Dear Disgruntled Passenger, Hi. I was the young man being assisted at the United baggage claim counter last night at LAX when you stormed in and demanded to cut to the front of the line. It was apparent that...
Partner Blackout Dates on United Airlines
Beyond the scope of StarNet blocking by United, some Star Alliance airlines simply do not make award travel available on specific dates, usually around major holidays or in high tourist season. While UA is very cautious about releasing any...
Ultimatum for Turkish Airlines FAs: Lose Weight or Lose Your Job
You read the title correctly and, no, I am not quoting a news story from the 1960s. Of course Turkish Airlines isn’t the only airline to set maximum weight and size thresholds for their flight attendants, but it always...
World’s Most Expensive Cities – 2010
The LA Times recently published a feature story highlighting the ten most expensive cities in the world. Here’s the top 10 list: Luanda, Angola Tokyo N’Djamena, Chad Moscow Geneva Osaka Libreville, Gabon Zürich Hong Kong Copenhagen I was surprised to see three African...
Jet Blue Flight Attendant Exits Stage Right After Rousing Vocal Performance
Steven Slater was already having a bad day. He had just landed at JFK from Pittsburgh a tad late and his passengers were restless. One even got up to fetch her hand baggage while the aircraft was still on...
World’s Least Expensive Cities – 2010
The LA Times recently published a feature story highlighting the ten places in the world where your dollar will go the farthest. Here’s the top 10 list: Karachi, Pakistan Managua, Nicaragua Islamabad, Pakistan La Paz, Bolivia Ashkhabad, Turkmenistan Bishkek,...
Flying to Barcelona? Consider Pakistan International Airlines via Chicago
I have always been intrigued by Fifth Freedom routes, especially by exotic carriers. Only a handful of these flights, however, are available in North America. Here is the current list (and please let me know if I have left...
United States Will Charge Tourists $14 to "Promote Tourism"
Sometimes, I wonder why members of Congress display so little common sense. Then I remember what it was like to work for them. In an astute move displaying superlative wisdom and unparalleled foresight, Congress has voted to levy a $14 tax on...
Delta to Begin Service to Iceland Next June
Yesterday afternoon I received an e-mail that Delta was starting service to Reykjavik, Iceland next June. The once daily flights will depart late from JFK, arriving the following morning in KEF and return late morning from KEF, arriving just...
United Airlines "Mechanics" Show You How to Recline Your Seat
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...
