Dubai airport has approved a series of new security measures including buying new Chinese-made explosive detection machines that apparently can identify more types of explosive materials.
They’re also introducing new facial recognition technology. You walk through an aquarium and your face is scanned on departure.
Today Alaska Airlines is introducing first class pre-order meals through their mobile app. You’ll be able to order between 24 hours and two weeks prior to departure.
American Express is running a 30% bonus on transfers from Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic through November 30. I note this is a new bonus since they offered it back in May.
This is a great way to book one of my 17 favorite award redemption values.
Singapore Airlines flies to two destinations from Los Angeles — Seoul and Tokyo Narita (with continuing service to Singapore). Both flights are operated with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, not with Airbus A380s, so first class is still a bed with great food and service but isn’t their suites class product.
Singapore’s Los Angeles – Seoul flight is wide open with saver award availability for two passengers in first class.
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.
Erin Gatling and her family were flying Southwest yesterday. Southwest has an unusual procedure where they sell many ‘direct’ flights with a connection. The plane stops and if you’re continuing to the next city you stay on the aircraft while everyone else gets off. Flight attendants take a count, and then you can either stay onboard or get off if you wish.
Ms. Gatling says that during their connection her family was kicked off, and told they wouldn’t be able to continue on the next segment of the flight.
Tedgrrrr reports that he was on a Delta flight from Los Angeles to New York yesterday where Jennifer Lopez’s 9 year old son, Maximilian David Muñiz, was selling chocolate bars in business class.
A passenger’s poodle that was checked as baggage onto a Japan Airlines flight from Tokyo Haneda to Okinawa escaped this morning onto a runway.
One of Tokyo Haneda’s four runways had to be closed. Twice. But here’s the thing. It took them 40 minutes to catch the poodle, but they only closed the runway for six.
Alaska’s acquisition of Virgin America catapults the West Coast into a hot contest. Alaska and Southwest are bulking up on routes. Alaska has said that the economics of the deal will work out because of the strength of their credit card deal with Bank of America. Southwest wants California cardmembers as well.
And they’re doing something interesting about it. Southwest is emailing a targeted offer to at least some California-registered Rapid Rewards members with a Companion Pass as part of the signup bonus.
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.
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 »
