I’m very happy to soon be flying on my first Airbus A380 in Business Class with Singapore Airlines, and tonight took another look at my reservation as it shows up on their website. I’ve heard about the “Book A Cook” option that allows you to pre-select your meals, and this evening I did just that.…
My travels/observations
Category Archives for My travels/observations.
A United Airlines Captain made my day earlier this week
On Thursday, I dedicated a post to reviewing my positive experience flying United Airlines post-system conversion this past Wednesday, and wanted to dedicate another post to a very appreciated gesture from the Captain on one of my flights that day. I’m a huge fan of United’s Channel 9 air traffic control audio feed and I…
Positive first United Airlines trip post-system conversion
Yesterday I flew my first trip with United Airlines since the system conversion this past weekend and while I witnessed other people having issues (check-in, upgrade priority, United Club access), I had absolutely no problems. Granted, I called in advance to clear up a ticketing issue a few days ahead of time and was already…
Haven’t received your 2012 MileagePlus credentials? Me either
It might seem petty to be anxiously awaiting the arrival of my 2012 MileagePlus credentials, but as most of you know, Star Alliance “lounge dragons†demand a valid card for entry. I’ve witnessed many people turned away after not being able to present a current card even though their Star Gold status is clearly evident…
Redeeming United Airlines customer appreciation certs post system conversion
This past weekend I completed another mileage run with United rolling me past the 45,000 EQM mark for the year and I – as well as many other passengers in Business Class – scored a customer appreciation certificate for a faulty video system onboard a new configuration 777 from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles. Movies…
Behind the scenes at United Airlines’ test kitchen
Last week, the Chicago Tribune published an insightful article focused on a United-Continental merger related item not often reported in such detail – the consideration given to airline meals and galley equipment. Reporter Gregory Karp spent a day at the United Airlines test kitchen in suburban Chicago speaking with chefs, executives and other staff who…
Losing your airline elite status? Many carriers make offers to buy it back
Today I received an email from American Airlines offering the opportunity to continue my AAdvantage Platinum status through the end of next February for a modest fee. Last year I took the Platinum elite challenge with American in part to re-experience a carrier I hadn’t flown since 1998, and also to rack up some miles…
Reader poll: Flight attendant announcements
If you fly as much as I do, you probably have all the flight attendant announcements heard during the flight memorized and could step in if needed. Lately, I’ve been noticing just how many FAs break away from the script and add a bit of personality or other uniqueness to them. Southwest, of course, is…
Another Hilton social media outreach success story
Some companies understand the importance of social media outreach from customers, and some don’t (I’m looking at you, @TopGuest). Hilton is one of the former and has now impressed me twice in a row by responding to my simple Tweet, and they did so nearly instantaneously this time. My first issue this past October was…
Amenity Kit Review: Asiana Airlines Business Class (November 2011)
I flew with Asiana Airlines this past November in First Class to Seoul (its amenity kit review here) and Business Class on the return. Below is my review of the Business Class offering for this installment of Amenity Kit Reviews. For a better description of each category, and the 7-point scale for scoring, please review…