May
25
2015
A collection of interesting links you’ll want to see, many you’ll want to click.
Starwood Refreshing Amex Benefits? Politicians Behave Badly While Flying. And Much More.
Singapore’s New Premium Economy, Plus A380 Business and Suites Class Refresh, Revealed
May
25
2015
I first shared Singapore Airlines’ plan to reconfigure Boeing 777s to include a premium economy cabin a year ago. Unfortunately, that reconfiguration means cutting the number of first class seats in half on those 777s. Their A380s getting premium economy go from 12 first class, 60 business, and 399 coach (or 86 business, 311 coach) to 36 premium economy and 333 coach in the low-density business configuration or 36 premium economy and 245 coach in the high-density business configuration. Premium economy is coming at the expense of fewer coach seats. Their 777-300ERs getting premium economy go from 8 first class, 42 business, and 228 coach to 4 first class, 48 business, 28 premium economy, and 184 coach. That’s 10% more business class, half the first class, and 20% fewer economy seats to make room for…
oneworld Member Malaysia Airlines Entered Receivership Today
May
25
2015
Malaysia Airlines was placed into receivership today. The idea is that they are going to move the ‘good’ assets to a new company, which will continue to operate the airline.
This bankruptcy proceeding and transfer of assets does not – itself – affect operations of the airline. It’s a part of the airline’s restructuring, though, while is eliminating routes and jobs as the carrier tries to shrink to profitability.
Malaysia Airlines was struggling even before MH370 went missing last year….
Has the Trick to Book Qantas First Class Awards Become Less Reliable?
May
24
2015
Qantas first class on US-Australia routes is one of the toughest awards to book in the world. There’s been a trick that makes it easier. I’ll describe the trick, and also the challenge to making that trick work that’s crept up in recent months.
My Humble Thanks to Delta
May
24
2015
There were some downsides to serving as emcee for the Freddie Awards at the Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta. Two things that weren’t downsides, though, were getting to have dinner sitting down inside an L-1011, and the fantastic hospitality of Delta’s employees. They deserve my thanks. Plus it’s an example to gratuitously highlight the Delta Red Dress.
My Next Trip Report: Virgin Australia and Delta Business Class, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney
May
24
2015
Here I begin my next trip report — a SkyMiles redemption for business class on Virgin Australia and Delta, plus stays at the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas and the Park Hyatt Sydney. This trip features both my perfect travel day, and the biggest travel mistake I’ve ever made…
Street Vendor Fired for Selling Hot Dogs to Tourists for $30. I Blame the Tourists.
May
24
2015
A street vendor in New York was charging tourists as much as $30 for a hot dog. He’s been fired. He was apparently telling the cart’s owners he was getting only $2 and pocketing the difference. And yet it’s the cart owners who are facing fines for “being too close to a crosswalk, having items outside of his cart and failure to list prices” (this last in furtherance of overcharging tourists). I don’t have a problem with charging tourists $30 for a hot dog, per se. I do have a problem with tourists who would pay $30 for a hot dog. Nonetheless, contra Gawker, the guy isn’t a hero because his fraud in my view was perpetrated against his boss. That said, If Ahmed Mohammed had built a shitty “prix-fixe” dinner restaurant charging $60 for…
American’s Bold Move to Put Airbus A321s on West Coast – Hawaii Flights
May
24
2015
American is replacing their West Coast – Hawaii Boeing 757s with a subfleet of Airbus A321s that have greater fuel efficiency. This is supposed to happen in September — even before Virgin America was scheduled to introduce Airbus Hawaii flights for the first time. This may be a challenge. And it’ll be unpopular among elite frequent flyers.
Review: Flying First Class (and Showering) Onboard Emirates A380 First Class, Dubai – Dallas
May
23
2015
Having flown Emirates first class onboard their Airbus A380, I can say it’s truly one of the best first class products in the world. The suite isn’t as spacious as Singapore’s or Etihad’s. But the service is good, the food is good, and despite the bling (there’s a *lot* going on, and a lot of *stuff* they give you) there’s substance to it too.
Most of all, they have the single greatest amenity ever introduced into an aircraft: two giant shower spas, with heated floors. Taking a shower in the sky prior to arrival can’t be beat!
Cathay Pacific Introducing Wireless Internet Next Year, and Other Product Improvements
May
23
2015
Next year Cathay Pacific will finally have inflight internet, with the introduction of its fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft. They’ve refreshed the premium cabin coffee service, and are looking at offering pre-order meals as well.
