Boeing does not owe the public, including its shareholders, an immediate explanation for what happened to an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 that crashed after takeoff yesterday, killing everyone onboard. But it would be wise to address the issue...
As China Grounds 737 MAX, Safety Questions Abound
Tragically, an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 MAX traveling from Addis Ababa to Nairobi crashed shortly after takeoff yesterday. 159 perished and there were no survivors. The second crash of this aircraft variant in a matter of months has left...
Marriott’s Loyalty Program Is So Bad, “Bonvoy” Is a Derogatory Verb
Many lines of prose have been written about the bungling of Marriott Bonvoy, their loyalty program transition. Now that the program has been re-launched, many loyalists are using the peculiar name of the botched program, “Bonvoy”, as a derogatory verb. If...
Review: Coral Lounge Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok
My credit cards give me a membership in the Priority Pass program which allows me to use lounges all over the world. But Don Muang International in Bangkok, the discounter hub is not where you’d expect to find one....
Review: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach (Family Ocean Suite)
Yesterday I reviewed the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. Today, I want to separately review the family ocean suite, perfect for a family traveling together. For all I rave about the Kahala, if you are on a budget...
Help! I’m An Airline Packrat…
A packrat is a person who saves unnecessary objects or hoards things. When it comes to airline-related paraphernalia, I am guilty as charged. I know I’m not the only one, so let me address this more generally to all...
Opinion: United Should Invest In Polaris, Not Livery
Yesterday, I wrote about United’s plans to introduce a new livery next month. Today, I argue that there are far more pressing priorities than fuselage paint jobs. The new livery will likely incorporate the new purple and blue hues...
Book Delta Awards With Virgin Atlantic, Not Delta
It merits mentioning just what an incredible deal your Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles are when redeeming on nonstop Delta flights, particularly in business class. We are in an odd era in which an airline charges significantly more miles...
Review: Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach has been a family favorite for many years. The refreshed rooms and central location make this a location worth considering and my favorite Hyatt property in Honolulu. During my trip to Hawaii last month...
My Dull Sense Of Remorse Over Missed Marriott Redemption
If you have not been living under a rock, you know that Marriott Bonvoy introduced a new Category 8 for hotel redemptions on March 5th. Overnight, many awards dramatically rose in price. We knew this was coming for several months,...
The Secret Pacific Island Where Vintage Aircraft Still Fly
Did you know there is an island off the coast of New Zealand with an airline that still uses aircraft built in the 1950s on commercial flights? I’m talking about Chatham Island. My love of geography goes back two decades...
United Will Introduce New Livery Next Month
When United Airlines and Continental merged, the United name may have survived, but the Continental livery did. Now comes the chance for true reconciliation. I say that facetiously, of course, since the paint on aircraft is like the old...
Dear United FAs, Please Stick To The Script!
Flight attendants on United Airlines will soon have more leeway and flexibility in making onboard safety and service announcements. In fact, United is even inviting FAs to show “personality”. Does that mean we are doomed to Southwest-style tomfoolery? Let’s hope...
Southwest’s Hawaii Experiment Is Missing One Essential Ingredient
Southwest is launching service to Hawaii next week but is leaving far too much at the table thanks to its quirky scheduling policies. The problem can be summed up in one word: redeyes. Southwest doesn’t do them and has...
Qatar Airways Has Every Right To Ditch Oneworld, But Should Stay
In January, I argued the question is not whether Qatar Airways is leaving oneworld, but whether Qatar Airways is plotting to take over oneworld. I stand by that assessment and think the latest threats by the eccentric Qatar Airways...
A Very Classy Move By United Airlines
There are few things in life, if any, harder than losing a loved one. I simply cannot imagine the pain of losing the one you loved most. For one widow who recently lost her spouse, United Airlines made the...
I Did Drop To Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status…
Just a quick follow-up to my post last month about unexpectedly keeping Marriott Bonvoy Platinum status longer than expected. I rarely stay in Marriott/Starwood properties but received Marriott Gold status as a benefit of my 1K status on United....
A Tangential Ad Campaign From Lufthansa
Lufthansa has released a series of finely-made videos that have absolutely nothing to do with airline travel, save for the fact that they take place in countries that Lufthansa serves. I still enjoyed watching them. A series of four...
“Drop Everything! Evacuate Immediately! The Plane Will Explode!”
Passengers on an Air China flight to Los Angeles were serenaded with a wonderful warning: “Drop everything! Evacuate immediately! The plane will explode!” On Monday, Air China flight 983, operated by a Boeing 777, took off from Beijing toward...
Passenger Charges Obese Seatmate $150 To Sit Next To Him
Clever or cruel? That’s the debate over a man who charged his obese seatmate $150 to avoid being bumped off a flight. On Reddit, a man asked, “AITA for making an obese man pay me cash to take up...
