see all-in pricing when making a reservation earlier in the search process than the final payment screen. Are we supposed to cheer for what should have always been the case? Oh, it’s...
