Your DNA will become a precondition for international travel, at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection. That’s because the U.S. government has started a pilot program to collect DNA from people taken into CBP custody – including citizens – with plans to roll the program out nationwide. Once collected, DNA samples “will “go into a massive criminal database run by the FBI, where it would be held indefinitely.”
When her son couldn’t use the bathroom he started to complain about his stomach. Her husband started griping to her about the airline. And flight attendants overheard the complaints.
On arrival she says they made it to baggage claim but were stopped from leaving the airport on order of the flight’s captain who instructed airport security to hold the family.
Ukraine International Airlines flight PS753 from Tehran to Kiev crashed into an open field in a Tehran suburb minutes after departure. The three year old Boeing 737-800 with 176 souls on board ceased broadcasting from its transponder as it climbed through 8000 feet.
Several Iranian sources and a Dubai-based news agency reported the cause as an accidental missile strike although it is too early to offer any conclusions. Initial reporting on such incidents is often wrong.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Delta has been promoting their CEO Ed Bastian’s keynote at the Computer Electronics Show as a Really Big DealTM, the ‘first airline’ to do such a thing, as though that suggested on its own that Delta is a leader in technology. At CES you find virtual reality, 8k TVs and next gen wearable devices. And Delta has tech to unveil that’s so big it’s a keynote at the conference. Given the prominence of the forum and the buildup, what did he reveal? Free inflight wi-fi someday, with no specifics. They say this is an area where other airlines have struggled although of course JetBlue offers free wifi and American has just been waiting to see what Delta announces so they can copy it. Biometrics in partnership with the government to track you throughout your journey.…
American Airlines has previously said they’ve lost about $580 million from the grounding of the MAX. I actually don’t believe they’ve lost anything close to that since they’ve largely cut what they believe are the biggest money losing flights.
However the fact that American is saying they’ll contribute an additional $30 million to employee profit sharing gives us some indication of the value of the settlement.
Alaska Airlines partners with Singapore Airlines. Alaska has access to more award space than other Singapore Airlines partners. Usually partner airlines, like fellow Star Alliance members United and Avianca, cannot book business or first class long haul awards on Singapore Airlines at all.
Alaska not only is able to book premium cabin awards between the U.S. and Asia on Singapore Airlines but Alaska seems to show availability soemtimes when Singapore isn’t offering the space to its own Krisflyer members.
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips.
Alaska Airlines is offering double miles when crediting paid Fiji Airways travel to Mileage Plan. Registration required. Tickets must be booked by February 29 for travel between February 1 and June 30.
And they’re also running a discount of up to 50% on Fiji Airways award redemption through February 29.
Hyatt’s Alila Villas brand is developing a new resort in the Maldives, expected to open this fall. That means a new place where we can burn Hyatt points – and of course Hyatt points are easy to get because Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer instantly.
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 »
