Call me old-fashioned, but few things irritate me more than seeing smoking areas eliminated from the secure side of airports. I don’t smoke, don’t intend to ever smoke, and consider it an unhealthy, overpriced, and sophomoric habit. At the...
TSA Recruiting on Pizza Boxes
Some call it creative. Others call it a sign of desperation. I call it stupid. The TSA is hiring at Washington Dulles and Reagan National and has resorted to a peculiar medium of advertising…pizza boxes. photo courtesy: Michelle Basch, WTOP...
Richard Branson "Seriously" Considering a Fourth Airline Alliance
Check out Wendy Perrin’s recent interview with Sir Richard Branson. The most interesting part of the discussion was Richard Branson saying he would "seriosuly consider" launching a fourth airline alliance. The pickings are becoming slimmer as the "big three"...
Washington Dulles to San Salvador on TACA
This is the first of a six-part recount of my recent trip to Central America. Washington Dulles to San Salvador on TACA My Adventure in San Salvador Aborted Landing on TACA: SAL-PTY 24 Hours in Panama City Short-Haul Flying...
Review: Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego
I have stayed at the Manchester over a dozen times the last decade (dating back to its single tower days) and have experienced a recurring pattern: I will love ceratin aspects of the stay while other aspects leave me wondering why I always choose...
Pet Relief Areas Now Available at Dulles and National
Complying with new federal guidelines mandating that airports provide “service animal relief areas” for animals that accompany passengers, Frodo now has a place to play if you are traveling through WAS. Both Reagan National and Dulles have made available...
United 757 Sidelined in ANC After Plowing Into Jetbridge
A United Airlines plane struck a jetbridge yesterday in Alaska as it was taxiing to the gate. …No one was injured in the mishap at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport involving a Boeing 757 shortly before 1:30 p.m. Thursday,...
Up to 10,000 AA Miles for AAdvantage Program Referrals
This appears to be a targeted offer I received from AA today, but it won’t hurt to try signing up yourself if you already have a AAdvantage account. Dear Matthew, As one of our most valued American Airlines AAdvantage® members, we are sending you...
Early Deposit of 2011 Systemwide Upgrades Available on United
United is now offering to deposit 2011 Systemwide Upgrades in your account as soon as you earn them. Register today to receive your Systemwide Upgrades early If you have already qualified for 1K® status in 2011, you can choose...
Changes Proposed to DCA’s Perimeter Rule
Do you ever wonder why there are so few transcon and longer flights scheduled to/from DCA? Like similar restrictions at LaGuardia and Dallas Love, a perimeter rule prohibits most flights longer than 1,250 miles from Ronald Reagan Washington National...
United Orders Musician to Purchase First Class Ticket…For His Cello
What is it with United and musical instruments? First it was broken guitars. Now comes a story from the NY Post about a cello "forced" to fly in first class. I love the way the Post sensationalizes things, so...
Full Meal Service Returns to Competitive ORD-LGA Route on United
Last month, United altered their meal service program in North America. For the most part, the changes were good, but one sore spot was the elimination of fruit and cheese plates from flights between Chicago and IAD, DCA, PHL, HPN, BWI,...
Success! Booked NZ C from LHR-LAX using UA miles!
For years—and I mean years—I’ve been trying to score award availability on the elusive London-Los Angeles (NZ 1/2) route on Air New Zealand and failed every time. Tonight, my luck changed. I’m planning out a trip to China using...
“King Solomon couldn’t start a U.S. domestic airline these days”
“King Solomon couldn’t start a U.S. domestic airline these days,” said Hubert Horan, an aviation consultant. “No matter how well they’re run, it’s tough for any airline that’s small to survive.” For an interesting take on competition and structural...
"Theme Building" Observation Deck at LAX Reopens on July 10
Anyone who has visited LAX will recognize the iconic Jetson-esque structure (officially called the “Theme Building”) in the center of airport that houses the Encounter Restaurant. What you may not have known is that above the restaurant sits an...
AA Matches DL Double EQM / Triple Bonus Mile Promotion (ex-RDU, STL, PIT, BNA)
Last month, Delta introduced the following promotion for flights originiating and terminating in the following cities: Raleigh-Durham (RDU), St. Louis (STL), Pittsburgh (PIT), Nashville (BNA) 5,000 bonus miles plus double MQMs when you fly to Delta hub cities—Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit,...
Earn Star Alliance Gold Status for 20,000 Miles on Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines, Star Alliance’s latest addition, has an interesting mileage program. Some parts of it are attractive, others…not so much. The Good Star Alliance Gold status after 20,000 miles This is the lowest rate required for any airline in...
United Express Coming to DCA
The cancer continues to grow. United Express is expanding to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport next month. Two flights a day are transitioning from mainline to E-170s operated by Shuttle America between Chicago and National. United has not addressed...
10% Off BMI Flights
It’s not much, but if you are planning a trip on British Midland in October or November, you can save 10% by entering 10FLYBMI in the promotion code section. The promotion only discounts the base fare, is only valid for...
Twitter Fares on US Airways
US Airways has joined Twitter and is causing quite a firestorm with their daily deals. Check out some of their recent offerings: $99* one way PHL to TLV. Depart 10/20-23. Return 10/26-29. 30 seats avail ‘til 9 PM PT....
