United Airlines will open its boutique Polaris Lounge in Houston (IAH) on June 29th. But you can get a sneak peek using your United miles before the lounge is opened to the public. 2,500 miles gets you a two-hour...
On Anthony Bourdain, Travel, and Suicide…
When news broke last week that CNN star Anthony Bourdain had taken his own life, I was saddened but not shocked. Not because I personally knew Bourdain was struggling, but because I know how hopeless life can feel sometimes. I’m...
U.S. Airlines Brashly Defy China: Consequences Coming?
The Chinese government is insisting that U.S. airlines stop treating Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau as separate nations on their websites and other booking channels. Thus far, U.S. airlines have steadfastly refused. But what will happen when Beijing tightens...
Review: JAL First Class Lounge Tokyo (NRT)
The Japan Airlines First Class Lounge in Tokyo Narita (NRT) is a great business class lounge…but doesn’t cut it as a first class lounge. Even though this review is from 2016, a report from View from the Wing only...
Review: Japan Airlines 777-300ER First Class
Three FAs, one passenger makes for a great ratio in first class. Not only was I blessed to fly Japan Airlines (JAL) in first class, but I had the entire cabin to myself. But I think even if the...
Is It Ethical To Steal Premium Cabin Amenities?
Is it ever ethical to walk away with amenities from business and first class that airlines do not intend for you to take? The Wall Street Journal covers this topic in-depth. It’s a great read. The last paragraphs of...
Vortex Sends Qantas A380 Into Terrifying Nosedive
You’re sitting in your seat, two hours into a 15-hour flight. All of a sudden, without any warning, the plane nosedives toward the ocean…for 10 seconds. That’s what happened to passengers aboard Qantas 94 from Los Angeles to Melbourne on...
Use Your United Miles To Be A Movie Extra In London
Have you ever wanted to be an extra in a blockbuster movie? Now you can…with your United miles. Via MileagePlus Exclusives, you can bid miles to become an extra on Spider-Man: Homecoming 2, opening in theaters in July 2019. The winner...
My Dumpy Hotel in New York City
Every time I have a bright idea to save some money, I end up regretting it. When it comes to hotels, you tend to get what you pay for. I was in New York City last weekend for FTU...
A New Sharia-Compliant Airline in the United Kingdom by the “Halal Richard Branson”
Kazi Rahman, who calls himself the “Halal Richard Branson”, wants to fly alongside Emirates and Qatar Airways to the Middle East. If successful, Firnas Airways would be the first Sharia-compliant airline in the United Kingdom. But Rahman has his work...
Why I’m Excited About the New LAX American Express Lounge
American Express officially announced today it will open a lounge at LAX in 2019. We’ve known about this lounge for several months thanks to various leaks from LAX board meetings, but the official announcement comes with exciting details. First,...
THIS Is How You Deal With An Unruly Passenger
When a passenger is so disruptive that a diversion is required, one course of action makes sense to me: ban him for life. It’s invariably a him, isn’t it? That’s what happened to passenger on Jet2 after a flight...
Review: JAL 767-300 Economy Class
This review recounts my journey from Guangzhou to Tokyo Haneda aboard a 767-300 on Japan Airlines. I give JAL high marks for its shorthaul economy class service. This flight occurred in 2016 as part of my larger trip to...
United 767-300 Diverts Due To Bomb Threat
A United Airlines flight diverted to Ireland after a handwritten bomb threat was found in one of the aircraft lavatories. United Flight 971, bound from Rome to Chicago, diverted to Shannon, Ireland after the cryptic message was discovered. The...
My Disappointing Review of New Priority Pass LAX Restaurant
Earlier today I wrote about Barney’s Beanery, the new Priority Pass restaurant in Terminal 2 at LAX. Last night, I had a chance to try it after landing from New York. I’ll sum up my experience in one word:...
Review: Premium Lounge Guangzhou (CAN)
The Premium Lounge in Guangzhou has great coffee. That’s enough to earn this Priority Pass lounge high marks in my book. You actually have quite a choice now of lounges in Guangzhou (CAN). Six, to be exact. In addition...
New Priority Pass Restaurant at LAX + How to Access
The latest addition to the Priority Pass restaurant portfolio is at Los Angeles International Airport. Cardmembers now have access to Barney’s Beanery in LAX’s Terminal 2. Members will be entitled to $28 credit, per-person. Credit can be used toward any food and...
Man Strikes FA, Hurls Racial Slur, Calls Her Overweight
Gregory Alexander is in a lot of trouble. The 82-year-old Florida man was charged with battery and interference with aircraft operations after hurling racial slurs and taunts at an American Airlines FA, then jabbing her with his finger. The...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 10, 2018
Greetings from Midtown Manhattan. I’ll be on my way home shortly after a great weekend at FTU in New York. If you missed it, there the next event is in Washington DC coming up in August. It was a great...
Would You Visit North Korea?
As North Korea and the US sit down for talks in Singapore this week, I found myself wondering if it would be possible to visit under normal circumstances in the future, and if so, would I go? If you...
