As 2016 draws to a close, I have to look back and chuckle. Every year I write in January that I am going to curb travel in the coming year and every year I just end up traveling more...
United Denies Rumor It Will Cut Hot Food from Lounges
A rumor sprang up on Flyertalk this afternoon that hot food would be cut from the United Clubs in Chicago O’Hare and not expanded to additional airports. United informed me that no such decision has been made. United’s lounge...
Video: Citibank VP Thrown Off Delta Flight, Attacks Cheering Passengers
A Delta flight from Minneapolis to Los Angeles turned back and landed in MSP last night over a lavatory altercation that led to a fistfight with other passengers. A Citibank VP and his girlfriend were traveling to LA. The woman needed to...
The End of Free Parking in Las Vegas
A fascinating article in the LA Times details how casinos in Las Vegas are eliminating free parking. For those in the know, that will also spell the end of free parking when traveling from Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS)....
It’s That Time of Year Again…
It’s that time of year…the annual hotel mattress run for procrastinators. This year, I am one of them! I had to laugh. I’m in Long Beach, CA for a couple days because I’m two stays short of my Hyatt...
My First International Business Class Meal: SFO-LHR on UA930
For this week’s Matthew’s Meal of the Week, I remember my first international flight. In September 2006 I travelled to Europe for the first time, a United 747-400 from San Francisco to London. I had just turned 20 and it was...
Lufthansa vs. Turkish Within Europe
Although Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa are Star Alliance partners, the two carriers are fierce competitors. Competing head-to-head for both long haul and short haul traffic, the “frenemies” each have a distinctive advantage. Which one is the better option for...
My Garuda First Class Award is Ticketed!
Wow, talk about about a close call! It came down to the wire, but a generous act of goodwill by a reader of this blog saved me a trip to Asia and saved my trip in Garuda Indonesia First...
Review: Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort (China)
Off the radar for most US travellers, China’s “Red Hawai’i” offered us an incredible opportunity in Sanya, China. I wanted to review the exquisite Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay and was not disappointed. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge Frankfurt
Perhaps familiarity does breed contempt, but the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge in Frankfurt was a welcome relief from the oft-crowded network of Lufthansa departure lounges nearby. Located in Terminal 1 in the B-Gate Area (non-Schengen), the lounge is...
This Makes Me Want to Fly Alitalia
I don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for a good ad campaign and Alitalia has a tremendous one. Influenced by Etihad and trying to battle a fiercely competitive market, the carrier is selling style, and it...
Review: Lufthansa Welcome Lounge Frankfurt
I reviewed the Lufthansa Welcome Lounge in Frankfurt five years ago and it has not changed much. That’s a testament to the endearing quality of Lufthansa. Located landside beyond passport control and baggage claim, the lounge serves arriving long haul premium...
Detour: My Other Africa Trip Report
Last week I kicked off my “month in Africa” trip report. I’m telling the story of my life, in a sense, and that month in Africa was nothing short of incredible. The trip report is already written, but I have...
A Trick for Finding Hidden Award Seats
Earlier today I wrote about married segments, attempting to explain them, their purpose, and how to use them to your advantage. Just like in real life, however, sometimes marriage is not the answer. While married segments and “direct flights”...
A Primer On Married Segments
Airlines are increasingly using “married segment logic” in the allocation of revenue and award seats, which can create more difficulty in booking, but at the same time opportunity. Explaining Married Segments When two segments are married it means you can...
Reflecting on Priorities This Christmas
I’m thinking about priorities this Christmas. While I’ve spent four days dwelling on Garuda Indonesia First Class a civil war continues in Syria. It appears thankfully drawing to a close, but 400,000 have already been killed. War rages in Somalia and...
Twas the Night Before Christmas: 2016 Edition
You’ll have to indulge me here. I tried this three years ago in a poem entitled The Night Before Christmas: United Airlines Edition but this one is a bit more personal. I like poetry, especially rhyming couplets, and figured I’d...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: December 24, 2016
Warm holiday greetings from Los Angeles, where I am looking forward to celebrating the first Christmas with Heidi in our new home and Augustine’s first Christmas in this world. With a brief last-minute trip, an unexpectedly busy week at Award...
United Cuts International Routes, Will Focus on Domestic Travel
An interesting Chicago Tribune article details how United will focus more on domestic travel in 2017. With yields down on international routes thanks to low-cost competition, United will look inward. Strategies includes: Strengthening its existing hubs Continuing the trend...
All the 2016 Airline Holiday Videos
Christmas Eve has arrived and many airlines have released holiday videos for 2016. I have compiled them into one place for your viewing pleasure! Aer Lingus: Air France: Air New Zealand: Alitalia: American Airlines: Delta: EVA: Iberia: KLM: Southwest: TAP Portugal:...
