United Airlines is cutting back service to two cities in the United Kingdom and one in Ireland. Service to Birmingham, England will end on October 5th and the station will close: Last outbound flight departs Newark – EWR on...
A Boat Trip to an Abandoned Russian Mining Island
The highlight of my trip to Svlabard was an overnight trip from Longyearbyen to Pyramiden, a near-abandoned Russian mining settlement reached via boat. I booked with Arctic Explorer because it offered the better schedule, though other companies offer full...
Why I Chose Airbnb in Longyearbyen, Norway
For months I had a room reserved at the Radisson Blu Longyearbyen Hotel for about $270/night after taxes. But in the end, I cancelled it and went with an Airbnb rental. One, Lucky decided to book his trip to Longyearbyen...
First Impression of SWISS 777-300ER Business Class: Mixed
I opted to fly non-stop in SWISS business class to Zurich last week rather than connect in Frankfurt and fly first class. I’m not sure if that was a mistake or not, since first class was only 15,000 more...
Review: Oslo to Longyearbyen in SAS Plus (“Business”)
At 2hr,55min, Oslo to Longyearbyen is the longest domestic flights on the SAS route map. How does service look on a flight that long in SAS Plus? After spending half the afternoon and entire evening the SAS Gold Lounge,...
Qatar CEO’s “Apology” for Derogatory Comments
I’m absolutely shocked that Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker has released an apology…or at least a non-apology mea culpa…for his controversial comments about the age of U.S. flight attendants. Here’s the statement, not from Akbar himself but from...
Revealed: United 767 Polaris Cabin Layout
United Airlines is in the process of retrofitting its current 767-300 and 777-200 fleet to install new Polaris Business Class seats. The first 767 is now out of the factory and will enter service this summer on an unspecified...
Why MileagePlus Go Card is Actually Great
Critics have come out against the MileagePlus Go Visa Prepaid Card early and often. But I think many of their criticisms are unfair and don’t accurately reflect the wider market for this product. This card is a great value...
United CEO Blasts Qatar CEO for Sexist Remarks
Yesterday I wrote about blatantly ageist remarks made by Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker that ridiculed US-based flight attendants. Now United CEO Oscar Munoz has come out swinging against him. In a note to employees, a YouTube link to Akbar’s...
How Fast Does Air New Zealand Churn Out Safety Videos?
Air New Zealand is out with a new safety video…another one. Apparently I missed the last one. I flew Air New Zealand in late November last year and wrote about it here. That was only seven months ago. The...
Review: SAS Gold Lounge Oslo
After three hours in the SAS Gold Lounge in Stockholm and the most scenic flight of my life, we faced a 7hr layover in Oslo. I wanted to go into Oslo, but an afternoon storm rolled through so we remained...
Qatar Airways CEO Speaks Truth
Qatar Airways Chairman and CEO Akbar Al Baker has waded into a contentious controversy: the age-old FA age debate. You can listen to his remarks in context below, but he stated– Wide seats, plenty of legroom, as well as award...
Pictures: The Most Scenic Flight I’ve Ever Flown
This flight review will focus not on what took place inside the airplane, but on what I observed outside. As a rule, I prefer window seats, but I don’t generally spend time gazing out of them. Instead, I choose...
Review: SAS Gold Lounge Stockholm (ARN)
Stepping off the plane from our Los Angeles to Stockholm flight, we had 3hrs and 40min until our connection to Oslo. While some fresh air would have been nice, we headed directly for the SAS Lounge. The SAS Lounge...
Review: SAS A330 Business Class Los Angeles to Stockholm
I was expecting the worst, in all honesty. My last transatlantic flight in SAS business class was a disappointment and Lucky had flown the same LAX-ARN route weeks earlier and had reported particularly poor service. But the flight turned out not just...
United 777-300ER Current and Future Routes
United Airlines ordered 18 777-300ER aircraft. The first 14 will be delivered during 2017 with the four additional aircraft coming in 2018. What routes can you find the new aircraft on? What’s So Good About the United 777-300ER? The United...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 09, 2017
I’ve escaped the Los Angeles heat and am basking in the cool summer rains of Germany. (sigh of contentment) Oddly, I’ve encountered horrible jet lag the last couple days — this despite flying nonstop to Europe in the evening...
United Status Matched Me to 1K!
I have previously noted that American Airlines has gutted their Advantage frequent flyer and because of that I am leaving American. Loyalty is a two-way street and American has worked hard to make it a one-way street, well I’m...
Interview: Aaron Glick – VP Hilton Honors
During the 2017 Freddies in New York City I had an opportunity to meet the Vice President for Hilton Honors, Aaron Glick. We didn’t have enough time to conduct a proper interview at the event, but Aaron was kind...
Review: Conrad Bangkok Hotel – Suite Upgrade
Though I’ve previously stayed at the property, I haven’t had a chance to review the Conrad Bangkok. In fact, despite dozens of visits to Bangkok, this would be my first stay for more than a single night. I looked...
