View from the Wing

Abandoned Resort Town Sits Empty After Developers Sent To Prison For Fraud

by Gary Leff on April 3, 2021

Apr 03 2021

There’s a partially-built out resort community in Branson, Missouri, sitting abandoned for years, with well over a billion dollars left behind to decay since the Great Recession. It’s called Indian Ridge and it was supposed to “have one of the country’s largest water parks, golf courses, hotels conference centers and shopping.”

Developers went to prison over fraudulent financing for the project and it was never completed. A visitor to the ghost resort has gone viral on TikTok showing her visit.

Yuck: American Airlines Lounge At Chicago O’Hare Cited By The Health Department

by Gary Leff on April 3, 2021

Apr 03 2021

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.

New South Korean Marriott Card Provides Easy Platinum Status, Breakfast Credits

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2021

Apr 02 2021

Marriott has just introduced the first hotel co-brand credit card in the South Korean market, Marriott Bonvoy® The BEST Shinhan Card.

It lets cardmembers earn Platinum status with less spend and at a lower fee than U.S. customers have access to, and comes with a hotel breakfast credit benefit.

[Roundup] How Frequent Flyer Programs Are Saving The Airlines And A Status Extension Challenge

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2021

Apr 02 2021

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.

European Regulators Kill Air Canada’s Acquisition Of Transat, Deal’s Off

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2021

Apr 02 2021

Twenty one months ago Air Canada announced they’d be acquiring Canadian low cost carrier Air Transat, in a deal that was finally going to be worth about three quarters of a billion dollars. That price got chopped down to less than $200 million during the pandemic.

The deal was delayed by Canada’s competition regulators, that pushed them into the pandemic and lowered the price. Now the deal has been terminated as a result of European Commission objections.

CDC Revises Guidelines, Now Says If You’re Vaccinated Go Travel!

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2021

Apr 02 2021

For the past few weeks I’ve been making the case that the science is clear, vaccines protect both the person who is vaccinated and protect others from spread. Despite CDC guidance up until now, it makes sense to travel once you’re vaccinated.

Fortunately the CDC has now come around and revised its guidelines to allow travel once you’re vaccinated.

The Andaz Bali Opens In A Week, Here’s A Preview

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2021

Apr 02 2021

The Andaz Bali was originally slated to open in 2016. It’s finally on the cusp of becoming available to guests – in just a week. Right next to the Hyatt Regency, it’s a smaller and more boutique property. The hotel features low rise buildings, as is common in Bali, meaning ocean views are somewhat obscured. The main pool is an infinity pool facing the beach.

Plenty of photos have been made available by those that have toured the property. It looks gorgeous.

Snag Renaming Las Vegas Airport For Harry Reid Shows Everything That’s Wrong With The FAA

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2021

Apr 02 2021

The FAA doesn’t even have authority over the name, but won’t recognize the change until they’ve made paperwork adjustments. And they won’t make those adjustments until the Clark County Commission adjusts its own paperwork. And waits four to six months.

CDC Director Does An About-Face, Says Vaccinated People Don’t Spread The Virus

by Gary Leff on April 1, 2021

Apr 01 2021

There’s very little to worry, then, about vaccinated people getting sick or getting others sick. There’s very little to worry, then, about vaccinated people traveling.

Vaccinated people shouldn’t even need to wear masks, except that it’s difficult to tell who is vaccinated and who isn’t, and it’ll be difficult to manage compliance by the unvaccinated up in the air. That’s why the timetable for lifting air travel mask mandates should be when there’s enough vaccine available that everyone who wants a jab can get one.

American Airlines Opposes Proposed Texas Voting Law, Because Reasons

by Gary Leff on April 1, 2021

Apr 01 2021

After being pressured to speak out against a new voting bill in Texas, American Airlines has issued a statement.

Abandoned Resort Town Sits Empty After Developers Sent To Prison For Fraud

Yuck: American Airlines Lounge At Chicago O’Hare Cited By The Health Department

New South Korean Marriott Card Provides Easy Platinum Status, Breakfast Credits

[Roundup] How Frequent Flyer Programs Are Saving The Airlines And A Status Extension Challenge

European Regulators Kill Air Canada’s Acquisition Of Transat, Deal’s Off

CDC Revises Guidelines, Now Says If You’re Vaccinated Go Travel!

The Andaz Bali Opens In A Week, Here’s A Preview

Snag Renaming Las Vegas Airport For Harry Reid Shows Everything That’s Wrong With The FAA

CDC Director Does An About-Face, Says Vaccinated People Don’t Spread The Virus

American Airlines Opposes Proposed Texas Voting Law, Because Reasons

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About Gary Leff

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