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...
I Love It: Sea-Tac Airport Now Open To All
Want to spend the day at the airport even though you are not flying? You now can at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Effective immediately, Sea-Tac will allow 100 non-travelers per day through security checkpoints. The new SEA Visitor Pass program will...
Is British Airways Really That Bad?
A new survey of British travelers places British Airways near the bottom. But is British Airways really that bad? If we are talking about economy class, my answer is yes on shorthaul flights, but no on longhaul flights. Let’s...
How Does United’s New Service To Dublin Impact 787 Base In Chicago?
United Airlines will launch new service between San Francisco and Dublin in 2020 using a 787. Will this new service impact the 787 build-up at Chicago O’Hare? United’s New San Francisco – Dublin Service United Airlines will launch year-around...
Delta Flight Attendants Complain Uniforms Cause Hair Loss, Hives, And Coughing
Blaming toxic chemicals in their new uniforms, flight attendants are outraged Delta has not taken their complaints seriously. But the Atlanta-based carrier claims its toxicology study found no issues with the uniforms. Delta Uniforms Spark Flight Attendant Complaints Delta’s...
EU Court: Airlines Broadly Liable For Coffee Spills Onboard
The European Union’s highest court has held that airlines are responsible for scalding caused by hot coffee tipped over for “unknown reasons” unrelated to turbulence or flight attendant negligence. A six-year-old girl is at the heart of the lawsuit....
American Airlines Mechanic Pleads Guilty To Sabotaging Aircraft
A long-time American Airlines mechanic has pleaded guilty to tampering with an aircraft, but strongly denied there was any link to terrorism. In a U.S. federal court in Miami, Abdul-Majeed Marouf Ahmed Alani pleaded guilty to attempted destruction of...
Cool: Los Angeles International Airport Time-Lapse Video
A time-lapse video filmed at LAX offers a remarkable look at one of the world’s busiest airports. The video below was filmed in honor of National Aviation History Month, which occurs each November in the USA (yes, I was also...
Hawaiian Airlines Flight Attendants Take Unusual Approach To Picketing
Hawaiian Airlines flight attendants are calling for increased wages and benefits…but doing so in unique and admirable way. Flight attendants at Hawaiian Airlines have been negotiating for a new contract for several years. With a new contract still elusive,...
President Trump’s Unintended Ode To United Airlines
US President Donald Trump may have meant one thing, but his select use of capitalization has led to a rather funny alternate interpretation of a recent tweet. Whether on Twitter or in letters to Nancy Pelosi, Tump often creates...
Sun Country Growth Plan Fueled By Amazon
Looking to solidly its burgeoning grip over e-commerce, Amazon is enlisting the aid of Sun Country Airlines. The move will mark another pivot for a carrier that has struggled to find its footing. As next-day delivery becomes less of...
An Eerily Quiet American Express Lounge…
I’ve long complained about overcrowding in American Express Centurion lounges. But now I’ve found the key to avoiding any crowds. I spent 30 minutes in the San Francisco Centurion Lounge last week…and it was virtually empty. That’s unheard of...
Virgin Atlantic May Delay A340 Retirement, Blames 787
Virgin Atlantic may not retire its four-engine Airbus A340 jets after all, due to ongoing engine trouble with its Boeing 787 fleet. Virgin uses Rolls Royce engines on its 787s. These engines have been problematic for Virgin Atlantic (and...
Air China In Center Of Spat Between US And China Over North Korea
Photos of Air China refueling in Pyongyang have led to accusations from the US that China has defied tough international sanctions against the repressive North Korean regime. Pictures have emerged documenting that Air China frequently refuels at Pyongyang Sunan...
Sweet: Man Gifts His “Upper Class” Suite To 88-Year-Old Stranger
This is a heartwarming story not just for the kind gesture of one person toward another, but because the giver asked for absolutely nothing in return. Man Gifts His Upper Class Suite To A Stranger He Just Met Virgin...
US Downgrades Aviation Safety Rating In Venezuela
The United States has downgraded the safety rating of Venezuela, citing continued civil unrest and an inability to meet basic standards for safety. Under the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, countries are assigned either a Category 1 or...
