Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will finally see an A350 at the gates of the Tom Bradly International Terminal. Today, Hong Kong Airlines will launch new service to Los Angeles, adding a budget carrier to an already competitive route....
Zimbabwe Airways is Dead, Long Live Air Zimbabwe?
In the world of airline travel in the land of corruption, sometimes the best way to shed debt is to close shop and re-open a block away. That was the plan for Air Zimbabwe. Was… I haven’t addressed the...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 17, 2017
After another trip to New York, I’m back in Los Angeles until tomorrow…when I’ll fly to Germany for Christmas. It has been a hectic month, so I am looking forward to some downtime. American Airlines’ opened a beautiful new...
Anti-Review: Valeto Carry-on High chair? What?
As a frequent traveler and occasional blogger I am always on the hunt for products that could make our lives easier. When products come recommended by Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes and key members of various traveling mom Facebook groups...
Hyatt On The Bund’s Xindalu – Shanghai
One of three restaurants at Hyatt on the Bund is Xindalu, a Chinese kitchen. I asked Neil at check in where a good place to go for Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) near the hotel. He stated the hotel restaurant. Usually...
When Dynamic Award Pricing Goes Wrong
Increasingly loyalty programs are shifting from a fixed-price redemption for their loyal members to dynamically priced awards. This can mean cheaper prices for shorter distance flights where airlines need to fill seats and costs are low, but it can...
How Valuable is Your Time? Airline Bump Economics
Earlier today, I wrote about my oversold United redeye flight, where passengers were offered $2000 to take a flight the following morning. I’m still not understanding why there were not more takers. First, I do acknowledge we are talking about...
$2,000 for a United Bump…
My flight from Los Angeles to Newark on Thursday night was so full I was unable to get a seat on it. That, in and of itself, is not all that unusual during the busy holiday travel season. The...
Denied Lounge Access for Wearing UGGs
This story caught my eye because I just bought my wife some UGGs last week–I think they are very attractive footwear. Joanne Catherall claims she was denied access to the Qantas Lounge in Melbourne for having the temerity to wear...
Did Anyone Lose Their SWISS First Class Reservation with United?
As I prepare my legal case against Aeroplan, I have a question to anyone who recently booked SWISS First Class award space via United: is your reservation still intact? I’m trying to draw to sufficient data points to weigh...
Review: AA Flagship First Dining Los Angeles (LAX)
The new Flagship Lounge is nice, but I was most excited to sample American Airlines’ new Flagship First Dining experience at LAX. This lounge within a lounge is reserved exclusively for first class passengers traveling on longhaul international routes...
Delta Postpones Final 747 Flight
While United Airlines went out of its way to make its final 747 flight a commemorative event, Delta appears to have taken the opposite approach. The Atlanta-based carrier just postponed its final scheduled service on the 747. In a...
Win a FREE Special Edition Lufthansa First Class Duck
As promised yesterday, I am giving away a free Lufthansa special edition Christmas rubber duck to one lucky winner. I picked up this beauty in the Lufthansa First Class Terminal last Saturday in Frankfurt. Every holiday season, Lufthansa creates...
Flying a Private Jet from LA to Las Vegas
Earlier this week I had the chance to fly on a private jet from Van Nuys to Las Vegas…something I could easily get used to. This wasn’t my first time flying private, but it was a very different experience...
We Need More Airport Smoking Lounges, Not Fewer
The Centers for Disease Control argues that indoor smoking rooms must be eradicated from airports worldwide in order to reduce risk to second-hand smoke. I take the opposite approach: I believe non-smokers are better protected though MORE indoor smoking...
My Favorite California Hyatt is Now a Category 7
I’ve written before about the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn in Carmel, CA. It’s my favorite Hyatt in California and a hotel my whole family enjoys. It also is now a Category 7 property, meaning a night will set you back 30,000...
Dinner for Breakfast in Lufthansa First Class Terminal
Last week I had the chance to visit the Lufthansa First Class Terminal (FCT) on our way home from Frankfurt and enjoyed a steak for breakfast. > Read More: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt Review Though it was only 7am,...
Aeroplan Called Me…
The SWISS First Class award saga may now be in the trench warfare stage. Last week, I received an updated itinerary from Aeroplan without any other notice or explanation. Yesterday, I received a phone call from Aeroplan. > Read...
Review: Apricot Lounge Ho Chi Minh City (SGN)
Qatar Airways uses the Apricot Lounge in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) for its business class passengers, a nice independent lounge that partners with six airlines. I liked the bright colors, natural light, and tarmac views of this lounge....
Official: United Will Fly San Francisco to Tahiti
United Airlines will serve Tahiti, broadening its portfolio of South Pacific routes to a new and exotic leisure destination. Subject to government approval, United will start seasonal nonstop service between San Francisco (SFO) and Fa’a’ā International Airport (PPT) in Papeete,...
