This should be a fun comments section… Any time I write about Southwest, I am inundated with customers who defend their brand. But many are factually incorrect. Is it that they are misinformed or simply unaware of how Southwest...
Is Buying United PQMs for Status Crazy?
When I logged into my United account this week, I found a familiar pitch – buying premier qualifying miles for status re-qualification. Are these purchases a good idea or crazy? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Bladder, Jelly Fish, And Other Delights in China Southern First Class
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...
Review: United 787-10 Polaris Business Class Newark To Los Angeles
If you’re going to be delayed, it’s always nice to be delayed in a premium cabin…like United’s 787-10 Polaris business class. With storms raging across the country, our flight was re-routed after we had pushed back from the gate,...
Why Fiji Airways Missed The Mark With “Mandatory” Lounge Dining
Fiji Airways’ new lounge dining options sound exceptional, but make no mistake: it does its customers a disservice by not offering a full meal onboard. Citing waste and its concern for the environment, Fiji Airways will introduce a pre-flight...
The Gold Heist At Brazil’s Largest Airport Was A Repeat Offense
Armed bandits disguised as federal police officers successfully interdicted $30MN worth of gold and other precious metals from a major Brazilian airport. Eight armed men perpetrated the act in two Mitsubishi vehicles disguised to resemble Brazilian Federal Police cars....
Wow! An Expired Club Pass And Going The Extra Mile…
I’d like to end the week on a positive note, with a feel-good story that links travel to humanity. Despite suffering from terminal cancer, John wanted to attend his daughter’s wedding in Cancun. His wife Pam wanted to make...
Review: Etihad 777-300ER First Class Abu Dhabi To Los Angeles
16-hours is a long time to be stuck on airplane, but Etihad made the process painless aboard the 777-300ER in first class. As a reminder, I’m in the midst of a “vintage” trip report to India/Maldives. But even though...
9 Airlines. 14 Flights. Which One Surprised Me The Most?
My last whirlwind trip around the world included a number of exceptional flights from top carriers around the world. But one stood out more than others. One surprised me so pleasantly that it merits a special post. In case...
Southwest Hands United Airlines A Free Gift
As the 737 MAX saga continues, Southwest is really feeling the squeeze. Its latest response is to close its Newark station. Talk about a free gift for United… Southwest has been forced to cancel an escalating number of flights...
Booked: Asia Via Australia In Virgin Australia Business Class
Earlier this week I mentioned my upcoming layover in Bali and asked for your help on where to stay there. I am flying a rather unconventional route to get there. Singapore is my ultimate destination. Rather than flying nonstop...
Editorial: It’s Time To Ban Emotional Support Animals Onboard Flights
In light of the recent attack of a flight attendant by a so-called emotional support dog, it is time to ban these animals from U.S. commercial flights. Let’s start by identifying the problem. Year after year, attack after attack,...
EgyptAir Ridicules British Airways For Cancelled Cairo Flights
An EgyptAir official ridiculed British Airways for cutting flights to Cairo “without a logical reason” as questions continue to swirl around the mysterious and unilateral cancellation. British Airways suspended flights to Cairo for at least one week, citing security...
Review: Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi (AUH)
The Etihad Premium Lounge in Abu Dhabi Terminal 3 is expansive with comfortable seating and good food. I’m going to limit this review to mainly photos because they paint a holistic portrait of this lounge, but a few thoughts....
The Solution To My Orange Juice Woes In Hotels and Airport Lounges
The solution to my orange juice woes was right under my nose…literally. Ok, I think we need a disclaimer to start. This is one of the ultimate first world problems. But that’s what this blog is about, so let’s...
First Impressions: Air Italy A330 Business Class
The service and comfort on Air Italy exceeded my expectations. I enjoyed an excellent flight from Milan to San Francisco. Really, the highlight of this flight was the service from Paolo and Maurizio. Maurizio worked my side of the aisle...
AA Flight Attendant Viciously Attacked By Emotional Support Dog
U.S. airlines have cracked down on emotional support animals this year, but the problem remains…as one American Airlines flight attendant can now painfully attest. On Monday, an American Airlines flight attendant was bitten by an emotional support dog on...
United Airlines Expands ConnectionSaver To More Hubs
United Airlines will expand its already-popular ConnectionSaver to more hubs starting this week. In June, I wrote about United’s ConnectionSaver tool that rolled out to Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles. Starting this week, United will roll out the tool...
Air Italy Is Horrific On The Ground, Stunning In The Air
I’m safely back home after a lovely trip around the world. My final new flight experience, on Air Italy, was an interesting one. I’ll use this post to paint the juxtaposition between Air Italy on the ground and Air...
A Maid Walked In On Me…Naked
I really need to follow my own advice on locking the deadbolt in hotel rooms. Here’s another friendly reminder via an unfortunate anecdote. I spent the night at the Sheraton Milan Malpensa, a great hotel if you have a...
