View from the Wing

New York JFK TSA Lets Passengers Go Into Terminal Without Screening, Tries to Cover It Up. Hijinks Ensue.

by Gary Leff on February 21, 2017

Feb 21 2017

Airport security — along with customers and border patrol — at New York JFK is something in a special league of its own. Whether it’s a plane full of passengers from Mexico being allowed to skip immigration or a plane full of passengers from Mexico being allowed to skip immigration, New York JFK is home to the gang that couldn’t shoot straight. And the (TSA) gang who ran through the terminal screaming maniacally about a bomb and a shooting victim (neither of which were real).

Inside United’s Gorgeous New Polaris Lounge in Chicago

by Gary Leff on February 20, 2017

Feb 20 2017

Last week I flew United’s pre-inaugural VIP and media flight for its new Boeing 777-300ER, the first aircraft with new Polaris business class seats, and got to try their new Polaris soft product for the first time as well.

Since the flight was from Chicago to San Francisco I was able to experience the new United Polaris business class lounge at O’Hare which is by gate C18.

The Government Should Allow United Airlines to Ban Inflight Cell Phone Calls

by Gary Leff on February 20, 2017

older gentleman taking a selfie with smartphone

Feb 20 2017

Three years ago Delta declared that if inflight cell phone calls were made legal they would ban the calls themselves. Most passengers are against inflight phone calls ~~because they find air travel to be blissful, a peaceful oasis they never complain about now~~.

United has now taken the same position.

AMAZING: Fly ANA First Class US-Japan for Just 120,000 Miles Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on February 20, 2017

Feb 20 2017

Three years ago I wrote a post on getting the most value out of Virgin Atlantic miles.

My contention was that Virgin Atlantic’s miles were among the least valuable currencies, but that there are actually some incredible sweet spots that most people don’t consider.

Mykki Blanco Fell Asleep On A Delta Flight And… The Most Valuable Airline Brand

by Gary Leff on February 20, 2017

Feb 20 2017

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.

American Expected to Add Even More Seats to Old US Airways Airbus A321s

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2017

Feb 19 2017

More than three years into the merger of American Airlines and US Airways, there’s been little effort to offer a consistent product across the two fleets. US Airways aircraft for the most part haven’t been given “Main Cabin Extra” extra legroom seating in coach, and they haven’t even been given power ports.

US Airways management, after all, removed power from the Airbus planes they inherited when American West took over US Airways a dozen years ago.

American Just Opened the Floodgates With Domestic Award Availability

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2017

Feb 19 2017

I’ve given American AAdvantage a hard time about award availability on American Airlines flights, and deservedly so. At one point things were so bad that the short distance Austin – Dallas had only six days during the year with a single flight offering a saver award, despite over 10 flights a day usually costing just $49.

However they’ve also been releasing a decent amount of space over the past week and a half or so. That seems to be the pattern — award space dries up, then there’s a bit of space briefly, before drying up again.

German Air Force Prepared to Shoot Down Commercial Flight to London

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2017

Feb 19 2017

On Thursday a Jet Airways Boeing 777-300 operating from Mumbai to London Heathrow with 330 passengers and 15 crew onboard lost radio contact with air traffic control as it was handed over from Bratislava to Prague Center.

The aircraft continued flying as expected, but without radio contact Germany sent two fighter jets to intercept.

5 Minutes You Can’t Look Away From and Blogger Jailed for Visiting Country That Doesn’t Exist

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2017

Feb 19 2017

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.

HAWAII FARE ALERT: Roundtrips From $362

by Gary Leff on February 18, 2017

Feb 18 2017

United is running a sale from Portland and Seattle to both Honolulu and Maui from $362 roundtrip. This is available from March through end of schedule.

American Airlines is running a sale from Houston to Honolulu from $475 roundtrip.

These fares won’t last long.

New York JFK TSA Lets Passengers Go Into Terminal Without Screening, Tries to Cover It Up. Hijinks Ensue.

Inside United’s Gorgeous New Polaris Lounge in Chicago

The Government Should Allow United Airlines to Ban Inflight Cell Phone Calls

AMAZING: Fly ANA First Class US-Japan for Just 120,000 Miles Roundtrip

Mykki Blanco Fell Asleep On A Delta Flight And… The Most Valuable Airline Brand

American Expected to Add Even More Seats to Old US Airways Airbus A321s

American Just Opened the Floodgates With Domestic Award Availability

German Air Force Prepared to Shoot Down Commercial Flight to London

5 Minutes You Can’t Look Away From and Blogger Jailed for Visiting Country That Doesn’t Exist

HAWAII FARE ALERT: Roundtrips From $362

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About Gary Leff

	Bilt Mastercard® Earn Points Paying Rent (up to 100,000 each year) plus earn 3x at restaurants; 2x on travel; as long as you make at least 5 purchases per month. No annual fee.
	Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months (See rates and fees)
	Citi® / AAdvantage Business^TM World Elite Mastercard® For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. AAdvantage miles are the currency I've redeemed most.[See rates and fees]