In December I wrote about the credible rumor that Amazon.com would start its own cargo airline with word that they planed to lease 20 Boeing 767s. Frustrated by delays at third party delivery companies like UPS, they figured they could do it better themselves.
In fact, the plan is bigger than first reported. They intend to lease 40 planes in the next two years. And the first one is already painted in Prime Air colors.
airberlin is a oneworld airline, partner of American and British Airways, that’s largely controlled by UAE-based Etihad. They have a great business class product for long haul travel, and they do not add fuel surcharges to their fares. That means when redeeming miles, even British Airways miles for travel across the Atlantic, there are no fuel surcharges.
airberlin is increasing its US flights by 40% going from 55 to 78 weekly flights with fantastic award space in business class for the new flights.
Through October 31 you can buy an airport lounge pass from LoungeBuddy using the special Visa link and you’ll get up to $40 back on your one-time purchase.
If you don’t already have lounge access, or you’re traveling on an airline or through an airport where you don’t have lounge access, this is a fantastic freebie.
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.
The biggest story of course was the Emirates 777 fire in Dubai where thank goodness are passengers were evacuated safely. Sadly a first responder passed away.
Even in the worst of circumstances planes are remarkably safe, and even under the most challenging of conditions airlines throughout most of the world are remarkably safe.
British Airways has some of the best airline advertising in the world. A couple of years ago they they highlighted ‘the Welcome of Home’ and it was a really touching piece about a woman needing to feel connected to friends because they could die.
It made me swallow hard, but after watching it I had no idea after watching it why it’s better to transit Heathrow on BA enroute to India than to fly any of their competitors? The ad gave me no reason whatsoever to choose British Airways, and I’m pretty sure that would be true even if I were an Indian woman living in Canada like the one featured in the ad.
Korean Air SkyPass is an incredible program for US members because of access to fantastic award availability, low change fees, generous award holds, and great partner awards.
You can transfer points from both Chase Ultimate Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest to Korean Air’s SkyPass program.
Premium cabin international award availability has gotten better though things seem to go in waves, feast or famine, and you have to jump on the space when it opens up wide.
Right now there is a ton of availability on certain routes January through May 2017. Here are the key things to know:
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.
The CEO of Qatar Airways said he was launching service from Doha to Atlanta ‘to rub salt in the wounds’ of Delta which sought to shut Qatar, along with Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad (but not Delta partner Saudia, or Delta partner Alitalia which is controlled by Etihad) out of the US market and raise prices on consumers.
Delta President Glen Hauenstein argues the flight will inevitably fail because “the Atlanta-Doha market has fewer than five people a day.” Yet it’s running with an almost 85% load factor. The flight from Atlanta isn’t as full as the one to Atlanta and offers amazing business class award availability.
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 »
