A flight delay and extremely tight connection in San Francisco led to the Global Services treatment for this United Premier 1K flyer. I’ve got to hand it to United Airlines and its Twitter team…you really impressed my wife, and...
Lufthansa Suspends Iran Flights Over Missile Fears
Initial reports suggesting all airspace over Tehran was closed for military drills were incorrect, but Lufthansa has extended its flight suspension to Tehran even as Arab allies warn Iran not to attack Israel. Lufthansa Flights To Iran Remain Suspended...
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul (IST)
I stopped by the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge while in Istanbul and it remains one of my favorite business class lounges in the world. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge Istanbul Review (IST) My original review below is still valid in...
Cool: Solar Eclipse Flights On Delta And United
I missed the solar eclipse this week…I was on the other side of the world…but hopefully when the next one rolls around in 2044 (I’ll be a very old man by then…) I will be in the right place...
Delta Air Lines’ New Boarding System: Lipstick On A Pig
Delta Air Lines is changing the way it boards flights…kind of. The minor tinkering to the boarding process is mostly lipstick on a pig but sparks a debate that will certainly divide flyers. New New Boarding System On Delta...
Why I Instantly Jumped On British Airways Status Match
British Airways is offering a lucrative status match to customers based in North America and I took advantage of this opportunity almost instantly yesterday. You should too if you are considering it, because my hunch is this status match...
The Mysterious Woman At The Bank Hotel Bar In Istanbul
I had a couple of cocktails at The Bank, a Marriott Design hotel in Istanbul that my friend was staying at. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop bar (even in the cold of winter when the sides are closed)....
United Airlines Flight Diverts After Dog Defecates In First Class Cabin
Weeks after a similar incident, another dog defecated on the floor of the forward lavatory and first class cabin on a United Airlines flight, forcing a costly diversion. Isn’t it time to require dogs to be kept in cages...
Spirit Airlines Delays A320neo Deliveries, Plans Pilot Furlough
In a move it hopes will help end its streak of quarterly losses, Spirit Airlines has reached a deal with Airbus to delay future A320neo aircraft deliveries. Spirit will also furlough hundreds of pilots in a bid to cut...
How Turkey Is Telling The Story Of The War In Gaza
The ideological war of the Erdogan regime in Turkey is on full display in the center of Istanbul’s Taksim Square, with a walk-in propaganda exhibit meant to stoke pity for the cause of Palestinian children but rather odiously painting...
Great Mexican Food In Istanbul
I make it a point to seek out Mexican food wherever I am in the world. Admittedly, it’s usually pretty bad…but that was not the case in Istanbul, where I enjoyed a delicious and surprisingly authentic dinner. Best Mexican...
Happy Now? Impatient First Class Passenger Shoves Woman During Boarding, Gets Thrown Off United Airlines Flight
An impatient first class passenger who shoved past a woman much smaller than him because he thought she was not entitled to board a United Airlines flight before him deserved to be thrown off. Kudos to the flight crew...
United Airlines Restricting Award Space To Partners
In what appears to be a change to longstanding policy, United Airlines is no longer making all of its “saver level” award space available to members of partner frequent flyer programs. If this is indeed a new trend, it...
Classical Concert At Atatürk Cultural Centre In Istanbul
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Istanbul was attending a classical concert in the beautiful Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM). Music is a common language that unites us all. A Lovely Classical Concert At Ataturk Cultural Center...
Lovely Husband Always Takes The Last First Class Upgrade, Leaving Wife Behind
I’m re-running this classic piece from 2019 today on a spousal fight over a first class upgrade. I’ve flown a lot of flights in economy class with my wife and kids since this story was written, but otherwise my...
Crazy: Luxury Hotel Adds Mandatory “Housekeeping Surcharge”
Hotel unbundling continues, with one luxury hotel chain in Canada adding a mandatory “housekeeping surcharge” and “baggage fee” at one of its premier properties. Luxury Hotel Adds Housekeeping Surcharge, Baggage/Porterage Fee Check the fine print at the Fairmont Château...
Veteran Refuses To Pay His Bar Bill At DFW Airport…Claims Ex-Military Should Receive Free Drinks
A veteran purportedly walked away from a bar at DFW Airport without paying his $130 tab because he did not think veterans should have to pay for their alcohol. That’s bad enough, but then the cops were called in...
Review: Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas
The Park Hyatt Istanbul has been refreshed and is now my favorite Hyatt property in Istanbul, with luxurious accommodations, excellent service, and several nice amenities that make it worth the splurge. Park Hyatt Istanbul Review I spent two nights...
FTU Seattle 2024: Full Schedule + Discount For Live And Let’s Fly Readers
Frequent Traveler University (FTU) comes to Seattle in May 2024 and the full speaking schedule has been announced. Live And Let’s Fly readers can also save $20 on FTU tickets. I’ll be speaking on United Airlines and other speakers...
Hospitality Industry Returns To Pre-Pandemic Employment Level: Can We Finally Get Service Back?
Nestled in amongst the strong jobs report today was news that the leisure and hospitality industry has finally returned to pre-pandemic employment levels. Can we finally expect the end of the COVID cost cuts and better service? Sadly, I...
