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United Airlines Economy Plus marketing fail

In reviewing a seat map for an upcoming trip, I noticed something unusual on my Embraer 145 ExpressJet flight – rows one and 12 were showing as Economy Plus. Odd, I thought, since I’ve never seen that before having flown on ERJ-145s previously and while there is a touch more legroom, it’s certainly not what…

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Vintage Airline Seat Map: Jet America Airlines MD-82 from 1987

It’s time for some narrowbody love for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. Not to be confused with the Jet America that planned to begin service in 2009, but never got off the ground, Jet America Airlines was a Long Beach, California-based carrier that operated from 1981 until 1987. The carrier had eight of…

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Award seat analysis: American vs. United – Los Angeles to New York JFK

This second installment of “Award Seat Analysis†looks at the premium Los Angeles to New York JFK nonstop market and I’ve researched availability from American Airlines and United Airlines in April 2012. I specifically searched for award seats at the minimum amount of miles required, namely MileSAAver awards on American and Saver awards on United.…

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Amenity Kit Review: Virgin Australia Business Class (November 2011)

I’m partnering up with Brad over at Upgrd.com for this installment of Amenity Kit Reviews. He recently flew V Australia, now Virgin Australia, from Los Angeles to Sydney in Business Class and posted an excellent review of the flight here. Knowing I’m a collector, he sent me a spare kit for my review. For a…

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Your United Airlines 2011 elite status will extend beyond 1/31/12

If you didn’t hit the mark to requalify for your elite status level with United Airlines for 2012, you’re getting a small bonus this year. While they finalize the transition from Apollo to Shares, United is extending elite members’ 2011 status and bennies until late in the first quarter. I’m guessing the official conversion will…

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United Airlines lifetime mileage has been updated with EQMs

Check your lifetime miles with United. Mine just jumped almost 100k when I thought I was only going to get 15k or so due to the one-time addition of elite qualifying miles dating back to program inception. I certainly hope it’s not a mistake or glitch. How did you make out? [Updated to add: Looks…

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Reminder: Save your 2010 United Airlines Mileage Plus activity to a PDF

Today is the last day you have access to your 2010 United Airlines Mileage Plus data, so if you haven’t already, log in to your account and save the full year’s worth of data to a PDF. Once the clock strikes midnight tonight, only 2011 will be searchable as was the case last year when…

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2011 was a fantastic travel year… looking forward to 2012

The year is coming to a close and it was a fantastic one for me, especially for travel. I experienced two new airlines – Cathay Pacific and Asiana – and was fortunate enough to fly in First Class on both. I end up redeeming miles pretty quickly after I accrue them, but this next year…

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Video: Asiana Airlines First Class from Los Angeles to Seoul-Incheon Airport

I finally edited down the immense amount of video I took on my recent Asiana Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Seoul, South Korea. Here’s the result… I hope you like it:

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Vintage Airline Seat Map: American Airlines International DC-10-30 LuxuryLiner

The DC-10 is my second favorite aircraft after the 747 and I flew on a slew of them in the 1980s and 1990s. Unfortunately, I never did fly on the version appearing below, an American Airlines international DC-10-30 LuxuryLiner from 1985 – this week’s installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. DC-10 engines had such a…

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