The Airbus A350-900 remains my favorite aircraft in the Turkish Airlines fleet and I quite enjoyed flying the ex-Aeroflot (so-called “Turkoflot”) configuration of the aircraft on a longhaul flight in business class. This review covers my journey from Los Angeles to Istanbul. Turkish Airlines A350 “Turkoflot” Business Class Review Turkish Airlines snapped up six A350-900s […]
The 10 Best Airline Award Ticket Sweet Spots [2024]
Earlier I wrote about how some of the most lucrative award travel redemptions are often the most boring. Here, I want to point out my current list of the 10 best airline award ticket sweet spots. Top 10 Airline Award Ticket Sweet Spots There’s a dividing line between aspirational and practical and my list below […]
Air Canada Passenger Restrained After Trying to Open Aircraft Door On London Flight
Air Canada provides us with a textbook example of how to handle an unruly passenger onboard who tried to open the 787-9 aircraft door mid-flight. No diversion was necessary…it rarely is. The Right Call: Air Canada Flight Does NOT Divert After Scary Door Incident Over Atlantic Onboard 787-9 On Sunday, January 21, 2024 Air Canada […]
7 First Class Products I Hope To Fly In 2024
At this early point in the year it is not clear if I will push for elite status once again on United Airlines or truly embrace the freestyle life of buying whatever ticket works best based on date, time, and cost. In any case, there are a number of first class products I do hope […]
It’s The Giving Season… For Upgrades And Extras
As we close the year, we are reminded to give especially in the case of expiring upgrades, instruments, and extras we may not be able to use ourselves. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add […]
The Widebody Implications For Alaska Airlines Of Hawaiian Airlines Merger
Although Alaska Airlines plans to keep Hawaiian Airlines as a separate entity, I wonder if we might see Alaska Airlines operate widebody aircraft for the first time in a move that could transform the dynamics of Alaska’s transcontinental service. Might Alaska Airlines Start Operating Widebody Jets? Yesterday, Alaska unexpectedly announced it would purchase Hawaiian Airlines. […]
Travel From USA To London For 6,000 Chase Points Each Way
While not for everyone, the current Virgin Atlantic redemption sale stacked with the Flying Club transfer bonus from Chase means that economy class tickets are little as 6,000 Ultimate Rewards points each way or 27,500 points for business class. Even with relatively high redemption fees, that is a deal worth considering. Stack Award Sale + […]
Introduction: My Summer Family Holiday To Europe On Star Alliance
Welcome to my next trip report series, which will recount my summer family holiday to Europe earlier this month, with transatlantic crossings on Star Alliance. Summer 2023 Europe Trip Report Until we can move to Germany on a more semi-permanent basis (not full-time, but part-time), I think it is vital that we continue to make […]
Children On Leashes Forced To Share Seats In Business Class…
Apparently, flying domestically on Royal Air Maroc is a very different experience than you might expect…even (or perhaps especially) in business class. Large Family Leads Their Kids On Leashes Into Business Class, Forces Them To Share Seats A trusted reader just sent me this first-hand report. He just stepped off a Royal Air Maroc domestic […]
American Airlines Adds Copenhagen, Naples, Nice Service
American Airlines is adding service to three new cities including Copenhagen, Naples, and Nice as part of a transatlantic international route announcement that will see five new summer seasonal flights to Europe in 2024. American Airlines Adds New Transatlantic Routes In 2024 Yesterday, American teased us with a video providing clues about today’s route announcement. […]
Global Airlines Wants To Break Into London-New York Market
Global Airlines, a start-up with (now) four A380s wants to break into the London-New York air market. Here’s why and how they might and might not achieve that goal. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, […]
Aer Lingus In Talks For More Trans-Atlantic Service
The Irish airline, Aer Lingus, is again in talks to expand its US footprint, this time at Pittsburgh International Airport. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Pittsburgh Courting Aer Lingus, Dublin Flights […]
Who Is That Passenger Giggling Like A Child In Seat 7L? Me…
If you were on United Airlines flight 1139 and you heard this guy in seat 7L giggling uncontrollably, I must apologize: it was me. You’ll have to blame Jon Hamm. Giggling Like Crazy In United Airlines Business Class Thanks To Great Movie I knew I was being loud when the girl sitting behind me looked […]
Introduction: An Illuminating Trip To Kenya And South Africa
Welcome to my next trip report, a recount of my journey at the end of last year to Kenya and South Africa. Kenya And South Africa – An Illuminating Trip. My trip was church-related and going forward I plan at least two trips to Africa per year for missions-related work. Over time, I hope to […]
Epilogue: Blogging The Middle East Adventure Of A Lifetime
My 2022 Middle East trip report is finally done…three months and 62 segments later. Whew. I want to take a few moments to reflect back on the trip itself and also reflect back on the process of blogging an extended trip report. Blogging An Extended Trip Report + Final Reflections On Middle East Trip I […]
Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class (Club Suite)
The new Club Suite onboard the British Airways 787-10 is one of the most comfortable business class seats in the sky and makes British Airways my preferred carrier for traveling between the USA and London. British Airways 787-10 Business Class Review This flight was booked with American Airlines miles as part of a one-way award […]
Why Did American Airlines Cancel Miami – Tel Aviv Route?
There’s mystery surrounding the unexpected cancellation of service between Miami and Tel Aviv on American Airlines, but I have a theory: too much competition as American Airlines continues to struggle with a widebody aircraft shortage. American Airlines Cancels Miami – Tel Aviv Route After Moving It From 4X Weekly To Daily We have seen a […]
Review: Finnair A330-300 Business Class (New Seat)
My entire flight routing back to the United States was built around the chance to review the recently-reconfigured Finnair A330-300 in business class. My impression of the new seat was favorable, though I will need to try it on a flight longer than Helsinki to London to fully understand if it is comfortable or merely […]
Gulf Air Plans USA Service, Appoints Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh To Lead Company
Change is afoot at Gulf Air, with a new Chief Executive Officer set to lead the airline in 2023 and new service to the USA now closer to reality. Gulf Air Appoints Jeffrey Goh As CEO Goh has been a senior executive at Star Alliance for over a decade, serving as General Counsel and Vice […]
Introduction: A Middle East Adventure Many Times Over
Welcome to my next trip report, which will recount my journey to three countries in the Middle East as well as to Turkey. An Epic Middle East Adventure Many Times Over A dear friend took an extended holiday in the Middle East in the spring. While familial and work obligations kept me from being gone […]