Below is a brief review of my recent stay at the Hyatt Regency in Montreal. Its brevity can be explained: about the only thing I did at the hotel was sleep. I arrived in Montreal on an early morning...
Star Alliance or Oneworld? LAN and TAM to Merge
LAN and TAM have announced their intention to merge into a new South American mega-airline group, LATAM. If the merger goes forward, the new company would boast 40,000 employees and transport more than 45 million customers a year to 115...
Air Canada Introduces Lifetime Elite Status
For those who have racked up at least 1,000,000 elite miles on Air Canada or Jazz flights, new benefits are coming your way: 1 million status miles = lifetime Elite status (mid-tier, Star Gold) 2 million status miles = lifetime...
Ex-Gangbanger and Inner-City Cop Flying First Class on Singapore Airlines
I’ve already blogged about the folly of assuming someone doesn’t belong in first class, but this story takes the cake. I love trip reports that read like a suspense novel and Flyertaker macabus has proven himself a fine raconteur. Click...
Leaked JetBlue Memo Reveals that Steven Slater May Have Fabricated Story
The AP has obtained an internal JetBlue memo admonishing the actions of Steven Slater and warning FAs not to try anything similar. Most interesting is this: JetBlue Chief Operating Officer Rob Maruster says in the memo that the airline is still...
Another Thaw in StarNet Blocking – My Award Trip is Now Complete
It’s too early to tell if StarNet blocking is gone on UA or just on another hiatus, but I was able to book transatlantic Lufthansa flights today–a marked change from last week. As I mentioned in an earlier post...
United 1K Line Calls Me the Wrong Name on Skype!
United’s IT staff may not win m/any accolades, but one thing I do is appreciate is not having to enter my Mileage Plus number each time I call reservations on my mobile phone. Because that number is the primary...
Continental/United Update Livery
I still am rooting for this design, but at least the merger team at Continental/United is making some progress on the livery of the combined carrier. When UA and CO announced they were getting hitched in May, they revealed this livery for...
A Note to the Disgrunted Passenger at UA Baggage Claim Last Night at LAX
Dear Disgruntled Passenger, Hi. I was the young man being assisted at the United baggage claim counter last night at LAX when you stormed in and demanded to cut to the front of the line. It was apparent that...
Partner Blackout Dates on United Airlines
Beyond the scope of StarNet blocking by United, some Star Alliance airlines simply do not make award travel available on specific dates, usually around major holidays or in high tourist season. While UA is very cautious about releasing any...
Ultimatum for Turkish Airlines FAs: Lose Weight or Lose Your Job
You read the title correctly and, no, I am not quoting a news story from the 1960s. Of course Turkish Airlines isn’t the only airline to set maximum weight and size thresholds for their flight attendants, but it always...
World’s Most Expensive Cities – 2010
The LA Times recently published a feature story highlighting the ten most expensive cities in the world. Here’s the top 10 list: Luanda, Angola Tokyo N’Djamena, Chad Moscow Geneva Osaka Libreville, Gabon Zürich Hong Kong Copenhagen I was surprised to see three African...
Jet Blue Flight Attendant Exits Stage Right After Rousing Vocal Performance
Steven Slater was already having a bad day. He had just landed at JFK from Pittsburgh a tad late and his passengers were restless. One even got up to fetch her hand baggage while the aircraft was still on...
World’s Least Expensive Cities – 2010
The LA Times recently published a feature story highlighting the ten places in the world where your dollar will go the farthest. Here’s the top 10 list: Karachi, Pakistan Managua, Nicaragua Islamabad, Pakistan La Paz, Bolivia Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan Bishkek,...
Flying to Barcelona? Consider Pakistan International Airlines via Chicago
I have always been intrigued by Fifth Freedom routes, especially by exotic carriers. Only a handful of these flights, however, are available in North America. Here is the current list (and please let me know if I have left...
United States Will Charge Tourists $14 to "Promote Tourism"
Sometimes, I wonder why members of Congress display so little common sense. Then I remember what it was like to work for them. In an astute move displaying superlative wisdom and unparalleled foresight, Congress has voted to levy a $14 tax on...
Delta to Begin Service to Iceland Next June
Yesterday afternoon I received an e-mail that Delta was starting service to Reykjavik, Iceland next June. The once daily flights will depart late from JFK, arriving the following morning in KEF and return late morning from KEF, arriving just...
United Airlines "Mechanics" Show You How to Recline Your Seat
I haven’t had the pleasure of flying on UA to Sydney this year, but apparently first class passengers flying from Los Angeles to Sydney are receiving a more personalized touch. The following request is from United’s representative on FlyerTalk:...
Time to Invest in a Lifetime Continental Presidents Club Membership?
I’m at the point of the year again where I’ve reached a fork in the road. I’ve re-qualified for 1K status on United, so my elite benefits are safe through at least January 2012, but now I must decide...
New Livery Coming to Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a new livery that will eventually be applied to all 38 of its aircraft. New technology, reportedly unique to VS, will give each aircraft a highly reflective metallic appearance. In a press release announcing the change, Virgin...
