Brazil-based oneworld member airline TAM is going to start flying New York JFK – Toronto 5 days a week effective March 28 and will launch daily Brasilia – Orlando service effective June 12. Both routes will use 767s. (HT: World Airline News) This news is much more interesting than it would at first appear. A Great British Airways Avios Redemption New York – Toronto is another great use of British Airways Avios — 4500 points one-way in economy, 9000 points in business class. Business class can be worthwhile on such a short route because: It gets you an increased baggage allowance As well as priority airport services For folks without airline status, an incremental 4500 points can be worth it just for baggage. Already American Airlines flies the route, and the forward cabin is considered…
Did You Come ‘This Close’ to an Elite Status Level? American AAdvantage May Just Be Giving It To You Anyway!
Hat tip to JonNYC and then I’ve been seeing it pop up across my Facebook feed. American AAdvantage appears to be sending out emails to members that didn’t quite make a status level, and granting them the higher status. The criteria for their doing so does not appear clear. I’ve seen a couple of folks within 500 miles of a status level given the higher status. I’ve seen at least one report of someone within that range not receiving the email (yet?). And there are reports of others that were substantially farther away being bumped up. The email begins, for instance: We appreciate your business so much that, even though you didn’t fly quite enough to earn elite status, we would like to offer you AAdvantage® Platinum membership in recognition of your revenue contribution. (Emphasis…
Yankees Pitcher CC Sabathia Books 12 First Class Seats, Then Shows Up Late and ‘Freaks Out’
It’s been a rough fall for celebrities running late to catch flights. Will.i.am showed up too late for his United flight to China. He wasn’t allowed to board and took to social media… Jeremih showed up for a flight after the jetway door had closed. His entourage members already on the flight proceeded to open the door themselves. Now it’s New York Yankees’ pitcher “CC” Sabathia’s turn. (HT: Alan H.) Yankees ace CC Sabathia allegedly went ball-istic at Newark Airport over the weekend when he and his entourage just missed a flight to Jamaica. And by ‘just’, he apparently turned up at the ticket counter 15 minutes prior to departure.
Shots Fired, Delta! Alaska Airlines Offering First Checked Bag Free For All of January
Alaska is in a pitched battle with Delta over their home market of Seattle. And — which believes its mileage program is a real advantage in this battle — wants you to engage with their frequent flyer program, so as long as one passenger in a reservation is crediting flight miles to the Mileage Plan program each passenger’s first checked bag will be free in January. Throughout the month of January Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members can check one bag free.* The airline is waiving its standard $25 bag fee to encourage new and existing members to experience the benefits of Alaska’s award-winning frequent flier program. Alaska is competing by offering more to its customers which I absolutely love. Checked bag fees are one of the pain points of flying that irritate passengers most. And…
Etihad is Going to Honor $178 Fares to Abu Dhabi and Cheap Fares to Asia and Africa
Etihad’s amazing fare starting at $178 roundtip to Abu Dhabi, India, Africa or Asia are going to be honored. To be clear, I hadn’t really speculated that they wouldn’t be but folks will be glad to know that Etihad has confirmed that they’re not going to be trying to unwind the tickets. “A system filing issue caused ticket prices for a promotion in the USA to be temporarily listed incorrectly,” said Etihad spokeswoman Katie Connell on Sunday. “The issue has since been rectified. Etihad Airways will honor these fares.” Connell said she could not immediately say how many tickets were issued at the sharply reduced levels.
Sunday Evening Open Thread: What’s On Your Mind, Or What Would You Like to Know?
This is a Sunday evening open thread The comments are yours to do with as you wish. Share whatever is on your mind. What have your travels been like over the holidays? What (anything) are you wondering, or what would you like to know? What’s bothering you? Most of the time what I write on a given day is really just ‘whatever pops into my head’ although sometimes the very best pieces are those prompted by reader questions. You’re always welcome to email me of course, but I’d love for you to share what’s on your mind here. What’s important to you in the world of travel? What’s the biggest thing right now? What do you think I could do a better job of covering for you? As always, I won’t promise up front to…
Review of Etihad’s Revolutionary New First Class Apartment, the Best Hotel in the World, and What Happened to the AirAsia Flight
News and notes from around the interweb: Lucky has the first review of the First Class Apartment from Etihad’s inaugural A380 flight. Must see. Earn 1,000 Starpoints on your first Le Meridien stay and then 2000 more each subsequent Le Méridien stay in North America and French Polynesia through March 1. Registration required. (HT: John E.) Google is no longer accepting credit cards from the largest AdWords purchasers. That’s doubly frustrating for the largest customers who also have American Express Business Gold Rewards cards. This Forbes.com column asks if the Burj al Arab is the most luxurious hotel in the world? (HT: Alan H.) Here’s my tour of the property. Definitely much that’s over the top, but I’m not sure I’d want to stay there. Going for tea is the perfect way to experience it.…
Nahm in Bangkok Serves Better Thai Food Than You’ve Ever Had in Your Life
Must-read Earlier Installments: Singapore, Cathay, and Qantas First Class.. Some of the Best Meals of My Life, and a Tour of Hyatts in Bangkok, Singapore, and Sydney Inside the New Oneworld Lounge at LAX’s Tom Bradley International Terminal Cathay Pacific First Class, Los Angeles – Hong Kong Cathay Pacific “The Wing” First Class Lounge, Hong Kong Cathay Pacific Business Class, Hong Kong – Bangkok Grand Hyatt Bangkok: Suite, Club Lounge, and Facilities Thai Molecular Gastronomy at Sra Bua in Bangkok Getting Custom Tailored Suits Made in Bangkok at Empire Tailors Nahm at the Metropolitan hotel is probably Thailand’s most celebrated restaurant. The Australian-born chef David Thompson is the first person to win a Michelin star for Thai cooking, a distinction earned for his former London outpost. This has been called the best restaurant in Asia…
How to Beat Jet Lag Every Time
Wendy Perrin shares the weird approaches to beating jet lag like blue light therapy, vitamins, and candles that remove curses. But it really isn’t that hard. The simple, best jet lag advice is to:
All My Thoughts Are With the Passengers, Crew, and their Families of Flight QZ8501
AirAsia QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore is missing with 162 on board. This is a ~ 2 hour 20 minute, 854 mile flight, operated by Indonesia AirAsia. The plane lost contact with air traffic control in Jakarta at around 7:24am (local time) while over the Java Sea. The flight is presumed down, and speculation is that the problems faced by the Airbus A320 (registration PK-AXC) were weather-related. Watching coverage this morning I’m struck, as in all aviation disasters, how little information we actually have yet how many people are anxious to appear on television and speculate wildly. After thinking about the passengers and crew onboard, their families, and the staff of the airline my next two thoughts were: US news outlets are running headlines like “Another Missing Plane” (emphasis mine). An AirAsia flight without any…
