If United Airlines wants to be, as Jeff Smisek puts it, “World’s leading airline,” treating international first class passengers like they are flying in steerage (or worse) is not going to cut it. This recent account posted on Flyertalk...
EU Court: Airline Carbon Trading Scheme is Legal
A European Court held today that the European Union can proceed with ambitious plans to implement its Emission Trading Scheme on 01 January, 2012. European Court of Justice Advocate General Juliane Kokott said the “EU legislation doesn’t infringe the...
Three United Airlines Mileage Award Bookings in 15 Minutes
The most frustrating part of booking an award trip is when a telephone call to the airline is required. Some agents are quicker than others, but generally telephone awards just take a long time to book. I type this...
Airport Security Screening of the Future
A little blurb on airport passengers screening in the Washington Post caught my eye today: AMSTERDAM — The airline industry has presented its vision for a security ‘checkpoint of the future,’ which would speed up safety checks by sorting...
American Airlines Headed for Bankruptcy?
The balance sheet at American Airlines is looking more troubling by the day. Some are warning about bankruptcy, though I am not convinced that will be necessary. In fact, if you are the gambling-type, this may be the perfect...
Aeroplan Points Devalued: No More Domestic First on Business Class Awards
Effective 06 September, two-cabin flights coded as “first class [O]” require three-cabin first class redemption rates when using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. I discovered the new policy while attempting to book a relatively straightforward award trip for a client...
My Intra-Europe bmi Award to Armenia via Iceland
I recently redeemed a chunk of my British Midland International (bmi) points for an intra-Europe award that includes Iceland and Armenia. The trip is coming up soon, but the more I think about the itinerary, the more I think...
Last Day to Purchase Lifetime United Club Membership
Tomorrow marks the final opportunity to purchase lifetime membership to the newly-branded United Clubs through Continental Airlines. As of today, the lifetime membership options have been removed from Continental’s site, but will still be available for purchase over the...
Master’s of Food and Wine Event – Park Hyatt Zürich
Greetings from Zürich. I was invited to attend the Zürich segment of the Hyatt Master’s of Food and Wine – Tour of the World 2011 and will be in Switzerland the next few days taking part in various activities...
Delta Air Lines Hijacker Captured in Portugal
Remember the days when people who hijacked airplanes just wanted money or to make a point without physcailly hurting anyone? A convicted killer who escaped a New Jersey prison in 1970, then hijacked a U.S. airliner two years later,...
Review: Park Hyatt Dubai
Dubai really took me by surprise. I was not expecting to see all my favorite restaurant chains from Southern California (after going without them all year in Germany) nor was I expecting to encounter such an interesting blend...
€20 Off Your Next Lufthansa Flight with Oktoberfest Voucher
In celebration of Oktoberfest, Lufthansa has made available €20 vouchers (or the equivalent in local currency) on a complimentary basis through this link. The voucher can be redeemed through 16 December 2011 for travel through 13 March 2012. You...
Weekend in Hamburg
One of the great things about living in Frankfurt is the ability to easily journey to another city or country by air, rail, or car. I have taken full advantage of that this year and my travels have taken...
The Bold and the Beautiful Lufthansa Agent
Lufthansa is a wonderful airline that I have become very loyal to after 30+ flights this year. The lounges are great, service is consistent (for the most part), and my close work with Lufthansa in my day job has...
A New Generation of Global Jet-Setters
Scott McCartney, author of the weekly Middle Seat column in the Wall Street Journal, wrote on a topic near and dear to my heart today: “a growing number of 20-somethings mastering the calculus of frequent-flier miles, making globe-trotting their...
United Airlines Unveils New Million Mile Flyer Program
Since the United/Continental merger was announced last year, uncertainty has clouded the status of the combined carrier’s million-mile program. Which program would survive? United offered million-mile flyers Premier Executive (Star Gold) status for life and presented MMers with two...
United Airlines Releases Details on 2012 MileagePlus Program
After weeks of speculation, United Airlines finally revealed some specifics about its 2012 MileagePlus program. I am frankly gleeful to state that the changes are tolerable and United Airlines will remain my airline of choice in 2012. Here is...
Obama’s Deficit Plan = Higher Airfare
Part of President Obama’s recently announced deficit reduction plan includes a provision that will double security fees on tickets, increasing the price of a round-trip ticket by up to $20. While I agree that airport security should be styled...
Singapore Airlines A380 to fly Singapore – Frankfurt – New York
Singapore Airlines announced plans today to replace their aging 747-400 now serving the Singapore – Frankfurt – New York Kennedy route with an A380-800. Starting on January 15, 2012, the new aircraft will take over the route as Frankfurt...
TSA Plays Politics, Changes Children Screening Policy
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently announced that children will no longer be required to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints and also will not be subject to pat-down searches. Instead, their hands will be swabbed for...
