Sir Tim Clark, the President of Emirates, argues that other carriers like Air France blew their chance with the Airbus A380. He’s not wrong, but the reality is a bit more complicated. Sitting down with AirlineRatings, Clark was asked...
Bonvoyed: Deceptive Redemption Prices Frustrate, Annoy
Marriott’s new Bonvoy program has not been the success CEO Arne Sorenson has suggested it is. Bonvoy’s award redemption nights don’t just deceive members, they also frustrate and annoy them. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
Evaluating Inspirato, a Luxury Travel Subscription
A few readers have asked what I thought of Inspirato, a luxury travel subscription service. I did some investigating and found that for a very narrow audience it may present value but most won’t. If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Hertz is Worse Than Spirit, RyanAir
I am fairly loyal to National Car Rental for a few reasons but until I had to rent from Hertz, I had no idea just how good I had it. By comparison, Hertz is worse than Spirit and RyanAir....
The “Everything” Bun Burger 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. Since we...
United Replaces Close-In Booking Fee…With A New Close-In Booking Fee
For months, United has proudly boasted that it is doing away with the $75 close-in processing fee for awards booked within 21 days of departure. What it did not mention was that that dollar fee for close-in bookings would...
Six Observations About Latest United MileagePlus Program Changes
With award charts no longer published, United Airlines has made changes to the way it prices awards on its own flights and on partner flights. Here are six observations. 1. Across-the-board increase in cost for close-in departures Across the...
Broken Promise: United Partner Awards Already Pricing Higher
We’re only a day into United’s new dynamic award pricing era and already we are seeing partner awards pricing higher. This directly contradicts what was promised when these changes were first announced in April. Back in April, United announced...
Dear Expedia, Penalizing Resort Fees Is Only The Start…
Expedia, to its credit, will begin penalizing hotels with hidden resort fees by ranking them lower in search results. That may help in some cities, but what about Las Vegas, where every hotel tacks on these bogus fees? I...
First Impressions: Delta One 767-300 Transcon
Friendly service, a lie-flat bed, and even a tasty snack. My first domestic transcontinental flight on Delta was just fine. Earlier this week I flew “Delta One” business class from Los Angeles (LAX) to New York (JFK). Why Delta...
Delusional Airline CEO Wants To Ban Business Class
The CEO of one Europe’s largest and fastest-growing budget carriers is calling for the ban of business and first class. For the environment, of course. And of course, his airline does not offer a premium cabin of service. Jozsef...
My Take: A Clairvoyant Compromise On Single-Use Hotel Toiletries
I’ll admit at the outset that I am not in favor of hotels eliminating single-use toiletries. But, I’ve decided it is not worth losing sleep over. Instead, I’ve decided to bring my own. My two esteemed colleagues, Ben Schlappig...
Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)
I have to admit, I really enjoyed World Traveller Plus (premium economy) on British Airways. On a daytime flight, it is a nice hybrid between economy and business class. My day began in Istanbul with a business class flight...
Don’t Blame Aeroflot For Overweight Cat Scheme…
As much as we want to root for the “little guy” (and his big cat), I am finding it very difficult to get upset over Aeroflot’s decision to penalize a passenger for deliberately breaking the rules then gloating about...
Unprovoked Attack Against Delta Passenger By Beggar Raises More Questions Than Answers
What should our reaction be to a beggar who walked up to a Delta passenger in Atlanta checking-in for his flight and punched him the face? How should we answer calls to step up police vigilance and reduce vagrancy...
Delta Vs. United: The LAX Taco Wars
Two airlines. Two lounges. Two taco bars. Who wins at LAX, United or Delta? Regular readers of the blog know that I love tacos. Like, love to the point of eating tacos multiple days per week. What can I...
Star Alliance Buildup On East Coast With New Service From Austrian and Turkish Airlines
Star Alliance is beefing up its presence on the U.S. East Coast with two new routes, one to Boston and one to Newark. Austrian Adds Vienna to Boston Flight Austrian will add a new flight from Vienna (VIE) to...
The Worst Barefoot Passenger I’ve Ever Seen
A picture showcases what is either a horrible practical joke or truly the worst passenger in the world. I’ve ranted or poked fun at barefoot passengers on several occasions at Live and Let’s Fly. I find bare feet worse...
Gulf Air Adds Three “Boutique” Destinations In Europe
As Gulf Air seeks to cultivate its image as a high-quality, boutique carrier, it is adding service to Milan, Munich, and Mykonos in 2020. Gulf Air Service To Milan In July 2020, Gulf Air will start year around daily...
American Airlines Diverts Flight After Man Gropes His Seatmate
Morality transcends time and space, but it’s 2019 for crying out loud. Was a pervert expecting words of affirmation when he groped a woman sitting with her daughter on an American Airlines flight to Salt Lake City? The incident...
