Hello from Taipei. Fresh off a 12.5hr flight from AMS-TPE in China Airlines’ new A350-900 Business Class, I am pleased to report another great in-flight experience. China Airlines’ A350 is beautiful on the inside and out– The business class...
First Look at New Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach in Honolulu
Hyatt recently opened its third Waikiki property in Honolulu, a Hyatt Centric. The new hotel looks promising. Although I was in Honolulu last week and would normally go out of my way to try a new Hyatt property, I just...
United Airlines Issues Statement On In-Flight Calls
While in-flight calls using cellular networks remain off-limits, carriers may set their own policy concerning Wi-Fi enabled calls through mediums like Skype or FaceTime. The DOT is considering whether airlines must disclose at time of purchase whether or not these types of calls are allowed, similar...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: February 18, 2017
Goedemiddag uit Amsterdam! As I continue my SkyTeam journey on KLM, China Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia I am passing through an unusual European hub for me: AMS. This has been a quiet week in terms of major airline or loyalty...
I Scored Three Little Houses on KLM!
It’s funny how little things like Rimowa amenity kits or teddy bears on Gulf Air can be so exciting. Perhaps a bit pathetic. But my current kick (much to my wife’s chagrin, I’m sure, in our small house) is miniature Delft...
KLM 787 Dreamliner World Business Impresses
I just stepped off my first ever KLM flight and found it to be a great overall experience. The full SFO-AMS flight review will be published next week, but for now some initial impressions: KLM’s 787-9 Dreamliner features comfortable...
False Alarm in World of Hyatt E-Mail
An e-mail arrived from Hyatt last night detailing my Globalist (formally Diamond) perks in the new World of Hyatt program that begins on March 01st. The revamped loyalty program will replace the current Gold Passport program. One sentence in...
Why Delta is Expanding Complimentary Meal Service on Domestic Flights
Delta announced plans yesterday to offer complimentary meals in economy class on many of its transcon flights. Curiously, competition is limited on some of these flight. So what is Delta really thinking in adding this perk? Free Meals in...
The Other Secret Special VIP Lounge at Washington Dulles
Recently, View from the Wing wrote about a “Secret Special VIP Lounge at Washington Dulles” that gives foreign dignitaries special courtesies at US airports (.pdf). When I saw his headline, though, my mind was on another “secret special VIP lounge” that...
My Awesome Routing to Jakarta for Garuda First Class
I’m enroute to Jakarta for the long-awaited 90%-off first class award redemption on Garuda Indonesia. Although I am very excited to try Gardua First Class, I must admit my routing to Jakarta is giving it a run for the...
Dallas Cowboys Star DESERVED to be Kicked Off AA Flight
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford deserved to be thrown off his American Airlines flight on Thursday. Rule #1 when you fly: obey reasonable FA instructions. When you do not or give the perception you will not, you’ll find yourself making...
Review: Kiev to New York in Ukraine International Airlines 767 Business Class
My expectations for this flight were quite low. Lucky and Tiffany had just flown the same route a month earlier and posted a decidedly negative review. So it might surprise you that on the whole, I enjoyed the flight....
Playing the Waiting Game in Beirut
On my recent crazy little trip I had a 2.5hr connection in Beirut. It turned into a test of patience. Last time I flew out of Beirut was 2011. I visited the Middle East Airlines Cedar Lounge prior to the...
My Seatmate Had Foul Body Odor…on a 10hr Flight
Remember that post I wrote a couple months ago about my proselytizing seatmate? Turns out he had another issue as well: pungent body odor. Later today I will publish my flight report on Ukraine International Airlines’ flagship Kiev to New...
Calamari in Coach
This week’s edition of Matthew’s Meal of the Week recalls a surprisingly gourmet meal on Royal Brunei from late 2014. Some carriers still put a fair amount of thought and quality into economy class food and Royal Brunei is...
Istanbul to Kiev on Ukraine International Airlines 737 Business Class
Ukraine International Airlines uses new Boeing 737-800 for many of its shorthaul routes in Europe. Unfortunately, it looks west rather than east for guidance on how to configure its business class on short-haul flights. While Aeroflot and Turkish have...
When Will the Next United Polaris Lounge Open?
United opened its Polaris Lounge in Chicago O’Hare last December and it has received rave reviews. I’m going to deliberately route through Chicago on an upcoming trip just to try it out. But ORD is just one hub. When...
Transit in Cairo (CAI)
The difficult of transiting from flight to flight depends on the airport. Connecting from an international to an international flight in the USA requires going through passport control, customs, baggage re-check and security while in Amsterdam (for example) you...
Review: Raden A28 Checked Smart Luggage
Raden sent me one of their A28 Check luggage to see if it could hold up to my challenge. After the abuse it took, I won’t be sending it back. (I received no other compensation for writing this review.) Here’s...
Incredible $70 One-Way Fares to Europe
I don’t typically write about deals since we see them multiple times each week now, but I cannot pass this one up. WOW Air is offering $69.99 one-way flights from a number of U.S. cities. These include: San Francisco...
