First it was flight attendants, now it is a pilot. I’ve written about JANET before, the “secret” government airline that transports workers to highly-classified government facilities. The airline is now hiring a 737 first officer! But this won’t be a standard...
Commercial Aircraft Stolen From Seattle, F-15s Pursue, Pilot Commits Suicide
A Horizon Air Q400 turbojet was stolen from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport then crashed 25 miles away as it was being pursued by F-15s. Sadly, this is not a joke. Alaska Airlines, of which Horizon is a subsidiary, initially issued this...
Last Chance: FTU Washington, DC This Weekend
Frequent Traveler University is returning to Washington, DC this weekend. This is your last chance to register for what promises to be a great weekend of learning and fellowship. As this post goes live, I’m enroute to DC. If...
Aeromexico Business Class Impresses On Flight To Mexico City
Based on some of the comments when I announced that I had booked a trip to Paris on Aeromexico, I was bracing myself for horrific service and inedible food. As it turned out, my flight on Aeromexico wasn’t bad...
United Airlines Updates Brand Image
United Airlines, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly, is updating its brand design. In a note to employees, United argues “a visual identity that reflects our new spirit as a thoughtful, modern and innovative airline will make us memorable to our...
Cathay Pacific Is Still Losing Money
Cathay Pacific has a lot going for it: higher ticket prices, strong cargo loads, and more passengers. But the carrier is still losing money thanks to high fuel costs. That’s a huge red flag in this era of aviation...
Corporate Travel: Comfort Vs. Price
Price is still king when it comes to corporate travel, but queen comfort is a powerful consort. I was speaking to a friend of mine last week about his corporate travel policy. He works for a software company in...
Accused Of Being A Child Predator at Park Hyatt Vienna!
I cannot make this stuff up… Ok, first a lesson on European spa etiquette, especially in the Germanic countries. You sit with your clothes off in the sauna. There are no exceptions. It is absolutely sacrosanct. The fastest way...
Delta Denies Me Sky Club Access On International Business Class Ticket
Maybe I’m missing the obvious, but I don’t think Delta should have denied me access to the Sky Club in Terminal 2 at LAX earlier this week. I was flying Aeromexico Business Class from Los Angeles to Mexico City...
Security Lapse Forces Evacuation Of Frankfurt Airport
7,000 passengers were delayed or stranded due to a security lapse at Frankfurt Airport on Tuesday. A French family of four tested positive for explosives while undergoing a security screenings, but was still allowed to leave a secure screening...
I Experienced A TSA Lockdown At LAX
Yesterday I experienced my first-ever TSA lockdown. I was in Terminal 2 at Los Angeles International Airport and had just climbed the stairs from the lobby level to the security checkpoint. As I was winding my way through the...
Review: Park Hyatt Vienna (Ambassador Suite)
I was upgraded to a beautiful suite during my last stay at one of my favorite hotels in the world, the Park Hyatt Vienna. Three days were not enough! Let’s start with the logistics. The Park Hyatt Vienna is...
Has United Surpassed American As #2 U.S. Airline?
An article in Forbes asks if United Airlines has surpassed American Airlines as the #2 airline in the USA. One veteran analyst says YES while one CEO says NO WAY! We can guess the CEO. That would be Doug...
Saudia Suspends Flights to Canada: Now What?
Many years ago when I obtained a visa to visit Saudi Arabia for the first time, I remember a prominent sign in the lobby of Saudi Embassy in Washington, DC. It warned of extensive delays for Canadians applying for...
A Real Review Of New Priority Pass Restaurant At LAX
Last time I tried to eat at Barney’s Beanery, the new Priority Restaurant in Terminal 2 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the cook had gone home early. That should been a sign onto me to stay away… I...
Woman Thrown Off AA Flight Due To Cello, But Was Captain’s Gesture Racist?
We live in a race-conscious time in a race-conscious world. And a story about a woman thrown off an American Airlines’ flight due to her cello has me thinking about race. I want to be a peacemaker in this...
Why U.S. Flight Attendants Will Now Carry Thermometers Onboard
Isn’t it true that an airline passenger cabin is usually either too cold or too warm? Welcome to the fickle world of airline thermostats. But after a baby almost died on a hot plane last year, many U.S. flight...
Now Taiwan May Punish Airlines Who Complied With Chinese Demands
In the ongoing battle over the sovereignty of China and Taiwan, Taiwan is now fighting back. The island nation is mulling punitive “countermeasures” for airlines who caved into Mainland demands to label Taiwan as part of China. These “countermeasures” are...
An Update On My American Express Dispute With Priority Pass
Last month, Priority Pass billed me for three guests at the Timberline Steaks & Grille in Denver Airport when I only had one guest. At the time, I saw two possible reasons for this. One, malicious intent on the...
Booked: Middle East Airlines!
I’ve decided to stick to SkyTeam for my trip home from Dubai. I just booked flights from Dubai to Frankfurt on a carrier I’ve been wanting to try for years, Middle East Airlines. Middle East Airlines (MEA) is a...
