View from the Wing

Breakdown: Woman Can’t Face the Idea of Four Hours in a United Coach Middle Seat

by Gary Leff on January 27, 2019

Jan 27 2019

Every single day an inner battle boils in the skies, just below the service, threatening to bubble over.

A passenger videotaped a woman melting down after boarding her United flight. She said she had four hours ahead of her in a middle seat. She declares “I can’t do this.” She complains also about the size of the two passengers on either side of her. She says she’s small in comparison (she isn’t), “I eat salad.”

But that’s not what makes this story absolutely perfect. There’s an Easter egg in the video.

25% Transfer Bonus from Citibank to Turkish Miles & Smiles Through February 20

by Gary Leff on January 27, 2019

Jan 27 2019

It’s worth a reminder as well that Turkish Airlines offers some great award redemptions year-round. They add fuel surcharges onto redemptions, their pricing is very reasonable. Just told tell anyone you’re a Gülenist when you redeem your points.

Marriott’s One Shot Deal For Lifetime 75 Night Status Has Posted

by Gary Leff on January 27, 2019

Jan 27 2019

Under the new Marriott program all lifetime elites kept their current lifetime status from either program and everyone had until December 31 to earn lifetime status under old program rules despite the new program requiring more elite nights than Starwood had insisted upon and no longer required minimum points for status as Marriott had.

One quirk of the new program though is that it will not offer lifetime status higher than Platinum (50 nights). Legacy Marriott lifetime Platinums were 75 night platinums so got to keep lifetime 75 night elite. Starwood members with similar lifetime activity nearly lost their cookies over this.

A New Logo is Going on American Airlines Planes, and What It Says May Surprise You

by Gary Leff on January 27, 2019

Jan 27 2019

In September American Airlines was named a 5 Star Global Airline by the Airline Passenger Experience Association.

When you board American Airlines flights you’ll notice a new logo being added to their planes, beneath the oneworld logo. These new decals promote their ‘five star’ status, as they explained to employees this week.

Why Air Traffic Controllers Started Calling In Sick, Ending the Shutdown and United Wifi T-Shirts

by Gary Leff on January 27, 2019

Jan 27 2019

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.