There’s a lot of uncertainty, bad news and fear right now. This week I was thinking about our last trip to Italy and how much we loved it and wanted to share some of our experience. If you are...
What Does Airline Meal Service Look Like During COVID-19 Crisis?
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. U.S. airlines...
How To Request An American Express Centurion (Black) Card
Last autumn, I wrote extensively about why I was considering an American Express Centurion (Black) card. While I ultimately opted against the card, it’s now easier than ever to request one. I chose not to get the card for...
Air France Sends Me A Note…
Yesterday afternoon, an unexpected email popped up from Air France in my inbox. Actually, it came from KLM, Air France’s Dutch partner, and was signed Airfrance (sic), not Air France. Anyway, here’s the letter: Dear Customer, Due to a...
Americans Trapped In Moscow Airport After Aeroflot Flight Ordered Back To Gate
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,...
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...
Germany Backs Lufthansa Effort To Stop Issuing Refunds
The German government has endorsed Lufthansa’s argument that it cannot survive if it must issue refunds for cancelled tickets. Just last week the European Commission re-affirmed regulation that mandates airlines to promptly refund tickets for flight cancellations. Lufthansa, among...
United Suspends Service To Four Hawaiian Cities
With airplanes running virtually empty, United will further reduce domestic flights and axe service to four stations in Hawaii. Between April 8 and May 3rd, United will suspend service between the U.S. mainland and: Hilo (ITO) Kona (KOA) Lihue...
Wow: United Airlines Loses $100MN In Revenue Per DAY
Speaking to employees in a town hall-style meeting, United’s two leaders presented sobering numbers and warned that recovery may be much slower than originally hoped for. Incoming CEO Scott Kirby and Outgoing CEO Oscar Munoz virtually sat down with...
Review: Air France Lounge Houston (IAH)
I stopped by the Air France Lounge during my last connection in Houston. While not a bad place for a quick snack, the Priority Pass lounge felt a bit like a dungeon. The lounge is located in the far...
Air France Downgrades Me From First Class To Business Class…
It goes without saying that there are far more important issues going on today than my Air France ticket. Still, consider this a diversion. As feared, Air France has re-issued my A380 and 777-300 tickets, knocking me out of...
Why Two Southwest Pilots Are Heaping Praises On United Airlines
There’s a kinship in the airline business that transcends company uniforms. Just ask two Southwest Airlines pilots who are now singing praises to United Airlines. In an internal story shared with Live and Let’s Fly, the act of kindness...
Is Virgin Atlantic On The Verge Of Collapse?
With cash-starved Virgin Atlantic fighting for survival, Airbus, Rolls Royce, and Heathrow Airport have urged the British government to support the beleaguered carrier. Per Sky News, Airbus, Rolls-Royce Holdings and Heathrow Airport each delivered letters of support to Grant...
Is Now The Time To Buy Miles?
Airlines, desperate for cash, are running lucrative purchased miles promotions. The opportunities seem almost too good to pass up, don’t they? But don’t buy miles unless you have a very specific trip in mind. Not in this world of...
Trip Report: Flying United During COVID-19 Epidemic
Reader Mark, a family friend, travelled on United earlier this week. He shared with me with this report, which is interesting on so many levels about what it was like to travel across the country during the height of...
Booked! Air France A380 + 777 La Première First Class…For Now?
I took advantage of a cheap fare offered out of Algeria last weekend to confirm two trips in first class on Air France. But will Air France honor the tickets? Flying Air France First Class on the 777-300ER was...
Virgin Australia’s New Humanitarian Mission: Toilet Paper
With a worldwide shortage of toilet paper caused by mass hoarding in many nations, Virgin Australia has embarked upon a new humanitarian mission. Instead of its usual April Fool’s Day jokes, Virgin Australia is donating toilet tissue to vulnerable...
Democrats Demand Airline Ticket Refunds For Everyone Who Wants One
A group of nine U.S. Senators from the Democratic Party have signed a letter urging airlines to promptly refund tickets that consumers cancelled due to COVID-19. While I’m sympathetic to such pleas, I think that ship has passed… To...
My Interview With A COVID-19 Positive United Employee
A United employee who has contracted COVID-19 reached out to me. We spoke. He shared some disturbing information which United, not surprisingly, has pushed back on. But his story warrants our attention. The employee chose not to go on...
First Impressions: South African Airways A330 Business Class
I recently had the chance to fly South African Airways onboard the A330-300 in business class from Johannesburg to Accra. It turned out to be a very pleasant flight experience that greatly exceeded expectations. South African Airways is operating...
