Qantas has finally flipped the Wi-Fi switch, now offering high speed wireless internet on its first aircraft. More to come, the carrier promises. It is difficult for me to get on a flight anymore, particularly longhaul flight, without Wi-Fi. Qantas...
The Black Market for United’s White Stuffed Polaris Bears
Although it is hit or miss, if you have flown United Polaris Business Class lately you may have received this cute stuffed animal– I received one on my flight home from Frankfurt last week. If you notice, the bear...
Why I Love the Upper Deck on United’s 747
From the first time I flew on a United 747-400 in business class in 2004 to now, I always make it a point to sit upstairs. But now I have a whole new reason. I’ve been on four United...
Even After Latest Devaluation, We’re Stuck Using Delta SkyMiles
Delta will act with impunity and there is no way to stop it or even prepare for it. But we are still stuck using Delta SkyMiles. In many cases, there is no smart alternative… Yesterday Delta again devalued partner awards instantly and...
Hotel Levent in Istanbul Now a Hyatt Centric Property
The mysterious Hotel Levent in Istanbul is now a Hyatt Centric Property. The property made headlines earlier this year when it debuted as a Category 7 property yet had room rates of under $100/night. It did not take long for...
Loophole: How to Beat Delta’s Latest Devaluation
True to form, Delta unleashed a massive Skymiles devaluation today without any notice. But you can get around it. For now, at least… Delta describes today’s change as nothing out of the ordinary– This change is part of Delta’s regular...
United Airlines Closing 787 Base in Houston, Moving it to Washington Dulles
United Airlines is closing its 787 base in Houston and moving it to Washington Dulles. Starting with the Winter 2017 schedule (begins on 29 October 2017), United will operate the Dreamliner to: Beijing London Heathrow Paris Charles de Gaulle...
Hot Deal: USA to Singapore for $328 R/T
I will only post flight details, particularly economy class flight deals, if I consider the value to be exceptional. This is one such case. You can fly from the USA to Singapore for as little as $328 r/t on...
Lufthansa Flight Diverts Due to Unruly Business Class Passenger
A Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Toronto diverted to Manchester earlier today due to an unruly business class passenger. LH470 left Frankfurt six minutes ahead of schedule this morning. Shortly after takeoff, however, the 747-400 bound for Toronto circled and then diverted...
Driving from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Although we considered flying on Cambodia Angor Air for the 146-mile flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, we opted to travel by taxi. It was about 1/4 the price of flying and we figured it would be an interesting experience....
A More Civil Discussion on Children in Lounges
Yesterday’s discussion on children in lounges spiraled into a territory I was hoping it would not go. Exchanges became nasty and comments incendiary. So let’s try to reset today with a more even-balanced discussion. Here’s what I want to focus on:...
Witnessing Pol Pot’s Inhumanity in Cambodia
We all have certain moments in our lives that are forever ingrained in our memory. One such instance for me was visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I’m publishing a trip report from 2013 and most of...
United Scraps NRT-ICN Flight, Last Intra-Asia Flight from Tokyo Hub
United Airlines is ending its service between Tokyo Narita and Seoul Incheon this autumn, eliminating its last remaining intra-Asia flight from its Narita “hub”. Currently United operates a 737-800 between NRT and ICN on the following schedule: UA079 / Tokyo...
Beef Chili in a Sourdough Bowl: United p.s. Business (+ A Funny Story)
For this week’s Meal of the Week I look back on a unique (in terms of airline food, at least) lunch I had on United in December 2010. United p.s. service, which ran between New York JFK and San Francisco/Los...
My Son Was an Angel in AMEX Lounge, Unlike Drunk Losers Nearby
Last month I wrote A Warning to American Express and a very feisty discussion ensued. The issue: should cardholders have to pay $50 per child for Centurion Lounge entry beyond their first child? On one side of the debate: families with children...
Air India’s Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to Win Back Customers
Somewhere in an Air India Executive Board Room in New Delhi, celebration is erupting. The Indian flag carrier claims that bookings to the USA have doubled since the in-flight electronics ban was announced– According to Air India sources, bookings to...
Should Free Tap Water When Flying Be A Right?
The human body needs water to sustain itself. Our brain is 70% water, lungs 90% water and our body is 60% water overall. It is the fuel that propels us forward. So is charging separately for water on an airplane...
Inhumanity? 87-Year-Old Barred from Using Lavatory, Sits in Wet Clothes for 10 Hours
An 87-year old claims a British Airways FA repeatedly blocked her as she tried to use the lavatory during an extended ground delay at LAX. Although the Daily Mail unnecessarily sensationalizes the incident, they get the emphasis right: the FA action. The...
Loud Copulation in Hotel Room
We are in Mykonos at a lovely little beachside hotel. It is still early in the season with most hotels not open yet. Each room has an ocean view and although very much a budget property, the hotel has...
5 Planes I Wish I Had Flown
My interest in aviation bloomed in 2004, though it did not truly take off until 2008. Planes come and go over the years but some are more special than others. Here are five planes I either never had the...
