As a lifelong American Airlines customer and frequent Cathay Pacific flyer, United had a long way to go to impress me with their Polaris business class product. They did. Here is another leg in my status run to Hong Kong trip report. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please […]
Review: United Club Newark (EWR)
United’s only true club in Newark’s Terminal C is overcrowded, but functional. I say only true club, noting that a beautiful Polaris Lounge is now available for longhaul business class passengers. This is an incredible lounge, but not accessible to United Club members or Star Alliance Gold passengers traveling in economy class. The only other […]
Review: Lufthansa A380 First Class Houston to Frankfurt
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 […]
Pictures From New United Polaris Lounge In Houston
United will open its fourth Polaris Lounge on Friday, this one in Houston (IAH). United describes its latest addition to the Polaris Lounge portfolio as akin to a “boutique hotel”. Indeed, at 12K square feet the lounge is far smaller than San Francisco and Newark (each over 27K square feet). Even so, United has maintained […]
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 […]
Dining and Bar Menus at United Polaris SFO Lounge
The new United Airlines Polaris Lounge at SFO offers a great mix of a la carte dining options and adult beverages. I’ve consolidated all the menus in this post. First, note that all food and drink are complimentary. Tipping is not expected. United Polaris Lounge San Francisco Bar Menu Over half the wines will be […]
Review: San Francisco to Amsterdam in KLM 787-9 World Business Class
Flying KLM for the first time was already a treat, but flying on KLM’s 787-9 in business class turned me into the child eagerly waiting for Christmas morning. KLM World Business Class Flight Preview Email After checking in online, KLM sent me a link with very detailed info about my flight and even let me choose seats […]
Review: Houston to Lagos in United Airlines 787 Business
I flew United’s 787-8 for the first time from Houston to Los Angeles just weeks after it was introduced in 2012, but almost two years passed before I had the chance to fly it again, this time from Houston to Lagos. My day started in Chicago but I gave myself a five hour buffer in case of […]
Introduction: A Sensational Weekend In São Paulo, Brazil
I’m up for a weekend trip to most anywhere, but I now have a new city I will look forward to returning to: São Paulo, Brazil. When my friend asked if I wanted to join him in Sao Paulo, for a couple days, I agreed because I thought the fellowship would be great. It was. […]
Details: United Airlines Returns To New York JFK
United Airlines will return to New York Kennedy (JFK) in 2021, five years after abandoning the airport in a move it came to quickly regret. The return of premium transcontinental service between JFK and the West Coast is a boon for local traffic and intercontinental Star Alliance connections. United Airlines Will Return To JFK Returning […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
