About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Quit The Outrage Over Full Flights And Lack Of Social Distance On Planes

by Gary Leff

people sitting on plane
Apr 28 2020

Stop blaming and shaming airlines on social media for full flights. I guess I’m shocked that people are shocked there would be others sitting near them on a plane. Why would anyone think the airline was selling them a ticket but not selling tickets to other people?

Ultimately if you do not feel it is safe to fly, then do not fly. If you do fly, wear a mask (whether the government is requiring it or not). Bring hand sanitizer – the TSA has relaxed carry on liquid rules for this purpose. And wash your hands.

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JetBlue Becomes First U.S. Airline To Require Passengers To Wear Face Masks

by Gary Leff

Apr 28 2020

American Airlines is going to start handing out masks to passengers on some flights. Several airlines are requiring flight attendants to wear masks.

And now JetBlue is becoming the first U.S. airline to require it of passengers starting May 4. Masks provide some measure of protection for other passengers in the event the wearer is asymptomatic but spreading the virus.

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New American Airlines Rules Force Passengers To Congregate At The Gate Earlier, Miss More Connections

by Gary Leff

american airlines lounge
Apr 27 2020

American Airlines has updated its rules have been tightened to require customers to be at the gate earlier, and to board flights earlier.

Requiring passengers to spend more time congregating in cramped gate areas is the opposite direction from where the airline should be moving in the current era which calls for greater social distancing. And closing the doors earlier means more passengers missing more flights.

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Rare: Business Class Awards On The Longest Flight In The World, Using Choice Of Miles

by Gary Leff

first class cabin
Apr 27 2020

Starting in early September, and running through end of schedule, it’s possible to get business class award seats on the longest flight in the world – the Singapore Airlines Newark – Singapore flight – and you do not even need to use Singapore’s own miles to do it.

It’s incredibly rare when Singapore Airlines makes long haul business class award space to partner airlines. In fact I don’t think I’ve seen things this open since a glitch back in July 2012.

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You Can’t Visit The Airport Now, But You Can Still Hear Its Voice

by Gary Leff

Apr 27 2020

Carolyn Hopkins is a comforting voice that nearly every traveler knows. She did voice over for Disney World 31 years ago. She’s the voice of the New York City subways, but she’s only ridden them once – in 1957. Her first airport announcement was for Chicago O’Hare – but now she’s done announcements for more than 200 airports.

Hopkins is the voice of New York’s LaGuardia and JFK, Denver, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Toronto Pearson, Calgary, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Seoul Incheon and many more.

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