Good news for citizens of Indianapolis: starting next May, you can fly non-stop to Paris on Delta. Ironically for an airline that decries Gulf subsidies as distorting real demand, the new international route will be subsided by the State...
Heartwarming Video: United CEO Visits Houston
United Airlines just released a heartwarming video covering CEO Oscar Munoz’s visit to areas devastated by Hurricane Harvey in Houston. I don’t think the video requires much commentary. Here it is– I love the simple truth in this video...
How Was It? 10 Hours in Ethiopian Airlines Business Class
I’m home again. Yesterday I flew from Dublin, Ireland to Los Angeles on Ethiopian’s Fifth Freedom flight aboard a 787-8. It was my first time ever flying Ethiopian Airlines. How was it? A mixed bag, but good overall. I...
How Can Priority Pass Sustain a Steakhouse?
There’s a difference between free inexpensive snacks and drinks found in many airport lounges and a nice steak dinner for the entire family. Priorty Pass has added Timberline Steaks & Grill in Denver to its broadening definition of airport lounges....
I Win! I’m in the Air…on the Ethiopian Airlines Sale Fare
For those who doubted that I would ever fly on my Ethiopian BKK fare, I’m sorry to disappoint you. By the time this post goes live I’ll be traveling between Dublin and Los Angeles on an Ethiopian Airlines 787...
Delta’s Latest Stealth Devaluation: A Far More Expensive Close-In Booking Fee
Delta Air Lines, the airline that should not be trusted under any circumstances when it comes to the redemption side of its loyalty program, has done it again. I held off a few days writing about this to ensure...
An Exciting Review of Boring Dushanbe Airport + CIP Lounge
This is the review of the lounge we did not have access to, but still managed to visit and discreetly photograph. Let’s talk about Dushanbe Airport. Weird. We arrived at 2:30p, yes probably far too early, for our 5:35p...
Best International Airline…Ethiopian Airlines?!
On the heels of its 2017 Skytrax award for Best Airline in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines took home an even bigger crown yesterday…Best International Airline of the Year. …From the 2nd annual Ghana National Aviation Awards in Accra. Oh. So perhaps we...
Review: Hyatt Regency Dushanbe, Tajikistan (Suite)
Although our stay was brief, it was long enough for me to vouch for this excellent Hyatt property in the heart of Tajikistan’s capital city of Dushanbe. We arrived early in Dushanbe and negotiated a cab from the airport...
Magnifico! Alitalia Business Class from Rome to LA
I’ll admit, I had high expectations for Alitalia. I assumed good food and great coffee and figured the service might not be incredible, but would be fine. I’m happy to report that I had an excellent flight with not...
Unruly Passenger Fined $97,000 for Disrupting Flight
File this under: about time. So often we hear stories about drunken or otherwise disruptive passengers forcing a flight delay or diversion only never to hear about whether the passenger is held accountable for his actions. A federal judge...
Conservative U.S. State Wants to Create its Own Airline
The State of Wyoming, in the western USA, finds itself between a rock and hard place. Without perpetual generous subsidies, it cannot sustain commercial air service to smaller airports. But a lack of air access to international hubs hurts...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: September 3, 2017
A pleasant Sunday evening to you from Germany. I’m wrapping up a trip and looking forward to spending the next few weeks in California. The big news last week, at least in my mind, was Hyatt’s new status fast...
Holiday Nanny: Not Just for the Rich
While traveling with a nanny may seem like something reserved for the rich and famous, it’s not solely for the extremely wealthy. In fact, almost everyone can afford some form of a travel companion, but should you? What Are...
Marriott’s Unpublished Platinum Elite Status Challenge
I am in a year of limbo. While I watched friends lose hope in their faithful travel partners over the years, mine were the last to go: American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels. Hyatt practically begged their customers to look...
Is It A Mistake Or Sale?
Air travelers have had some amazing opportunities in the last couple of weeks to snag fantastic flights at low prices. While some sales are announced, others are not. Pricing mistakes also occur and there are different rules that govern...
SWISS Shorthaul Business Class Breakfast
Part of my travels this week included time in Zurich, a beautiful city in Germanic Switzerland. For my weekly Meal of the Week post, I’ll highlight breakfast on a shorthaul flight in SWISS business class. I was traveling from Zurich...
Air Europa 787 Business Class is Underrated
While I had higher hopes for Air Europa than for Aerolineas Argentinas, they were still quite measured. Not only did Air Europa’s 787 in business class beat expectations, it was actually a very competitive product and enjoyable ride. Air...
Cutbacks: United Airlines Slashes Domestic First Class Meal Service
In an era of sustained profitability, it is confusing when airlines make customer-unfriendly, logically dubious cutbacks to premium class meal service. But that’s exactly what United Airlines has just done on domestic first class flights. The North American Premium...
The Airport Lounge with a Swimming Pool
Airport lounges have become more innovate over the years in response to growing public concern over health. For example, the Finnair lounge in Helsinki has a sauna, the Thai lounge in Bangkok has a world-class spa, and Etihad’s first...