After a day in Berlin, I flew to Copenhagen where I spent the night before continuing on to Reykjavík the next day. That gave me plenty of time to check out the beautifully refurbished SAS Gold Lounge. One way...
Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
The Pier is not only Cathay’s Pacific’s finest first class lounges, but one of the best first class lounges in the world. For years I have been looking forward to visiting this lounge. Finally, during a recent layover, I...
Emirates, A Gimcrack New Transfer Partner From Chase
Emirates Skywards is now a Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. Try to hold back your excitement… A gimcrack is a cheap and showy ornament, something flimsy or poorly made but deceptively attractive. I think that’s a great way to...
Review: Cathay Pacific The Deck Lounge Hong Kong (HKG)
As far as business class lounges go, Cathay Pacific’s The Deck lounge in Hong Kong is among the nicest I’ve seen. Cathay Pacific’s latest business class lounge in Hong Kong feels a bit like The Pier, with a noodle...
Man Arrested After Very Negative Hilton Hotel Review
A Texas man was arrested in Florida after incorporating death threats into a negative hotel review. Joseph Lee McKinney, 40, had a very bad stay at the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront Hotel. So bad, apparently, that he made death...
Why Airlines Struggle In Italy
The joke goes that Italian airlines will be profitable…when hell freezes over. Why is it that airlines seem to struggle in Italy? In an article entitled, Good Luck To Any Airline That Tries To Make A Profit Flying U.S.-Italy, Ted Reed...
United.com Forced Me Into a Hidden-City Ticket
On a recent day trip to Houston (yes, these exist outside of mileage and status runs) United’s website broke their own ticketing rules and forced me into a Hidden-City ticket against my will. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
US Carriers, Asia Flights From Chicago Don’t Work
United has suspended Hong Kong flights from Chicago which follows a number of American Airlines discontinued flights from the windy city. Why can’t US carriers make Asia work from Chicago? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new...
Highly Intoxicated Passenger – What Do You Do?
When an incredibly and obviously intoxicated passenger is on your flight, do you live and let fly or involve yourself in the situation? Admittedly, I didn’t know what to do if a passenger appears intoxicated? If you are considering booking...
A Whole Lot Of Turkey On Aegean
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. Why have...
Review: Cathay Pacific 777-300ER First Class Beijing To Hong Kong
Whether on a short flight or a long flight, Cathay Pacific has always shined in first class. My flight from Beijing to Hong Kong was flawless. Literally flawless. Although I thought about trying Cathay Dragon First Class, when I...
Richard Branson’s Daughter Sets Example For Heather “Nut Rage” Cho
Holly Branson is being praised as “down-to-earth” after she was spotted in economy class on a recent Virgin Atlantic flight from Antigua to London. I’m impressed too. I don’t buy the virtue signaling of flying economy class. If that is the...
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge Beijing (PEK)
The Cathay Pacific Lounge in Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) is full of natural light, comfortable furniture, and offers far better internet speeds than the tepid airport network. I had a bit of trouble finding the lounge: the signs kept...
United Reducing Service To Hong Kong + Buenos Aires
Citing weak demand, United Airlines will suspend two long-standing international routes to Hong Kong and Buenos Aires. This autumn, United will suspend its Chicago to Hong Kong flight, its Newark to Buenos Aires flight, and accelerate the suspension of its...
Review: Beijing Hilton Capital Airport
My short overnight stay at Beijing Hilton Capital Airport was comfortable and convenient. Above all else, the location of this hotel is ideal for early flights or long connections in PEK. I arrived around 3:00 AM and still had...
Turning A Long Layover Into A Great Afternoon In Berlin
Even a half-day layover in Berlin is long enough to enjoy one of my favorite cities in Europe. I first fell in love with Berlin in 2006, the first time I visited the city. It’s an amazing city with...
Cathay Pacific’s Illogical Warning Over Social Media Use
As the red curtain continues to descend upon Cathay Pacific, employees have been warned to “exercise caution” concerning their social media use. The undertone is clear: any dissent will be punished swiftly and harshly. But just what crosses the...
Emergency Evacuation On Hawaiian Airlines A321neo
An oil leak sent plumes of smoke through a Hawaiian Airlines passenger cabin, forcing an evacuation and hospitalizing seven passengers. The incident occurred on Thursday morning aboard Hawaiian Airlines Flight 47, an A321neo from Oakland, California to Honolulu. Smoke...
My Drunk Seatmate Spilled His Drink…On My Laptop!
My trip home from Yerevan started out splendidly when a drunk man staggered onto my Aegean flight to Athens and promptly spilled his pre-departure beverage on my laptop computer. I was actually hoping I’d have the whole row to...
United Adds Service To Nice, Palermo, And Curacao
United Airlines will add three new international routes from Newark, one from Chicago, and increase existing service from Denver, San Francisco, and Newark on four key routes. Three New Destinations From Newark United will add new service from Newark...
