JNB Airport Viewing Deck

Nice to have a viewing deck, but not much of a view.  It's most popular as a smoking deck for employees.

View From The Pre-Security Viewing Deck

OR Tambo Airport - JNB

Johannesburg Airport, JNB, has some IT issues. Their website is broken, the video explaining security and customs wasn't working in line, and I noticed their copy of Windows is not genuine. 

JNB Airport Using Bootleg Software

Loo With A View

I found this in the SLOW (Comair) lounge in Cape Town. The entire lounge had stunning views, even the bathroom.

Loo with a View

Round the World

I flew around the world this month and am working on some posts. I'm a fan of the right side of the aircraft, so enjoy some preliminary photos.

British Airway (Comair) 737-400 out of CPT

South African A340-600

QANTAS 737-800 out of AKL

Air New Zealand 75 Years Exhibition

Air New Zealand is 75 years old and the Auckland Museum has a special exhibit on the airline.  There were crew uniforms over time, bock boxes from flight 901, and other airline artifacts. Did you know that they stopped flying boat service in 1960 and was the last international airline to do so? The Auckland Museum is a great museum that didn't dumb down when renovating recently. I wish more museums would follow that model.

A320 Engine

Uniforms Over Time

NZ 901 Flight Data Recorders

Rico the Puppet

Spitfire 

Museum and War Memorial

Here's the Rico ad:

IHG Sharing Promo

Thanks for the 1,000 points for signing up, but I'm not interested in participating beyond that.

No Thanks

New Starbucks Rewards Program Tuesday

The new Starbucks rewards program started Tuesday. Unlike airlines making rewards program transitions, ample warning was provided and the last few weeks have been full of generous bonus point opportunities. I'm still not keen on the change, but it stings less.

Unrelated Thai 747-400 Photo I Like

That's Nice of American

Huh, an airline is treating their passengers like adults. I hope they get carried away and do this more often, like with the seat belt sign.

The Godfather Warning

No Thanks

Nope Airlines Based at SJU

Need Better Photos

Alaska is 100% 737 and has been for a while. Way to go Denver Post.

Starwood and Caesars Las Vegas

The Westin Las Vegas used to be the only SPG option by the strip. Now all the Caesars properties in Las Vegas count for SPG points and benefits. Registration is required to link SPG and Caesars accounts.

Less Traditional View of Las Vegas

Hyatt Bonus Season

Up to 75,000 bonus points from Hyatt! Wow, they are serious about stealing customers from SPG. If I had any business travel coming up, I'd be tempted to switch.

Great Idea from Hyatt

Bonus Lufthansa Miles

Note: I am NOT compensated for this post.

Think you can spend $5,000 in 90 days? Then the Lufthansa Miles & More credit card is a good grab. Lufthansa has better first class availability for their members than Star Alliance partners, so it's a valuable currancy to collect.

Lufthansa A340-300 at FRA

Brussels Airport Reopens Today

I Love Brussels

Fun Lufthansa Picture

Runner up for airline April Fools jokes.

Lufthansa 747-8i

I Love April 1st Announcements

CALGARY, April 1, 2016 /CNW/ - In its never-ending quest to deliver the most caring and personalized service to its guests, WestJet announced today the replacement of all standard-issue food and beverage carts with the Robotic Automated Light Food Handler (RALFH). RALFH provides incredible guest service utilizing a powerful memory, a facial-recognition camera and an audio conveyance system that allows it to interact with guests to deliver food and beverage orders in an efficient, personalized and technologically awe-inspiring manner.

"With RALFH, the only thing we've changed is everything. As not only a Canadian-airline first, but a global-aviation first, RALFH is a demonstration of WestJet's innovative thinking and dedication to guest experience," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Marketing Communications. "By using RALFH to order and distribute food and beverages, we have eliminated the need for our flight attendants to push a heavy cart up and down the aisle. We can't wait for RALFH to start providing an entirely new and fun way to wine and dine our guests."

The installation of RALFH means that WestJet's flight attendants now have the ability to provide even more of the caring guest experience that makes WestJet the proud Canadian airline it is today.

Said Bartrem, "The idea behind RALFH started with WestJet's beloved flight attendants, who always provide remarkable experiences. We have simply evolved and reinvented the flight attendant, resulting in the most beautiful and powerful hi-tech food dispenser in the world. Anyone who wants to order a coke, a sandwich or even just a bottle of water is going to love RALFH."

RALFH also makes it easy for guests to get up and down the aisles of the plane, which was noted in consumer testing as awesome.

To celebrate the launch of RALFH, WestJet is having a No Foolin' Just Savin' Sale: Seriously great savings on flights and vacation packages to select destinations in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe.  One-way fares starting from $99 CAD* total price on select routes within Canada, or save up to $1,300 on select vacation packages. Take advantage of these great savings by booking before April 5, 2016 (11:59 p.m. MDT) for travel from April 1 to July 13 and September 7 to October 31, 2016. Lowest fares can be found on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Blackout dates from May 19 to 24, June 29 to July 15 and October 6 to 11, 2016. Advance purchase of 14 days required for travel within Canada and seven days for travel to the U.S. Other restrictions apply. Visit westjet.com/sale for complete details.