What was supposed to be a temporary resting place turned into a fortress I did not exit. I spent my entire 17-hour layover in Ethiopia at the Hilton Addis Ababa. Upon arriving in Addis Ababa, I visited the Ethiopian Airlines...
Aeroplan Plan of Attack: DOT First, Lawsuit Later
Aeroplan apparently won’t honor the SWISS First Class award tickets issued last week. I say apparently because Aeroplan still hasn’t contacted me directly concerning my ticket and the reservation still shows intact if I login to my Aeroplan account....
Deconstructing Aeroplan’s Disingenuous Statement
Aeroplan has passed off blame on SWISS for the cancellation of hundreds of first class award tickets, including my own. Let’s unpack Aeroplan’s latest public statement. A small number of first class bookings were made using Aeroplan miles on SWISS;...
Aer Lingus Answers Skit on SNL with Trumpesque Tweet
Aer Lingus was lampooned recently on Saturday Night Live. But the good-natured Irish carrier offered a stinging rebuttal in an all-too-familiar-style. Honestly, the SNL clip isn’t all that funny, though the the accents are absolutely perfect. I know the...
Aeroplan: We Won’t Honor SWISS First Class Award Tickets
Just 11 minutes after publishing a cautiously optimistic post on the Aeroplan/SWISS First Class award issue, the other shoe dropped…Aeroplan is throwing in the towel. Here’s the update from Aeroplan– A small number of first class bookings were made...
Impressive: United’s Free Coach Meals on Domestic Transcons
Upgrades are much more difficult when you purchase a same-day ticket. Yesterday was one of those days. Three urgent meetings in New York today meant a last-minute redeye yesterday. While my upgrade never cleared, it gave me a chance...
SWISS First Class Update: No News is Good News?
I’ve received over 50 emails the last two days asking for an update on the Aeroplan/SWISS First Class issue. Thus far, I’ve only been advised to be patient. At this point, we know that SWISS is the culprit for...
My United 1K Dilemma
As the year draws to the close, I find myself in a paradoxical position: top-tier United 1K status is within reach, yet hopelessly distant. I’ve racked up over 86,000 EQM this year and I’m on my next trip this...
A Guide to Ethiopian Airlines’ Free Transit Hotel
If your layover in Addis Ababa is between 8-24 hours, chances are you can score a free hotel room courtesy of Ethiopian Airlines during your long layover. Not everyone with a transit between 8-24 hours will receive a free...
It’s Raining Poop! New Delhi Residents Blame Airlines for Toxic Downpour
Residents near Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi are complaining of human waste dropping from the heavens. Many are fingering airlines as the culprit… A great debate has arisen whether it is bird poop or human waste. I’d...
5 Reasons Lufthansa is a 5-Star Airline
Lufthansa was named a five-star airline by Skytrax yesterday, making it the first European airline to receive such recognition. Per Skytrax: A critical factor for an airline to achieve 5-Star Certification is consistency of standards, and this is where...
Best City for a Night Out is…Hamburg?
I’m not much of a nightlife person, preferring to be in bed by 9pm, but in my travels to over 125 nations I’ve certainly experienced my fair share of nightlife. Which world city is best for a night out?...
Addis Ababa (ADD) Transit Guide
Addis Ababa may not have the most beautiful airport and the lack of gates is annoying, but transit is fairly easy. Here’s a handy guide to help make your transit easy. I landed from Toronto at a remote gate,...
Senate Version of Tax Cut Bill Eliminates Tax Hike on Gulf Carriers
The final tax cut bill has not reached the President’s desk yet, but the U.S. Senate has wisely cut a ridiculous tax increase levied on foreign airlines from its version of the bill. Per the Los Angeles Times: Sen....
Review: Ethiopian Airlines 787 Business Class Toronto to Addis Ababa
While my 13hr flight on Ethiopian Airlines featured old-school business class seats, the warm service and tasty food made up for it. After a great stay at the Park Hyatt Toronto, I took the Pearson Express to the airport,...
Disgusting: FAs Indifferent to Sexual Harassment on Alaska Airlines
The recent wave of sexual harassment allegations is transforming the U.S. landscape and emboldening more every day to come forward with their stories. But such treatment, generally against women, persists…and some practices die hard. Like on Alaska Airlines… I...
Air New Zealand’s “Mirry Christmus” Video
I’ll admit, the Australian accent is my favorite accent in the world. But I love the Kiwi accent as well and love a new Air New Zealand Christmas ad poking fun at it. There’s not much commentary I can...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 03, 2017
I’m in LA tonight…the question is for how long. I’m hoping I’ll be able to stay home this week, but I may be on a plane to New York tomorrow, then Hong Kong, then Zurich…maybe even Las Vegas. We’ll...
Review: Radisson Blu Edwardian Manchester – Suite
When we booked our mistake fare to Manchester we wanted to pick our hotel very carefully. After living in the city for several years, we didn’t have much opportunity to try out area hotels. The Radisson Blu Edwardian in...
Making $1500 Flying A Mistake Fare
We booked a mistake fare back to England to see friends and visit the Christmas Markets. Mistake fares always present outsized value for the product sold, but on this occasion we got all of our money back and profited...
