Hyatt began running a “surprise and delight” campaign for Globalist members of the hotel chain’s World of Hyatt program. The promotion is accomplishing its stated goal. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Keeping United 1K Status via Honolulu

Maintaining my United 1K Status is very important to me and my family. For the last year, distance flown matters more than just money spent (and segments) which means I have one more true mileage run, this year via...
Today Is National Espresso Day…

Travel and coffee are so interrelated, for me at least, that I cannot help but to point out that today is National Espresso Day. If you are a regular reader of Live and Let’s Fly, you know that I...
A Simple Snack On Qantas

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. A simple...
My First Experience With “LAXit” (New LAX Ridesharing System)

I finally had the chance check out the new LAXit ridesharing system at Los Angeles International Airport after a recent trip. It was annoying, but not nearly as bad as I was expecting. I arrived into LAX around 9:00PM,...
United CEO Weighs In On U.S. Economy

United CEO Oscar Munoz downplayed fears of a recession, arguing the economy is sound and all signs point toward continued growth. Speaking to Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money, Munoz was asked if a recession was looming. He quickly...
Boeing Unveils 737 Max 10 To Little Fanfare

Boeing quietly unveiled its 737 Max 10 on Friday, even as the future of 737 MAX program remains up in the air. Debuting at an employee event in Renton, Washington, the new aircraft will be the largest 737 Max...
Exploring United’s Swanky New CRJ-550 “Luxury” Regional Jet

I recently had the chance to explore United’s new Bombardier CRJ-550, a 50-seat jet that is undoubtedly one of the roomiest and most innovate regional jets in the sky. United CRJ-550 Layout United has taken a 76-seat regional jet...
Too Little, Too Late? South African Airways Reaches Deal To End Strike

The week-long strike appears almost over at South African Airways, though the damage has already been done and the beleaguered carrier finds itself in a very dangerous position. Dangerous position is relative term. South African Airways (SAA) has been...
Watch: Philippine Airlines 777-300ER Engine Spews Flames Over LAX

In what must have been a very scary moment for passengers, a Philippine Airlines 777-300ER engine failed shortly after takeoff, sending flames spewing in the air over Los Angeles. PAL Flight 113 took off on-time from Los Angeles International...
Great Coffee In Honolulu

Wherever I am in the world, I try to take some time each morning to find good coffee. I did not have to walk far to find great coffee in Honolulu. We arrived late and spent the first night...
Should Hotels Ban Local Residents?

My knee-jerk answer is NO WAY, but hotels are not totally out-of-line for raising questions about local residents checking-in. The issue was brought to my attention by The Gate, which shared a story about an Illinois couple being denied...
EU Ambassador Bolts From Impeachment Hearing To United Polaris

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland must have a very good driver after leaving Capitol Hill at 4:00PM and somehow still making his 5:50PM flight to Brussels on United. After providing testimony implicating President Donald Trump, Secretary...
Cover-Up? The Real Reason An American Airlines A330 Diverted To Dublin

An American Airlines A330-300 did not divert due to a spilled cleaning product. Instead, an oil leak is likely to blame, even as AA denies it. Last month, AA729, pushed back from the gate at London Heathrow on schedule at...
Review: Kahala Hotel & Resort Honolulu (Suite)

It’s always a joy to return to the Kahala in Honolulu. While little has changed from my two prior reviews, I was upgraded to a beautiful suite during my recent visit, which merits an updated review. You can read...
My Odd Experience Pre-Selecting A Meal On Delta Air Lines

Last week I flew Delta One (business class) from Los Angeles to New York. Before the trip, I took advantage of Delta’s pre-select meal option. At least I thought I did… Delta supposedly sends out an email to first...
“God Is Going Use Me Today At American Airlines To Do Kingdom Work”

Meet Greg McBrayer. He’s a Chief Flight Controller for American Airlines. He’s also an Anglican priest. He serves both roles each day at American Airlines’ headquarters in Forth Worth. McBrayer spent many years with US Airways in Pittsburgh before...
Why Is United Airlines Fighting Philippine Airlines?

As Philippine Airlines ramps up service to Guam, United Airlines is asking U.S. regulators to proceed with caution. Philippine Airlines (PAL) wants to offer PAL Express codeshare flights to Guam, effective March 5, 2020. Although PAL Express is owned...
Qantas Rejects “Project Sunrise” Bids From Both Airbus And Boeing

Nice try, but back to the drawing board…So says Qantas, after rejecting initial bids from both Airbus and Boeing to service its new ultra-longhaul destinations. Back in August, both Airbus and Boeing submitted their “best and final” offers to...
Qantas Will Bankroll Defamation Lawsuit After American Rapper Accuses Flight Attendant of Racism

Qantas is standing firmly behind its flight attendant against a charge of racism by American rapper William Adams, popularly known as will.i.am. Adams, of the Black Eyed Peas group, was on a flight from Brisbane to Sydney and alleges...