Imagine being accused of child trafficking because your children have lighter skin than you do. That’s what happened on a United Airlines flight. Disclaimer: just like I don’t trust Breitbart News, I don’t generally trust the Huffington Post. However, the...
Review: Air China A330 Business Class from Taipei to Beijing
Here’s a brief review of a 3h20m flight from Taipei to Beijing I took (as part of my ongoing 2013 trip report). As I mentioned yesterday, I feel like Air China often receives an unfair bad wrap. A 3hr25min flight...
Despite Bad Reputation, Air China is Pretty Darn Good
Air China’s reputation is not in the league of Singapore or Cathay Pacific. Nor should it be. But mention Air China to many and you’ll be met with shaking heads or third-hand horror stories. My opinion of Air China: not bad...
United CEO Writes Me a Letter
United Airlines is still suffering fallout from its disastrous handling of the UA3411 incident. In a letter to United’s “most valued” customers, CEO Oscar Munoz apologizes and vows to reform the customer service experience. Here’s the letter, sent to me...
Bumped from United? Free Private Jet Flights
If the thought of being dragged off a United flight bruised and bloodied is not exciting enough, you may be able to get a free flight on a private jet too! JetSmarter, the “Uber for private jets” is inviting...
For Your Protection, No Ice Cream Sundaes on United Airlines
A signature element of United Airlines’ business class service on transcon and longhaul flights is ice cream sundaes. But if you have flown United this week you may have noticed sherbet served in a paper container rather than the usual sundae. As part of...
Delta Closes SkyMiles Loophole
10 days ago Delta devalued its SkyMiles loyalty program further by raising the price of partner awards without notice. But it left an odd loophole that could be used to book awards at the old price. That loophole is now...
United FAs Refuse to Help Disabled 94-Year-Old Butter Bread, Walk to Lavatory
Cruel and heartless customer service or merely protecting the integrity of the business class cabin and stopping a scammer from trying to upgrade? That’s one question surrounding another United Airlines story that will leave you feeling sad. But the greater...
Honeymooners Thrown Off United Flight
In light of the disastrous UA3411 incident, it seems that people are a sensing an opportunity to take advantage of United Airlines. Or maybe United is still just tone deaf. A married couple embarking on their honeymoon to Costa Rica was thrown off...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 16, 2017
Happy Easter from sunny Los Angeles. While I don’t take any days off, I am trying to limit my work today. It has been so busy lately and a day of rest is greatly needed. After travel for so many...
I Used My Cell Phone on Turkish Airlines. No One Cared.
Turkish Airlines permits the use of mobile phones in-flight. Using T-Mobile Wi-Fi, I was able to call my wife during my ~14hr flight on Thursday. The connection was clear and we had a nice conversation…it helped to pass time...
Air Force One Costs HOW Much to Operate?
How much does it cost to operate Air Force One? Even having worked in the White House a decade ago, I was shocked to see the numbers. With the President making weekly trips to Florida, NPR has a story...
AA Learns the Concept of Diminishing Returns
A foolish man once said, “We will cut our way to growth.” American Airlines is finding out that its massive devaluation to its AAdvantage loyalty program last March is taking a toll on its profit. There is some disagreement...
United CEO Apology Tour at Asian Consulates
Apparently United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz paid visits to Japanese and Chinese consumes this week in the aftermath of the UA 3411 controversy. Although United has thus far not responded for my request for comment, I’m told that Munoz visited Japanese and...
United Airlines Board of Directors Addresses Controversy
The United Airlines Board of Directors has been silent this week over the UA3411 controversy. Until now. In a letter directed to employees, the Chairman Robert Milton offers his take on what happened and what United will do about it. The...
Has Technology Made Your Airline Experience Worse?
NY Times technology columnist Farhad Majoo argues that technology has failed to improve your airline experience. His thesis– Yet the airline industry has not just stubbornly resisted innovation to improve customer service — in many ways, technology has only...
What Kind of Food Does Turkish Airlines Serve in Longhaul Economy?
With the United passenger ejection story dominating headlines this week, I did not get a chance to put up the weekly Meal of the Week segment on Wednesday. This week, I’ll share pictures of the two meals and one...
Yes, ISIS Could Have Brought My Plane Down
Now I’m even more convinced electronics ban is worthless. Yesterday I flew from Istanbul to Los Angeles on Turkish Airlines. Turkey is one of the eight nations impacted by the in-flight electronics ban. First, I felt very safe flying...
Is Oscar Munoz a Liar?
I’ve stood by embattled United CEO Oscar Munoz throughout the passenger dragging incident saga, but one issue puzzles me–who is telling the truth on reaching out to Dr. Dao? Earlier today I wrote about the elaborate press conference staged by...
Lawyers Stage Elaborate Press Conference to Pummel United Airlines
The pageantry of a made-for-TV legal case was on full display yesterday, as Dr. David Dao’s lawyers used a carefully staged press conference to lay out their case against United. Here’s the press conference — 1hr in length — In the...
