American Airlines is testing a new award search engine on aa.com that much more closely resembles the current mobile booking platform. That’s bad news… For the past couple of weeks, half the time I search for an award on AA.com...
An Unattractive Alaska Mileage Plan Redemption Becomes Even More Unattractive
Prices are going up for economy class award redemptions on Icelandair using Alaska Airlines’ miles. Put another way, a poor value will become an even poorer value. Alaska has many superb partners in its Mileage Plan program. It also...
The Conspiracy To Crush AirAsia In Indonesia
Two airlines in Indonesia…and arguably the Indonesian government as well…have teamed up to squeeze AirAsia out of Indonesia. It’s a fascinating story of deception and duplicity. Imagine a circular rope. In the center is AirAsia Indonesia. Around it are...
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery
We’re going to have to wait a bit longer to see what United’s new livery actually looks like. Earlier today I presented four renderings that appeared on the website of a San Francisco design firm that represented United Airlines...
Former United Executive Is Starting (Another) New Budget Airline
United’s former Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Levy, wants to start a budget airline to serve secondary airports in the USA. Levy also helped to establish Allegiant Air, but hopes to establish a more “reliable” airline than the current batch...
Simple Words Will Make Or Break United’s New Express Meal Service
It’s not about the product, it’s about how you sell it. That’s my admonition to United Airlines today. Last week I wrote about United’s decision to trial mandatory “express” meal service on late-night flights to Europe from Washington Dulles. Rather...
United Airlines Partners With Sunday Riley For New Amenity Kits
So long Cowshed, hello Sunday Riley. United has unveiled new amenity kits and a partnership with a niche American beauty brand. Later this month, United will roll out new amenity kits in Polaris (business class), Premium Plus (premium economy),...
A Fresh “Green New Meal” Era For Airline Food
You’ve heard about the Green New Deal, but have you heard about the Green New Meal? Singapore Airlines (SIA) embraced a “From Farm to Plane” concept a couple of years ago and has slowly been expanding it. This year, Singapore...
Final Four: Pick The Next United Airlines Livery
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery Perhaps deliberately, perhaps accidentally, it does appear we now have a very good idea of the next-generation United livery will resemble. Yesterday I wrote about a quartet of livery designs that suddenly appeared...
Is This What United’s New Livery Looks Like? (Pictures)
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery United is set to unveil an “evolution” to its livery later this month, but we may already have a very good clue as to what the new design will resemble. While it...
A Superb Southern California Airport Lounge
I just found a superb airport lounge that had better food than American Express Centurion Lounges but was empty…totally empty. Ontario International Airport, in Southern California’s Inland Empire, offers and Escape Lounge in Terminal 2. It’s not part of the...
First Class: Air France Vs. SWISS
Both Air France and SWISS offer exclusive first class products. Which overall product is better? Today I compare the 777-300 experience on both airlines. If you’re interested in reading complete flight reviews, I’ve carefully reviewed both products below: SWISS...
A Tribute To A Wonderful United Club Agent
Chris Orr, a longtime United Club agent in Denver, retires on Wednesday. Her consistently superior customer service…and public service…over the years serve as a remarkable testimony to her character. Orr began donating blood in 1976. Since then, she has...
Remembering The Hero Air France Pilot In Operation Entebbe
Although perhaps no longer a household name, a hero died last week. His name was Michel Bacos. He was an Air France pilot. Bacos was captain of Air France 139 on June 27, 1976, heading from Tel Aviv to Paris. The...
In What Parallel Universe Is Heathrow Terminal 5 World’s Best Terminal?
Skytrax has lost even more credibility in my book by awarding world’s best terminal to none other than London Heathrow’s Terminal 5. Was this supposed to be a joke? Skytrax is out with its 2019 airport ratings and I’m...
Affordable Trans-Atlantic Fares Will Remain Despite WOW Air Failure
This week Icelandic discount carrier, WOW Air, folded. Passengers, aircraft, and employees were left stranded across destinations when the airline ceased operations. While WOW Air was part of the cheap Trans-Atlantic flight revolution, it won’t go away simply because they did. If...
Iberia Bungled My Avios Balance, Risk It or Leave It?
As part of Iberia’s excellent Avios promotion, I earned 90,000 Avios for less than $400. However, despite following the promotion, I have a negative balance and a booked trip. I can’t decide if I should leave it negative or...
The Power of Points Is Freedom, Not Just Savings
The true power of miles and points is not in saving travelers money, but in offering them freedom. On a recent trip, we made a change in plans and decided on a whim to visit the Cayman Islands for...
In Search Of Great Pizza On An Airplane
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. Is it...
Flying United Airlines This Weekend? How To Make Some Money On The Side…
If you’re flying on United Airlines this weekend in longhaul business class, you’re in for a special treat. And I’m not necessarily talking about the seat or food or service. Instead, I’m talking about an extra amenity United will offer...
