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.
How You Can Snap a Photo from the Cockpit on Your Next Flight
Last year when an Emirates captain invited me into the cockpit of a 777 before takeoff, I felt like I was doing something special… and forbidden.
However British Airways is now encouraging cockpit visits prior to takeoff and after landing and even has an app for that.
United Gets Contract With Mechanics Too! Ready to Complete 2010 Merger and Move Forward
Earlier today we got news that United’s flight attendants had ratified a contract. It was a close vote — 90% of flight attendants cast ballots and only 53% of those voted in favor. But it lets the airline move forward combining the legacy United and legacy Continental flight attendant groups as one.
As I wrote at the time, United will finally be one airline in the sky. From a customer-facing standpoint that will complete the merger.
But the airline’s work isn’t done, even with that. United has been working for years on a contract with mechanics.
A New Way to Get the Best Airfare Prices With Google and More
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.
United Will Finally Be One Airline in the Sky
United’s flight attendants have voted 53% in favor of a new joint contract.
United and Continental merged in 2010, with Continental management eventually taking over, but six years later that merger is still not complete.
United still needs to get its mechanics contract done, but the flight attendant deal is a big step. They’ll be one airline going forward now — at least once they’re in the sky.
13 Days: 50% Off IHG Rewards Club Hotel Awards in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean
IHG Rewards Club is launching a 50% off award night redemption sale for Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean on Monday.
AIRFARE DEAL: Southeast Asia from Major US Cities from $426 Roundtrip
Japanese Star Alliance airline ANA has Phnom Penh, Cambodia starting at $426 from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
This is a $145 fare each way plus tax, available August 15 through December 9, or January 1 through May 23 for outbound travel. Your transpacific flight needs to be Monday through Thursday in each direction. There’s a $300 change fee.
HOT Fare: Barcelona Starting at $437 Roundtrip from DC, Houston, and Denver
United has DC, Houston and Denver to Barcelona available from $437 roundtrip this fall.
Most booking sites will show you fares starting at $545, for instance here’s an availability calendar from ITA Software.
However airfare metasearch site Momondo will help you find even better pricing than that.
How to Still Earn 100% of Flown Miles on Cheap American Airlines Tickets
American Airlines joined Delta and United in awarding miles for flights based on the cost of a ticket rather than the distance you fly.
But if you aren’t an elite (giving you a reason to credit to American), and your ticket isn’t super expensive (where you’ll earn as many miles as before), there’s still a program that will award you 100% of your flown miles on nearly all American Airlines fares.
American Express San Francisco Lounge Gets New Chef, Menu — and He’s Really There!
Earlier in the month American Express announced Daniel Patterson as the new executive chef.
Patterson is best known for his two Michelin-starred restaurant Coi in San Francisco which he is stepping down from he says because he’s too busy and isn’t comfortable with a role where he’s chef ‘in name only’. So I was surprised to see the American Express tie-in. Here are his new menus for the lounge.