Nov
27
2015
The romance of miles and points: A true love song. “I have waited, and waited… to one day be upgraded..”
OMG a Sexy Musical Ode to Elite Status. You Just Can’t Look Away.
Baggage Handlers Caught Playing Toss the Luggage
Nov
27
2015
Alaska Airlines baggage handlers in San Jose, California were taped tossing luggage. Apparently… for half an hour while other employees cheered them on.
They may have been inspired by these Air Canada baggage handlers. But at least they weren’t planting bullets in luggage. And they weren’t stealing from luggage. Like these folks.
New Robot With Laser Range Finding Eyes Will Help Lost Passengers at the Airport
Nov
27
2015
Amsterdam airport will unveil a test of ‘Spencer’ – a robot designed to help passengers navigate the airport. Amsterdam is one of the easier airports to get around, in my view, so I’m not sure the urgency that led KLM to dedicate funds toward its development. However, it’s at least believed “[n]avigating it is so challenging…many of its customers were getting lost and missing flights.”
The one week trial begins Monday, and an official roll out of the technology is planned for March.
Will American Airlines Be the First US Carrier to Introduce Premium Economy?
Nov
27
2015
Premium economy is an important product throughout the world, positioning itself between business class and economy. It’s usually offered on long haul flights and depending on the carrier approximates domestic first class in the US perhaps with foot rests. There may be an upgraded meal and beverages as well.
US airlines on the other hand have extra legroom sections with generally the same seat width. But American Airlines CEO Doug Parker hints that they could be the first US carrier to change all that.
Competition Heats Up in the Most Premium Airline Market in the Country
Nov
27
2015
United Airlines – despite dropping service to New York JFK – is trying to compete in the Los Angeles market with a dedicated phone line for Hollywood.
That’s fairly weak sauce for an airport and market that has gone from Worst to First, with the best airline lounges, premium services, and best inflight airport products in the nation.
Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton Wants to Save Starwood Preferred Guest
Nov
27
2015
Marriott is buying Starwood and Starwood Preferred Guest members are nervous.
Blog reader Vineet S discovered a famous fan of the program ready to take action. Vineet took advantage of a Starwood Preferred Guest private event to meet Lewis Hamilton, the 2014 and 2015 Formula One World Champion.
Homeless Male Sex Offender Gets Through TSA ID Check With Stolen Woman’s Boarding Pass
Nov
27
2015
It’s a good thing that the TSA doesn’t actually contribute to security, and is only theater meant to make people feel safer while giving up their rights.
Because otherwise it would be a problem that this homeless man went through a TSA checkpoint at Salt Lake City’s airport using a boarding pass that a woman left behind at a check-in kiosk.
Giveaway: London 3-Bedroom Apartment Stay Plus Incredible Deals on Chartering a Yacht, and a Week in a Greek Villa
Nov
26
2015
I have the opportunity to give a reader a 3-night stay in a 3-bedroom luxury apartment in Knightsbridge, London. All you have to do to enter is comment.
The giveaway highlights some luxury travel auctions that regularly give away some really high end opportunities dirt cheap — like chartering a yacht in the Caribbean or spending a week in a villa in Greece.
Watch Out for a New $50 Fee on Your Next Hotel Reservation
Nov
26
2015
Hilton is testing a $50 fee for cancelling cancellable reservations.
Skift attributes this to a stronger position on the part of hotels with high occupancy rates, suggesting that “a seller’s market provides hotel owners with a greater freedom to dictate contract terms, including cancellations.”
Hilton’s CEO suggests it’s about hotels lowering rates closer-in, and customers who booked higher rates cancelling and rebooking. He considers that type of perfectly reasonable behavior (wanting to pay less when a hotel will charge less) “gaming.”
Airbus Thinks Putting Passengers in Shipping Containers Would Help Airlines Board Faster
Nov
26
2015
Airbus filed for a new patent in 2013 and which was approved this week: “…Airbus [is] reconsidering the boarding process with an idea to turn aircraft cabins into what amount to shipping containers.”
Passengers would board a module at the gate. Everyone sits down. The module would be lowered into the plane once it arrives. Then when the plane makes it to its destination, the cabin module would be removed and swapped out for new passengers in their own module. And the plane goes on its way.
