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, 2020, an Aeroflot flight was supposed to operate to New York to repatriate Russians trapped in […]
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 which order if depressed demand continues. Which Aircraft Will United Retire If Demand Continues To Slump? […]
Airline Unemployment Has a Curve Too
The world just learned about the importance of flattening the curve of coronavirus, but airline unemployment has a curve too and we need to flatten that as well. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add […]
Things A Travel Blogger Cannot Say About Coronavirus
Believe it or not, there are just some things a travel blogger cannot say about coronavirus and the current lockdown around the world. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Caveat: I don’t […]
Why I Oppose Bailouts For Airlines, Hotels, And Especially Boeing
I’ve chewed on this issue for several days, trying to place logic over emotion and seek pragmatism over pettiness. But I simply cannot support the sort of widescale bailouts that airlines, hotels, and even Boeing are now seeking. First, let me note the unique time we live in. Like the events of 9/11/2001 and consequences […]
How Long Before Employees Refuse to Work Coronavirus Flights?
Coronavirus is spreading and those who travel the most (flight attendants and pilots) have reason for concern. But how long before employees refuse to work coronavirus flights? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us […]
Coronavirus Creating Opportunities for Brave Travelers
The novel Coronavirus-19 is spreading concern worldwide, but for those brave enough to travel during this period, it’s also creating opportunity. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Coronavirus Spreading The Novel Coronavirus […]
SFO Airport Was Made For Jennifer Garner
San Francisco International Airport was made for Jennifer Garner. Well, at least she made herself at home during a recent visit. I haven’t seen it at other airports, but SFO Terminal 3 has this amazing moving walkway that is bouncy…it feels like you are on a little trampoline. For over a decade, I have skipped […]
Delta Should Think Twice Before Dancing On Air Italy’s Grave
You can bet that there was euphoria in the C-Suites of Delta Air Lines over the news of Air Italy’s collapse. But the untimely demise of Air Italy does not excuse Delta of hypocrisy nor validate its longstanding protest against Air Italy. From Air Italy’s inception, Delta cried foul, arguing the market could not support […]
World’s “Nicest” Airline? Here’s What It Looks Like
This week, airline pioneer David Neeleman introduced Breeze Airways, a new airline that will begin flying in the United States later this year. He dubbed it “world’s nicest airline” but offered few details how it would achieve that title. Here are my suggestions. No Change Fees Southwest claims it makes more money by not charging […]
United Airlines Cuts More China Flights In February + March
As the coronavirus continues to spread, thousands are abandoning travel plans to China. United Airlines is responding by suspending flights to two Mainland airports and Hong Kong for the next two months. This is an update to an earlier post. United Suspends Flights to Hong Kong Between February 01-08, United will suspend flights to Hong Kong […]
Editorial: Delta Is Living In The Future
Delta has become the airline to beat in many respects among US carriers. From pet carriers to closed-door business class suites, Delta is absolutely living in the future. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add […]
Gross: Airline Passenger Dries Out Wet Shoe In Overhead Vent
How do you pass the time on your flight? Reading? Watching a movie? Perhaps airing out your stinky shoe using the overhead vent? Passenger Shaming, one of my favorite Instagram accounts, brings us another installment of passengers malfeasance. An American Airlines passenger was filmed lifting up his gym shoe to the individual air nozzle in […]
FAA Whistleblower Alleges Southwest Airlines Favoritism
A whistleblower from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has alleged that regulators cut corners and neglected safety concerns in an effort to aid Southwest Airlines. The Office of Special Counsel, which investigates whistleblower complaints from federal agencies, “Found a substantial likelihood of wrongdoing” after reviewing the complaint. It has since granted whistleblower protection status to the […]
Employee Influencers On United Airlines
United is turning to savvy employees to bolster its image across social media platforms, enlisting flight attendants and baggage handlers to post pictures and commentary. The Chicago Tribune unpacks what has become a growing trend for companies seeking a more authentic brand image. Of course United has a dedicated social media team; this goes beyond […]
Boeing Returns To Drawing Board On New Aircraft Design
Boeing has been developing a new mid-size aircraft for years but announced yesterday it is starting from scratch. For several years, Boeing has been working on a New Midmarket Airplane (NMA) that is intended to replace the 767 and offer a “goldilocks” aircraft that is not too small, but not too large. But with the […]
Dutch Airline Executive Captured In Italy, Extradited To USA
A former Dutch airline executive was arrested in Italy and has been extradited to the USA over conspiracy charges to fix prices on airline cargo routes. Maria Christina Ullings served for many years as the Senior Vice President of Cargo Sales and Marketing for Martinair, a Dutch cargo airline. For a period spanning at least 2001 […]
Verizon Disappoints Big Time In Israel
Since I made the switch from T-Mobile from Verizon, I’ve been paying more for mobile phone and data service but have enjoyed relatively smooth access…until my trip to Israel last week. Verizon Service In Israel Put simply, data connectivity was horribly inconsistent and generally did not work for the entire week, no matter where I […]
An Airline Pilot Explains Why Full Automation Will Never Happen
121pilot, a U.S. commercial airline pilot and contributor to Live and Let’s Fly, writes about automation. Automation Of Commercial Airlines? It’s Not Going To Happen… Matthew’s recent blog entry about Boeing’s desire to cut pilots out of flying is just the latest in a long string of articles in aviation journals about how airliners are moving […]
Spend Your Upgrades Early and Often
Hotels, airlines and even car rental companies give us benefits that are good all year, but sometimes we treat them too preciously. This is the year to spend your upgrades early and often! If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us […]
