Turbulence: great commotion or agitation; departure from a smooth flow. 2017 was a turbulent year for me. But in a good way. It was time for a change and boy did this year usher in changes in my life. Late last year I moved my blog from UPGRD to Boarding Area and vowed to breathe new life […]
My 10 Worst Flights of 2017
Unlike my 10 Best Flights of 2017 post from earlier today, I’d say this list is a bit more controversial. After all, how bad can Lufthansa First Class be…or any premium product for that matter? But listing my 10 worst delayed domestic flights would hardly be worth a post. So here are my 10 worst […]
My 10 Best Flights of 2017
As the year draws to a close, here’s a look back at my 10 best flights in 2017. 1. Saudia 777-300 First Class, RUH-LAX The best flight of the year was due to one man: Chef Rahmi. I’ve never seen a more conscientious, hard-working, and resourceful onboard chef. Plus, Saudia’s first class hard product (with […]
Review: United 777-300ER Economy Class Frankfurt to San Francisco
What is United Airlines’ economy class product like on its 10-across 777-300ER between Europe and the USA? Once in awhile, a bit of a reality check is nice. Although I love premium cabins and am fortunate to routinely secure upgrades, I still fly a fair share in economy class. This is usually by choice, typically to […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 24, 2017
It’s Christmas Eve and I hope, like me, you are spending it with family friends. I’m on “vacation” in Germany for awhile, but there is never really any true vacation in the world of blogging and Award Expert. Posts will be more limited over the next week to maximize time spent with my family, but […]
New “Pop-Up” United Club in Newark Airport
With ongoing construction on a new Polaris Lounge at Newark’s Liberty International Airport, United faced a critical overcrowding issue in its only other Terminal C United Club. The solution? A new “Pop-up” United Club near Gate C-124. United’s lounge near C-74 is chronically overcrowded and far more so now that the main international lounge is […]
Official: United Will Fly San Francisco to Tahiti
United Airlines will serve Tahiti, broadening its portfolio of South Pacific routes to a new and exotic leisure destination. Subject to government approval, United will start seasonal nonstop service between San Francisco (SFO) and Fa’a’ā International Airport (PPT) in Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. The route will operate three times per week between October 30, 2018 […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: November 26, 2017
Greetings from a beautifully blustery autumn day in Carmel, CA. I’ll have details tomorrow about the wonderful way I’ve spent my long holiday weekend. It was a fairly quiet week on the blog and in the aviation industry, which was appreciated. We’ll see what next week brings, though. We did learn further details about Lufthansa’s […]
Next Generation Lufthansa Business Class Seat Revealed
Lufthansa will be the launch customer of the 777-9 in 2020. While Lufthansa has opted to forgo first class on its new aircraft, also called the 777X, it will offer an updated business class product. Up until now, we’ve speculated about what it might look like…will Lufthansa once again roll out a business class product […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: November 19, 2017
I really enjoyed FTU this weekend. Not only was it fun to meet many readers, but it was a great crowd–I hope all who attended enjoyed it. I’m happy to report that I have no more (planned) airline trips until Christmas. It has been quite awhile since I’ve been able to spend more than a […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: November 12, 2017
After a quick trip to Honolulu to commemorate the final United Airlines 747 flight, I’m back in LA…for tonight anyway. Tomorrow my next trip begins: a business trip that I’ll detail tomorrow that will take me on a product you might think I would have flown by now, but actually have not. Later in the […]
My Favorite First Class Omelet is Now for Sale in Economy Class
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and one of my favorite breakfast dishes happens to be an airline meal. Now it is available even in economy class. United Airlines has offered a Southwestern omelets for a over a year now in premium cabins. It pops up occasionally on domestic flights and has been […]
Next Stop: Singapore on United LAX-SIN Inaugural
Well, so much for my weekend at home… Tonight, United will launch its inaugural nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Singapore. It’s an important nonstop destination for LAX and underscores United’s commitment to Los Angeles as a hub. > Read More: United Airlines Will Launch Nonstop Service Between Los Angeles and Singapore The folks at United […]
New 747 Amenity Kits on United Airlines
United Airlines is rolling out commemorative amenity kits in honor of the Boeing 747, which will be retired after a special final flight next month. The attractive tin amenity kits will contain the usual toiletries and skincare products, but also contain a packet of four trading cards highlighting historic photos and facts about the 747. […]
I Love the New United Airlines Safety Video
United Airlines has just unveiled its latest safety video, Safety is Global III, a well-done safety video that is light on humor but nicely showcases United’s international route map. Here’s the video– The video takes place in locales around the world including Rio during Carnival (or perhaps that is New Orleans?), Germany, Iceland, Australia and […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 06, 2017
A pleasant Sunday evening to you. It has been a quiet week for me that included a nice trip with my family to Carmel, CA. I’ll have a full report on the Hyatt Carmel Highlands in the weeks ahead. United announced several new European routes for summer of 2018 this week, Air Berlin inched closer […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: September 10, 2017
After three consecutive weeks of travel, it was great to be home this week. I’m traveling a bit in the week ahead, but just with family and just by car. Hurricane Harvey and Irma have dominated news headlines this week. I once again wish a safety and speedy recovery to all my readers in Texas […]
New Houston to Sydney Flight on United Airlines — Too Long?
United Airlines is launching new service from Houston to Sydney, Australia, an ultra-longhaul route that showcases new markets made possible by the 787-9. The new route will be daily and begins on January 18, 2018. Tickets are already on sale on united.com and award space has been loaded. Tuesdays are the best day to snag […]
United’s Secret New Invite-Only Restaurant at Newark Airport
United may not have a Polaris Lounge yet at Newark’s Liberty International Airport, but it now has an invitation-only restaurant called Classified. Do you have access? I don’t. You can input your MileagePlus number and last name at the address above. Most will recevie this message– Yes, a tad ironic that you can bolster your […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 13, 2017
Hello from Tashkent, where I am spending several days checking out Uzbekistan. The country has defied expectations…in good way. I don’t recommend the national airline, though. On Monday I will finish my current trip report with a review of JetBlue Mint class from New York to LA. Before I transition into the current -stans trip […]
