Photo Post

Alaska and Virgin are now one airline under the ALASKA call sign. Farewell REDWOOD.

Alaska 123

Alaska 456

United A320 First Class

The breakfast calzone was really good. All the Baileys onboard was consumed before landing too (I had help). Add some great views and it was a wonderful flight.

Post 1,000

My my 1,000th post, I'd like to go through some airline liveries that we've lost since I started blogging.

Out of Business

New Look that I Like

Now American's New Look, a Minor Downgrade

White Over Blue and Tulip Logo

New All Yellow Look

Airtran is Southwest or Delta, Spirit is Yellow

Blue and Yellow Now

Restyled with Green Frontier Lettering

LATAM Airlines Now

Minor Redesign Removed Detail

Best Looking 717 Ever Now in Dull Delta Colors

More White and Less Detail

New Look American Colors as Seen on the E170

Best Upgrade to Colorful New Look

Upgrade to Black and White Look

Update to a Classic Look

Virgin American First Class

Virgin American first class was only $70 more than flying United economy, so I booked a flight from Denver to SFO. It was wonderful. Hands down the best in flight meal I've had on a domestic flight. The seats were super comfortable and powered. The crew was nice and the flight was fun.

Lifetime Platinum with SPG

11 years after my first SPG stay, I am now lifetime Platinum status. It's very relaxing to have the status I want without it resetting January 1st. I'm excited to get lifetime Gold on United Airlines this year too. Travel should be relaxing and this gets me there. 

Nice Landing Into Denver

I had a delightful landing into Denver with great views of the Rockies and spotted USA in a farm field.

2017 - Year in Review

It was a busy year with a new job and my wedding. I flew 96,075 paid miles and 134,608 including award redemptions. I earned lifetime Platinum on SPG and barely made Gold on United. My goal for 2018 is 1,000,000 status with United and I am about 60,000 miles away.

Promotions were infrequent and planes are more densely packed. United's 10 wide coach on 777's is miserable. Extra dense coach seating makes me miss the 747 even more.

Paid Fares

Maps courtesy gcmap.com. 

All Flights

Travel Highlights:

• Austrian business class has a spectacular meal service. 
• Always go to the Singapore Airlines lounge when available.
• I paid to fly in first class 3 times on ~2 hour flights. With no hope of upgrades and a <$100 fare difference, it's a nice treat now and again.
• New Airports: HND, BKK
• New Aircraft: CS100 (Booked, but SWISS cancelled the flight)

Favorite Photos:

Funny Airline Magazine Ad

Here's a funny ad I found in United's Hemispheres magazine.

Embraer E195 Engine

It's Really Clean

Airplane!

I like living near the SFO approach.

Photo Post

The A319 has great proportions.

Frontier A319 in Denver

Thanks American

There's a video too.

Lufthansa Group Goes Spend Based for Mile Earning

More airlines are moving to a revenue based mileage earning model and Lufthansa is just the latest in a long list. I earn Lufthansa miles from partners, Avis and duty free shopping mostly, so I can get discounts on trinkets from the Lufthansa World Shop (3,000 mile minimum to redeem in store). Partner earning isn't impacted, so I'm not worried.

I Love Flying

I Even Enjoy Waiting

Free Checked Bags

I'm flying Southwest a lot in 2018 and excited for free checked bags. My wife earned a companion pass, so I fly free too. 

Bags and Me Fly Free

Remember To Earn Points or Cash with Online Shopping

Remember to use airline shopping portals or MrRebates to earn cash or points back with your online shopping.

Cash Back is Better than Spirit Miles

EI-EIE A320 for Alitalia

Cool registration, better if it ended in O or 0.

Irish Registered Alitalia A320

Happy Weekend

I hope you are comfortable with your status levels on the year. Don't trust the final days of the year to mileage or mattress run because there''s no margin for disruption.

I Got Star Gold from United Gold in 2017

Good Lounge

A good view is critical to a good airline lounge experience. The T2 lounge in Madrid has a wonderful view.

Runway and Ramp Activities

United Polaris 767 Experience

It's funny United is telling me about all the cool stuff (lounge and seat) I won't be experiencing. My flight was over 5 hour late, so I switched to Lufthansa and had a lovely experience. 

Dear Andrew,

Your upcoming travel includes our brand new United PolarisSM experience, which brings a new level of quality to every aspect of premium cabin travel. The transition to United Polaris service represents our largest product transformation in a generation.

Your first United Polaris flight:*
Reservation Number: ABC123
Departure Date: November 28, 2017
From: Madrid  To: New York/Newark

About United Polaris

The United Polaris experience was created to provide travelers with enhanced comfort and relaxation for real sleep in the sky.

SERVICE

Relax on board with services and amenities focused on inflight comfort and restful sleep. Enjoy elevated dining options, custom Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, and more.

LOUNGE

Enjoy an exclusive experience and unparalleled pre-flight relaxation. Chicago O'Hare is home to the first United Polaris lounge, with eight other locations opening through 2018.

SEAT

We've developed new custom-designed, direct-aisle-access business class seats, which will start arriving in the coming months.

We're confident that our new United Polaris service and amenities will truly elevate your travel, and we hope you're excited to take part in such a momentous product launch.

Thank you for choosing United, and we look forward to seeing you on board.

Lufthansa is Still Better

Iberian A340

They like the 4 engine Airbus, cheap to buy and good performance for high altitude fields in Latin America.

Happy Adventures!

I'd Only Want to Fly Delta Jets

Thanksgiving Photo Post

Expect Lines This Week