FAA Aircraft Registration Look Up

Ever wonder how old an aircraft is?  The FAA will let you look it up on line; I saved the link to my iPhone favorites. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnum_inquiry.aspx

Boeing 737-3TO, Manufactured in 1985

Delta Changes To Southwest Miles Earning Model

Delta will change the way passengers earn miles to a model based on ticket price rather than distance flown. I don't think this is a big deal for a few reasons.  Southwest already has an earning (and spending) model based on ticket prices and it seems to be going well. Also Delta hasn't announced how partner flights will earn miles. Further ground based partner earning is not impacted and miles still do not expire.  Delta also will add one way awards and a few other carrots to smooth the transition.

Fly Delta Jets

The scary aspect is that the award chart will change, but Delta doesn't know how. "[Award charts] will be available later in 2014." To save some anxiety, credit Delta flights to a partner; I prefer Alaska (same for my American flights) because they have great partnerships, a stable award chart, and care about the customer experience.  Spending miles will also protect against likely award chart inflation, but there is no rush until the new award chart is published and confirms devaluation fears.

Building A Better Frequent Flyer Program Too?

I hope Delta adopts a Southwest award chart too.  On Southwest every flight can be booked if seats are available.  70 miles per dollar of fare (Wanna Get Away rate) and you are free to move about the country.  It's a simple system and an easy way to know what your balance is worth.  This model removes any award chart deals, but it also eliminates award restrictions; I am happy to make that trade.  N.B. - I earn my Southwest and Delta miles primarily though ground based partners like credits cards and online shopping.

New United Express CRJ 700 Seats

United Express (SkyWest) has new seats on their CRJ-700 aircraft and they look great, but are terribly uncomfortable.   The seat design is visually outstanding and provides a new and modern feel to an otherwise dreary and cramped cabin.  Unfortunately I was able to experience the seats for a 3.5 hour flight from ATL to DEN and they became incredibly hard very quickly.  Regional jets like the CRJ series are best for short flights (less than two hours) because their cramped cabin and lack of in flight amenities.  The new seats wouldn't be bad on a short flight, but are unbearable for four hours.  United needs to keep their focus on customer experience rather than unending cost cutting.

Economy Seats - Window Seat At Full Recline

First Class Seat 1A

High Winds In Denver

Winds greater the 45 mph have been reported in Denver all this week, so I'm happy to be grounded at the moment.  A windy landing or take off (especially heading west over the mountains) is never fun.  Enjoy a picture of better weather.

Speedbird 747 & United CRJ

Why Do It That Way?

Why do European airlines prefer to board from a remote position when the airport has more gates than flights?  There were plenty of available jet bridges at Barcelona, but Austrian preferred to pack all the passengers on buses and board from a remote position.  I don't get it.  I guess it may cost less in fees even though it seems to be less efficient in every other way and it makes for a poor customer experience.

Remote Position Boarding

Frontier Airlines Coupon / Discount Code

10% of Frontier Airlines flights booked before the 26th.  

Frontier Airlines will offer a 10% discount on domestic fares from Tuesday, February 18, 2014, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Wednesday, February 26, 2014. The discount will apply to regular and sale fares for domestic travel through June 12, 2014. All fare rules will apply.

Frontier Airbus at Denver

Great Circle Mapper

I enjoy tracking my flights each year with gcmap.com.  Every time I fly, I update my map.  Since the website doesn't have accounts, I save my map as a web browser favorite.  It's a cool tool that has a few other fun features too.  Enjoy!

2012 Paid Travel