Well, we gave it a good try, but it seems flying on the Ilyushin Il-114 simply wasn’t meant to be… As our time in Uzbekistan draws to a close, Ben and I have wasted hours trying to find a way...
United Returns to Historic Airport it Abandoned Decades Ago
78 years ago United Airlines launched commercial service from Paine Field (PAE) just north of Seattle. After decades without commercial flights, a new terminal is opening and United will resume commercial service to two hubs. Paine Field was a...
Which Countries Are Covered by T-Mobile International Plan?
Kyle wrote a great piece yesterday on why he is sticking to T-Mobile despite its flaws. I share in his assment, even as I spend this week in two countries that are excluded from T-Mobile’s international “Simple Choice” plan....
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 13, 2017
Hello from Tashkent, where I am spending several days checking out Uzbekistan. The country has defied expectations…in good way. I don’t recommend the national airline, though. On Monday I will finish my current trip report with a review of...
Defiant: United Will NOT Suspend Flights to Guam Despite North Korea Threat
North Korea has warned that if provoked, it will strike Guam with a nuclear missile. Despite a bellicose exchange of threats between North Korea and United States, United Airlines is conducting business as usual from its Pacific island hub. United Airlines...
Benefits of Slow Travel With Children
As I previously covered, I spent the better part of six weeks in Asia with my daughter, sister and her boyfriend. There have been a lot of questions as to why we went for such an extended period of...
Why I Suffer Through T-Mobile Service
Competitors offer better domestic service but either little-to-no coverage abroad, or way too expensive to be useful. But is it worth it to suffer through bad T-Mobile service most of the year just to make my time abroad easier?...
Friendly or Fiendish? An Uzbeki Man Invites Us Home
In my travels to 128 countries over the last 13 years, I have been swindled, extorted, and battered, but never truly harmed. I’d like to think I’ve become a more discerning traveler, but I’m still trying to make sense...
Review: Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria
I often travel to Houston for business and find myself staying in the Galleria area about half of the time. While the Hyatt Regency Houston Galleria has been open for some time. I hadn’t the chance to stay, however,...
Review: Pakistan Airlines 777 Business Class Manchester To New York
Never has a business class flight been as simultaneously annoying and charming as this one. While there was undeniable appeal to the warm service and authentic food onboard, the Pakistan Airlines 777-200 is simply not a competitive business class...
First Impressions of Uzbekistan Airways 787 Business Class
Earlier this week I flew with Ben from New York to Tashkent non-stop on a brand new Uzbekistan Airways 787-8 in business class. I’m thankful to have flown it for you…so you don’t have to. Let’s start with the...
Why I Rate Qatar Airways Best for Onboard Dining
Sometimes you find amazing meals on unexpected airlines. Rarer is a carrier that delivers a consistently superior menu: an airline where you know you will always receive a great meal. At least for me, that airline is Qatar Airways....
Review: Saudia 787 Business Class Jeddah to Manchester
After a long layover in Jeddah, I was happy to board our late-night flight to Manchester. After the atrocious last flight I was not expecting great service, but figured at least I would be able to sleep. Five hours...
Here’s Why “Carrier Imposed Fees” are a Scam
With oil prices at a sustained low, you might wonder why do my award tickets incur so many fees? Carriers got wise to the fact that they could no longer tack on exorbitant “fuel surcharges” and avoid the scrutiny...
Review: Saudia Lounge Jeddah (JED)
While expectations were low, especially after the poor service on the Colombo to Jeddah flight, the Saudia Lounge at Jeddah was objectively not bad. In fact, I’d even call it a good lounge. 1.) Plenty of seating We arrived...
Review: Saudia 777 Business Class Colombo To Jeddah (it was horrible)
Once in a while you have a flight that is so weird you have to pinch yourself and ask whether this could possibly be real. This was one of those flights. It all started so promising. Ben and I...
Co-Terminal Standby on Award Travel
Co-terminal standby travel is possible on award travel. Recently I booked an ANA first class award from Chicago to Tokyo Narita with a connection on Thai Airways from Narita to Bangkok in business class the following afternoon. I was...
Sorry TPG, I Can Assure You United Business is Better than Economy Class on ANY Airline
I have a great deal of respect for the The Points Guy and the empire he has built. I know Brian Kelly personally and am friends with Zach Honig, the site’s Editor-in-Chief. But I’m so disappointed by a review...
The Dao Effect? Airlines are Bumping Fewer Passengers
Airlines are bumping passengers at the lowest rate on record according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The agency, which first began tracking involuntary denied boarding rates in 1995, reported that U.S. carriers denied boarding...
80 Nations (including USA) Can Now Visit Qatar Visa-Free
I’m in the midst of a trip report that included two stops in Doha. Despite over a dozen trips through Doha over the years, I have never stepped out of the airport? Why? The honest reason is I did...
