Earlier this week I had the chance to spend a night at the brand-new Grand Hyatt at San Francisco International Airport. Not only did I score a nice suite upgrade, I had an incredible view from the bathtub. The...
Nervous American Airlines Flight Attendant Leads To Money Laundering Bust
Some people are horrible liars. Like the American Airlines flight attendant who got a little nervous when questioned by customs officials in Miami. The result was four flight attendants arrested for money laundering. After arriving from Santiago (SCL), immigration...
It’s Official: Thai Airways In Crisis Mode
For Thai Airways, the path is clear: reform or die. That’s at least the warning from senior leadership to employees. And while recent actions suggest this is not merely a bluff, Thai still lacks a vision for moving forward....
WestJet Pokes Fun At Air Canada
While Air Canada decided to poke fun at Canada itself, WestJet chose to poke fun at Air Canada. In a response to Air Canada’s recent new “travel like a Canadian” ad campaign, WestJet is promising not to treat people...
With Air New Zealand Gone, Will United Double Up On LAX-LHR?
Air New Zealand is abandoning its Fifth Freedom route between Los Angeles and London. Will United step up with a second daily flight? Air New Zealand has served London since 1982. Until a few years ago, Air New Zealand...
While Qantas Teases, Air New Zealand Delivers
Qantas made headlines for its historic nonstop “test” flight from New York to Sydney last Friday, but doesn’t even know if the route is viable. Meanwhile, Air New Zealand has announced that it will serve New York nonstop from...
Should You Always Include Middle Name(s) On Airline Ticket?
Is it always necessary to include your middle name(s) in an airline reservation? In short, no…but it’s still foolish not to. The Guardian shares the story of a passenger who booked with Blue Panorama, an Italian airline operating from...
Thai Airways Cancels Six Routes, Concedes Lack Of Vision
Facing relentless competition and pressure to move from loss to profit, Thai Airways will retreat from six routes in Southeast Asia. Thai Airways will suspend service from Bangkok (BKK) to the following six cities: Vientiane (Laos) Luang Prabang (Laos)...
U.S. Tightens The Screws On Cuban Tourism
The United States is targeting tourism in Cuba with new sanctions on leased aircraft from the USA. Citing its repression of its own people and support for the “illegitimate” Maduro regime in Venezuela, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and...
Will Southwest Really Merge With Alaska Or JetBlue?
Rumors are swirling that Southwest Airlines may solve its lingering Boeing 737 MAX problem by acquiring another airline. I just don’t see it happening. The theory goes something like this. Southwest has over 100 737 MAX on order, with...
Review: Lufthansa Business Lounge Athens (ATH)
Small but serviceable, the Lufthansa lounge in Athens was a nice alternative to the even-more-crowded Aegean lounge nearby. This Schengen lounge is located near gate A25 and available to Star Alliance Gold members as well as Lufthansa or SWISS...
Flight Attendants Faint And AA Flight Diverts After Onboard Chemical Spill
An American Airlines flight from London to Philadelphia diverted to Dublin after fumes from a lavatory cleaning product knocked out two flight attendants and made passengers nauseous. AA729, an Airbus A330-300, took off from London on schedule at 10:15AM,...
The Melodramatic “Guinea Pigs” On 19.5-Hour Qantas Flight…
A small cadre of travel journalists and bloggers was invited to take part on the 19.5-hour nonstop from New York to Sydney on Friday. I’m chuckling at how seriously some of them took it. Angus Whitley of Forbes flew...
Boeing Digs Its Own Grave
Credibility is a peculiar thing. It takes years, sometimes decades to build, and can best lost in an instant. The ongoing 737 MAX sage has already cost Boeing most of its credibility, but somehow Boeing found a way to...
How A JetBlue Gate Agent Truly Gamed The System
A former JetBlue gate agent faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for an elaborate yet simply-executed fraud scheme. Tiffany Jenkins was an enterprising gate agent for JetBlue in Boston. She hatched a plan to save...
Counterpoint: United Changes Better For Flyers
United Airlines announced some unpopular changes to their frequent flyer program, Mileage Plus. While most met the changes with criticism and contempt, it may actually be better for flyers. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
United, Delta Short-Haul Aircraft Better Than American Mainline
As Delta further invests in the customer experience of smaller jets and United rolls out CRJ550s they have surpassed the American mainline fleet. When will management learn? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
What An Airport Auction Is Like
Pittsburgh International Airport announced their annual auction and I have always wanted to attend. This is what an airport auction is really like. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If...
Dangerously Addictive Lobster Mac & Cheese On United
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. Like many,...
Why I’m Seriously Considering An American Express Centurion (Black) Card
It’s not for the points. It’s certainly not for the status. But I am seriously considering an American Express Centurion Card, more popularly known as the AMEX “Black” card. For many years, I’ve chuckled at clients who put tens...
