I haven’t had the pleasure of flying on UA to Sydney this year, but apparently first class passengers flying from Los Angeles to Sydney are receiving a more personalized touch. The following request is from United’s representative on FlyerTalk:...
Time to Invest in a Lifetime Continental Presidents Club Membership?
I’m at the point of the year again where I’ve reached a fork in the road. I’ve re-qualified for 1K status on United, so my elite benefits are safe through at least January 2012, but now I must decide...
New Livery Coming to Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a new livery that will eventually be applied to all 38 of its aircraft. New technology, reportedly unique to VS, will give each aircraft a highly reflective metallic appearance. In a press release announcing the change, Virgin...
An Artist’s Take on a Red Eye Flight
Christoph Neimann, a blogger/artist for the NY Times, recently sketched out a visual diary of his red eye flight from New York to Berlin (via London). I love all varieties of trip reports, but I’ve never seen one like...
Feds Come Clean: Admit to Storing Body Image Scans
Last week on Upgrd 66 I voiced skepticism about TSA assurances that body scan images are immediately deleted and never stored. After all, if something was found on a passenger wouldn’t the image have to be stored to have...
US Airways Matches American and Delta: Double EQMs and RDMs in Select Markets
US Airways is offering double EQMs and RDMs in select markets through the end of the year, including MSP, RDU, BOS, STL, RIC, and PIT. This offer mimics promotions by Delta and American that began last month, with one exception. While the fine print of the...
Free Alcohol in United’s Economy Plus August 6-16
United will offer passengers flying in Economy Plus a free alcoholic drink during the first beverage service August 6-16. While UA has not explained why it has chosen to do this, I would guess it has something to do...
Discounted Shorthaul Awards now Available on AA too
Responding to United’s recent promotion, American is offering discounted awards for trips of 700 miles or less (each way). Travel must conclude by December 15 and tickets must be booked by August 31. At 17,500 miles roundtrip or 8,750 miles one...
Mexicana Files for Bankruptcy
Mexicana has filed for bankruptcy in the United States and Mexico, suspending a number of flights and positioning the troubled airline to cut labor prices as they attempt to remain competitive. Mexicana has put most of the blame for...
Bridge Linking Tijuana Airport to San Diego Proposed
I realize this won’t appeal to very many of my readers, but as an Angelino I was intrigued to read of a proposed bridge linking TIJ to the United States. An investor group involving billionaire Sam Zell received a key federal approval...
Tinkering with my award reservation
Perfecting an award itinerary is an art requiring patience and skill. With the ability to make free and unlimited changes on United awards (1K/GS benefit only), segment by segment you can construct an ideal award itinerary. As I mentioned earlier, when I booked my trip China...
Newark to Frankfurt via Brussels on Continental/Lufthansa for $263 a/i
SN Brussels Airlines is offering a tremendous deal right now on economy tickets from Newark to Frankfurt via their Brussels hub. Many dates have already sold out, but try out different dates in October and November if you are...
Win a 10% Off eCert from United (and maybe a million miles)
United has created a couple of games that I have to admit are very addicting. The first is called “Legroom Legend” where the object is to “use fancy footwork to guide tossed items onto your tray table.” It starts easy,...
Richard Branson Celebrates 60th Birthday by Adding 60 Planes to Virgin America Fleet
The title sums up the post nicely, but I like the way Richard Branson thinks: "I am happy to celebrate my 60th birthday this week and I can’t think of a better present than getting 60 new planes." Branson...
No More High Schoolers Piloting Regional Jets? Congress Enacts New Restrictions
In response to the Continental Express (Colgan Air) crash outside of Buffalo last year that killed 50 people, Congress has passed a new bill aimed at bolstering the safety of airline passengers: The legislation requires all airline pilots to...
Accused of Being a Terrorist: SAL to IAD on TACA
This is the last 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...
Continental tests self-boarding at IAH
Tired of the grouchy attitude or bad breath of your gate agent? Well now there’s a solution if you’re flying through Houston! Self-boarding is being tested select Continental gates at IAH. Lufthansa has already offered self-boarding for years, as do...
Short-Haul Flying on LACSA: PTY-SJO-SAL
This is the fifth 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...
30% Off United Airlines Mileage Economy Awards (<700 miles only)
For a limited time, economy award trips under 700 miles in the U.S. and Canada are 30% off on United. These flights must be on United metal and be booked at least a week prior to departure. Only economy...
TSA Antics at Washington Dulles
I returned home from Buenos Aires today and had to endure a torturous 45-minute wait in the immigration line today at Dulles. After my poor experiences in Montreal, I vowed to apply for Global Entry: only $100 for five...
