The issue of the flight attendant call button is a sensitive one in the USA. While absolutely taken for granted and even encouraged in much of the world, it remains vexing in the USA (unless you are flying in JetBlue Mint). I think vexing is the perfect word, for the problem is you just don’t […]
The World’s 10 Oldest Airlines Still Flying
What are the oldest airlines in the world that are still flying? Earlier this week I shared a heartwarming British Airways video that celebrates the life of a 99-year old woman while also recognizing BA’s 99th anniversary. That got me thinking about the oldest airlines still flying. As it turns out, calling BA 99 years […]
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 […]
The Economics of Lie-Flat Beds on 737s
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby announced yesterday that United is exploring lie-flat seating on upcoming 737 MAX 10 deliveries. Speaking at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver, Kirby touted United’s lie-flat domestic flights: It’s been really successful in the markets that we have it in. There are other markets out of Newark and […]
Introduction: A SkyTeam Adventure in the Middle East
I’m closing in on my goal to try every member airline of the three of major alliances. My last trip focused on SkyTeam, with an opportunity to fly three new carriers: Aeromexico, Air France, and Middle East Airlines. Both the Aeromexico and Air France longhauls featured the carriers’ latest business class products. Also note that […]
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 a look back at every story that appeared over the last seven days on Live and […]
Turkish Airlines Is A Pawn In The USA-Turkey Chess Game
Turkey and the USA are in the midst of a severe diplomatic spat and Turkish Airlines finds itself as a pawn of the Turkish state. As the carrier cuts ads in the USA, are flights next on the chopping block? Turkish Airlines announced it would cut all advertising in the United States. Defending the move […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 12, 2018
I’m back in Las Vegas, anxious to get home to my family, after a whirlwind trip over the last several days to Mexico City, Paris, Dubai, Beirut, Frankfurt, and Washington, DC. All in a day’s work… Tomorrow, look for an update on the Delta lounge denial incident, a post that drew significantly more traffic than […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: August 05, 2018
After a lot of domestic travel last week, it has been nice to spend the last two days at home. Another trip, however, is on the horizon. More details on that in the days ahead. Here’s a review of the week’s top stories as well as a look back at every story that appeared on […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 29, 2018
After a whirlwind trip to New York and Miami, I’m back in Los Angeles for the day, then off to Las Vegas tomorrow. Over the last week, we’ve seen a new photo policy at United Airlines, Chinese anger at U.S. airlines, and a bed bug invasion on Air India. Please find a review of the week’s top stories as well […]
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 […]
Booked! Aeromexico + Air France Business Class
Last week I wrote about my dilemma over an expiring Korean Air award. I’ve now found a solution and thankfully salvaged the ticket. Since Korean Air SkyTeam partner award tickets must end in the same country as they begin, I was stuck flying to either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, both part of the United Arab […]
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 […]
Ambitious Juneyao Airlines Unveils 787 Details
Juneyao Airlines has grown to become one of the largest private airlines in China. This fall, it will take delivery its first wide-body, longhaul jet, a Boeing 787-9. Juneyao currently has a fleet of 41 Airbus A320 aircraft and 25 Airbus A321 aircraft. From its Shanghai hub, the carrier serves a number of Chinese destinations […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 15, 2018
As the weeks fly by, I hope you are having a wonderful summer. It has been a quiet week in the world of aviation. But over the last week, we’ve seen an Air China pilot endanger the lives of over 150 passengers onboard by smoking, learned of changes to the T-Mobile international plan, and been […]
The End Of An Era At Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines is ditching peanuts, effective August 01, 2018. Health advocates and parents with children allergic to peanuts are rejoicing. Meanwhile, peanut farmers and King Nut (the peanut manufacturer for Southwest) are lamenting. Maybe Jimmy Carter is too. Southwest confirmed the change in a statement: Peanuts forever will be part of Southwest’s history and DNA. However, […]
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 08, 2018
Good evening from from LA. It was a relatively quiet week with the exception of a short business trip to the Pacific Northwest. This week should also be quiet. Here’s a review of the week’s top stories on the blog plus a recap of every story that appeared on Live and Let’s Fly. Have a […]
Must-Have Tools For Any Road Warrior
Like many of our readers, I am a full-time road warrior at this point in my career. Readers, friends, and co-workers often ask me what tools I use to make life easier. Here are my must-have tools for any road warrior. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click […]
Introduction: Two Countries, Six Flights on Lufthansa
Welcome to my next trip report, a multi-part series recapping my trip to Germany and Italy last week. This one won’t be road trip-style like my earlier Italy trip report. Instead, I’ll focus on the flights and a couple new hotels I stayed in. This trip included eight flights: two on United, six on Lufthansa. […]