Doing our best to prove that there’s no such thing as a quiet airport lounge anymore, and part of the problem, too.
DLD 499: Ramble on
- September 5, 2024
- Tagged as: A321neo, A321XLR, A350, Air China, Air India, Alaska Airlines, Bilt Rewards, Boom Supersonic, C919, China Eastern, China Southern, Delta Air Lines, Department of Transportation, DOT, elite status, Frontier, Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines, Ireland, ITA Airlines, Japan, jetblue, JFK Airport, KLM, Lufthansa Group, Malaysia Airlines, merger, Mint, New York City, Norse Atlantic, pilot shortage, Rapid Rewards, regulators, Russia, SAS, SkyTeam, Southwest Airlines, Star Alliance, TAP Air Portugal, TATL, Transatlantic, United Airlines, Vistara, XB-1
Another week, with plenty of random thoughts from the guys…
Often times the shortest distance between two airports is defined by politics more than geography. Last weekend that was more the case than usual.
DLD 470: Out of service
- February 15, 2024
- Tagged as: 737 MAX, A321neo, American Airlines, Chicago, China, Copa Airlines, Cuba, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, Frontier, Heathrow, Houston, IAH, India, IndiGo, Korean Airlines, LCCs, lounges, Lufthansa, MCO, Orlando, Philadelphia, PHL, points, Qatar Airways, Raleigh-Durham, RDU, regulators, SAS, slots, ULCC, United Airlines, wetlease
What’s the silliest reason you’ve ever heard of for planes to be removed from service? We might have a new top contender for that title.
DLD 467: Cold as ice
- January 25, 2024
- Tagged as: 737 MAX 10, 737 MAX 8200, 737-800, A321neo, A350-1000, Air India, Airbus, Akasa, Alaska Airlines, ATL, Atlanta, Australia, Boeing, business class, Delta Air Lines, first class, ife, IFEC, in-flight entertainment, inflight entertainment, jetblue, Kuwait Airlines, LaGuardia, LGA, lounge, lounges, merger, Mint, podcast, premium cabin, routes, SAS, Saudi Arabia, Saudia, Spirit Airlines, Trip Report, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines
Winter weather is giving the industry some troubles, but there’s still plenty of hot news to discuss..
DLD 464: Got Status?
- January 4, 2024
- Tagged as: AirBaltic, Australia, Boeing, China, credit cards, elite status, Flying Blue, FlyingBlue, HiSky, India, Japan, livery, Norse Atlantic, Norwegian, routes, SAS, slots, South African Airways, Southwest Airlines, train, Trip Report, Turkish Airlines, UAE, Wideroe
As 2023 comes to a close we’re talking about status earned, how we value it, and what the year ahead holds.
DLD 453: Shuffling the deck
- October 12, 2023
- Tagged as: 737 MAX, 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8200, 787, A321neo, Air Canada, Air France, Air Malta, Airbus, Allegiant, awards, Boeing, business class, Delta Air Lines, Dreamliner, EAS, economy class, Essential Air Service, ExpertFlyer, Global Airlines, Hi Fly, Ireland, KLM, LOT, MEX, Mexico, Mexico City, NLU, premium cabin, Premium Economy, Recaro, rewards, routes, SAS, seating, seats, SkyTeam, Southern Airways, Star Alliance, Sun Country, United Airlines, VivaAerobus
Thank goodness change is such a constant in this industry. Otherwise what would we have to talk about every week?
DLD 392: Heat wave
- July 14, 2022
- Tagged as: 737 MAX 10, A220, Akasa, bankruptcy, Boeing, Brazil, Breeze Airways, Cathay Pacific, Connect Airlines, credit card, credit cards, E190, Eva, frequent flier, frequent flyer, GIG, HKG, Hong Kong, India, NFTs, points, routes, SAS, United Airlines
As if airport crowds and luggage SNAFUs aren’t enough, summer heat waves are adding to the challenges in travel.
DLD 387: Regal in Riga
- June 9, 2022
- Tagged as: A321LR, AirBaltic, American Airlines, AMS, Amsterdam, Austria, Brexit, codeshare, Iceland, KLM, Niceair, podcast, Qatar Airways, Ryanair, SAS, Schiphol, Trip Report
Day two of a trip to Europe always brings along some jet lag challenges. But we’re trying our best.
The lack of appeal, perhaps, is the most interesting part. But the CDC mask mandate for travel is gone, thanks to a court ruling in Florida.