He’s called the heartless bean counter, the tone-deaf numbers man who fails the basic empathy test. But I’d caution all of us to stop attacking incoming United CEO Scott Kirby before he even starts. News of Kirby’s promotion was...
Fired Flight Attendant Accused Of Stealing Milk and Cereal Bowls Sues Delta, Claims Discrimination

A 79-year-old flight attendant is suing Delta for firing her under false pretenses. She argues jealous colleagues targeted her because of her high salary. But Delta is standing by its termination. Veteran Flight Attendant Sacked By Delta Ida Gomez...
Let’s Shame Wizz Air For Ad Shaming Business Class…

“We think you’re doing great… harm to our planet.” So opens a Wizz Air ad shaming business class passengers and the airlines that cater to them. Wizz Air Attacks Business Class I’ve written about the tiff between Wizz Air and...
Will Southwest Airlines Add Basic Economy Fares?

Southwest Airlines has resisted a basic economy fare class for years. But with competition fierce, is Southwest reconsidering? Earlier this year, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly promised: “You’re not going to see basic economy from Southwest. That’s not what...
South African Airways Placed In Business Rescue: What Does That Mean?

South African Airways will receive a bailout even though all parties deny it is a bailout. But what does this mean for the airline and its customers? I sort of asked this question already in a post last week,...
What United Airlines Told Employees About Leadership Change

What is United telling employees about the leadership shakeup that will pivot Scott Kirby to the position of CEO next May? Earlier today I wrote about the upcoming leadership change at United. In 2020, Oscar Munoz will step down...
Scott Kirby Will Replace Oscar Munoz As United CEO In 2020

United CEO Oscar Munoz will step down in 2020, passing the CEO reigns to Scott Kirby, United’s President. In May, Munoz will transition to Executive Chairman and Kirby will assume the role of CEO. As rumors swirled that he...
Edible Coffee Cups On Air New Zealand Are Cool, But Unacceptable (To Me)

Ok, now I get to really play coffee snob. There’s something you should know about me. I know we are all have our little idiosyncrasies, but when it comes to coffee…well, I’m a little finicky. I drive my wife...
Review: Delta 767-300 Business Class Los Angeles To New York

This is a tale of two very different experiences on one Delta flight, taking place on two sides of the same Delta One cabin. I had one primary objective on my redeye flight from Los Angeles to New York...
Analysis: United Orders 50 Airbus A321XLRs, Defers A350-900 Order

Airbus has scored another victory with a large A321XLR order from United Airlines. United will also defer its A350-900 order until at least 2027. United Orders 50 Airbus A321XLR To Replace Boeing 757s For years, United has sought a...
Qatar Airways Would Ditch Oneworld For Lufthansa Partnership

When it comes his relationship with oneworld, Qatar Airways’ Chief Akbar Al-Baker acts like a victim. He’s quick to cry foul and threaten to leave, but never follows through on his threat. And yet his charges are largely delusional and...
A Rainy But Lovely Weekend In Carmel

I spent Thanksgiving weekend in Carmel, which has now become a family tradition. Even with the rain, we had a wonderful time together. A Great Weekend In Carmel California highways and interstates can get very crowded around the holidays,...
A Cringeworthy Rant From A Callow Airline Passenger

A freelance writer for the Washington Post penned an essay entitled “Air travel shows what happens when we give companies ruinous power over us”, sharing of an “ordeal spanning 53 hours, six gates, three airports and two airlines.” His...
Genius: Hoping For Upgrade, Woman Fakes Medical Emergency On Single-Cabin Aircraft

A woman was arrested after admitting to faking an emergency onboard in hopes of securing an upgrade. Small problem, though: the aircraft had no premium cabin. The incident took place on American Airlines flight 3508 from Pensacola to Miami last...
Amtrak Won’t Let You Sue, Even After A Crash

You buy an Amtrak ticket. Your train derails. You are severely injured. And you can’t sue. Why? Blame the fine print in your ticket rules. Back in January, Amtrak quietly revised the language of its ticket terms and conditions....
What’s The Longest Possible Commercial Flight?

The list of the longest airline routes in operation is hardly a surprise, but what about theoretical routes? What is possible with more technical innovation? The 10 Longest Airline Routes Currently Flying Currently, the 10 longest flights in the...
Cyber Monday Travel Steals Still Available

It’s not too late to grab some Cyber Monday travel deals. Here are some deals you might want to grab for someone special or just for yourself. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card...
Malaysia Airlines Cozies Up To Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines and Malaysia Airlines have signed a new codeshare agreement. What does the increased cooperation between the two carriers mean for travelers? Turkish Airlines will place its flight number on all Malaysia Airlines domestic flights as well as...
South African Airways Survives…But Now What?

South African Airways (SAA) will survive…at least for now…thanks to another government infusion. But will the government finally force the carrier to change? Let’s zoom right into the text of statement from South Africa’s Department of Public Enterprises, as...
American Airlines Reinforces My Decision to Leave

I have been rather vocal about my switch from American Airlines to United. But as I still have hundreds of thousands of miles, I need to spend them and American continues to squander opportunities to win me back. If...