This year I split my loyalty somewhat between United and American Airlines along with a handful of discount carriers for direct flights. As a result, I needed to make a status run and chose Hong Kong as my destination....
Mileage Runs May Be Dead, Status Runs Still Alive
Mileage runs were the hallmark of travel enthusiasts who found more to gain from unnecessary trips than not taking them. Elite status runs have the same principle but different result, taking unnecessary trips to retain or “level up” your...
Breakfast Tacos On United Airlines?
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. My upgrade...
Review: American Express Centurion Lounge Mexico City (MEX)
I spent five hours in the The American Express Centurion Lounge in Mexico City and wished I had stayed longer. I visited the Terminal 2 location during my recent extended layover in Mexico City, not really knowing what to...
Frontier Pilot Suspended: Online Bullying or Protected Speech?
A Frontier Airlines pilot was suspended for allegedly encouraging children to beat up a transgender student in Oklahoma. Some context first. In rural Oklahoma, a 12-year-old transgender student began using the female restroom in the new school year after using...
Ryanair Finds The Perfect Way To Make Customers Hate It More
One way to fight an ongoing labor strike is to rally customers to your side. You might think Ryanair would be pulling out all the stops to make customers happy during this turbulent labor period. Instead, Ryanair is pouring...
Qantas Issues Challenge For Nonstop Sydney – London Flight
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce is beaming. His airline’s new London to Perth route is performing splendidly. Since starting the route in March, load factors have exceeded 90%, including a 94% load factor in business class. But that’s just step one....
The Transatlantic Boom To Eastern Europe
New fuel efficient aircraft and emerging markets are prompting more carriers to serve Eastern Europe directly from North America. That’s a tremendous asset to travelers looking for beautiful and affordable vacations. Earlier this week, American Airlines announced new summer...
The Gold Mine Of China Turns Into Fool’s Gold For U.S. Airlines
U.S. airlines are retreating from Mainland China, realizing the great Chinese aviation gold mine may actually be fool’s gold. To be sure, there is money to be made…a lot of it. But U.S. airlines are increasingly finding frustrating yields...
Review: Aeromexico Lounge Mexico City (MEX)
After spending most of the evening in the nearby American Express Centurion Lounge, the Aeromexico Salon Premier in was quite a letdown. Terminal 2 of Mexico City’s Benito Juarez International Airport features two Aeromexico lounges within close proximity of...
United Considers Significant Expansion To Washington Dulles Hub
United Airlines is considering up to a 50% increase in its number of flights at Washington Dulles. Speaking at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver, United President Scott Kirby hinted at the expansion: Today we have...
Review: Delta Sky Club Los Angeles (LAX)
The Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2 at LAX offered everything I needed for a productive visit prior to my flight. If I’m using a lounge in the morning, the three most important amenities I am looking for are...
Alaska Airlines Cuts Pre-Flight Alcohol in First Class…For Now
If you want to enjoy an alcoholic beverage before your flight, it may be best to avoid Alaska Airlines. At least for now. In fact, complimentary alcohol has been missing since August 01st. Spokeswoman Ann Johnson told USA Today this...
Air France Unions May Give New CEO A Chance Before Striking (But Not KLM)
We are still a long way from kumbaya around the campfire, but labor unions at Air France have dialed down the the harsh rhetoric and threats to strike against the new leader. Last week I wrote about the ice cold...
A Superb Airline With A Superb Aircraft Is Coming To LAX
Finnair is returning to Los Angeles. This is not Finnair’s first attempt to serve Los Angeles, but it has been many years. This time, the carrier will operate an A350-900 aircraft on the route, which is one of my...
Review: Aeromexico 737-800 Business Class Los Angeles to Mexico City
My experience on Aeromexico was excellent. I expected a comfortable seat and good service, but I did not expect onboard wi-fi that functioned extremely well. That was a very welcomed additional treat. I used Korean Air SkyPass miles to...
Indicted Congressman Paid $600 To Fly Rabbit Using Campaign Funds
A San Diego Congressman has been indicted for using camp gain funds for personal spending, including spending $600 to transport his childrens’ rabbit across the country. In a world of nepotism and graft, Duncan Hunter, a Republican Congressman from...
The Economics of Lie-Flat Beds on 737s
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby announced yesterday that United is exploring lie-flat seating on upcoming 737 MAX 10 deliveries. Speaking at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver, Kirby touted United’s lie-flat domestic flights: It’s been really successful...
Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Los Angeles (LAX)
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX is visually stunning. But how does it rank as as a Priority Pass lounge? The lounge is located on the upper level of Terminal 2 at LAX on the secure side. Priority Pass...
How Delta SkyMiles Could Instantly Become A Leading Loyalty Program
Two words: first class. You can now book China Eastern First Class awards using your Delta miles. The value is not great, but it is fair…especially compared to how much Delta asks for some of its own flights. This...
