A very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my dear readers. I find myself in Los Angeles this Christmas for the first time in three years. It will be nice to spend the day with my side of...
A Generous Christmas Gift From Virgin Atlantic
The viral story of a young man who gave up his business class seat to a senior citizen has prompted Virgin Atlantic to reciprocate in a big way between now and the end of the year. I wrote about...
All the 2019 Airline Holiday Videos
Christmas has arrived and many airlines have released holiday videos for 2019. I have compiled them into one place for your viewing pleasure. I wish each of you a very Merry Christmas. Air Canada Air France American Airlines ...
Caution: Refresh Underway At Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara
The Hyatt Centric in Santa Barbara is undergoing a mutli-million dollar refresh that will bring much-needed upgrades to a historic hotel. I recently took my family to Santa Barbara for the weekend and we stayed, as usual, at the Hyatt...
How My Mileage Run To Australia Nearly Died An Agonizing Death
Creeping delays, a late evening flight, and a 45-minute connection in San Francisco very nearly doomed my United 1K mileage run to Sydney. All day my flight from Burbank to San Francisco showed on-time, but all day I knew...
Kudos To Alaska Airlines For Sincere Apology
Airlines mess up sometimes. When they do, the reaction is often to shift blame and deflect criticism. But Alaska Airlines did something refreshingly different after a rough weekend in Seattle. A trifecta hit Seattle at the end of last...
Emirates’ Most Profitable Route?
It’s a global airline with longhaul service around the world. But one of Emirates’ most lucrative routes is right in its own backyard, a journey of only 543 miles. Picture a “business route” and you think of New York...
Great Coffee In Santa Barbara, CA
Looking for good coffee in Santa Barbara? You have many choices, but I found a nice little third wave coffee shop in a quiet part of town. Wherever I am in the world, a highlight of my day is...
I Am Flying From SFO To LAX…Via SYD
San Francisco to Los Angeles nonstop? Please, I’m flying via Sydney, Australia. Hello from 30,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. If you read my recent 1K dilemma post, you’ll know that I wavered (and frankly agonized) over whether to...
Crazy: Airline Insiders Targeting Tourists In Argentina
If you read nothing else, read this: don’t ever resist street thieves. Your phone or wallet are not worth your life. Matthew Gibbard is dead. The British man was robbed outside his luxury hotel in Buenos Aires. When he...
“Whistleblower” Claims TSA Choosing Speed Over Safety
A senior TSA “whistleblower” claims his agency has chosen expediency over keeping passengers safe. But is “safe” really about safety or more about optics? Jay Brainard has been a TSA officer in Kansas for 17 years and has a...
American Airlines Shows Advantages of Eliminating Award Charts
American Airlines offered an outstanding deal in long haul first-class and great prices on business class fares. As much as we all want to hate airlines eliminating award charts, this example shows excellent advantages to doing so. If you...
Airbnb Experiences: Making Pizza In Rome
During our recent trip to Rome, we decided to try out Airbnb Experiences following a recommendation from a friend. We learned how to make a pizza from a pro in Rome and it didn’t disappoint. If you are considering...
Review: Aleph Rome Hotel – Curio by Hilton
Rome is filled with low-rise boutique hotels and Aleph Rome Hotel, now part of Hilton’s Curio collection is just one such boutique hotel delivering luxury to the Eternal City. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Breakfast In JetBlue Mint
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. JetBlue Mint...
My Urgent United 1K Dilemma
Here we are the end of the year and I have a quick decision to make concerning United MileagePlus: push for top-tier 1K status in 2020 or settle for Platinum status. One of my commanding officers in the U.S....
Analysis: American Airlines Sues Delta Over “Flagship”
American Airlines has sued Delta over its use of the term “flagship” in its brand marketing. I wouldn’t call this a frivolous case, though I am not certain American Airlines can show consumer confusion, a key hurdle for winning...
Alitalia Loses 2 Million Euros…Per Day
Troubled Italian flag carrier Alitalia loses about €2,000,000 per day, according to a government minister. The solution? Another cash infusion… Earlier this month, Italy appointed a new administrator, Giuseppe Leogrande, to oversee cost-cutting measures and find a buyer for...
United Airlines Extends 737 MAX Cancellations Until June 4, 2020
With a software solution elusive and regulatory approval uncertain, United Airlines extended cancellation for the 737 MAX by more than six months. The troubled Boeing aircraft is now out of the scheduled until June 4, 2020. In a note...
Review: United Airlines 787-10 Economy Class
I’ve flown United’s new Boeing 787-10 in business class, but how is it in economy class? Sometimes I will decline and upgrade even when it is is available. My supply of upgrade instruments is not unlimited and I made...
