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...
The Gold Mine Of China Turns Into Fool’s Gold For U.S. Airlines
U.S. airlines are retreating from Mainland China, realizing the great Chinese aviation gold mine may actually be fool’s gold. To be sure, there is money to be made…a lot of it. But U.S. airlines are increasingly finding frustrating yields...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 19, 2018
Greetings from LA. After a busy weak of travel last week, it was nice to be home this week. I’m not planning on going anywhere in the coming week either. Here’s a review of the week’s top stories plus...
Why Did AA Really Pull Back Partner Award Space Online?
After briefly appearing on the American Airlines’ website for several hours on Tuesday night, partner award space on five carriers disappeared like a subway car leaving the station. What really happened? First, let’s breakdown AA’s own statement on the incident....
Why AA’s Expanded Online Award Space Is Devastating News
AA is making it easy than ever before to book oneworld partner award space. That’s devastating news to savvy travelers. Last night, award space on the following partners appeared on AA.com for the first time: Cathay Pacific LATAM Malaysia...
Has United Surpassed American As #2 U.S. Airline?
An article in Forbes asks if United Airlines has surpassed American Airlines as the #2 airline in the USA. One veteran analyst says YES while one CEO says NO WAY! We can guess the CEO. That would be Doug...
Mid-Year Status Update – Surprising Results
For the first time since I became a serious frequent flyer, I am carefully tracking all of my traveling metrics for elite status. Every flight and hotel stay is logged and I am sharing my results – my expectations didn’t...
Cracked Windshield Forces AA Flight To Divert
Yesterday afternoon a cracked windshield forced an American Airlines flight bound for Tokyo to return to Chicago. Flight 153 was operated by a 787-8 with 164 passengers and 13 crew members. The flight left at 3pm CT and returned...
The End Of The Propeller Era Draws Closer In The USA
Earlier this week, the final turboprop operating on behalf of American Airlines landed in Maryland. It marked the final propeller-powered flight for a “big three” legacy carrier in the USA. The de Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 flew from Charlotte (CLT)...
Why We Are Spending Our Iberia Avios on Coach American Awards
A recent, limited time promotion from Iberia effectively sold Iberia Avios for fractions of a penny each up to 90,000 in total. While many are using their points to fly in business class to Europe, we have opted for...
Man Strikes FA, Hurls Racial Slur, Calls Her Overweight
Gregory Alexander is in a lot of trouble. The 82-year-old Florida man was charged with battery and interference with aircraft operations after hurling racial slurs and taunts at an American Airlines FA, then jabbing her with his finger. The...
British Airways Officially Acknowledges AA Award Booking Issue
For several weeks, it has been difficult (though not impossible) to book award flights on American Airlines using the British Airways Executive Club website. While the problem is not fixed, at least British Airways has acknowledged it. Lately, AA...
An Abortive Argument Against An Arrogant American Airlines’ Agent
I don’t know when I am going to practice what I preach, but I could not help but to argue with an AA reservation agent on Saturday. As always, it was to my own detriment. Here’s the story. An...
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 Airlines’ Agent Humiliates Breastfeeding Mom
An American Airlines’ gate agent humiliated a woman, loudly chiding her for trying to bring breastfeeding equipment and breastmilk onboard her flight. The incident happened at Los Angeles (LAX) while boarding a flight to Chicago (ORD). A gate agent...
Customer: AA Agent is Sending Me Vulgar Text Messages!
After one customer cursed out an airline employee over the phone, she suddenly received a pair of abusive text messages from an unknown number. I’m not going to defend the conduct of Marla Margolis. She flew from Boston to...
American Airlines May Soon Find Itself Locked Out of Venezuela
Last month, American Airlines announced increased service to Caracas, Venezuela. While other U.S. and European carriers have abandoned air service to the beleaguered nation, AA has steadfastly remained. But that could soon change. American flies twice daily to Caracas...
AA Passenger Finds Dead Rat in Luggage, Told to Burn It
An AA passenger found a very unpleasant surprise in her delayed checked bag…a dead rat. Merry Cannon was happy to join her husband Leighton in Europe on a business trip. The couple lived in Arkansas with their two children...
Free Agent Is The Best Status to Hold
After years of chasing status (I still do), sometimes being a Free Agent when it comes to choosing your travel product is the most liberating of all. While I still hold elite status, on a recent trip my family...
Five Airlines Awarded New Flights to Havana
Earlier this month I wrote about the battle for Havana slots. Like a game of musical chairs, demand outstripped supply and it was up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to divvy out the slots. Yesterday, the U.S. Department...
