The problem according to U.S. airlines is this– The nations of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are funneling billions of dollars in government subsidies to their state-owned airlines, distorting the international aviation market and undermining fair competition....
Stupid! $400 for a Slice of Airline Pizza
I think I speak for all of us when I say there are certain moments in life that we look back on with on regret. My regret this morning: giving up a bump voucher because of an airline meal. This...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 19, 2017
Hello from Stuttgart. Thanks to these anti-jetlag tips, I quickly adjusted to Central Europe Time and have acclimated back to life in Germany. Little Augustine is meeting many family members for the first time and we’ve had a very pleasant...
United Ends Duty Free Sales
Citing a lack of sales, United Airlines is ending onboard duty free sales at the end of this month. In an AFA news release, the demise of duty free sales was blamed on “declining sales revenue”– United announced this week,...
Exposed: Shameful Double Standards on Airline Subsidies
Breaking news. The sun rose in the east today. If you’re wondering why I often dismiss the outcry of U.S. airlines over subsidies, look no further than two news items this week. News Item #1: A protest over Emirates’...
Why United Won’t Sweat the Polaris Seat Delays
Zodiac Aerospace, the seat manufacturer for United’s new Polaris Business Class seat, is in trouble. With labor issues threatening production schedules, United faces further delays in its Polaris retrofit program. Nevertheless, I contend United will not lose too much sleep over this setback....
Great Flight on United Airlines 787-9 Business Class
I don’t want to be known as the United Airlines fanboy, but I turned lemons into lemonade earlier this week and had a great flight to London on United’s new 787-9. Thanks to a mechanical delay out of Burbank,...
Emirates A380 Wake Turbulence Flips Over Private Jet!
Wake turbulence from an Emirates A380 traveling from Dubai to Sydney flipped over a private jet, forcing an emergency landing in Muscat and rendering the aircraft scrap metal. Back in the days of “Channel 9” (ATC communications) on United Airlines, I’d...
Huge Bonus Miles Offer for New York City Residents on United (Targeted)
United Airlines is offering select New York residents a huge mileage bonus for flying United thru the end of June. In an email that went out to select NYC-area travelers yesterday, United invited MileagePlus members to enter their MileagePlus number...
Trump Budget: Higher Passenger Fees
U.S. President Donald Trump’s first budget proposal includes a number of travel-related items including increased TSA fees, privatizing the air traffic control system, and cutting Amtrak and Essential Air Service funding. Let’s not forget that Trump said this during...
The Kentucky Derby VIP Experience
After a packed day before the race, the big day arrived. First stop today was breakfast at Keene Place. Known as Keene Place and built in 1805 by the Keene Family, the mansion is among the oldest homes in...
The Real Reason Cathay Pacific is Losing Money
Yesterday I wrote about Cathay Pacific’s 2016 reported annual loss. The Hong Kong-based airline blamed weak demand for its premium cabin product and fierce competition from Mainland China as the reason. Although I mentioned that Cathay lost money hedging fuel,...
Hilarious British Airways Passenger Spoofs
Check out three hilarious sketches featuring celebrities David Walliams, Tom Daley, and Emma Bunton role-playing British Airways agents at London Heathrow. Some of the passenger exchanges are priceless. Next week is Red Nose Day 2017, which I had never head of until...
SWISS Lounges in Zurich and Geneva Part of Priority Pass
You learn something new every day. My wife and I flew into Zurich earlier this week and found that two SWISS lounges are part of the Priority Pass network. Not that we had access… SWISS has several lounges at Zurich...
Getting a Tourist Visa for Venezuela
I wrote earlier this week about my desire to visit Venezuela and my failure to check entry requirements. Once I realized my mistake, I planned to quickly rectify it by following the instructions, finding a nearby consulate or the...
Breeding, Bourbon, and Bevin: The Day Before the Big Race
My Kentucky Derby trip report continues with a recount of the activities we took part on the day before the big race. Our host warned us it would be a busy two days and indeed it was. We were...
Airline Meal: Carbs with Carbs and a Side of Carbs
Last week I wrote about United Airlines resuming service between Chicago and San Jose, CA. I flew the route once, in August 2007, and was served a meal in first class I will never forget. In honor of the...
Ouch! Disappointing Loss for Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific is blaming too many empty seats and increasing competition from Mainland China for only its third annual loss in company history. In 2015, Cathay Pacific reported a HK$6bn annual profit ($772mn USD). In 2016, the company lost $575mn ($74mn...
British Airways Passengers Angry at Lack of Food and Toilet Paper
British Airways continues to struggle with its new buy-on-board scheme, with passengers often encountering food shortages on flights within Europe. Oddly, the problem seems to go hand-in-hand with toilet paper provisioning. First, a comment on British English. Do you...
Blind Woman Kicked Off Flight for Requesting Seat Change
A blind woman and her husband were ordered off an American Airlines flight and deemed a “safety” threat after an incident involving seat changes. Sue Martin travels with her service dog, Quan. He’s a big fella. 75lb to be...
