American is introducing new sit-down dining options for their premium Flagship lounges, adding new lounges and renovating others, and making their first class lounges available to more customers. Currently American has two primary types of lounges: Flagship lounges. These are American’s first class lounges, for those flying international first class (and 3-cabin first class transcon) and that American’s top tier elite members can use when flying internationally. Admirals Clubs. These are most of American’s clubs. Members buy access, use a premium Citibank credit card to gain access, or have access based on the class of service of their ticket. The “Flagship” name has an interesting history. American opened the very first airport club lounge in 1939. New York’s Mayor LaGuardia was criticized for having too big an office at New York LaGuardia airport so he…
30% Off Delta Awards to Europe, Business Class from 87,500 Roundtrip
Feb
17
2016
Delta e-mailed elite frequent flyers and co-brand credit card holders about an award sale yesterday. It’s advertising a pre-sale on award travel. In the past Delta has opened up award sales in advance to elites and cardholders before rolling the sale out to everyone. So I wouldn’t be surprised if the sale is bookable by all SkyMiles members shortly.
The advertised sale is for 30% off saver awards between the mainland US and many cities in Europe — 42,000 miles roundtrip in economy. However there are reports of business class also pricing 30% off for some routes (so 87,500 roundtrip).
600 Free Marriott Points, 15% Off Silvercar, and Finally an A380 Gate for Chicago O’Hare
Feb
16
2016
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 Suing Gogo, Wants Faster Inflight Internet
American has some really old inflight internet installations on their planes, when my internet experience is slow I have to remind myself that they haven’t invested retrofitting planes with the latest-generation ‘air-to-ground’ (ATG4) service with Gogo and they haven’t placed any orders for 2Ku satellite internet (2Ku is faster and more expensive than air to ground).
As Delta transitions to 2Ku hopefully that will also relieve pressure on the air-to-ground network and improve speeds on American. It won’t increase the bandwidth that any plane has, but it might reduce some of Gogo’s network congestion. Improved internet was one of the five priorities I outlined for the airline now that they completed customer-facing integration of US Airways and American.
Andrea Ahles writes that American is now suing Gogo over its internet speed.
Mole Inside Delta Shares Private Itinerary Information With Gossip Site
Feb
16
2016
Gossip site TMZ has a mole at Delta who shares itinerary information of famous passengers.
“It’s not an accident the guy with a camera is waiting at the Delta check-in counter at 8 A.M.,” a former TMZ employee wrote…
There’s speculation that it was a Delta Elite Services Porsche driver selling the information.
$60,000 and Dead Body Found Inside US-Registered Cargo Jet
Feb
16
2016
A Western Global Airlines MD-11 has been impounded in Harare, Zimbabwe after a dead body and millions of dollars worth of South African Rand were found onboard. The plane had stopped enroute between Germany and South Africa.
The Florida-based cargo operator’s jet had landed in Zimbabwe for refueling. The aircraft had been refused a refueling stop in Mozambique.
New United Club Celebrity Chef and Uber Driver Confessions
Feb
15
2016
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.
Using Korean’s Generous Award Hold Policy to Book Awards on Partners and Korean’s First Class
Feb
15
2016
Korean Air has the absolute best first class award availability. Most Korean flights will feature at least 2 first class award seats, but 3 and 4 is common on some routes. They offer great value Europe business class awards on partners and Hawaii awards on partners.
They also have one of the most generous policies that lets you put an award on hold without the points yet in your account. That gives you time to transfer points in from a credit card partner after you’ve already secured the award.
Laser Takes Out Virgin Atlantic Pilot, Union Calls for Ban on Possessing Lasers
Feb
15
2016
Last night’s Virgin Atlantic flight VS25 from London Heathrow to New York JFK departed and was enroute to 36,000 feet 170 miles north-northwest of Shannon, Ireland when the crew declared a medical issue with the pilot.
They had experienced a laser pointed at the aircraft, and the pilot was feeling unwell. The aircraft was an hour into its journey when they turned back and landed at Heathrow an hour and 15 minutes later.
Shining a light at an aircraft in a manner to distract or harm the crew is already illegal. However,
Coach is a Really Great Experience if You’re the Chairman of an Airline
Feb
14
2016
Emirates is launching the two longest flights in the world. The Chairman of Emirates says he flew (a test flight) Dubai – Auckland in economy and liked it.
I bet he got great service from the crew! And he probably didn’t have anyone in the middle seat next to him.
