sri lanka

Search Results for "sri lanka".

Review: Etihad Business Class, Abu Dhabi – Male (Maldives)

by Gary Leff on April 1, 2015

Apr 01 2015

Here I review Etihad’s lie flat business class seat for a regional flight from Abu Dhabi to Male (Maldives). Previous installments: Introduction, overview, and costs Star Alliance first class and business class lounges, LAX Etihad First Class, Los Angles – Abu Dhabi.. the 3rd Longest Flight in the World! Premier Inn, Abu Dhabi International Airport Etihad’s new business class lounge, Abu Dhabi About 35 minutes prior to departure time we headed down to our gate. Now, even though we were departing from terminal 3 (an upgrade from several past regional flights) it was still going to be a bus gate. I don’t think I’ve ever been to an airport where I have such a high proportion of bus gates — even departing long haul to destinations other than the U.S., and as I found out…

Review: Etihad’s New Business Class (and Temporary First Class) Lounge, Abu Dhabi

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2015

Here I review Etihad’s new business class lounge (with temporary first class section) in Abu Dhabi International Airport’s terminal 3. Previous installments: Introduction, overview, and costs Star Alliance first class and business class lounges, LAX Etihad First Class, Los Angles – Abu Dhabi.. the 3rd Longest Flight in the World! Premier Inn, Abu Dhabi International Airport In the morning, after leaving the Premier Inn across the street from the airport, we found our way to the terminal via the outside rather than underground walkway. It’s a bit quicker, you cross the street instead of winding around the underground passageways. I was pleased to be leaving from the newer terminal 3 today (there’s a departures board outside the hotel lobby). Not only that I’d be having an aircraft with lie flat business class for the four…

Review: the Dorm Room Where You Want to Sleep Between First Class and Paradise

by Gary Leff on March 26, 2015

This post details my airport overnight at the Premier Inn at the Abu Dhabi airport. This is my second time staying there, it just makes sense to me arriving around 8pm and departing on a flight about 12 hours later. Previous installments: Introduction, overview, and costs Star Alliance first class and business class lounges, LAX Etihad First Class, Los Angles – Abu Dhabi.. the 3rd Longest Flight in the World! Upon landing at an apron position, and taking a bus to the terminal, I had my strangest immigration experience yet. And as a result it took about an hour to get from plane to bed. That made me all the more grateful not to be heading into Abu Dhabi, and needing to head back in the morning. I wasn’t going to ‘go out’. I had…

Review: Flying First Class on the Third Longest Flight in the World

by Gary Leff on March 24, 2015

This post details my first class award redemption using American AAdvantage miles to fly Etihad, Los Angeles – Abu Dhabi … the third longest flight in the world. Previous installments: Introduction, overview, and costs Star Alliance first class and business class lounges, LAX After visiting the Star Alliance first class lounge, popping over to their business class lounge and outdoor deck, and returning to the first class lounge, the woman from Etihad who met us at the first class check-in counter came to collect us when it was time for boarding and escort us downstairs to the departures level of the terminal out out to our gate. Once onboard I remembered that concomitant with the introduction of a new first class product onboard Etihad’s Airbus A380 (‘Residence’ and ‘First Apartment’) as well as on the…

Review: LAX Star Alliance First Class Lounge & Business Class Lounge

by Gary Leff on March 21, 2015

I kicked off my relaxing trip to the Maldives with a first class award redemption on Etihad. The first flight was Los Angeles – Abu Dhabi, and I had Etihad’s chauffeur service pick me up at the Sheraton LAX. I realize that the Sheraton LAX has an airport shuttle, but the chauffeur service is complimentary and — though my recent visits the shuttle has been reliable, I have a history of waiting for shuttles to come by there that have been full. Utterly gratuitous I suppose, but coming clean — yes I did that. For DC departures I’ve had the car service (Empire CLS) ring me 2-3 days before. For this trip it was just one day prior. They’ll usually show up early to be absolutely sure they’re there on time for you. And indeed…

For Those Of You Who Are Booking The Etihad $178 Fares…

by Gary Leff on December 25, 2014

If you’re going to travel on this amazing fare to Abu Dhabi, India, Africa or Asia you may wonder whom to credit the flight miles to? The key thing to know is that this deal has been booking into E class. Knowing the fare basis of your ticket will tell you what kind of miles you’ll earn with each of the possible programs you’d credit miles to.

Two Tools for Generating Spend, Getting More Compensation from Airlines, and Some Mileage Bonuses (Bits ‘n Pieces for May 8, 2014)

by Gary Leff on May 8, 2014

News and notes from around the interweb: The Suntrust Delta debit card has been a strong part of my mileage-earning portfolio. Unfortunately you can no longer obtain one online or even in many cases in-branch. However some people are still getting Suntrust to agree to issue them a card when requesting one via online chat. Outsource your claim for compensation from an airline (HT: Reid) Up to 2000 free points for joining SAS EuroBonus New benefits for SAS EuroBonus Diamond members. Something we usually see when a new airline joins the oneworld alliance — earn double American AAdvantage miles when flying new oneworld carrier SriLankan Using Paypal loadable cards and the Paypal debit card to generate spending. This is one many steer away from because Paypal does shut down accounts, and can hold onto money…

TAM Leaving Star Alliance, Joining Oneworld

by Gary Leff on March 7, 2013

This has been much expected since oneworld member LAN (with subsidiaries throughout South America) merged with Brazilian carrier and Star Alliance member TAM. The two airlines have separate corporate entities under the banner LATAM but were going to be forced to make a decision, and all signs have pointed to choosing oneworld over Star Alliance. That decision is now official. TAM will leave the Star Alliance in the second quarter of 2014, with an immediate entry into oneworld upon departure from Star. LAN Colombia — not currently a part of oneworld — will join in the fourth quarter of 2013. That positions oneworld for quite the fight against Star’s AviancaTACA. (Chile’s LAN has been a member of oneworld since 2000 and LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru are current affiliate members.) Oneworld has made…

Trip Reports – Hotels

An index of View from the Wing hotel reports back through 2008: 2015 W Times Square Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel Park Hyatt Sydney Westin Stonebriar Concourse Hotel LAX, a Hyatt affiliate Hilton Colombo Grand Hyatt DFW Airport Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives (Restaurant and bar menus) Park Hyatt Hadahaa, Maldives Premier Inn, Abu Dhabi International Airport Westin Arlington Gateway Battle House Renaissance, Mobile Alabama Park Hyatt Vendome Paris Park Hyatt Sydney Grand Hyatt Singapore 2014 Grand Hyatt Bangkok Park Hyatt Buenos Aires Andaz Maui Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur Park Hyatt Hadahaa Maldives Premier Inn Abu Dhabi International Airport Marriott Seattle Airport W Austin W Union Square, New York Grand Hyatt Hong Kong Sheraton Macao Hotel Charleston Place Hotel, South Carolina Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile Park Hyatt Siem Reap Hyatt Regency Danang Resort & Spa Park Hyatt…