Frequent Traveler University is coming to Chicago the first weekend in June. Through midnight PT on Friday, you can save $30 on the price of admission. Both Kyle and I will be speaking on behalf of Live and Let’s Fly. Other speakers include: Rudy Maxa, Rudy Maxa’s World Jon and Ben Nickel d’Andrea, No Mas […]
A Double Whammy For Boeing
The news just got much worse for Boeing, even as the aircraft manufacturer continues to struggle over the 737 MAX issue. As the trade war between the United States and People’s Republic of China continues to escalate, China’s next retaliatory move may be against Boeing. The warning was lodged by Hu Xijin, the Editor In […]
The Real Reason Air Italy Won’t Receive 787
Air Italy has revealed it will not receive any Boeing 787s but instead maintain a longhaul fleet of exclusively Airbus A330 aircraft. In an interview with Aviation Analyst, Air Italy’s COO Rossen Dimitrov shared his rationale. Because of the delay in Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries, we have decided to expand the fleet with Airbus A330s […]
United Restores Two Polaris Cutbacks
United is restoring two cutbacks in Polaris Business Class on late-evening flights from Washington Dulles to Europe while extending its mandatory express dining trial another month. Last month I wrote about a one-month trial program at Washington Dulles on four late-evening departures to Europe: Dublin (UA126) Frankfurt (UA932) Lisbon (UA168) London (UA924) In an effort […]
United Battles Barefoot Lounge Bandit And Onboard Shaving Stupidity
We are quick to complain about airlines, but tonight I pity United Airlines for having to deal with a dynamic duo of dimwittedness on the ground and in the air. Let’s start on the ground. United offers beautiful Polaris Lounges at five hubs across the United States. These lounges serve up comfortable seating, top-shelf liquor, […]
Southwest Airlines Looks Beyond Boeing, Quietly Meets With Airbus Operator
The model is simple: one aircraft and one aircraft only. But after 47 years, Southwest may finally be looking beyond the Boeing 737. When Southwest Airlines began operations in June 1971, it chose the Boeing 737 for its fleet. For nearly five decades, the Dallas-based airline has yet to deviate. But two recent Boeing 737 […]
United CEO Oscar Munoz Embraces His Inner-Kirby
United CEO Oscar Munoz recently sat down with ABC News to talk shop. Some of his statements really took me by surprise. If you’re interested, you may want to start by watching the full interview below. It’s only about three minutes long: Munoz made several statements that I want to tackle. In speaking about the […]
JetBlue As The “Goldilocks” Airline
JetBlue styles itself as the bowl of porridge that is not too hot, not too cold, but just right. It believes customers, let’s call them Goldilocks, will always choose JetBlue when they can. You remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. As JetBlue looks toward London and beyond, it wants to be the […]
Sweet Discount On Frequent Traveler University Chicago
Frequent Traveler University is coming to Chicago the first weekend in June. Through midnight PT, you can save $30 on the price of admission. Both Kyle and I will be speaking on behalf of Live and Let’s Fly. Other speakers include: Rudy Maxa, Rudy Maxa’s World Jon and Ben Nickel d’Andrea, No Mas Coach Mike Graziano, Make […]
United’s Diametrically Different Hawaii Strategy Than Southwest
United Airlines and Southwest could not differ more when it comes to how each approaches service to Hawaii. Southwest’s entry into the Hawaiian market has caused ripples. This has concerned some legacy airline employees who fear cutbacks. But for United, which offers more service to Hawaii than any other mainland carrier, the key is offering […]
A Reasonable Airline-Backed Proposal To Modify EU261/2004 (Delay Compensation)
It is no surprise that airlines don’t like EU261/2004, which establishes a common flight compensation regulation across the European Union. But at least one airline is proposing a constructive change rather than just an attack. I’ve written about EU261/2004 before and my own battles with various airlines over compensation. Put simply, when a delay is […]
The Wrong Way To Start A Flight
First impressions matter greatly in any context, including on a flight. My flight to London on United this week had a very disappointing start. I’ve resolved in 2019 to resist being offended. Thus, I’m not (or at least trying not to) directly complain. But I do want to point out what a missed opportunity poor service […]
United Employees Awarded Bonus Despite Poor Performance
United Airlines will award its employees a quarterly bonus even through performance goals were not met. I’ve written extensively about the employee bonus drama at United. Bonuses are now tied to performance results versus other carriers rather than simply meeting a checklist of objective metrics. Two flight attendants forwarded me a letter from United President […]
Has Southwest Airlines Lost Its LUV?
Southwest Airlines has taken a lot of heat for the way it has handled the unexpected grounding of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet. Many customers are angry and argue that Southwest has acted very much out of character. But are such charges really fair? With an unprecedented number of flight cancellations, many Southwest customers have found […]
Ethiopian Lodges Lethal Charge Against Boeing
Ethiopian Airlines has released a preliminary report on the deadly crash of ET 302, placing the blame squarely on Boeing. At a news conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Transportation Dagmawit Moges leveled this damning assertion: The crew performed all the procedures repeatedly provided by the manufacturer but was not able to control the aircraft. […]
United Actually Is Reducing Meal Service In Polaris During April “Trial”
An update on the mandatory business class express dining on late-evening flights from Washington Dulles. As it turns out, some items have been cut from the menu. Last week I wrote about United’s trial of express meal service for each passenger during the month of April in order to maximize sleep onboard. Initially, I was told […]
Simple Words Will Make Or Break United’s New Express Meal Service
It’s not about the product, it’s about how you sell it. That’s my admonition to United Airlines today. Last week I wrote about United’s decision to trial mandatory “express” meal service on late-night flights to Europe from Washington Dulles. Rather than give customers the choice, United will force everyone, if they care to eat, to accept […]
Affordable Trans-Atlantic Fares Will Remain Despite WOW Air Failure
This week Icelandic discount carrier, WOW Air, folded. Passengers, aircraft, and employees were left stranded across destinations when the airline ceased operations. While WOW Air was part of the cheap Trans-Atlantic flight revolution, it won’t go away simply because they did. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you […]
The Power of Points Is Freedom, Not Just Savings
The true power of miles and points is not in saving travelers money, but in offering them freedom. On a recent trip, we made a change in plans and decided on a whim to visit the Cayman Islands for practically nothing at all. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click […]
United Will Trial New Express Dining Service Concept In Business Class
United will trial express dining service for all Polaris Business Class passengers on late-evening transatlantic departures from Washington Dulles next month. I’ve written about the problem of late-evening departures to Europe before. Eastbound transatlantic flights from the East Coast are short enough already, with flights to Dublin or London often clocking in at less than six hours in […]
