My recent flight from Houston to Frankfurt was one of the worst Lufthansa First Class flights of my life. It truly was. But I also must add it was not just fine, but a good flight overall. Read on to understand this apparent paradox. Let’s just get down to it. What I love most about […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 01, 2018
It’s a beautiful summer evening in Los Angeles and I’ve spent the day with family and friends. My thanks to Kyle and Carly for giving me the chance to take a break on Sundays. Over the last week, we’ve seen a Sun Country challenge to Alaska Airlines in Portland, re-shuffling of Singapore service on United, […]
United Doubles Singapore Service from SFO, Cuts LAX-SIN Flight
United Airlines is ending nonstop service between Los Angeles and Singapore just a year after it begin, but adding a second daily nonstop between San Francisco and Singapore. I’m going to come right out and play armchair CEO here. I don’t blame United one bit for this move. I don’t see how United could make […]
Lounge Dining: À La Carte vs. Buffet
What’s more important to you in a premium cabin airline lounge: a great buffet or a la carte dining? In trying to be objective, I’ve put together three pros and three cons for buffets and the same for sit-down dining. Buffet Pros: More variety Speed (instant gratification) Chance to showcase quality Buffet Cons: Lower quality […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 17, 2018
Greetings from Italia. Sadly, I’ve had to spend Father’s Day away from my family…but my trip, like every trip, is in order to provide for them. Even so, every trip in which I am separated from my family is bittersweet. Top stories from the last week include the official announcement of an American Express lounge […]
Is It Ethical To Steal Premium Cabin Amenities?
Is it ever ethical to walk away with amenities from business and first class that airlines do not intend for you to take? The Wall Street Journal covers this topic in-depth. It’s a great read. The last paragraphs of the article, though, made me stop and think: Danny Kashou, 53, a business owner in San […]
Review: ANA 777-300ER First Class Chicago to Tokyo
My ANA first class expectations were quite high going in, so I was ecstatic when they were exceeded. The seat and service were exactly as expected, but the meals onboard were not just great, but tremendous. This review is from 2016. I outline my reasons behind publishing older flight review here. Further, note that Gary […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: June 03, 2018
I’m convalescing in LA this evening after catching a nasty virus from one-year-old Augustine earlier this week. For those of you who sent me email that has gone unanswered, please be patient. This week we learned more about Delta’s massive investment at LAX, United’s desire to return to JFK, and American Express limited lounge access […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: May 27, 2018
Los Angeles has been experiencing “May Gray” all week and I love it! Every year around this time I am reminded of how I should be living in London or Seattle…but I digress (while hoping for “June Gloom”). This week, we learned that Sun Country will cut first class, Delta announced new transcontinental service to […]
United Really Doesn’t Want You to Steal Onboard Bedding!
Theft of Saks Fifth Avenue bedding continues to be a problem on United Airlines. So much so that United has redesigned its business class menus to warn against theft. Nicely, of course. Like warning labels on tobacco products, onboard Polaris business class menus now prominently display not just one, but two boxes asking customers not […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: May 20, 2018
Good evening from LA. For the first time in weeks, it appears I will not set foot on a plane this week. I’m looking forward to it. Honestly. Last week, the Gulf Carriers “kissed and made up” with their American legacy counterparts in an agreement that changes nothing and allows both to save face. We […]
Wow! A Perfect Steak on United Airlines
Sometimes the Polaris stars align and you find a perfect steak in the place you least expect…on an airplane. That’s the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week. Earlier this week I flew from Tokyo to Los Angeles on United. I tend to avoid steak and order fish or lamb, but the beef filet […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: May 13, 2018
Greetings from Tokyo Narita. I’ve been overseas the last several days and will provide further details on my trip tomorow. Over the last week, United has announced network updates including changes in Mexico service and a re-tooling of its Newark and Washington hubs. We also learned of new service fees coming to Alaska Airlines and […]
My Conversation with Oscar Munoz at SFO
United CEO Oscar Munoz was on hand for a United Polaris Lounge media event last week in San Francisco. Unlike my last encounter, I asked him a couple questions this time. There were about 30 members of the media present for the lounge preview. Munoz gave remarks, cut the ribbon to the new lounge, then […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 29, 2018
Greetings from the fairly remote Las Padres National Forrest about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles. It was special weekend for me: my brother is getting married next week and this weekend was his bachelor party. Heidi, don’t worry…it has been a very calm weekend. We’re in a lodge-style house. Our big activity was not […]
Singapore Airlines Will Resume World’s Longest Flight by End of 2018
Singapore Airlines will resume nonstop service to New York by the end of 2018, reclaiming the title for world’s longest flight. Singapore Airlines served Newark, NJ from 2004 to 2013 using an A340-500 configured exclusively with 100 business class seats. That route was abandoned due to declining revenue and an attractive opportunity to return the […]
Leaked Seat Map for New United Airlines 787-10
United Airlines will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-10 later this year. The aircraft will be the first in the United fleet to feature a new premium economy product. United has 14 firm orders for the 787-10 and will take delivery of the first three this year. In a leaked seat map to Flight […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 15, 2018
Greetings from Los Angeles. It is good to be home after two nearly weeks in Europe. I had a fabulous trip (hope you have been enjoy the Italy road trip report), but there is no place like home…especially after being away from my wife and son for so long. This week I’ll finish up the […]
Express Dining on United Airlines
United offers express dining on long-haul flights in Polaris class for those who wish to dine quickly and maximize sleep. That’s the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week. I took advantage of it on a trip last week and it saved me a good half hour, which is certainly appreciated on a quick […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 01, 2018
Happy Easter and Happy Passover. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful day spent with family and friends and trust you have as well. I’m looking forward to a very “Matthew” like trip coming up this week. Details on that on Tuesday. For now, I’ll just leave you with the top stories of the week plus a recount […]
