Aeroflot Russian Airlines has announced its first six A350 routes, covering flights to Asia and the United States starting next spring. Aeroflot ordered 14 A350-900s. Initial deliveries were due this year, but production delays have pushed back the first...
A Splendacious Weekend In Yerevan, Armenia
I spent the weekend in Yerevan, Armenia…it turned out to be a lot of fun. This was not my first trip to the Armenian capital. In fact, I even wrote about my last visit here back in the UGPRD...
Review: Thai Airways A350 Business Class
My first experience onboard a Thai Airways A350 was a great one. The difference between Thai’s old and new business class product is like night and day. Throw in good service and a decent meal and you have a...
When The Cats Take Over The Airport Lounge…
Imagine walking into an airline lounge and hearing, “I’m sorry, my cat is sitting there. You’ll need to stand.” Would you just laugh at the pathetic hilarity of the situation or react in a more aggressive way? I frequently...
Did Avianca Bribe Government Officials With Free Tickets + Upgrades?
Avianca is performing an internal investigation into allegations that it bribed government officials from several nations with free tickets and upgrades. While the list of nations has not been disclosed, such conduct, if verified, runs afoul of both the...
American Airlines Running Out of Employee Groups to Offend
This week, American Airlines revised its previous plans to not seek damages against mechanics and even the caterers have staged a sit-in. American Airlines management is running out of employee groups to offend. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Should I Reconsider My Hong Kong Status Run?
Not usually one to shy away, especially not from my favorite city in the world, Hong Kong protests have me reconsidering my United status run. Should I? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
Renewing Global Entry: Adding APEC Card
It’s hard to believe it has been five years since I joined Global Entry. As I near renewal, I found an add-on that I couldn’t resist, the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation card. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
A Late Night Carb Fest On Austrian 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. I found...
How A Father-Son Team Exploited American Airlines To Scam Millions
A father-son team face a combined 15 years in federal prison after being convicted of fraud and identity theft in a scheme that targeted American Airlines employees. Terry Lynn Anderson, 69, and his son Rocky Freeland Anderson, 38, had quite...
Review: Bangkok Airways Lounge Bangkok (BKK)
The Bangkok Airways lounge is a comfortable and well-appointed Priority Pass Lounge at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Style is subjective, but I really liked the furniture, artwork, flooring, and wallpaper in this lounge. Perhaps that is a tertiary issue, but...
Review: Thai Airways 747-400 First Class Tokyo To Bangkok
The service in Thai Airways Royal First Class is laudably impressive, even on a short overnight flight. That’s my main takeaway from my 747-400 flight from Tokyo to Bangkok. After spending several hours in the ANA Suite Lounge, I...
Virgin Galactic’s Swanky New Spaceport Lounge
Virgin Galactic has revealed its beautiful new spaceport in New Mexico, which will serve as a pre-flight lounge for intergalactic flights. Over 600 people have already paid nearly $80 million in deposits to secure their tickets on the first...
Cathay Pacific CEO Becomes Sacrificial Lam(b)…
Cathay Pacific CEO Rupert Hogg has suddenly resigned, raising more questions than answers. Who forced him out? And why did he take the fall for matters far beyond his control? Hogg, who has been with Swire Group, Cathay Pacific’s parent...
Would I Have Been Thrown Off United Flight Under New Passenger Removal Policy?
New guidelines for United pilots make it more difficult to throw off a passenger whose conduct is questionable. Would it have saved me from my “photo incident” ejection? I focused on United’s updated alcohol guidelines for pilots yesterday and...
Did American Airlines Really Downgrade Woman And Lock Her Dog In Lavatory?
A woman has sued American Airlines, claiming that she was kicked out of business class and her emotional support dog was locked in the lavatory by a crazed flight attendant. Avigail Diveroli was traveling from Miami to Los Angeles...
FAA Bans Select Apple Laptops From Flights
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has banned select Apple laptops from commercial flights due to fire risks posed by internal lithium batteries. FAA rules prohibit recalled lithium batteries onboard commercial flights: Lithium batteries recalled by the manufacturer/vendor must not...
United Widens Pre-Flight Alcohol Ban To Flight Attendants
United Airlines has quietly widened its pre-flight alochol ban to include flight attendants, not just pilots. Earlier this week, I noted that United Airlines is tightening the rules concerning alcohol consumption for its pilots. Up until this week, pilots...
The Dotard Who Wanted It All On My United Flight
It has been a LONG time since I’ve had a bad seatmate, but this one really took the cake… Since I am quick to point out flight attendants who provide poor service, it is only fair that I single...
My New Favorite Hotel In Barcelona
I was recently in Barcelona and had the chance to check out two Hyatt properties. One did not impress me at all. But one I fell in love with…and cannot wait to return. I arrived late into Barcelona and...
