During my status run to Hong Kong, I took a day trip to Shenzhen, a place I have never been before. Once I found my way into the city, I was on a mission to visit some of the city’s electronics malls. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please […]
Getting From Hong Kong to Shenzhen
During my status run to Hong Kong, I took a day trip to Shenzhen, a place I have never been before. Some of the information I found online was incomplete or incorrect so I wanted to share my efficient, cheap and easy way to see Shenzhen from Hong Kong. If you are considering booking travel or signing […]
A Multi-Course First Class Dinner on American Airlines
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. I flew international first class on American Airlines exactly once. It was April 2015 and I had an […]
United Airlines Add Service To Naples + Prague + Amsterdam
United Airlines will add year-around service between San Francisco and Amsterdam as well summer seasonal service between New York/Newark and both Prague and Naples, Italy. United teased us on Twitter yesterday with a hint at these routes using anagrams, but the news is now official. San Francisco to Amsterdam United will begin year-around service between […]
President of United Airlines DEFENDS Family Separation…On Airplanes
United Airlines hates family separation…unless their customers won’t pay to sit together. Last June, United Airlines, along with other airlines, came out strongly against the White House decision to separate minor children from parents who are captured while crossing the border illegally. In fact, United CEO Oscar Munoz even laid down the gauntlet against the federal government: […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 26, 2018
It was an unseasonably cool week in LA and we are expecting more of the same in the week ahead. That has made being home all the more sweeter. I plan to be home again this week, but my next trip is on the horizon. I wish you all a great week. Here’s a review […]
Mileage Runs May Be Dead, Status Runs Still Alive
Mileage runs were the hallmark of travel enthusiasts who found more to gain from unnecessary trips than not taking them. Elite status runs have the same principle but different result, taking unnecessary trips to retain or “level up” your status with an airline. While mileage running might be dead, status running is not. If you […]
Help Me Get Home From Dubai!
I’ve now got a one-way ticket to Dubai, but nothing back. It’s time to get creative. My first thought was to fly Kuwait Airways in first class back to New York. This was a flight option that Ben and I toyed with last year for our trip. Unfortunately, the price of the ticket has shot […]
United Teases Premium Service Between Los Angeles And Boston
United is testing out lie-flat beds for a couple months on flights between Los Angeles and Boston. United Airlines operates premium transcontinental service routes between three city pairs: Los Angeles ⇄ Newark San Francisco ⇄ Newark Boston ⇄ San Francisco > Read More: Premium Transcontinental Service on United: Free Hot Meals in EconomyPlus + Boston Expansion Logically, it would make […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 23, 2018
Greetings from sunny Los Angeles. I’m in a holding pattern this week. I thought I was going to have to leave for Europe tomorrow, but that trip has been postponed. I’m both relieved and disappointed. I never like leaving my family but there’s a heatwave coming to Los Angeles that I wanted to escape. In […]
Mystery Surrounding New Boeing 787-9 Order from United Airlines
United Airlines announced it will purchase 29 new aircraft, including 25 Embraer E-175 and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. But there is mystery surrounding the 787-9 order. First, the Embraer E-175s are among the most spacious and comfortable regional jets. These aircraft will replace 25 CRJ-700 that are currently in use by United Express partners. While the CRJ-700 is […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
