As the spread of COVID-19 accelerates in Turkey, Turkish Airlines is temporarily shutting down operations. Chief Executive Officer Bilal Eksi announced on Twitter that Turkish is suspending all domestic flights until April 20, 2020. International flights were already cancelled and...
American + JetBlue + United Drastically Slash New York Service
With COVID-19 raging in New York and demand continuing to sink, airlines are responding by drastically slashing already-reduced service from the Big Apple. Over 120,000 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in New York State, with over half of...
Emirates Captures Zeitgeist With Brilliant Ad
Emirates has a new ad that imagines how we will look back on this COVID-19 era. It brought a tear to my eye… We’re in this period–hopefully temporary–that all of us will never forget. Life has come to a...
This is NOT a Travel Post: Financial Resources For You Right Now
This is a travel blog but we care about our readers and often share similar experiences. I found some financial resources this week that can help those affected by coronavirus and wanted to share them. If you are considering...
United Dynamic Award Pricing One-Way Street
United Airlines switched this year from a fixed award chart to one that changes based on availability. United dynamic award pricing is a one-way street. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
Remembering My Last Trip to Italy
There’s a lot of uncertainty, bad news and fear right now. This week I was thinking about our last trip to Italy and how much we loved it and wanted to share some of our experience. If you are...
What Does Airline Meal Service Look Like During COVID-19 Crisis?
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. U.S. airlines...
How To Request An American Express Centurion (Black) Card
Last autumn, I wrote extensively about why I was considering an American Express Centurion (Black) card. While I ultimately opted against the card, it’s now easier than ever to request one. I chose not to get the card for...
Air France Sends Me A Note…
Yesterday afternoon, an unexpected email popped up from Air France in my inbox. Actually, it came from KLM, Air France’s Dutch partner, and was signed Airfrance (sic), not Air France. Anyway, here’s the letter: Dear Customer, Due to a...
Americans Trapped In Moscow Airport After Aeroflot Flight Ordered Back To Gate
After abruptly and unexpectedly suspending international air traffic yesterday, hundreds of Americans and thousands of others find themselves trapped in Russia. One asthma-stricken man remains stuck without a visa in Moscow Airport almost out of medication. Yesterday, April 3,...
United Airlines’ Strategic Fleet Retirement Plan
Earlier I wrote about the revenue challenges United is facing during this time. That was not the only issue discussed during yesterday’s virtual “town hall” meeting with employees. United has also identified which aircraft it will retire and in...
Germany Backs Lufthansa Effort To Stop Issuing Refunds
The German government has endorsed Lufthansa’s argument that it cannot survive if it must issue refunds for cancelled tickets. Just last week the European Commission re-affirmed regulation that mandates airlines to promptly refund tickets for flight cancellations. Lufthansa, among...
United Suspends Service To Four Hawaiian Cities
With airplanes running virtually empty, United will further reduce domestic flights and axe service to four stations in Hawaii. Between April 8 and May 3rd, United will suspend service between the U.S. mainland and: Hilo (ITO) Kona (KOA) Lihue...
Wow: United Airlines Loses $100MN In Revenue Per DAY
Speaking to employees in a town hall-style meeting, United’s two leaders presented sobering numbers and warned that recovery may be much slower than originally hoped for. Incoming CEO Scott Kirby and Outgoing CEO Oscar Munoz virtually sat down with...
Review: Air France Lounge Houston (IAH)
I stopped by the Air France Lounge during my last connection in Houston. While not a bad place for a quick snack, the Priority Pass lounge felt a bit like a dungeon. The lounge is located in the far...
Air France Downgrades Me From First Class To Business Class…
It goes without saying that there are far more important issues going on today than my Air France ticket. Still, consider this a diversion. As feared, Air France has re-issued my A380 and 777-300 tickets, knocking me out of...
Why Two Southwest Pilots Are Heaping Praises On United Airlines
There’s a kinship in the airline business that transcends company uniforms. Just ask two Southwest Airlines pilots who are now singing praises to United Airlines. In an internal story shared with Live and Let’s Fly, the act of kindness...
Is Virgin Atlantic On The Verge Of Collapse?
With cash-starved Virgin Atlantic fighting for survival, Airbus, Rolls Royce, and Heathrow Airport have urged the British government to support the beleaguered carrier. Per Sky News, Airbus, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Heathrow Airport each delivered letters of support to Grant...
Is Now The Time To Buy Miles?
Airlines, desperate for cash, are running lucrative purchased miles promotions. The opportunities seem almost too good to pass up, don’t they? But don’t buy miles unless you have a very specific trip in mind. Not in this world of...
Trip Report: Flying United During COVID-19 Epidemic
Reader Mark, a family friend, travelled on United earlier this week. He shared with me with this report, which is interesting on so many levels about what it was like to travel across the country during the height of...
