Dawn Arrivals on the West Coast

I've had a string of gorgeous dawn arrivals on the west coast recently. Always take a window seat if you are landing into SFO or LAX as the sun rises. Also don't rush off the plane, the United Club bar doesn't open until 8:00 AM

Low Clouds into SFO

New British Airways Awards Travel Strategy

British Airways miles flew me to Easter Island, Santiago, and Montevideo on one award ticket from Miami for 80,000 miles and $64 in business class.  Their award chart had amazing values.  British Airways also thought it was amazing and changed it to remove any outstanding values. They went from a region based chart to flight distance based pricing.  Last week they changed their prices again, but only for premium cabin travel.  Business class is 50% more expensive and first class is 33% more expensive. Flying coach is the only economical use for British Airways miles now. I plan to use my remaining British Airways miles on short distance awards to maximize their value.  It was a fun program while it lasted.

Best Use of British Airways Miles

I'm A Bad United Airlines Customer

I'm the type of flyer who is crushed by United's new revenue based award miles.  Here's my stats from earlier this year:

MileagePlus Stats

Southwest Airlines First Class 737-800

Southwest has two first class seats on every 737-800.  The service isn't any different and they are the same narrow width as all the other seats, but these two seats do offer unlimited leg room.  I was able to claim one with boarding position A43 and B2 last week.  They are considered part of the exit row, so they can't be occupied by pre-boards, children, or the elderly.   

Seat 16A

Exit Rows 15 and 16

Seat 16A Leg Room

Happy May Day

I don't have any Air Koryo photos, so China Eastern will have to do.

Communist Airline With Proletariat and Bourgeoisie Classes

Lufthansa Crane Sponsorship

Lufthansa likes their crane logo. It is the best logo of any airline flying today (RIP Pluna).  The crane is a central part to the brand and is included in their kids programs too.  They also support a group saving crane habitats in central Europe. I enjoy well thought out branding and when companies support related and non-objectionable causes.

Lufthansa Crane Logo

Channel 9 at the Airport Hotel

I stayed at the Sheraton Albuquerque airport hotel and had some fun looking out the window.  I requested a high corner room to have a good view of the airport action.  To increase the fun, I brought along my NASCAR/ Indycar scanner and set it to pick up the ABQ tower.  The reception was great and I had a good view and understanding of the action.  Add in the Flight Aware airport view and I was a well prepared spotter.  The only bummers were it was not a busy day and the airport closed the runway that takes planes closest to the hotel.  It was still a fun way to relax after a long drive.

Good View of the Action

Flight Aware’s airport information provides airport maps with tower and ground frequencies.  This is completely legal in the USA, but illegal in certain other countries, like the UK.