News and notes from around the interweb:

• Is it snobby to bring your own wine on planes? I think when Delta serves $4 Andre in business class the answer is clearly no.

  I love trying new wines when I’m flying Singapore (especially) but also Qantas and other carriers in first class. When the wines are mediocre or poorly-paired I just won’t just drink. It’s always a bad idea to drink booze that a flight attendant does not serve to you.

  My seat opponent on a Dallas – Austin flight was once written up for bringing a to-go cup from the Admirals Club with wine in it — and refusing to give it up when called out by a flight attendant. Her reasoning: she didn’t want to waste the company’s resources.

  

• The Emir of Kuwait’s holding company is developing a new St. Regis in Marrakech expected to open in 2024.

• Air New Zealand Auckland – Shanghai flight had to turn back because the specific aircraft didn’t have regulatory permission or China travel

• British Airways suspends 5 pilots over racist and vulgar emails (HT: One Mile at a Time)

• Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles now requies you to have at least 70% of required miles to waitlist for an award

  

• The Ritz-Carlton Naples now has a champagne vending machine in the lobby that’s being portrayed as luxury, I view it as a way to serve folks without labor costs, and re-affirms my priors that this is a big resort factory rather than a luxury hotel.

  
  Credit: Ritz-Carlton

  Years ago a colleague checked in here and found a used condom in the sheets of her bed (which was unmade). It got her a nice upgrade. I on the other hand had a room above the HVAC.