It becomes almost trite to look back on the attacks of September 11, 2001 each year, but I cannot help but to think about that fateful day upon each anniversary. It was a transformative event in U.S. history and a day I vividly remember like few others. There is so much we have to lament […]
$31,313 or 240,000 miles? Maximizing your Frequent Flyer Miles
People often ask me how they can squeeze the most value out of their frequent flyer miles. I begin my answer by stating that maximizing monetary value and actual value are two very different things and ultimately there is no magic formula that tells you whether you are effectively using your miles. I find the […]
Air India Passengers Wait 9 Hours to Travel from London Gatwick to Heathrow
I offer my condolences to the 300+ passengers on Air India flight 131 from Mumbai to London earlier this week, who were trapped on a 777 for nine hours in a comedy of errors that further diminishes the image of Air India. Fog is not something out of the ordinary in London, but the early […]
UA849 (PHL-LAX) Diverts to Nashville
As Maxwell Smart would say, “Missed it by that much…” Something happened aboard United 849 tonight, the evening non-stop flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. I was booked on that flight and missed it due to a mix-up at Dulles this afternoon. I wonder what happened? Maybe another unruly passenger? I’m banging my head […]
Maximizing Your Chances to Effectively Use Your Miles
Scott McCartney has a decent Middle Seat column today in the WSJ on how to maximize your chances to redeem frequent flyer miles. A couple sections particularly caught my eye: On the airline side, road warriors suggest checking alliance Web sites—StarAlliance.com, oneWorld.com and SkyTeam.com—that show flights on partner airlines that may not be displayed on […]
United Airlines Suspends Cuba Flights Amid Trump Travel Crackdown
United Airlines is pausing service to Cuba, citing lower seasonal demand thanks to new travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. United Airlines To Suspend Houston–Havana Route As Travel Restrictions Bite Currently, United Airlines is the only US carrier that serves Cuba on a route outside of Florida. It flies daily from Houston (IAH) to […]
United Airlines Considers Expanding Premium Economy Class
There’s a lot to unpack from United Airlines’ 2025 Q2 earnings call, but one conversation caught my interest that suggests that we might see much larger premium economy cabins on future United aricraft deliveries. United Airlines Sees Premium Economy Cabin As Profit Center, Considers Expansion Catherine O’Brien, an analyst for Goldman Sachs, asked United’s Chief […]
Senate Confirms Sean Duffy, Trump’s Pick For Secretary Of Transportation
UPDATE: Sean Duffy has been confirmed by a 77-22 Senate vote, with many Democrats voting against him after he signaled support for President Trump’s freeze on federal funding (which was rolled back today). He has already been sworn in: My original analysis of his nomination and policy priorities is below. Sean Duffy, the former five-term […]
Wow: United Airlines Adds Service To Mongolia, Greenland, Senegal, And More
United Airlines is gearing up for 2025 with its “largest international expansion in history” including eight new destinations across the globe including Mongolia and Greenland. Let’s unpack this big news. United Airlines Announces New 2025 Destinations, Routes While Tokyo Narita may not officially regain its “hub” status, United Airlines is augmenting its planned service from […]
United Airlines Pilot Treats Stranded Passengers To Pizza After Emergency Landing
After an emergency landing and crew timeout, a United Airlines pilot turned lemons into lemonade by treating delayed passengers to a pizza pie while they waited to depart again. United Airlines Captian Treats Distressed Passengers To Pizza After Medical Diversion A passenger fainted on a San Francisco (SFO) to Houston (IAH) flight, forcing a diversion […]
United Airlines CEO Expresses “Renewed Confidence” In Boeing After Lunch With New Leader
After being harshly critical of Boeing in light of the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 incident and a string of production and delivery delays, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has softened his tone. United Airlines CEO Expresses Confidence In New Boeing Leader Kirby sat down for lunch with Kelly Ortberg, the new President and CEO […]
Uh-Oh: All Roads May Lead To Rome, But Not United Flight 507…
I do feel bad for the United Airlines passengers trying to get from San Francisco to Rome this week. For the second day in a row, United 507 has encountered trouble forcing a diversion. The latest delay is even worse than the previous one! Flight To Nowhere: UA507 To Rome Diverts To Edmonton, Returns To […]
United Airlines Offers More Insight On “Polaris Plus” Product
After asking MileagePlus members about their interest in an upgraded “Polaris Plus” seat, United Airlines has offered additional details about what such a product might look like onboard. United Airlines Offers More Details On “Polaris Plus” On April 17, 2024 United Airlines held a (delayed) earnings call, reporting a quarterly loss it blamed on Boeing […]
The “If It’s Boeing, I’m Not Going” Canard
Everyone has now become a junior aviation safety expert and the number of “if it’s Boeing, I’m not going” quips have become nauseating. What a luxurious world we live in… “If It’s Boeing, I’m Not Going” Hysteria As Led To Reckless Decisions Take Rachel Sklar, who penned a piece for New York Magazine. She wonders […]
To The Coughing, Spitting Man On My United Airlines Flight…
Dear 7C, You were on my United Airlines flight from Chicago to Los Angeles last Thursday. You should have been in bed instead. I was seated two rows ahead of you in first class and for most of the flight was treated to sounds from you including a relentless cough and the unpleasant sound of […]
Airbus’ Pursuit Of United Could Shake All Aircraft Orders
Airbus recently welcomed United CEO, Scott Kirby, to its headquarters in an attempt to lure its business from Boeing. This could change aircraft orders for all airlines. 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. Airbus Seizes The Moment […]
United Airlines CEO Made Secret Trip To France To Meet With Airbus
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby recently made an undisclosed trip to France to meet with Airbus over a potential A321 order. Mr. Kirby Goes To Toulouse: As Boeing Falters, United Airlines’ CEO Travels To France For Airbus Meeting Last week, Kirby questioned the future of the Boeing 737 MAX 10, lamenting that “I think the […]
It’s Been A Rough Start In 2024 For Commercial Aviation
Just three weeks into 2024, and already it’s been a very rough start for commercial aviation, specifically in the United States. 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. Airline Executive Headlines In the […]
United Airlines Pushes Back On Elon Musk Charge That Pilot Diversity Compromises Safety
United Airlines has pushed back against a claim by Elon Musk that “Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion” (DEI) initiatives undermine aviation safety. United Airlines: Pilot Hiring Standards Apply To All Candidates In a tweet of alarm that has sparked outrage and discussion, Elon Musk suggested that the recent Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 incident might be […]
Pete Buttigieg Criticized For Soothing Rhetoric Over Decisive Action
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been criticized for his response to the latest Boeing 737 MAX 9 drama by a leading left-wing publication. I’m much more willing to give Buttigieg the benefit of the doubt. Should Pete Buttigieg Be Doing More After Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 Emergency Landing? The Nation, a progressive magazine founded […]
