Lufthansa’s position has not changed: it wants to invest in Alitalia. Last week I wrote about the latest plan in Italy to re-nationalize Alitalia. Fulfilling a campaign promise, the recently-elected government is essentially saying Alitalia is as part of...
A Pricey New Dutch Air Passenger Duty Like The UK?
The Dutch government wants to add an air passenger tax to airline tickets starting in 2021. Will the Netherlands embrace a controversial scheme like the UK Air Passenger Duty? The proposed plan will start modestly: €3.80 on flights within the...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 23, 2018
Greetings from sunny Los Angeles. I’m in a holding pattern this week. I thought I was going to have to leave for Europe tomorrow, but that trip has been postponed. I’m both relieved and disappointed. I never like leaving...
Mid-Year Status Update – Surprising Results
For the first time since I became a serious frequent flyer, I am carefully tracking all of my traveling metrics for elite status. Every flight and hotel stay is logged and I am sharing my results – my expectations didn’t...
Away Travel Replaces Smart Luggage Batteries
Away Travel is offering a trade-out program for their previous generation bags in a move that is smart and helpful. Customers who previously purchased a piece of luggage from Away Travel can swap out their now out-of-compliance styles for...
Luggage Review: Wool & Oak Duffle Bag
For several years I have been traveling a mix of short road trips and some longer journeys domestically and abroad. For shorter trips, I prefer to simplify my packing and bring as little as possible. The Wool & Oak...
An English Breakfast on British Airways
One of my favorite airline meals of all time, any time of day, is an English Breakfast on British Airways. That’s the focus of this week’s Meal of the Week. Sometimes we can act irrationally when it comes to...
Booking Aeroflot Award Space With SkyTeam Partners Proves Difficult
After a superb trip nearly a decade ago, Aeroflot Russian Airlines is a carrier I planned to fly this year. But booking award space has proved extremely difficult. I was hoping to get to Russia next month, but am...
Southwest Challenges American, Delta and United at Hollywood Burbank Airport
As the economy continues to grow and air travel picks up, one of LA’s smaller airports is witnessing a renaissance. While many carriers are adding capacity at Hollywood Burbank Airport, one airline is adding capacity to a tactical assortment...
$100 Hotel Credit At Park Hyatt When You Stay Two Nights
If you’re staying at a Park Hyatt hotel this summer, don’t forget to take advantage of an easy way to earn $100 in hotel credit. Stay two nights or more from July 1 through September 30, 2018, to receive...
Fond Memories Of United Airlines’ Island Hopper
The latest edition of Big Metal Bird explores United’s historic Island Hopper route between Guam and Honolulu. Three times per week, a United 737-800 takes off from Honolulu just as the sun begins to rise, making five stops enroute...
Dad Ditches Kid In Economy Class To Relax In Business Class
How would you react to finding your seatmate on a 12-hour flight to China is a talkative eight-year-old boy whose father had ditched him to go sit in business class? Flyertalk member steveo posted the following question in the...
Italian Government Wants to Fight Air Italy By Nationalizing Alitalia (Again)
I’m reading between the lines here, but what do you think it means when the Italian government plans to take control of Alitalia (once again) in order to build a flagship airline of “Italo character”? Alitalia is heavily in debt and...
Giveaway: Special Edition Lufthansa First Class Duck
As the World Cup festivities wind down, here’s your chance to win a free special edition Lufthansa rubber duck from the First Class Terminal in Frankfurt. First, congratulations to France on their 2018 World Cup victory over Croatia. It...
Next Up: Los Angeles to Frankfurt via Dubai in Emirates First Class
My next trip report will be a short one, covering my journey from Los Angeles to Frankfurt via Dubai in Emirates First Class onboard the A380 for both sectors. Whenever I post a review that is more than a...
How Africa’s Largest Airline Exercises Strategic Influence
We’ve seen many surprises at the Farnborough Airshow this week, including the birth of a new airline. But the politics behind it are even more interesting. Nigeria has struggled to maintain a viable flag carrier over the decades. Nigeria Airways...
Review: United Club London Heathrow (My Favorite United Club)
The United Club in London Heathrow is my favorite United Club in the network and a great place to work or eat prior to your flight. This lounge does get crowded in the morning, just like the nearby Air...
Review: Lufthansa 747-8 Business Class Frankfurt to Los Angeles
Lufthansa is an excellent airline in so many ways, but misses the mark when it comes to longhaul business class. While there was nothing glaringly wrong with my 11-hour flight from Frankfurt to Los Angeles, there was also nothing...
Exclusive: Same-Sex Couple Accused of Child Trafficking on Southwest Flight, Threatened By Police
Imagine returning from vacation with your granddaughter only to be treated like a criminal thanks to a nosy passenger and a reactionary police officer. Last year I wrote about a man who was falsely accused of human trafficking on...
Maximizing Your 10% Rebate On Hyatt Redemptions
During the months of August and September, Hyatt if offering its Chase-branded credit card cardholders a 10% refund on award redemptions. To take advantage, simply register by August 31, 2018. This promo runs for stays between August 01st and September 30th....
