View from the Wing

Andie MacDowell Downgraded to Coach, Learns Not to Complain on Twitter About Flying Economy

by Gary Leff on January 25, 2016

Jan 25 2016

Andie MacDowell was flying American Airlines Los Angeles to Charlotte to Charleston, South Carolina on a first class ticket on Friday with a pet in cabin. She was downgraded to coach for the short Charlotte – Charleston segment.

She had reserved a bulkhead seat for her Charlotte to Charleston flight. A pet in cabin has to go underneath the seat in front of you, but that’s not possible with a bulkhead seat.

She got very expressive on twitter. And twitter got expressive back.

Plane Full of Mexico Passengers Allowed to Skip Customs and Immigration in New York

by Gary Leff on January 24, 2016

Jan 24 2016

An American Airlines flight AA1223 from Cancun to New York taxied to a gate at JFK set up for domestic arrivals this past Monday just two months after the same thing happened last time also to a Cancun – New York JFK flight.

American Airlines has been in touch with passengers to ask them to return to the airport for immigration processing because “it is a Customs requirement that every passenger entering the United States must clear Customs.”

New Life Breathed into the Airbus A380 Program By… Iran Air?!

by Gary Leff on January 24, 2016

Jan 24 2016

The Airbus A380 is a special plane for passengers, but has largely been a commercial failure. Airbus simply made the wrong bet on the future of air travel. For passengers the larger plane has meant more amenities and more space — although it was supposed to mean more amenities for everyone, not just bars in business class and showers in first.

Airbus hadn’t had a single order that firmed between mid-2013 and the end of 2015. Only Emirates remains truly enthusiastic about the plane. But now they have a new customer.

Delta Flight Diverts to Salt Lake City Due to “Unruly Crew”

by Gary Leff on January 24, 2016

Jan 24 2016

Friday’s Delta flight DL2598 from Los Angeles to Minneapolis, at 37,000 feet 180 nautical miles south of Salt Lake City, diverted with the pilot telling air traffic control that “he wanted to hear from his flight attendants.”

Passenger reports that 3 cabin crew were offloaded as a result of ‘bad behaviour’ and Delta sent this apology note to passengers:

The 10 Oldest Jets Still in Service, and PointBreaks Preview List Revealed!

by Gary Leff on January 24, 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.

10 Great Ways to Save Money on Car Rentals

by Gary Leff on January 23, 2016

Jan 23 2016

Airlines and hotels get most of the ink in travel and in terms of getting the best deal. And when I write about rental cars that seems to generate the last interest. But I rent cars, on many trips I’m in the car longer than the plane and if the trip is long enough I can spend as much on airport taxes and gas as on my ticket. Cars shouldn’t just be an afterthought.

When I’m after the lowest possible price, here’s how I approach it.

American Express Speaks About What’s Happening With the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card

by Gary Leff on January 23, 2016

Jan 23 2016

American Express is struggling and even they do not know what the Marriott acquisition of Starwood will mean for the Starwood American Express card. They admitted as much during their earnings call.

Here’s what American Express is saying — and what’s most likely to happen.

Do Planes Need Life Vests? And Delta’s Threats.

by Gary Leff on January 23, 2016

Jan 23 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.

Drunk Perv Molests Man Inflight and Rapper Arrested at Immigration

by Gary Leff on January 22, 2016

Jan 22 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.

Alaska Airlines Pilot Blew a .142 After Flying Two Segments, Isn’t Charged for 18 Months

by Gary Leff on January 22, 2016

Jan 22 2016

An Alaska Airlines pilot is charged with piloting two flights in and out of Portland with a blood alcohol level over .13 in 2014. Just as shocking, it took 18 months for him to be charged.

What the story didn’t say is that Arntson’s flights were supposed to land and take off from Seattle. Kidding.

Andie MacDowell Downgraded to Coach, Learns Not to Complain on Twitter About Flying Economy

Plane Full of Mexico Passengers Allowed to Skip Customs and Immigration in New York

New Life Breathed into the Airbus A380 Program By… Iran Air?!

Delta Flight Diverts to Salt Lake City Due to “Unruly Crew”

The 10 Oldest Jets Still in Service, and PointBreaks Preview List Revealed!

10 Great Ways to Save Money on Car Rentals

American Express Speaks About What’s Happening With the Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card

Do Planes Need Life Vests? And Delta’s Threats.

Drunk Perv Molests Man Inflight and Rapper Arrested at Immigration

Alaska Airlines Pilot Blew a .142 After Flying Two Segments, Isn’t Charged for 18 Months

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About Gary Leff

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