The Turbulence Was so Bad a Flight Attendant and Beverage Cart Hit the Ceiling

by Gary Leff

flight attendant hitting ceiling from turbulence
Jun 17 2019

On Sunday, June 16 an ALK Airlines flight VBB-7205 from Pristina in Kosovo to Basel Mulhouse near the shared border point of France, Germany, and Switzerland provided even greater flight than promised when passengers booked their itinerary.

Video filmed by a passenger shows a flight attendant “flying up toward the ceiling of the aircraft, along with the drink cart, which spills over several passengers. One of the soaked travelers can also be seen praying immediately after the cart comes crashing down.”

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American Airlines International Saver Award Space Has Totally and Completely Disappeared

by Gary Leff

american airline seat chart
Jun 17 2019

I’ve had several readers as me about the disappearance of all international saver award availability from American Airlines flights. This happened sometime between Friday evening and Saturday morning.

This appears to be across all routes, at least every single route that I’ve tried. It isn’t my usual complaint about lack of premium cabin inventory through end of schedule. Here I’m talking about even coach.

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American Airlines Club Lounge Wine: The Best Bottles From Their New Wine Program

by Gary Leff

wine glasses on table
Jun 16 2019

American Airlines rolled out a new wine program this month, with new complimentary and paid premium glasses of wine in its Admirals Clubs and updated selections in its business class Flagship lounges and first class Flagship Dining rooms inside of those lounges.

I tasted their new complimentary wines and scoured the lists of paid club wines as well as bottles on offer in their business class Flagship lounges and first class Flagship First Dining facilities. Here are the best ones to choose.

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Passengers Show Up at Airports, Find Their Airline Doesn’t Exist. What Do Online Booking Sites Owe?

by Gary Leff

via air plane
Jun 16 2019

Online travel agency websites complain that Google is delivering travel results directly to customers instead of sending people to their websites where they can collect a toll (commission) on the transaction. And they want the government to step in and force Google to deliver customers to them.

I say that online travel agency websites should be better, should add value to customers, so that customers will want and prefer the service that they’re providing.

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Pay Bills With Your Credit Card and Earn Miles: 1.5% on Up to 3 Payments This Month for Some

by Gary Leff

check
Jun 16 2019

Plastiq.com is a service that will charge your credit card and mail checks on your behalf. (With some vendors they also make electronic ACH payments.)

Their usual fee for this is 2.5%. It’s worth it to incur that fee if you’re earning a signup bonus with the credit card charges, or you’re meeting a spending threshold for a bonus.

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Premium Cabin Airline Seats Haven’t Improved in 30 Years

by Gary Leff

airplane seats
Jun 15 2019

Thirty years ago airlines offered a mostly flat comfortable seat at the front of the plane with upgraded dining. They called it first class. They also offered a middle cabin featuring recliners and 38 to 40 inches between seats, along with upgraded privileges like priority boarding. They called it business class.

Today airlines offer mostly flat seating up front with upgraded dining. They call it business class. They offer a middle cabin featuring recliners and 38 to 40 inches between seats, along with upgraded privileges like priority boarding. They call it premium economy.

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