60,000 Marriott Points for Europe in Business and Free Private Jet Flights is Bad Business, Who Knew?

by Gary Leff

Jan 12 2019

News and notes from around the interweb: Looks like all your can jet private flight app company JetSmarter is imploding. In the beginning they offered amazing deals (and burned tremendous cash). I only ever used them when they gave free trial memberships to customers with elite status and big mileage balances. The LAX Tom Bradley Terminal finally has PreCheck Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on flying coach: When speaking to the Royal Aircraft Association back in 2002, Prince Philip commented on the British royal family’s air travel conditions. “If you travel as much as we do, you appreciate the improvements in aircraft design of less noise and more comfort,” he said, “provided you don’t travel in something called economy class, which sounds ghastly.” Pan Am 103: Robert Mueller’s 30 year search for justice bet you…

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Why Window Shades Should Be Kept Closed On Your Next Flight

by Gary Leff

Jan 12 2019

I always prefer an aisle seat but the person in the window gets to decide whether the shade is up or down. And more often than not shades should be closed.

Window shades as well as cabin lighting get adjusted for takeoff and landing for safety, to improve reaction time of both passengers and crew. And when you land in a hot city you’ll often be asked to close the window shades before getting off the aircraft, to keep the plane cool for the next flight. But what about when you’re in the air, mid-trip?

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Air Zimbabwe Is Shutting Down For Several Days Because They Have No Planes That Can Fly

by Gary Leff

Jan 12 2019

Air Zimbabwe is shutting down for several days because they have no aircraft suitable to operate.

On December 30 their Boeing 737-200 went out of service. It reportedly needs 45 days of maintenance, though may not return to the fleet. Their only other aircraft, a Boeing 767-200, needs maintenance that’s expected to take several days.

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American Airlines Will Introduce Premium Economy Awards This Month

by Gary Leff

airline seat
Jan 11 2019

American Airlines should be close to introducing premium economy awards. They’ve retrofitted much of their widebody fleet of Boeing 777s, 787-9s, and now some 787-8s to offer a premium economy cabin. However they have not had an option to redeem premium economy seats for miles.

I expect to see premium economy awards introduced this month, at least that’s what’s been confirmed to me by two well-placed sources at American.

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EVA Air Business Class Has a New Soft Product That Really Is Like First Class

by Gary Leff

Carmona Red RIMOWA amenities kit
Jan 11 2019

My own take on world’s second best business class is Star Alliance member EVA Air based in Taipei. They should be on everyone’s radar because they also frequently have very good award availability from their US gateways and offer good connectivity into Asia.

Already they offer great seats — reverse herringbone that’s similar to what Cathay Pacific has — but they take things a step beyond with pajamas, pre-order meals, great champagne, and quality amenity kits. And their service is top notch.

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So Many TSA Screeners are Calling in Sick Miami Will Be Closing Concourse G Early

by Gary Leff

Jan 11 2019

During the government shutdown most employees are furloughed. TSA screeners, however, are supposed to work. They won’t be paid until funding is restored. Screeners have been calling out sick at a higher rate than normal with what’s being referred to as ‘blue flu’ (screeners wear blue uniforms).

At Miami the sick out rate is higher than average, and the airport will close the G concourse checkpoints in the afternoon to compensate. G primarily serves United, Frontier, Sun County, and Bahamasair.

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