News and notes from around the interweb: United Airlines adds pre-arrival Godiva chocolates to domestic first class. They used to offer these in premium transcon and long haul business class 30 years ago – but where you’d select out of a box. These are individually wrapped. Unfortunately it’s for April only, can’t keep up this investment too long (and probably only being subsidized by Godiva for a short bit). The Belgian chocolatier, like United, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary and will be featured onboard throughout the month of April. Specifically, United says the chocolates will be offered in domestic first class on flights over 901 miles, excluding those departing from Canada and Latin America. The chocolates will be presented as part of the pre-arrival service, about 90 minutes before landing. Flight attendants will serve them…
JetBlue Leads Another Round Of Bag Fee Hikes — Why Airlines Don’t Just Raise Fares
JetBlue is once again the first U.S. airline to raise checked bag fees, but the bigger story is what that usually signals for everyone else: once one carrier moves, others often follow. But why airlines prefer checked bag fees over fare hikes is sneaky.
Florida Just Renamed Palm Beach Airport For Trump — But It Won’t Actually Happen For Months
Florida just renamed Palm Beach airport for Trump.
But the new name will not actually take effect for months. The law does not kick in until July 1, and there is still federal approval and a naming agreement to get through first.
This Wasn’t TSA — It Was The Line To Get Into Delta’s LaGuardia Lounge [Roundup]
This wasn’t a TSA line — it was the crowd waiting to get into Delta’s lounge at LaGuardia. Also a fish on the DFW runway, the King of Thailand flying his own plane, and SiriusXM looking more obsolete by the day.
Air Canada CEO Is Out For Recording Crash Video In English — It Makes Canada Look Ridiculous, But The Logic Is Real
Air Canada’s CEO is stepping down after recording an English-only video statement about a fatal crash, which makes Canada look more ridiculous than serious. But there is an internal logic to it. Once you put the airline’s special language obligations, Quebec politics, and the government’s leverage over Air Canada in the same frame, this stops looking like random national silliness and it makes sense as a Canadian power struggle.
Most Miles And Points Valuations Are Wrong — Why All The Published Numbers Are Too High
Most miles and points valuations start from the same flawed premise: they measure how much travel a point can buy, then treat that number as if it were cash value. That massively overstates what points are actually worth, because points are less flexible than cash, carry devaluation risk, usually are not spent right away, and often replace travel you would not have bought at the published price in the first place.
Flight Attendant Served Fake Sparkling Wine In First Class — And Claimed It Was American Airlines Policy
A passenger ordered sparkling wine in first class and says the flight attendant served fake bubbles instead. When the real thing ran out, she was reportedly given chardonnay mixed with sparkling water — and told this was American Airlines policy.
Delta Air Lines Returned Minutes After Takeoff With An Engine On Fire — Passengers Filmed Flames From The Cabin
Delta Air Lines returned to São Paulo within minutes after takeoff when one engine caught fire. Video from inside the cabin shows flames outside the aircraft, a terrifying view for passengers – though the crew handled it exactly as they’re trained to do.
Air Canada Passenger Urinated On The Floor At The Gate — Bystanders Thought He Was Sleepwalking
An Air Canada passenger was filmed urinating on the floor at the gate before a flight from Calgary to Toronto. Bystanders can be heard trying to wake him and saying they thought he was sleepwalking, making it even stranger.
This Tiny Amex Lounge In Fort Lauderdale Had A 150-Person Wait List — Travelers Will Queue For Anything Labeled Premium
More than 150 people joined the wait list for the tiny American Express Centurion Studio in Fort Lauderdale, which tells you almost everything about what airport lounge “premium” means now. The space is small, the food is forgettable, and the only thing truly exclusive about it is how many travelers are still willing to queue for it.











