Let’s take a break from the coronavirus headlines for a brief look at my recent Air Canada flight in business class from Toronto to Los Angeles. Air Canada really impressed me with service, comfort, and meals on what felt...
Why British Airways Is Not Seeking Government Aid…Yet
While airlines around the world are approaching governments for aid, British Airways has taken a different approach. In the United Kingdom, Flybe went out of business early after the COVID-19 outbreak due to depressed demand. Virgin Atlantic has now...
U.S. Airlines Seek Over $50 Billion In Government Assistance
U.S. airlines have asked the U.S. government for $50 billion in assistance, citing continued negative pressure from COVID-19. As reported by CNBC, Airlines For America, the lobbying arm of the major U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, has asked the...
My Surprisingly Smooth Day Of Travel Through Istanbul, London, And Washington
My trip from Cotonou, Benin all the way back to Los Angeles yesterday was surprisingly smooth. I flew from Cotonou to Istanbul via Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Turkish, connected to London on Turkish, then flew from London to Los Angeles...
United’s Schedule Change Policy: Refunds Will Come…In One Year
With United Airlines facing financial uncertainty like it has at no point in company history, United will defer schedule change refunds for a period of one year from date of booking. I’ve covered the schedule change saga in depth....
TSA Waives Liquid Ban…For Hand Sanitizers
You can now take bottles of hand sanitizer as large as 12 ounces when going through a U.S. airport security checkpoint. TSA loosened the rule in light of anxiousness over COVID-19. Here’s the full statement from the TSA: TSA...
United Airlines Projecting 20-30% Load Factors And Warning Unions Of Cutbacks
In a sobering letter to employees, United warned of plummeting demand, more flight reductions, and a need to reduce payroll expenses. The memo came from outgoing CEO Oscar Munoz and incoming CEO Scott Kirby and paints a bad and...
Reaction: Flying to Asia This Week
During my ill-advised mileage run to Kuala Lumpur, I had a chance to see the effect of the Coronavirus on airlines and here are my observations. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
Flight Attendants Feeling the Pressure
Flying is tough right now in the US with current restrictions due to Coronavirus. Flight Attendants are feeling the pressure with all the hallmarks of previous tragedies. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card...
Will Coronavirus Make Cathay Pacific Next Victim?
Concerns regarding travel in Asia and restrictions in China have nearly shut some airlines down altogether. Could coronavirus make Cathay Pacific its next victim? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both...
USA Travel Ban Extends To UK, Ireland
The Schengen Area ban on non-resident travel to the United Sates is expanding to include the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, effective Monday evening. Vice President Mike Pence shared the news at a press conference earlier this afternoon....
The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself…
It has been quite a week, hasn’t it? My week started at Frequent Traveller University in Washington, DC followed by a pair of United flights from Washington National to Cape Town via Newark. Less than a week later, the...
Ironic: Delta Asks For Government Aid (But This Is Different…)
In a sobering note to employees, Delta CEO Ed Bastian shared about the sudden and rapid collapse in demand that is posing the greatest threat ever to face Delta Air Lines. Now Delta wants a handout from Uncle Sam....
Denmark Closes Border: What Country Is Next?
The Kingdom of Denmark sealed its borders earlier today for a period of one month, blocking most foreign nationals as it attempts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Will this happen across Europe and around the world? Per Danish...
United Airlines Reduces Service To Latin America, Halts Buenos Aires
The spread of COVID-19 in Latin America has depressed demand for airfare in a region that was until recently better insulated than Asia and Europe. United Airlines is responding by a series of suspensions and frequency reductions. United Suspends...
First Impressions: Air France A350 Business Class
I enjoyed a lovely flight from Paris to Toronto onboard the new Air France A350-900. The food and service was excellent onboard, cementing Air France as one of my favorite airline soft products. Air France used the same seats...
What European Routes Will American, Delta, And United Cut?
With a ban on foreign nationals entering the United States who have visited the Schengen Area over the last 14 days set to go into effect at midnight tonight, U.S. airlines are re-adjusting schedules to Europe in anticipation of...
United Rescinds Onerous Schedule Change Policy, But It’s Still 3X Worse Than Before
United Airlines (as I predicted) rolled back its onerous (and downright unethical) schedule policy that only explicitly permitted refunds if the schedule change was 25 hours or more. But in its place United still has a rule that is...
My Travel Dilemma…Wait Or Return To USA Now?
I may be spared from the European travel ban, but I’m not looking forward to a potential quarantine upon reaching the USA… I listened to President Trump’s speech last night from the bed of my hotel…in Accra, Ghana. My...
United Airlines Suspends Service To Italy, Reduces Service To Israel
United Airlines will suspend service to Italy and reduce service to Israel in light of developing threats and government bans. United Suspends Service To Italy With Italy on nationwide lockdown and all but essential services like grocery stores and...
