British Airways’ CEO Alex Cruz has no regret over cutting free food and drink from economy class on shorthaul flights. None at all. In an interview earlier this week, he claimed that negative passenger reaction “didn’t surprise me at...
A γευστικός Greek Breakfast On Aegean 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. This week’s...
Whew! American Airlines Still Blocking Etihad Award Space…
When I saw that American Airlines added the ability to book Etihad awards online yesterday, my heart sank. Would the floodgates now be open, quickly decimating what remains a treasure trove of award space? The answer appears to be...
Book Cathay Pacific First Class For 14K Chase Points
You can sample the luxurious Cathay Pacific first class lounges in Hong Kong and get a taste for Cathay Pacific’s acclaimed first class product for only 14K Chase points. That’s a value worth considering if you’re in the area....
Delta Air Lines Caught In Political Turmoil…Again
Delta Air Lines has rescinded its sponsorship of an event to honor the Brazilian President. Jair Bolsonaro, the bombastic newly-elected President of Brazil, has been called the “Trump of the Tropics” and was elected by a wave of populist...
Ryanair Accused Of Asking Autistic Teen To Pay Extra Baggage Fee For His Emotional Support Doll
Ryanair is firmly denying that asked an autistic teenager to pay up to check-in his “comfort” doll. Helen Estella wrote on Facebook that her son Leo experienced a meltdown after Ryanair staff told him he’d have to pay to...
Review: Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Frankfurt To Los Angeles
Month after month, year after year, Lufthansa continues to offer a superb first class product. My flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles aboard the Boeing 747-8 was among my best ever. I realize that I write so many Lufthansa...
When You Fly United Express You Are Flying United!
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby recognizes that when you fly on United Express, you are flying on United. Speaking to United employees in Houston in a recording obtained by Live and Let’s Fly, Kirby addressed the “confirmation bias” of...
Southwest: Delta “Squatting” At Dallas Love Field
Tensions are rising over the use of one gate at Dallas Love Field. Southwest claims Delta is illegally “squatting” while Delta claims it must protect Dallas from Southwest. Dallas Love (DAL) has 20 gates. Technically, 18 belong to Southwest...
“Outgoing” Qantas CEO Will Stay Three More Years
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce’s plans for retirement have been placed on hold…for at least another three years. Today, Qantas announced the veteran CEO would remain at the helm of the Australian airlines until at least 2022. Yesterday, I wrote...
A Model Flight Attendant For Lufthansa
In all honesty, I’ve never encountered a bad flight in Lufthansa First Class. Service is routinely spectacular. But flight attendant Marcel Olschweski took service to a whole new level on my recent flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles. Earlier...
United President Scott Kirby Addresses Customer Service
Scott Kirby, United’s President and second in command, understands how essential providing good customer service is. But can his leadership empower employees to deliver it? Speaking to employees in Houston this week in a recording obtained by Live and Let’s...
Even When Delta Wins, It Loses
Delta is doing so well in so many ways. Exciting new service to India is coming. So why does Delta continue to levy petty attacks against Gulf carriers? I just don’t get it. It has been a great run for...
Emirates Hints At New U.S. Fifth Freedom Routes, Life After A380
As Emirates reevaluates its long-term growth goals, it is examining new Fifth Freedom routes to the USA and life without the A380 superjumbo jet. Speaking at the 2019 Arabian Travel Market, Emirates’ President Sir Tim Clark said his carrier...
Qantas Prepares For Sydney To London Nonstop
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce announced that an undisclosed aircraft has “met the challenge” and Qantas will be prepared to fly nonstop between Sydney and London and other ultra-longhaul destinations by the end of the year. Joyce’s prediction came at the...
Catching Up With An Old Friend In The SFO United Club
One advantage of long-term loyalty to one airline is that you get to know some of the staff. I had a wonderful reunion with an old friend in SFO last week, who happens to be a United Airlines employee....
The World’s Best Plaza Premium Lounge Is In Rome…
Plaza Premium offers a network of lounges around the world. And while I’ve visited many of them, I’ve never been to one I enjoyed as much as Rome. Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is not my favorite airport in the world. But...
United Airlines Further Disables A Disabled Camera
You need not worry about flight attendants or airline executives surreptitiously recording you while you eat dinner or sleep in your seat…well, at least using IFE cameras. There has been a surprising outpour of fear and anger over the...
Final Hours For Lucrative Flying Blue Transfer Bonus
You only have until the end of the day to take advantage of a 25% transfer bonus to Air France/KLM Flying Blue from American Express Membership Rewards. This is a transfer bonus I have personally taken advantage of, hence...
Review: United Airlines 777-200 Premium Plus San Francisco To Frankfurt
My 11-hour flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt aboard United’s new premium economy (“Premium Plus”) product was quite comfortable, though no replacement for business class. MileagePlus members can upgrade to either (or both) Premium Plus or Polaris Business Class...
