Christmas is upon us once again. This has been quite the year in geopolitics, but a generally stable year for carriers. The divergence between budget and full-service carriers in the USA continues, but on the whole, the airline industry...
Review: Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa (Flawless Stay)
I spent my final night in Ethiopia at the Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa, a very nice hotel in the heart of the capital city. Hyatt Regency Addis Ababa Review I stayed at the Hilton during my first trip to...
Are Pilots Paid Too Much?
Are pilots paid too much in the United States? That’s probably the wrong question to ask, but it is an issue to consider when airlines are losing money flying. Pilot Pay, Airline Economics, And An Awkward Question The Industry...
Tacos Al Pastor On United Airlines…
I tried the “Tacos Al Pastor” on a recent United Airlines flight and was pleasantly surprised. While the presentation may be lacking, the tacos were surprisingly good tacos for being reheated at 35,000 feet. Taste Test: Tacos Al Pastor...
Southwest Profits Plunge 42%, But Wall Street Is Betting Big On 2026
Southwest’s finances may be stumbling right now, but the airline appears convinced its new strategy will deliver a stronger 2026, and its stock market performance suggests many investors agree. I’m not rooting against Southwest, but I remain skeptical that...
How Cold War Politics Still Drive The Streets Of Addis Ababa (Just Look At The Ladas)
There are plenty of modern cars in Addis Ababa, but it is the boxy blue Soviet-era sedans that quietly tell the city’s political history. The Ladas Of Addis Ababa Spend any amount of time in Addis Ababa and you...
I Scoffed At First, But Trump’s “Airplane Etiquette Coach” Makes a Fair Point
Admittedly, I scoffed at first, but perhaps the Trump administration’s push to make the skies friendlier is actually smart public policy and does not undermine the far more pressing goal of modernizing the air traffic control system. An “airplane...
United Removes Unsteady Passenger From Flight, Even As Employees Disagree
A police body cam video of a woman being removed from a United Airlines flight offers insight into United’s new “huddle process” and shows why flight crews tend to err on the side of caution by removing passengers, even...
Qantas Cuts Off Executives From First Class On New A350s
Some airline perks are generous. Others are so extravagant they eventually become too difficult to defend, as past and present executives at Qantas are now finding out. Qantas Quietly Ends First Class Flights For Retired Executives On New A350s...
Onboard United Airlines’ “Inaugural” Newark–Casablanca Flight (Diversion)
A United Airlines flight to Marrakesh made an unscheduled stop in Casablanca, creating quite a problem for passengers and crew onboard. United Airlines’ Newark–Marrakesh Flight Diverts To Casablanca After Weather Disruption Daichovo on FlyerTalk shared a rather witty but...
“She’s Fine, We’re Doctors!” Family Accused Of Wheeling Dead Grandmother Onto EasyJet Flight
A family has been accused of knowingly boarding their dead grandmother onboard an EasyJet flight from Spain to the UK in a wheelchair, though I have a theory of my own. Family Accused Of Wheeling Dead Grandmother Onto EasyJet...
Spirit Airlines Employees Accused Of Stealing Passenger’s Louis Vuitton Purse At Florida Airport
It’s bad enough when anyone steals from you, but it strikes me as particularly galling when it is an airline employee, as in this case, a pair of Spirit Airlines employees in Florida. Spirit Airlines Employees Charged After Allegedly...
48 Hours In New York City For Family Christmas Magic
My daughter had been romanticizing Christmas in New York City and with nearly no notice, my wife and I decided to make it happen. Behold the power of points. Let’s Go To New York City At 3:30 in the...
United, Delta, American Make Flying a Premium Privilege
As Spirit and Frontier struggle, United, Delta, and American lean harder into premium travel, quietly reshaping air travel into something fewer people can afford. United, American’s New Premium 787-9s Matthew has covered the rollout for American’s 787-9P (Premium) with...
Explaining Delta’s Basic Premium Economy To A Child & Father
This week, I had the unique challenge of explaining Delta’s latest market segmentation to both my 11-year old daughter, and my father and this is how it went. What’s New In Travel This Holiday Season? A reporter for a...
United Adds Chicago Routes One Day After American’s O’Hare Expansion
A day after American Airlines rolled out a new batch of Chicago routes, United Airlines responded in kind, underscoring just how competitive the battle for O’Hare has become. United Adds More Chicago Routes One Day After American’s O’Hare Expansion...
United’s Pan-Seared Pierogi Might Be The Most Indulgent First Class Meal I’ve Tried
I tried the pan-seared pierogi on my last United Airlines flight and found it one of the most indulgent airline meals I’ve ever had. Taste Test: Pan-Seared Pierogi On United Airlines United offers a special dish in domestic first...
The Adwa Victory Memorial Museum Shows Why Ethiopia Still Defines Itself By Adwa
Some museums document history, others shape identity, and the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in Addis Ababa very clearly does both. The Adwa Victory Memorial Museum Is More Than A Museum, It Is A Symbol Of Ethiopian Pride In Addis...
Finnair Adds Melbourne Service Via Bangkok As Russian Airspace Closure Reshapes Its Network
Finnair is adding a new longhaul route to Australia with a cool new Fifth Freedom flight, but the real story is less about expansion and more about adaptation. Finnair Launches Melbourne Service With Fifth Freedom Flights From Bangkok Finnair...
Gate Agents Need To Stop Lying About Overhead Bin Space
There are few things more annoying than being forced to check your carry-on bag because a gate agent says there is no overhead bin space left, only to find plenty of space onboard. It’s time for gate agents to...
