Nice Day to Fly

I'd Rather Be In Air

MD-80

What was a staple of US airports, American Airlines most prominently, is now a rare sight.

Air Canada

The Wall Street Journal had a nice article this week encouraging travels who need to connect to Europe or Asia to consider Air Canada. I agree they are a good option if you can avoid the 10 wide 777 coach seating.

Consider Air Canada

Air Berlin Bankrupt

Cash in those Air Berlin miles. I have a feeling Air Berlin will be more like Alitalia than Malev.

A330's Still Flying

Photo Post

My trip this weekend started and ended at SFO with 0 miles flown. United had a maintenance delay that forced a missed connection and ruined my trip. I got a refund and went home.

United Planes Not Going Anywhere

Parked for a While

I Planned on Using the SFO Runways, not Just Terminal

Remember ATA?

Do you remember ATA? Sure, their jingle was good. Do you remember their mileage program? It had a miles credit card. Travel Awards is the program name. Yup, all those points became instantly worthless when the airline shut down. Inflation and devaluations are real concerns for frequent flyers. Use your miles, that's why you collect them.

Fear Points Inflation

Pacmin Models on Sale

The Boeing Store is running 25% off Pacmin models this week. Enjoy! They display wonderfully.

The 747-400 Extremely Discounted

Happy Travels

Nice day to fly.

A319 at Houston

Raise a glass to oneworld - best alliance for wines

I'll credit Qantas, Iberia, and LATAM for this win.
oneworld is named the best alliance for wine in the 2017 Wines on the Wing survey published today by US magazine Global Traveler – regaining an award it previously won two years ago.

The result echoes the findings of the Cellars in the Sky awards presented by the UK’s Business Traveller in February this year – and retained by oneworld for multiple years – which means that oneworld’s now holds both awards presented to recognise the quality the wines served by member airlines of a global alliance.

Besides winning the “best alliance” title, oneworld’s member airlines also flew high in the Global Traveler Wines on the Wing awards – just as they did in Business Traveller’s Cellars in the Sky.

Austrian Airlines Business Class

Great seats and amazing food, flying Austrian long haul is a great use of frequent flyer miles.

Get Your Fix

Where is your aviation navigational fix? If you have a 5 letter last name, the FAA will tell you where to find your fix. My fix is outside Montgomery, AL.

I'm a Dork

Major Dork

Photo Post - Air New Zealand

Both paint styles look good. The new black and white version is one of the best in the air.

Old Style on 767-300

New Paint on 777-300

Asahi Beer Machine at BKK

The airline lounges in Asia are better than the USA, even United Clubs. Don't waste your time at a United Club though, go Singapore or ANA (Thai if in a pinch). The food is superb and the beer machine pours a perfect drought.

Night Landing from Perth to JNB

The SAA A340-600 is antiquated on the inside, but still a nice plane to fly. I think it was the ample local wine than gave me a positive opinion. 

Photo Post

Nice to have a post in the can if I need it.

It's my iPhone home screen

United Channel 9

I miss listening in on the cockpit.

London City Airport

London City Airport (LCY) is the most convent option for London travel. Unfortunately it's also very expensive and requires a connection for travel outside Europe. It's still worth considering if you were connecting with Lufthansa, KLM, or SWISS anyway.

Nice Plane Spotting from Across the Water

KLM Combi 747-400 PH-BFD

I don't spot these often, but the combi-747 is a neat idea.

Self Loading and Not Self Loading Cargo on Main Deck

OneJet is Expanding

Great news for Pittsburgh business travelers, OneJet is expanding service. Sorry Indy, you're a spoke again.

United Airlines Basic Economy More Expensive Than First

Something seems wrong.

Yay Photos

I have over 500 photos saved up for the blog, here's my oldest two and newest two in inventory.

Frankfurt Airport 2009

United Express 2011

United 777 Yesterday

Eva 777-300 Yesterday

Southwest Shop Sale

The Southwest Airlines company store is having a sale. They don't gouge you on shipping either.

Burning Miles - Alaska

I do practice what I preach, my Alaska Airlines balance is 0. I like Mileage Plan, but I don't trust any airline program to stop points inflation.

The Perfect Balance

I also got my Southwest balance to 67, but then earned some bonus points. Still good.

I Like the New Look

AA Miles

I have about 56,000 AA miles and face a conundrum. Do I want 4 domestic one ways, two first one ways, or earn 1,500 points and get a business class one way to Europe? I have time to decide and can move some SPG points quickly if needed. I don't feel inspired to earn beyond that mark. The heavily restricted premium award space (oneworld partners included) is taking the fun out of earning miles.

Where to?

Happy Photo Day

The A340 is Cool

A380 Updates

I like the new winglets that reduce fuel burn by 4%, the rest has me suspect. It's the same size tube, hard to fit 80 more seats without Spirit Airlines type space.

Already Holds 500+

Qatar Fare Sale

Want to wager the recent airspace restrictions on Qatar will be short term? Then book a coach fare on Qatar for a discount. Worst case your flight will take much longer than it should.

787 GE Engine Detail

Thanks SWISS

I recently booked an award flight and was excited to fly on a Swiss CS100 from MAD to ZRH. I then had a 777-300 home and it was all in business class.  Then Swiss canceled the Madrid portion and now my trip is in air. I really wanted to fly that new aircraft. Oh well, I guess I need to wait for Delta to roll it out.

SWISS A320 at Madrid

Delta Already has 2 by 3 Seating

Don't Purchase Miles

Don't buy miles. If you're in a pinch and need <10,000 miles, try earning through a partner. The online malls usually work for gift card purchases.

Reminds Me of Poor Values

Keep Burning Miles

No use hanging on to a currency that inflates 5-10% a year and is accept less often.

Delta Is Not Helping

A Gold Member Was Upgraded on United

I was shocked to receive an upgrade as a Gold level member. It was Sunday morning LAS to LAX and the flight was hideously delayed. Also I had already taken my seat in coach, then was plucked out and handed seat 1D. I had a great view of The Strip and enjoyed some Bailey's on the 65 minute flight.

Vegas, Area 51 Flights, & Private Terminals

EMB120's at LAX

I miss these guys.

Classic Photo

Photo Day

Good Looking By Local Standards

Poor Operational Performance United

We overshot the gate. SFO has antiquated boarding gates that don't move left and right, so we needed to hook up to a tug and be pushed back. This has happened twice to me this year and cost almost two hours.

First Row Behind the Door on a 757

Limited-time offer: Purchase Premier qualifying miles and segments

Don't! It's poor value. You'd get more elite miles for less by going to Singapore for the weekend (and award miles). Oh, and you'd get to visit Singapore. It's $130 per 1,000 PQM or 13c per mile.

Buying First Could Be Cheaper per Mile

Virgin America Airbus

The underside needs a wash, but will get a new coat of paint instead.

Virgin America Taking Off From Las Vegas

Lufthansa and Hertz

Enter to win 50,000 Lufthansa miles by sending your complete contact information (address, telephone number, and your Miles & More Service card number) to gewinnspiel@hertz.com. Please state as a reference: “Miles & More competition.” 20 winners will be drawn from all the entries.

I Love Lufthansa

You also get entries by renting from Hertz and crediting Lufthansa. Good deal at 1,500 miles per rental. 

The offer is valid for all bookings made from April 1 until June 30, 2017 for the rental period from: April 1 until September 30, 2017. When booking, you must enter the discount number CDP 646999 and promotional code PC 203594. The minimum rental period is one day. The offer cannot be combined with other offers, discounts, or promotions. 1,500 award miles will be credited for each rental. Please provide your Miles & More service card number when booking, and present your Miles & More service card during the rental process. Hertz’s general rental terms and conditions apply for every rental in the respective rental country. All Miles & More members making a reservation that fulfills the above-mentioned requirements with the discount number CDP 646999, the promotional code PC 203594, and the Miles & More Service card number are entitled to take part in the competition and are automatically entered into the draw

Virgin Atlantic Upper Class

I'm trying to burn my Delta miles before they are completely worthless. Virgin Atlantic has some upper class space on A340-600's for 85,000 miles. I don't think the new 787 will open up any time, so this could be a fun option.

New = Nicer