American Airlines and US Airways have officially merged, but for practical purposes, the airlines remain separate entities and will maintain separate operations for several months. Business will continue as usual, with separate check-in, gates, loyalty programs, and policies: like...
Man Wakes Up Onboard Dark, Empty, United Express Plane in Houston
A man buys a United Airlines ticket from Louisiana to California via Houston on United. He boards the first leg and being an extraordinary sleeper, falls into a deep slumber on an Embrarer regional jet, one of the most...
United’s IDB Nightmare: 90-Year-Old Pearl Harbor Veteran Among 41 Bumped Off Flight to Honolulu
United Airlines is facing another firestorm over news that a 90-year-old Pearl Harbor veteran bound for Honolulu was among 41 passengers bumped when bad weather necessitated severally weight restricting a 737-800 aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport. Ewalt Shatz travels...
Yerevan to Istanbul in Armavia Economy Class
Armavia was Armenia’s flag carrier, but entered bankruptcy on March 29, 2013 and suspended all operations on April 1, 2013. I got in just in time, for I doubt there would have been a refund if my flight had...
Why I’m Not So Optimistic About Jeff Smisek Anymore
On October 12, 2010 I wrote a post entitled, “Why I’m Optimistic about Jeff Smisek Leading United Airlines.” Based upon an inflight anecdote in which Smisek engaged both crew and customers, I posited that “he appears to be laying...
Feeling at Home in Yerevan
I grew up in Glendale, California, home to one of the largest Armenian populations outside of Armenia’s capital city of Yerevan. My best friend in elementary school was Armenian and I have several friends in the Armenian community. In...
Delta Cancels Flight to Charter Basketball Team Instead
Whatever the going rate is for a chartered jet on Delta Air Lines, it must be better than the revenue from a scheduled flight, because when a Delta charter went mechanical on Saturday in Tampa, Delta promptly cancelled a...
Overnight Train from Tbilisi to Yerevan, Armenia
Back just after dusk at Tbilisi’s central railway station, I had a bite to eat in a small food court upstairs before boarding my second consecutive overnight train, tonight bound for Yerevan. I had purchased the ticket earlier in...
How to Expedite US Airways Mileage Transfers with Points.com
Many of you are taking advantage of US Airways’ 100% bonus on Shared Dividend Miles this week and I have encouraged many of my clients to do the same. Transfers from account to account are typically instant, but can...
Cyber Monday Specials at Marriott: Up to 30% Off
Marriott’s relationship with United Airlines has made me a Marriott customer once again and so today’s Cyber Monday 30% off promotion caught my attention. Bottom line–there are actually some very attractive deals with this one-day promotion. A few properties...
100% Bonus on Shared US Airways Miles (Business Class to Europe + Asia for $1027.50)
US Airways is running the most lucrative mileage purchasing promotion this week, from 02-06 December 2013. Notice I said the most lucrative, not its most lucrative. Nowhere else in the airline industry can you generate enough points to travel to...
Pictures: One Day in Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi’s history dates back 15 centuries and like many capital cities, features a mix of war and peace spanning various empires. The Soviets invaded in 1921 and a Bolshevik regime was installed. Independence came in 1991, but like many...
100% Bonus on Shared Miles Returns to US Airways on Monday!
While buying US Airways Dividend Miles with a 100% bonus is a lucrative offer when available, the best deal for those with points already in their account is US Airways’ 100% bonus on shared miles, since transferring miles from...
Last Call for Small Business Saturday – $10 Free from American Express
For a few more hours you can still get $10 off you next statement credit when you spend at least $10 at a local business today. Today is American Express’ annual Small Business Saturday and though not as lucrative...
United Airlines’ Onboard Photography Policy Remains Unclear
Nine months after being thrown off a United Airlines flight for taking a picture of the seat in front of me, I noticed the following picture on United’s Instagram page— From United’s Instagram page. Note the comments. As I...
My Thanksgiving Hypocrisy
I try to avoid political controversy here, but for my annual Thanksgiving post I had planned to write a piece stating that I would not be shopping today or tomorrow and encouraging you to also spend the time with...
Pack a Sack as United Sacks Packs of Snacks in Back to Stay in Black
United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek promised USD$2 Billion in cuts at the last shareholders’ meeting and the process has already begun. First, route cuts. Next, a threatened furlough of legacy United flight attendants (more on that in a future...
Thanksgiving Travel on United Airlines at Chicago O’Hare
Chicago’s local ABC affiliate did a fluff piece on traveling with United Airlines over the Thanksgiving holiday, but it still merits watching. Note the gate lice at 1:58! I like that the news clip actually paints an accurate picture...
Airport Security Exposed: How to Build a Homemade Shotgun After You Clear Security
No snow globes or yogurt are allowed past airport security checkpoints, but the video below shows that it does not take MacGyver to build a powerful shotgun with material that you can purchase once you get past the full body...
Simplicity: The Key to a Smooth US Airways Award Booking
US Airways mileage awards are perhaps the most enigmatic because there is seemingly no rhyme or reason to what is permitted and what is not. I laid out some general guidelines about booking US Airways awards, but six phone...
