Marriott Now Has 3 Loyalty Programs

The Marriott take over of Starwood is complete and members can now link their accounts between the Ritz, Marriott, and SPG programs. Your highest status will be moved to the other programs. No word on when or how SPG will be rolled into Marriott.

Sheraton HK - It's Much Nicer Than It Looks

United 777 - 10 Wide in Coach

As part of United's goal to suck the fun out of air travel (why else remove Channel 9?), they are going 10 wide in coach on new 777-300ER's that will be delivered in the next few years. I was dreading flying in those (747's are 10 wide in coach, but the cabin is 25in wider), but relaxed because the current 777-200's are 9 wide. Except not, at least one is 10 wide (see Version 5). I was unfortunate enough to pull the short 777 straw recently. The seats were a tight squeeze in every direction, even in Economy Plus. The seat padding is miserable for an 8 hour flight. There was also no IFE offered. The top off a agonizing flight, there was a 3.5 hour mechanical delay and I missed my connection.

Looks the Same from the Outside

10 Wide and No Padding to be Found

Southwest Airlines Standby

Southwest will now allow you to do same day standby, providing that you are elite, traveling alone, already at the airport, and the flight you want to be on leaves within 2 hours of the original flight. And you'll have last pick of seats.  That's an incredibly small baby step from the USA's largest domestic carrier.

New Paint, New Policy - Somehow United Does it Better

United Domestic Breakfast 2016

Dr. House has a quizzical look, but it was better than you'd think.

There Was Cheese!

United Mechanical Delays

Four of my eight flights this month on United have been delayed for mechanical reasons. I also had a trip to Asia scrubbed last month due to mechanical issues. I'm wondering if this is part of a larger problem developing for United.

Work Darn You! Work!!!!

United Club HKG

The United Club lounge at Hong Kong (HKG) lets you pour your own booze. The hideous catch is that I don't want to drink any of it.

No Thanks

Happy Travels

Great day to fly.

Happy Flying