It is the day before Christmas and I am in a creative mood… I want to keep the mood light this week, but as we reflect upon the season I cannot help but to offer some social commentary, in...
My Christmas Gift: Air France First Class
Christmas comes early for me this year: I’m finally flying Air France first class! As you know, my wife and son are already in Europe. Although I was in London last weekend, I flew right home for one more...
Is United’s New Employee Bonus Program Naughty Or Nice?
United Airlines has unveiled the latest iteration of its employee bonus program, a plan that theoretically could pay employees more but likely will pay less. The old program awarded $100/month for hitting operational targets (paid on a quarterly basis)....
What Happens When You Actually Smoke During A Flight?
The no smoking signs are ubiquitous, but so are the ashtrays (by U.S. federal law). So what happens when someone just decides ignore the signs and light up? In India, a smoker refused to extinguish cigarette on a recent...
Was OneJet Genuine or a Scam?
As a travel blogger based in Pittsburgh, OneJet was a great story, but now that is has filed for bankruptcy was it really just a scam after all or a good idea gone wrong? If you are considering booking travel or signing...
Delta’s Nationalist Ambitions Hurt American Airlines
Delta Air Lines has been the most vocal US Carrier in regards to the “Middle East 3” expansion in the North American market. While Delta claims to defend jobs for American citizens, its double-edged sword cuts both ME3 and...
Review: Hilton Narita Airport – Day Rate
During a trip to Manila, I had a layover in each direction at Tokyo Narita. The first layover was too short to leave the airport (six hours) but the second was perfect for a Day Rate stay at the...
Dense, Dimwitted Logic From A Deliberately Deceptive Delta CEO
Air Italy’s USA expansion has caused a stir amongst U.S. legacy carriers. But Delta CEO Ed Bastian’s op-ed response is riddled with deception and outright mistruth. Feel free to start by reading Ed Bastian’s op-ed without my commentary. I’m...
The Real Reason United Airlines Is Buying ExpressJet
United Airlines wants a steady stream of pilots. It also wants to avoid the labor costs it pays to mainline flight attendants. The result is a convoluted acquisition of a regional airline that really takes some unpacking to understand....
India’s Grand Plan To Save Air India
If you can’t sell it, you might as well pour $330 million more tax dollars into it, right? That’s the new plan for Air India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Parliament for 23 billion rupees ($330 million USD)...
Review: P.F. Chang’s LAX (Priority Pass Restaurant)
Thanks to my forgotten passport, I had a chance eat dinner at P.F. Chang’s last week in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. This restaurant is the latest addition to the Priority Pass portfolio at LAX, which makes...
Review: American Airlines A321T Business Class New York To Los Angeles
My evening flight from New York to Los Angeles on American Airlines was a nice change of pace from my usual United flight. I generally don’t stray from United Airlines domestically, but United was sold out in business class...
Help! A Medical Emergency On A Cruise To Antarctica
A dear Award Expert client and friend sent me a frantic What’sApp message yesterday: Help! My husband has a detached retina and we are in the middle of the sea. We won’t reach Antarctica for three days. The doctor...
Super Cheap Business Class Fares To New York On Air Serbia
Air Serbia is offering incredible business class fares on flights to New York from Prague via Belgrade. If you’re looking for a New York getaway this winter or early spring, now is your chance. Fares from Prague to New...
Use Miles For A Sneak Peek At LAX Polaris Lounge
United’s fifth Polaris Lounge opens at Los Angeles International Airport on January 12, 2019. But through a special sale to MileagePlus members, you can enter the day before. As with past lounges, United is offering a special preview to...
Negative First Impressions: Virgin Atlantic 787-9 Upper Class
I flew home from London to LA on Virgin Atlantic’s new 787-9 in Upper Class, my first Virgin Atlantic flight since 2014. I’ve got to say, I was disappointed. The flight attendants onboard were fabulous: very attentive, witty, and...
South African Airways Turns To Emirates For Help
Cash-strapped South African Airways has turned to Emirates in a bid to turn around its dire financial situation. I’ve written about South African Airways several times, but stopped recently because I was just writing the same thing, over and...
Flying While Blind
Have you ever wondered what it is like to fly commercial as a blind person? An opinion column in the New York Times vividly shares a first-hand account. It’s well worth a read. Georgina Kleege is an English lecturer...
Join The Entire Live And Let’s Fly Team At FTU Seattle!
You can meet the entire Live and Let’s Fly team at Frequent Traveler University in Seattle this March! Carly, Kyle, and I will be speaking on a number of relevant travel topics including manufactured spending, leveraging frequent flyer miles...
The Angry German On My British Airways Flight
I’ve written about the seat recline debate on many occasions, but finally experienced a real-life incident on my recent British Airways flight. My position has been consistent over the years. Whether you recline your seat is your prerogative, not...
