Now an elusive award redemption available only to upper-tier elite members of the Miles & More program, SWISS first class used to be a relatively easy award booking to score. For this week’s Meal of the Week I review...
United CEO Reflects on Las Vegas Tragedy
When tragedy strikes, strong and steady leadership can help to assuage fear and begin the healing process. But sometimes a small heartfelt gesture, like a well-penned letter, accomplishes the same thing. United CEO Oscar Munoz is reflecting upon the...
ANA Refuses to Refund My Cheap Australia Business Class Ticket
My upcoming trip to Australia in business class on ANA has suffered an unfortunate setback…a significant equipment downgrade. Thus far, ANA refuses to re-accomodate or refund (without fee). Should they? First, I give ANA tremendous credit for honoring this...
Premium Meals in SWISS Economy Class
Last year, SWISS announced an economy class buy-on-board program on longhaul flights. Food and drink would remain complimentary, but could be upgraded to business class-style food and alcohol for a fee. My colleague traveled from Los Angeles to Zurich earlier...
Flying on a Vintage Fokker 100 in Europe on SWISS
Yesterday I boarded my SWISS flight from Frankfurt to Zurich and had to stop and do a double take: what happened to my CS100?! I thought I was flying on a brand new Bombardier CS100 but instead I found...
100 Countries, Only 11 Without T-Mobile Service!
T-Mobile is my go-to carrier since the day they came to America in 2001. As a frequent international traveler, T-Mobile has been nothing short of revolutionary in changing the way I use my mobile phone abroad. I’m in Europe...
Another Fabulous Weekend in Green Lake, WI
Last weekend I made my annual pilgrimage to Green Lake, WI, now a six-year tradition. Every time I go I realize I live in a bubble in LA. While I am in no rush to move to Wisconsin, there...
Fact: An A380 Can Fly on One Engine
A recent engine blowout on an Air France Airbus A380 left it with only three of four engines. The plane made it safely to land. But imagine if three engines blew out. Would the plane have crashed? As it turns...
The Best Program to Credit Cheap United Airlines Flights
Where you credit your miles is like a game of chess. Singapore Airlines has cut earnings on discount economy class fares on United Airlines. Fares that used to earn 100% of miles flown will now earn as little as...
United CEO Still Defends Employees Over Dragging Incident
Genius or cowardice? That’s my quandary as United CEO Oscar Munoz continues to defend employees over the dragging incident in April. If you recall, Dr. David Dao was dragged off a flight from Chicago to Louisville after he refused...
Airline Pilots Condemn Trump Over Norwegian UK Expansion
A union representing over 57,000 pilots in the United States and Canada has ridiculed President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy after the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a permit for Norwegian Air to further expand to the USA. Norwegian...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: October 1, 2017
Greetings from 38,000 feet. I’m in the air enroute to Europe, where I’ll be spending most of the week. No new products to review on this trip…TAP and Air India didn’t have award space… Some more disturbances in the...
Trending the Web in Family Travel
Often I am asked what I am following and finding in the travel space. Here are a few trending stories, travel deals and “follow-worthy” social media accounts circling the web in family travel. Newsworthy Have you heard about the...
Review: Rimowa Topas Silver Luggage Collection
There are as many choices for what holds your belongings as there are flights to take. How do you make the right choice? Experienced travelers hold Rimowa in high regard and I wanted to try the brand for myself. Here’s...
Review: Le Méridien Charlotte Hotel
From one of my very first posts as a travel blogger, Le Méridien has held a special place in our heart. That being said, we rarely get the chance to try the brand so when I was away for...
Blame Alaska Airlines for Latest Singapore Devaluation?
Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) are now partners. Is it just a coincidence that Singapore devalued earnings on United Airlines flights…without notice? I give the Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer loyalty program a mixed review. If you want to fly...
FA Sacked by Norwegian Air for Spitting in Coffee Now Fired by BA for “Racist Remarks”
Our subject today is Joanne Wickenden, who seems to have a hard time holding down a job as a flight attendant. The 23-year-old was fired by Norwegian Air after only three months on the job…for spitting in a passenger’s coffee....
China Airlines Adds New Service to Ontario, California
China Airlines will serve Ontario International Airport starting in Spring 2018, the first transpacific route from the small Southern California airport. I hate to be crass, but let me start off by correcting a common misconception. China Airlines =...
Another Attempt to Control Crowding in American Express Lounges
In another bid to alleviate chronic overcrowding, American Express will further limit access to its Centurion Lounges. Until now, access has been complimentary for Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Other American Express cardholders could pay $50/person for access. Starting on...
Doug “Nostradamus” Parker: AA will Never Lose Money Again
American Airlines’ CEO Doug Parker has made a bold claim: AA will never lose money again. Parker says even in bad years, American will still earn $3BN/year in pre-tax profit. Of course inflation makes this figure a bit misleading,...
