Day Trip to LAX

Southwest Airlines is amazing. Maybe not every flight, but the concept is great. My wife earned a companion pass from the Chase card, so we are looking for fun trip ideas. We decided to jump on a cheap fare SFO-LAX and back later that day. Our itinerary gave us 9 hours on the ground, but we booked with points, so we could cancel without fees if there was a long delay.

Great for a Quick Hop

We got a rental car and had a great time looking at art and eating at local favorites. We had enough time even with LA's bad traffic and Budget's slow service.

I'd recommend our itinerary to anyone.

• The Peterson Automotive Museum: home to an amazing collection or motorized art.
• Carney's: best hot dogs west of the Rockies.
• The Getty: amazing space and a good collection of paintings.
• Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles: get the #13, breast and a waffle. The Inglewood location is close to the rental car drop offs and next to a gas station.

Win a Trip to Spain on Iberia

Win a trip to Spain. The official rules say that 2 coach tickets SFO-MAD are worth $11,720. I suspect you can argue down the 1099 for tax season if you win. 

The Winner Will Fly an A330

20% Off at Boeing Store

Boeing is spreading the love for Valentine's Day with code LOVE218 for 20% off.

LUV Airlines 737-700

Lufthansa is Changing their Iconic Livery

It's a step down.

It Was Perfect

UPS Keeps the 747 Program Alive

UPS is keeping the 747 program alive with an order for 14 more 747-8's. They also picked up 4 767-300's. I bet they got a smoking good deal.

There are many cheap used 747-400's available

United Ran Out of Gates at SJC

Bad weather in Denver caused United to be backed up on gates in SJC. We parked on the ramp and took a bus to the terminal. Very odd, my flight was from Denver and early.

Good Morning Colorado

I love watching the sun rise at the airport. Getting to the airport in time to see the sun rise is usually annoying.

United Buying 3 Used 767-300's

Hawaiian is going for Airbus to fly from the islands with the A321 and A330, so they are retiring their 767-300's. United bought 3 to cheaply grow the fleet.

Hawaiian is keeping the Boeing 717 for intrastate flights

United Needs New Paint

This Airbus would be a great candidate for new paint. I would also enjoy a new paint scheme too.

I Didn't Think Continental's Look Would Last

Bad Photoshop Avis

This aircraft must be massive or two photos were poorly merged.

Happy Travels

United Airlines flies 2 of the 5 longest routes with IAH-SYD and LAX-SIN. They both use the 787-9 Dreamliner and last over 17 hours. I flew DFW-SYD and it was a long trip even in business class.

17 Hours is a Long Time in Coach or Business Class

Emirates Buys 20 More A380s

Emirates must have got a heck of a deal from Airbus to keep the A380 program alive for a few more years. They ordered 20 A380s with options for 16 more.

Good Deal When You Are the Best Customer

Fun Photos

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: