An AA passenger found a very unpleasant surprise in her delayed checked bag…a dead rat. Merry Cannon was happy to join her husband Leighton in Europe on a business trip. The couple lived in Arkansas with their two children but had lined up a babysitter for their little ones. Their Europe trip would take them […]
Resort or City: Conrad Cartagena Makes You Choose
When putting together the last minute pieces of our spontaneous trip to Cartagena, Colombia we decided to book our four nights at the Conrad Cartagena, a stunning, secluded resort just outside of the city. But just how far outside of the city were we willing to go? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for […]
Leaked Seat Map for New United Airlines 787-10
United Airlines will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-10 later this year. The aircraft will be the first in the United fleet to feature a new premium economy product. United has 14 firm orders for the 787-10 and will take delivery of the first three this year. In a leaked seat map to Flight […]
Air New Zealand Unveils New Flat Beds in Economy Class for Infants
Although it has been eight years since Air New Zealand launched its innovative SkyCouch product, a new variant will allow more undisturbed sleep for toddlers. The modified seats will include a dedicated infant harness and belt, allowing little ones to remain in the lie-flat position throughout the cruising portion of the flight. Currently, when the fasten […]
Express Dining on United Airlines
United offers express dining on long-haul flights in Polaris class for those who wish to dine quickly and maximize sleep. That’s the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week. I took advantage of it on a trip last week and it saved me a good half hour, which is certainly appreciated on a quick […]
Three Airlines Take on April Fool’s Day
Yesterday was not only Easter, but April Fool’s Day. I’ve never really understood all the jokes surrounding this day, yet several airlines take time each year…a great deal of time based on the vides below…to have fun with this day. This year, Emirates, Virgin Australia, and WestJet released special spoofs. Here’s a look at what […]
United Polaris Cutbacks Coming Soon…
Under the guise of maximizing sleep for business class passengers, United Airlines is cutting back service in its Polaris Business Class product. In a memo to flight attendants, United outlines changes to United Polaris coming on May 01, 2018. The rationale: increase sleep. One area customers have been passionate about is the importance of sleep […]
American’s Business Extra Awards Suddenly Worthwhile Again?
American Airlines Business Extra corporate booking incentive program became less valuable over the last few years as award availability has dried up on the world’s largest carrier. Has a shift in availability returned Business Extra to relevancy? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If […]
Hotel Upgrades Remain Elusive Without Insistence
This year I am traveling more than ever, giving Ryan Bingham a run for his money. As such, I find myself in many hotels some of which honor elite benefits regarding hotel upgrades, and others that do not. Instead of standing on the sidelines regarding this issue, “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going […]
United Pilots Angry at Kirby’s Push for Regional Jet Expansion
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby shocked investors by proclaiming United would increase domestic capacity by up to 6% this year and next. Now he’s shocked pilots by arguing this is “entirely dependent” on their authorization of more outsourced regional jets. As you can imagine, that did not go over to well. The scope clause, an agreement […]
Qatar Airways First Class vs. Qsuite Business Class
I’ve received many questions asking whether I prefer Qatar Airways First Class or fancy new Qsuite Business Class. Here’s a comparison of the two products. Qatar Airways still offers first class aboard its A380-800 aircraft. Thus far, Qsuite Business Class is only available onboard its 777-300ERs. I’ll be comparing a flight from Doha to Paris […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 04, 2018
I’ve been grounded all week and am thankful for it. No plans to travel next week either. Plenty of time with family and friends instead. Lots of work too. There have been a handful of trips I’ve turned down, which is always hard to do. But I’m trying to clear the backlog of old trip […]
Bizarre Business Class Advice in Harper’s Bazaar
It’s time to start calling out the mainstream media on fake upgrade and premium cabin stories. Several days ago a friend at United Airlines forwarded me an internal communication heralding the high ranking of United Polaris from Harper’s Bazaar. I laughed out loud. According to Harper’s the top 1o business class products include: Emirates United Airlines (Polaris) […]
How Qatar Airways Promises to Combat Jet Lag with A350-1000
Qatar Airway’s latest aircraft, the A350-1000, entered service today between Doha and London. The new aircraft is equipped with several measures to combat jet lag and thereby maximize passenger comfort. But are these gimmicks or game changers? Qatar Airways and Airbus detail the following jet lag-figthing perks aboard the new A350-1000: Millions of ambient LED […]
Air Italy: Qatar’s Plan to Destroy Alitalia
Air Italy wants to be the flag carrier of Italy, taking over beleaguered Alitalia’s long-held dominant position. Air Italy is actually already Italy’s #2 carrier, still flying under the Meridiana name. Last year Qatar Airways acquired a 49% stake in the company. Now Qatar plans to transform the airline through a series of aircraft and […]
What Makes A “Real Traveler?”
Last week a reader suggested that I wasn’t a real traveler but without qualifying why that was the case. While everyone is entitled to their opinion without justification or explanation, it got me thinking – what constitutes a “real traveler?” Criteria The biggest question is what qualifies a “real traveler,” and not whether one achieves […]
Where Are My Rollover Nights, IHG?
As a road warrior, hotel status is very important to my travel experience and day-to-day business operations. Some programs like Intercontinental Hotels Group Rewards Club (IHG) allow guests who have over-qualified for their status to rollover excess nights to the following year to make re-qualifying easier. That incentivizes guests like me, until things don’t go […]
Meet the Woman Who Claimed Her Peacock as an Emotional Support Animal
Earlier this week I wrote about United Airlines refusing to allow a woman to bring her peacock onboard as an emotional service animal. New details have emerged about the passenger and her bird. The incident occurred last Sunday at Newark’s Liberty International Airport. The peacock, named Dexter, belongs to “New York City-based photographer and performance […]
Will United Fight Emirates at Newark or Retreat?
Emirates wants United’s bread and butter routes…and it likely will prevail unless United chooses to fiercely compete against the popular Gulf Carrier. American tried and failed. Delta tried and failed. But United maintains service to both New Delhi and Mumbai from its Newark hub. But that service will be critically tested thanks to Emirates new […]
Booked: Vietnam Airlines A350 Business Class
Last week I asked you how I should get home from Ho Chi Minh City. Votes were fairly divided between JAL, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines/Virgin Atlantic. After weighing the options, I decided to try Vietnam Airlines in business class on the 787-9 or A350-900. Reasoning that I do not get to Vietnam all that […]
