American, Delta, and United all have some form of a 24-hour courtesy cancellation policy. But does this apply to no-frills “Basic Economy” tickets, which are explicitly non-changeable and non-refundable? In short, yes. But there are limits. Let’s review each...
Fuel Prices Rise. Airfare Next?
After an extended period of tranquility stretching several years, fuel prices are on the rise. Will that soon lead to higher airfare? USA Today reports during the first nine months of the year: • American Airlines said Thursday that aircraft...
Buy an Actual Piece of a United 747!
As United Airlines ramps up for the final 747-400 flight on November 07, 2017, it is offering you the chance to take home a piece of 747 history. You can now buy a number of 747 hardware pieces. A livery...
Lasagna: Alitalia vs. United Airlines
I’ve compared afternoon tea on British Airways and United. This week’s Meal of the Week compares lasagna lunches on United and Alitalia. #1: Alitalia (Madrid to Rome / August 2017) You’ll note the lasagna noodles are green. Usually that...
14 Hours Aboard Qatar A350 Business Class…
After a restful flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Doha and a shower and panini in the Al Mourjan Lounge, it was time to board the 14-hour longhaul to New York City. Electronics were carefully searched at the...
The World’s Most Powerful Passport is Now in Asia
Earlier this year I wrote about the most powerful passport in the world, which at the time was Germany. While Germany remains a very powerful passport, it is no longer the world’s most powerful. That honor now belongs to...
Why is Air Berlin Blaming Etihad for its Failure?
Air Berlin is seeking damages from Etihad for “letting” it become insolvent. No folks, this is actually not some sick joke. This is true. Air Berlin is demanding at least 10 million euros, blaming Etihad for “letting” it become insolvent. The...
New 747 Amenity Kits on United Airlines
United Airlines is rolling out commemorative amenity kits in honor of the Boeing 747, which will be retired after a special final flight next month. The attractive tin amenity kits will contain the usual toiletries and skincare products, but...
Who is Luc Bondar, United’s New VP of Loyalty?
Yesterday, Luc Bondar was named Vice President of Loyalty at United. He will start his new job on November 01, 2017. But who is he? Does his background reveal anything about the future of MileagePlus? Bondar is Australian and...
United’s Latest Innovation Highlights Another Innovation Needed
Good news for United Airlines customers–if you’re connecting on a partner carrier you can now use your United app to retrieve those boarding passes. That may not sound like much, but marks a huge step forward for ease in...
Review: Park Hyatt Zurich (Junior Suite)
The last time I reviewed the Park Hyatt Zurich was in 2011. Six years later, not much as changed. In the case of this property, that is a good thing. The hotel is located in the heart of Zurich...
A Restful Flight on Qatar Airways A330 Business Class
By the time it came to board my Qatar Airways flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Doha, I was exhausted. I had slept poorly all week and just wanted to have dinner, watch a movie, and nap on...
Review: SWISS Senator Lounge Zurich (ZRH)
Located next to the beautiful first class lounge, the SWISS Senator Lounge in the E-Gate (non-Schengen) area of Zurich (ZRH) is worthy of a visit. It’s a huge lounge, built to accommodate hundreds of passengers at once and bigger...
This Airport Has a Huge Fitness Center
With all the air travel I do, one concern is that when my metabolism starts to slow down as I further age, I face an increased risk for packing on the pounds. Too bad I don’t connect through Toronto...
The Bickering and Scheming Couples on My JetBlue Flight
Let me preface this post by saying that perhaps you had to be there to experience the true humor in the situation. Saturday night I flew home from New York to Burbank on JetBlue. While I normally will choose...
This Billboard is an Inside Joke for United Flyers
This post is a little geeky, but I could not resist. I spent a couple days in Bangkok last week and everywhere I saw this ad– It’s apparently James Jirayu, who is a Justin Beiber-like figure in Thailand, as the...
Aborted Landing, Near Diversion on My Vietnam Airlines Flight
It’s never a good sign when the captain says, “Ladies and gentleman, due to poor weather in Ho Chi Minh City we are going to have to divert.” I just cannot seem to escape drama on this trip. After...
U.S. Air Force May Recall 1,000 Pilots. Impact on Airlines?
The United States Air Force is seriously short of pilots to fly combat missions. Now President Trump is making it easier for the USAF to recall pilots. How will this impact the pilot shortage facing the U.S. and world...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: October 22, 2017
I’m back in LA after a fast-paced week around the world. My trip took another twist on the way to Ho Chi Minh City, which I will share tomorrow morning. As it was a relatively light news week, Live...
Review: Park Hyatt Ningbo China (Suite)
During longer holidays my family tries to go deeper and travel farther when we have time on our side. Exploring the Park Hyatt brand (they always impress) we found a property in a Chinese city we had not been...
