News & Events

The Laptop Ban is OVER for Etihad Flights to the U.S.

July 4, 2017

The ban on inflight electronics for flights from certain airports to the U.S. was a stupid policy even if the underlying concern was valid. It made planes less safe (due to the risk of lithium ion batteries in the cargo hold catching fire) without keeping electronics out of the hands of dangerous people heading to […]

How Delta’s New 15 Minute Documentary Lies to Their Employees and the American People

July 4, 2017

I was asked on Twitter about the Delta 15 minute ‘documentary’ making their case that three Middle Eastern airlines are unfairly subsidized, a threat to Delta’s business, and in response that the U.S. government ought to limit consumer choices and raise airfare prices. I wasn’t going to write about this. Goodness knows I’ve covered the […]

WATCH: Passengers In First Class Lounge Stuff 20 Cans of Beer and Chips in Their Bags

July 4, 2017

I always find it super cheap and off putting when a hotel club lounge has water to pour into cups, and no bottles you can take away, like at the Grand Hyatt New York. The same is true of airport lounges: a proper premium class lounge should encourage you to take away a bottle for […]

Passengers Evacuated from United Flight as Emergency Crews Put Out Engine Fire

July 4, 2017

The left engine of United Express flight UA5869 from Aspen to Denver was on fire upon landing this afternoon. Passengers onboard the SkyWest Bombardier CRJ700 were evacuated from the aircraft onto the runway and emergency crew responded to extinguish the fire. Here’s the engine on fire on the ground: My flight from Aspen to Denver […]

Report: Delta Negotiating 24% Ownership of India’s Jet Airways

July 4, 2017

Delta is reportedly in talks with Jet Airways to take a 24% stake in the Indian airline. Jet Airways and Delta are already partners. This will put the lie to the claim in their pathetic video that they lack access to the Indian market. It will put them alongside Etihad as significant owners of the […]

WATCH: Passengers Suffer as Air India Flight Takes Off Without Air Conditioning

July 4, 2017

Yesterday’s Air India flight AI880 from Bagroda to Delhi took off without functioning air conditioning. The 168 passengers onboard did not like it one bit. Air India dismisses this as “a technical matter” but promises “an investigation.” By the way, it’s hot in Delhi. Here are passengers suffering Air India’s inflight experience. Flight crew apparently […]

EXTENDED: Enticing Discount Buying Starwood Points (35% Off, Airline Miles for 1.82 Cents)

July 4, 2017

I receive compensation for many links on this blog. You don’t have to use these links, but I am grateful to you if you do. American Express, Citibank, Chase, and other banks are advertising partners of this site. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed […]

NEW TEST: TSA Still Failing to Detect 95% of Threats

July 4, 2017

The TSA has failed to meaningfully detect dangerous items going through the checkpoint for years. Two years ago their disclosed 95% failure rate seemed shocking and surprising to many but is hardly new, ten years ago they had a 91% failure rate. Much hand wringing ensued. There’s no meaningful deterrence at that level of failure. […]

My Loud Sheraton Toilet, More Priority Pass Restaurants and the Best Use of SkyMiles

July 4, 2017

News and notes from around the interweb: A look inside Norwegian’s first Boeing 737 MAX Just like at Sydney airport Priority Pass has added ‘restaurant as lounge’ options at Brisbane with 3 places offering $36 credit to guests. A look at the brand new Alaska Airlines C Concourse Lounge in Seattle OfficeMax and Office Depot […]

Minor Change to How American Airlines Handles Voluntary Denied Boardings

July 4, 2017

Dr. David Dao’s dragging thrust airline overbooking policies into the national spotlight in April. Airlines quickly revised their policies. Within days of the David Dao incident American Airlines updated its contract of carriage to say that they “will not involuntarily remove a revenue passenger who has already boarded in order to give a seat to […]