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,...
Review: Vietnam Airlines A321 Economy Class Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
My unexpected flight on Vietnam Airlines gave me a positive first impression of the Vietnamese flag carrier. In case you missed my intro post, I wound up on this flight after I was denied boarding on VietJet for lack...
Singapore Airlines Economy Class is Tremendous!
I flew from New York JFK to Frankfurt on Singapore Airlines last Thursday in economy class. I knew the Singapore experience would be pleasant, but the flight truly exceeded expectations. I’ve flown several segments in Singapore Airlines First/Suites Class...
Trump Administration: Baggage Fee Disclosures are Too Burdensome
When left to their own devices, I don’t trust airlines to look out for anyone but themselves. While that is not always mutually exclusive to consumer interests, in the case of fee disclosures, it usually is… Fee disclosure should...
United CEO Vows to Combat Onboard Sexual Harassment
United CEO Oscar Munoz has forcefully addressed the sexual harassment epidemic that is changing the American landscape. Earlier this week, Sara Nelson, the International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, contributed to the Washington Post story entitled, “The one...
Singapore Airlines: Cheap Last-Minute New York – Frankfurt Tickets
After New York last week, John and I had to fly to Frankfurt to meet with a shipping transport company. We had planned to use miles, but Thursday turned out to be a particularly busy travel day so nothing...
Review: Ethiopian NEW 787 Business Class Addis Ababa to Bangkok
This review will be shorter than my previous two longhaul Ethiopian Business Class trip reports, focusing primarily on the new 787-8 lie-flat business class seat. Ethiopian Airlines has two different business class seats on its 787-8. Both are configured...
TSA Calls in Reinforcements, No One Comes
What happens when the TSA calls in reinforcements at JFK, but they’re on their coffee break? Nothing, as it turns out. When I described the horrific security lines at JFK last week, I mentioned an assault incident that deserved...
Spirit Airlines Justified in Kicking Off Breastfeeding Mother
Spirit Airlines removed a breastfeeding mother, her son, and her elderly parents for refusing to follow crewmember instructions. I believe this action was justified. Oh no, don’t worry…this isn’t going where you may think. Not that it matters, but...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 10, 2017
I’m back in LA after a whirlwind trip to New York and Frankfurt. I’ll have more details on that trip tomorrow, including a dismaying incident at JFK. My focus over the last week has been on the SWISS First...
Playing Vacation Roulette for Christmas Abroad
Usually, we have a trip planned for our Christmas holiday well in advance but this year, we hesitated. I am not sure if it was due to Kyle’s extreme influx in work travel, our constant time away from home...
Review: Park Hyatt Shanghai (Suite)
Considering that we do not yet know if, when and where we will go on vacation over the holidays this year I found myself looking back in the way-back machine and remembering our time at the Park Hyatt Shanghai....
EU261 Is No Longer Fair
On a recent mistake fare trip to Manchester our return flight experienced a substantial mechanical delay which resulted in our eligibility for compensation under the EU261/2014 regulation. While we certainly pursued the compensation and will continue to until it...
Afternoon Swim at the Park Hyatt New York
Sometimes a short afternoon respite can turn a tiring day into a much more relaxed one. That’s one of many reasons I am thankful for the Park Hyatt New York. Yesterday, I wrote about my hectic business trip to...
Review: Ethiopian Airlines Cloud Nine Business Class Lounge Addis Ababa (ADD)
I returned to Addis Ababa Bole International Airport about 90 minutes before my flight to Bangkok, giving me about 20 minutes in the lounge prior to boarding. As you pass exit immigration and proceed upstairs, you’ll come to a...
A380 Landing from the Perspective of a British Airways’ Pilot
Ever wondered what an actual landing looks like from the view of the cockpit? Or perhaps how pilots handle it? British Airways has just released a great video documenting an A380 landing in Johannesburg. Here’s the video– The video...
United Cancels Service to Xi’an, China
United Airlines is cancelling its summer seasonal service between San Francisco and Xi’an, China. Effective today, the flight has been removed from the schedule. In an internal memo, United blamed poor yields for the decision to abandon service– In...
Introspection: I’m Now a Real Road Warrior
With the new start-up I’ve co-founded now spreading its wings, I’m being re-acquainted with more traditional business trips. Let me tell you about my trip to New York this week. First, some background. For the past several years I’ve...
