My brother Andrew recently flew from Los Angeles to Paris on Air Tahiti Nui in “Poerava” business class using 57.5K American Airlines miles. I asked him to write a trip report sharing about his flight. Gosh, I love exotic...
This is Why I Always Fasten Seat Belt When Seated on Airplane
Turbulence can hit unexpectedly and when it does, it can be injurious or even deadly. A recent Avianca flight from Lima to Bueons Aires encountered unexpected but severe turbulence at 41,000 feet, throwing passengers and crew across the cabin and...
Access Policy for Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi
25 JUNE 2016 UPDATE: Etihad is now allowing passengers into the first class lounge who arrive in first class but are connecting in business class. Here is the bottom line– Access to the Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa...
A Condensed Photo Tour of the New Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi
With neraly 120 pictures, my recent review of the new Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi may have been overhwhelming for some, so I also want to provide this condensed version of ten photos that capture...
Jeffrey Goh Named Star Alliance CEO
Choosing a company insider to replace retiring Mark Schwab, Star Alliance has named Jeffrey Goh its new CEO, with an appointment effective on Janauary 01, 2017. “This early decision lays the groundwork for a smooth leadership transition at the...
Review: Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi
Earlier this week Etihad Airways opened its long-awaited first class lounge in Terminal 3 in Abu Dhabi. Details are still emerging about the lounge but let not your heart be troubled — you can find everything you need below....
Should I Fly the Iran Air 747SP?
I do not have many regrets in life, but three big regrets are never flying the Concorde, Boeing 707, and Lockheed L1011. Had my aviation enthusiasm begun just a couple years earlier I am certain I would have flown...
United Airlines Will Unveil New Business Class Seat Today
In an event that will seemingly mimic an Apple WWDC, United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz will hold a “major media event” this evening in New York City’s Gotham Hall. Expect the unveiling of a “totally new premium product experience” including a...
United Airlines Team USA Amenity Kits
Earlier this week I wrote about a new United Airlines safety video that celebrates United’s partnership with Team USA in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. A flight attendant passed on news to me that beginning this month United...
New Etihad A380 Video with Nicole Kidman
Etihad is out with a new virtual reality 360º video showcasing service onboard its A380, featuring spokeswoman Nicole Kidman: I loved flying the A380 from London to Abu Dhabi last December and will fly it again tomorrow and also have...
Memorial Day 2016: United Airlines Ramp Worker Goes Extra Mile
Each year on Memorial Day in the USA I write a post that attempts to grapple with the world outside the bubble of miles and points. We live in an age of an all-volunteer army in which drones are...
United Airlines 2016 Olympics Safety Video
United Airlines has released a new Olympic-themed safety video ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio. Apparently it has been around for a few weeks, but it did not appear on any of my flights until just...
Reflections on Captain Denny Flanagan
Captain Denny Flanagan walks out of O’Hare Airport on May 26, 2016 On Tuesday May 31, Captain Denny Flanagan will pilot his final flight for United Airlines. The four-hour flight from Seattle to Chicago will be filled with family,...
Remembering My Million Miler Flight on United Airlines
In the 757-200 Flight Deck prior to my Million Miler flight with United Airlines for the obligatory staged photo taken by Captain Denny Flanagan Earning Million Miler status with United Airlines just after turning 27 was no easy feat,...
Caution: Transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards to Flying Blue
Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France/KLM, has become the latest Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner. This is good news, not only because Flying Blue offers award chart sweet spots and attractive and unique partner redemption options, but...
United Cuts Service to Lagos, Last Link to Africa
Faced with depressed demand thanks to persistently low fuel prices, United is suspending its flight from Houston to Lagos, Nigeria effective June 30, 2016. Having already abandoned Accra, Ghana, United will lose its last link to Africa. United will...
Why I Want to Travel on EgyptAir More Than Ever
EgyptAir is in the news again, and it is never good news with EgyptAir. Lucky and I are planning our trip home from Colombo and had I not been traveling last week we likely would have confirmed our trip...
United Rolling Back International Economy Meal Service Downgrades
With much fanfare, United Airlines announced upgrades to its international economy class meal service last year that included new menu options, better quality entrees and salads, ice cream, and crackers & cheese. In exchange for the enhanced menu, complimentary...
Visiting Glacier National Park in Off-Season
I just returned from a two-day journey on Amtrak to Glacier National Park in Montana followed by two days of hiking in the park. My trip report has already been written, so stay tuned for that. As tourist season...
Letter from United CEO Oscar Munoz Promises More Improvement
An e-mail letter went out to United MileagePlus members today from CEO Oscar Munoz which you can read below followed by my commentary. Dear MileagePlus member, Since the year began, a lot of exciting things have happened, and I...
