Christmas is one of my favorite times of year in part because of the many cherished traditions surrounding the holiday. One of them has become the annual Christmas video from WestJet. Each year around this time WestJet releases a...
A Crass Billboard At LAX
I’m amused at a pair of new billboards that has sprung up above the ridesharing pick-up lot at Los Angeles International Airport… As you drive into or out of LAX, you’ll be met with all sorts of billboards. Most...
Italy’s Plan For Alitalia Centers On Lufthansa
In trying to save ailing flag carrier Alitalia, Italy has one objective in mind: get Lufthansa onboard. I’ve written often about the struggles at Alitalia. As the struggling carrier continues to lose money, the Italian government is looking for...
Female Pilots Sue Frontier Airlines For Punishing Pregnancy, Motherhood
Eight female pilots and flight attendants are suing Frontier Airlines, claiming the budget carrier discriminates against pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding. Take Randi Freyer. She’s a Frontier Airlines pilot and a mother of two. Two months before...
Emirates Interrogates + Denies Boarding To Woman Allergic To Apples
A woman who alerted Emirates that she was allergic to apples was instead interrogated by Emirates employees upon check-in and ultimately denied boarding. The incident took place last year, but was discussed in the New York Times’ “Tripped Up”...
Delta CEO Explains Why Inflight Internet Isn’t Free…Yet
While Delta has floated the idea of complimentary in-flight wi-fi internet for years, there’s one big roadblock: bandwith. So says Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Speaking at the Economic Club of Washington, Bastian lauded internet availability on Delta and expressed...
Air Malta Eyes A321XLR Service to USA And India
Maltese flag-carrier Air Malta confirmed its intention to add service to New York and India with its incoming Airbus A321XLR. Air Malta chairman Charles Mangion told ATW: “An India connection is important if the local economy is to continue to...
Aeroflot Unveils Stunning New Business Class Suites On A350
Aeroflot Russian Airlines has unveiled a beautiful new business class suite that will debut on its new Airbus A350 jets next spring. Aeroflot A350 Business Class Suites In photos obtained by Henrik Olsen of InsideFlyer.dk, we see a tasteful...
What Do People Steal From Hotel Rooms?
Pens, towels, and bathrobes…for sure. But what else do people steal from hotel rooms? A new survey offers fascinating results. Wellness Heaven is a German-based guide for luxury hotels. It surveyed 1,157 four and five star properties to probe...
Aeroplan Update: No News Is Not Good News
Still having trouble booking your Aeroplan award? If so, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, there is still not a global fix to what has become an ongoing issue. I’ve outlined the problem here. Put simply, Air Canada recently transitioned to...
Eek: Woman Stung By Scorpion On United Airlines Flight
A scorpion onboard a United Airlines flight to Atlanta stung a woman multiple times before being captured by flight attendants. The incident occurred onboard UA1554 from San Francisco to Atlanta last Thursday morning. A woman reported that while in...
Unlike Matthew, United’s CEO Change Makes Me Reconsider Loyalty
United announced this week that CEO, Oscar Munoz, would step down with United President, Scott Kirby, taking over May 1st, 2020. Changes like these don’t affect flyers often but I’m reconsidering my loyalty to United. If you are considering...
The Case For, Against Airline Loyalty
Following unwanted management changes at United and unrequited management changes at American, I am re-examining my airline loyalty. Here are the arguments for and against holding loyalty status. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Manchester’s Principal Hotel Rebranded Kimpton Clocktower
We know Manchester (we lived there for several years) and love The Principal hotel. IHG acquired it (along with 13 others) last year in an effort to bolster the Kimpton brand. In January, the Kimpton Clocktower will launch where...
First Class Steak: ANA Vs. JAL
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...
Generous Compensation At United Airlines…For Outgoing And Incoming CEO
Oscar Munoz is leaving his CEO position not only with high accolades, but a higher salary. Meanwhile, incoming CEO Scott Kirby has a very big incentive to push United’s stock price higher. Late yesterday afternoon, United made a pair...
Woman Forced To Remove “Hail Satan” Shirt On American Airlines
A woman was forced to remove her “Hail Satan” t-shirt on an American Airlines flight from Miami to Las Vegas. Was this appropriate or another case of a flight attendant going too far in policing wardrobes? Swati Runi Goyal...
Is “Interspace” The Premium Economy Class Seat Of The Future?
Will a new premium economy class seat dubbed “Interspace” finally make flying behind the curtain more comfortable? London-based design firm Universal Movement, a subsidiary of New Territory, has unveiled a new economy class seat design this week. The seat...
United CEO Oscar Munoz Reflects Upon His Departure
Yesterday, United announced that Oscar Munoz would be stepping aside as CEO in 2020 to become of Executive Chairman. Scott Kirby, United’s current President, will fill the role. Scott Kirby Will Replace Oscar Munoz As United CEO In 2020...
Editorial: Scott Kirby, New United CEO, Has Earned My Respect
He’s called the heartless bean counter, the tone-deaf numbers man who fails the basic empathy test. But I’d caution all of us to stop attacking incoming United CEO Scott Kirby before he even starts. News of Kirby’s promotion was...
