British Airways is offering a lucrative status match to customers based in North America and I took advantage of this opportunity almost instantly yesterday. You should too if you are considering it, because my hunch is this status match...
The Mysterious Woman At The Bank Hotel Bar In Istanbul
I had a couple of cocktails at The Bank, a Marriott Design hotel in Istanbul that my friend was staying at. The hotel has a beautiful rooftop bar (even in the cold of winter when the sides are closed)....
United Airlines Flight Diverts After Dog Defecates In First Class Cabin
Weeks after a similar incident, another dog defecated on the floor of the forward lavatory and first class cabin on a United Airlines flight, forcing a costly diversion. Isn’t it time to require dogs to be kept in cages...
Spirit Airlines Delays A320neo Deliveries, Plans Pilot Furlough
In a move it hopes will help end its streak of quarterly losses, Spirit Airlines has reached a deal with Airbus to delay future A320neo aircraft deliveries. Spirit will also furlough hundreds of pilots in a bid to cut...
How Turkey Is Telling The Story Of The War In Gaza
The ideological war of the Erdogan regime in Turkey is on full display in the center of Istanbul’s Taksim Square, with a walk-in propaganda exhibit meant to stoke pity for the cause of Palestinian children but rather odiously painting...
Great Mexican Food In Istanbul
I make it a point to seek out Mexican food wherever I am in the world. Admittedly, it’s usually pretty bad…but that was not the case in Istanbul, where I enjoyed a delicious and surprisingly authentic dinner. Best Mexican...
Happy Now? Impatient First Class Passenger Shoves Woman During Boarding, Gets Thrown Off United Airlines Flight
An impatient first class passenger who shoved past a woman much smaller than him because he thought she was not entitled to board a United Airlines flight before him deserved to be thrown off. Kudos to the flight crew...
United Airlines Restricting Award Space To Partners
In what appears to be a change to longstanding policy, United Airlines is no longer making all of its “saver level” award space available to members of partner frequent flyer programs. If this is indeed a new trend, it...
Classical Concert At Atatürk Cultural Centre In Istanbul
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Istanbul was attending a classical concert in the beautiful Ataturk Cultural Center (AKM). Music is a common language that unites us all. A Lovely Classical Concert At Ataturk Cultural Center...
Lovely Husband Always Takes The Last First Class Upgrade, Leaving Wife Behind
I’m re-running this classic piece from 2019 today on a spousal fight over a first class upgrade. I’ve flown a lot of flights in economy class with my wife and kids since this story was written, but otherwise my...
Crazy: Luxury Hotel Adds Mandatory “Housekeeping Surcharge”
Hotel unbundling continues, with one luxury hotel chain in Canada adding a mandatory “housekeeping surcharge” and “baggage fee” at one of its premier properties. Luxury Hotel Adds Housekeeping Surcharge, Baggage/Porterage Fee Check the fine print at the Fairmont Château...
Veteran Refuses To Pay His Bar Bill At DFW Airport…Claims Ex-Military Should Receive Free Drinks
A veteran purportedly walked away from a bar at DFW Airport without paying his $130 tab because he did not think veterans should have to pay for their alcohol. That’s bad enough, but then the cops were called in...
Review: Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas
The Park Hyatt Istanbul has been refreshed and is now my favorite Hyatt property in Istanbul, with luxurious accommodations, excellent service, and several nice amenities that make it worth the splurge. Park Hyatt Istanbul Review I spent two nights...
FTU Seattle 2024: Full Schedule + Discount For Live And Let’s Fly Readers
Frequent Traveler University (FTU) comes to Seattle in May 2024 and the full speaking schedule has been announced. Live And Let’s Fly readers can also save $20 on FTU tickets. I’ll be speaking on United Airlines and other speakers...
Hospitality Industry Returns To Pre-Pandemic Employment Level: Can We Finally Get Service Back?
Nestled in amongst the strong jobs report today was news that the leisure and hospitality industry has finally returned to pre-pandemic employment levels. Can we finally expect the end of the COVID cost cuts and better service? Sadly, I...
Ouch: Southwest Airlines Flight Attendant Breaks Hip, Elbow Due To Severe Turbulence
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant sustained two fractures and a passenger was injured after “severe” turbulence impacted a flight to Florida. Flight Attendant Fractures Hip, Elbow After Severe Turbulence On Southwest Airlines On April 3, 2024, a Southwest Airlines...
Alaska Airlines Receives $160 Million In Compensation From Boeing For 737 MAX 9
Alaska Airlines has already received $160 million in compensation from Boeing for the occurrence and fallout from a mid-flight exit door blowout on a 737 MAX 9 jet. Boeing Pays Alaska Airlines $160 Million In Initial Compensation On January...
Boorish Woman Reserves 13 SEATS On Southwest Airlines, Gets Away With It…
There are many reasons I do not fly Southwest Airlines, but one reason is certainly due to the lack of assigned seats. That leads to some rather remarkable spectacles, like a boorish woman reserving 13 seats…and somehow getting away...
How United Airlines Is Handling Passengers Afraid Of Boeing Airplanes
Earlier this week I talked about the renewed focus on safety at United Airlines. As part of that effort, the carrier is guiding reservations agents on how to talk to passengers who may be afraid of stepping onto a...
Great Coffee In Istanbul
The point of my series of coffee posts is always to go back and add to them as I find more great cafés in any given city. During my recent trip to Istanbul, I found another great coffee shop...
