Private Jet Inflight Entertainment

Private jets have the best seats, entertainment, bathrooms, and everything else really.  The equipment is usually made by suppliers that also sell to airlines, so there is a chance it will make it's way into commercial airliners.  Gold plated lavatory fixtures and showers seem unlikely on Southwest, but Emirates has onboard showers for A380 first class passengers.  

747-800 Cabin Model

Lufthansa Technik Cabin Model

Airshow (in flight map system) has an iPad app that gives a "panoramic view that allows passengers to see a moving map of the outside world from any direction the iPad is pointed – as if the aircraft were transparent."  Currently it is only available for business jets, but it should be easy to make it work on airliners that already have Airshow and wifi.  Wifi is another great example, originally only on business jets, it's now on most airlines and rather inexpensive.  I'm excited to see the next technologies that will be tested in private aviation and rolled out to commercial aviation. 

A320 Shower

Boeing BBJ Dining Arrangement

Bombardier Global 6000 Aft Stateroom and Shower

US Airways E175

I bought an E175 model for myself for Christmas from the US Airways Company Store.  I really like the look of the Embraer E-Jet family, so here's one of many pictures I have.

E175 at SAV

Flight Cancellation Rebooking Help Action Items

My flight on Monday was cancelled because the flight crew never arrived. I was sitting at the gate looking at the aircraft and watching the estimated departure time increment 10 minutes every ten minutes.  The gate agent did not share where the crew was coming from, just that they could arrive any minute and not to leave the gate area.  After three hours of this, the flight was cancelled.  What should you do in this situation?

Not Moving Today

1. Find alternate options while waiting. Pull up the airline website and see what else can get you to your destination. Help your cause by finding other ways to your destination.  This will help when you talk to an agent about alternatives.  Keep it all on the original carrier.  Since airline deregulation in the 70's, US carriers are not obligated to put you on an open seat with another airline.
2. Call your airline while you are waiting to see if they can switch you to another flight.  Once your flight is delayed, they should drop change fees.  If you don't like the first answer you hear, hang up and try again.
3. Airline club staff can assist in rebooking if you have a membership or a day pass.  The lines are shorter, so you will wait less and have a longer conversation about alternatives than at the general customer service counter. 
4. Once the flight is cancelled, call the airline and move quickly to the customer service counter or airline club.  You are likely to talk to a phone agent before an airport agent and they can get you started on rebooking.  If they offer an option you don't like, propose a better option from the list of alternatives you made.  Not all alternatives may be available, but some agents look a basic A to B options while A to C to B may be preferable.
5. If you are spending the night and it it the airline's fault (crew, maintenance, almost anything else besides weather) ask an airport agent for a hotel voucher and food vouchers (has to be done at the airport).  Also if you checked a bag, ask if it will be held by the airline or returned; don't assume one or the other.  

Plan B

The earlier it is, the easier same day rebooking will be because there are more options and fewer displaced travelers.  A few other extreme options if you desperately need to leave:

• Book a flight on Southwest as a back up.  You can cancel without penalty before departure.  It will probably cost more, but you will have a seat.  If your flight is cancelled, the original airline will refund your ticket (that half of the round trip most likely) without a change fee.
• Book a refundable ticket on another carrier.  This will cost much more than Southwest, but it guarantees a seat out that day.

Denver Airport Construction Mess

The Denver airport improvement project is 36% over budget and not even close to being completed. The Denver Post has a fascinating story on the boondoggle with details of poor planning, nervous bond ratings agencies, and no concern for value or customer experience. Another interesting item is the airport is planning a seventh (hardly necessary) runway at a cost of $400,000,000.

Airport Construction on March 3, 2014

Australia, Credit Cards, & Frequent Flyer Miles

Americans have it pretty good in the miles game, even with recent devaluations.  There is ample competition and a myriad of ways to earn miles.  The best bang for the buck is through credit card sign up bonuses.  Many miles cards give generous bonuses for a little spending in the first three months; some even waive the annual fee for the first year.  Canadians have it rough; I looked up options for a friend and cards came with low sign up bonuses and high fees.  It wasn't really worth while because a basic cash back card would deliver better value.  

The Wait For An Award Can Seem Interminable

Australians have it even worse because many merchants charge a fee on credit card transactions, so each swipe is a losing proposition unless the card earns stellar rewards.  Add that to long distances and limited competition and the points game is not the best value proposition.  CreditCardCompare.com.au put together an interesting info-graphic on the costs of business class flights out of Australia.  Round trip to London costs between 102,000 miles and 281,608   That is a ridiculous spread and understanding the cheapest way to reach an award goal, say round trip in business class, can greatly decrease the costs of the award.  The research did not look at award availability, partner possibilities, or difference in business class quality.  It is important though to do some research before earning miles to optimize award possibilities and value for miles.

FAA Aircraft Registration Look Up

Ever wonder how old an aircraft is?  The FAA will let you look it up on line; I saved the link to my iPhone favorites. http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/nnum_inquiry.aspx

Boeing 737-3TO, Manufactured in 1985

Delta Changes To Southwest Miles Earning Model

Delta will change the way passengers earn miles to a model based on ticket price rather than distance flown. I don't think this is a big deal for a few reasons.  Southwest already has an earning (and spending) model based on ticket prices and it seems to be going well. Also Delta hasn't announced how partner flights will earn miles. Further ground based partner earning is not impacted and miles still do not expire.  Delta also will add one way awards and a few other carrots to smooth the transition.

Fly Delta Jets

The scary aspect is that the award chart will change, but Delta doesn't know how. "[Award charts] will be available later in 2014." To save some anxiety, credit Delta flights to a partner; I prefer Alaska (same for my American flights) because they have great partnerships, a stable award chart, and care about the customer experience.  Spending miles will also protect against likely award chart inflation, but there is no rush until the new award chart is published and confirms devaluation fears.

Building A Better Frequent Flyer Program Too?

I hope Delta adopts a Southwest award chart too.  On Southwest every flight can be booked if seats are available.  70 miles per dollar of fare (Wanna Get Away rate) and you are free to move about the country.  It's a simple system and an easy way to know what your balance is worth.  This model removes any award chart deals, but it also eliminates award restrictions; I am happy to make that trade.  N.B. - I earn my Southwest and Delta miles primarily though ground based partners like credits cards and online shopping.

New United Express CRJ 700 Seats

United Express (SkyWest) has new seats on their CRJ-700 aircraft and they look great, but are terribly uncomfortable.   The seat design is visually outstanding and provides a new and modern feel to an otherwise dreary and cramped cabin.  Unfortunately I was able to experience the seats for a 3.5 hour flight from ATL to DEN and they became incredibly hard very quickly.  Regional jets like the CRJ series are best for short flights (less than two hours) because their cramped cabin and lack of in flight amenities.  The new seats wouldn't be bad on a short flight, but are unbearable for four hours.  United needs to keep their focus on customer experience rather than unending cost cutting.

Economy Seats - Window Seat At Full Recline

First Class Seat 1A

High Winds In Denver

Winds greater the 45 mph have been reported in Denver all this week, so I'm happy to be grounded at the moment.  A windy landing or take off (especially heading west over the mountains) is never fun.  Enjoy a picture of better weather.

Speedbird 747 & United CRJ

Why Do It That Way?

Why do European airlines prefer to board from a remote position when the airport has more gates than flights?  There were plenty of available jet bridges at Barcelona, but Austrian preferred to pack all the passengers on buses and board from a remote position.  I don't get it.  I guess it may cost less in fees even though it seems to be less efficient in every other way and it makes for a poor customer experience.

Remote Position Boarding

Frontier Airlines Coupon / Discount Code

10% of Frontier Airlines flights booked before the 26th.  

Frontier Airlines will offer a 10% discount on domestic fares from Tuesday, February 18, 2014, through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Wednesday, February 26, 2014. The discount will apply to regular and sale fares for domestic travel through June 12, 2014. All fare rules will apply.

Frontier Airbus at Denver

Great Circle Mapper

I enjoy tracking my flights each year with gcmap.com.  Every time I fly, I update my map.  Since the website doesn't have accounts, I save my map as a web browser favorite.  It's a cool tool that has a few other fun features too.  Enjoy!

2012 Paid Travel

US Airways Company Store Sale

Grab your US Airways branded gear while you still can, now 20% off.

Get an additional 20% off your entire order plus free shipping on all orders over $75.    

• Shop for gifts online February 14 - 18, 2014
• Enter discount code PRESIDENT after you add the first item to your cart
• Your 20% discount will be taken off your order

US Airways 737

Delta Museum at Atlanta Airport

The Delta Museum at ATL is closed for renovations until summer.  The closure is a bummer because I had some time before my flight and was excited to see the classic aircraft and trinkets on display.  I guess I will need to wait until next time, but I will definitely stop in.

Delta in Vegas

Atlanta Ice Storm

Southwest and AirTran cancelled all their flights out of ATL today and won't start flying until 1:00pm tomorrow.  That seems a little extreme.  I'm in suburban Atlanta this week for work and was able to drive to Waffle House for dinner without issue (though at 30 mph rather than the posted 55 mph).  I would expect Southwest to run a partial operation like other carriers.  As long as United is flying Friday, I'll be fine.

Southwest and AirTran in Better Weather

Dreamliner Excitement

I'm at Denver with a flight delay, but I just spotted the United 787 Dreamliner taxiing out to the runway and was stuck by excitement.  Even with fog and delays, flying and airports are still amazing.

Even Spirit Airlines Can Be Exciting

Ready For The 787-9?

EWR's gates are ready for the 787-9, too bad deliveries are a few years away.

777-200 & 787-9 Parking

Blue1 - Now a Charter Airline

SAS ran Blue1 as a low cost airline to compete with Norwegian.  It didn't work and now Blue1's beautifully painted 717's are used for charter flights. That's a shame because Blue1 had the best looking planes in the air. 

Blue1 717 Tail

Norwegian 737

Milwaukee - Chicago's Third Airport

Illinois is still trying to obtain federal funding for a third Chicago airport in south suburban Peotone.  This plan was unlikely before O'Hare spent $8.7 billion on a modernization program; it's impossible now.  A third Chicago airport was always unnecessary because Milwaukee is a $22 one hour train ride away from downtown Chicago (or an hour or so drive) with plenty of space and gates.  Milwaukee is Chicago's third airport and has better prices on flights (even if their first connection is in Chicago), $5 a day parking, handles poor weather better, and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Clean, Quiet, Plenty of Seating - Fly Milwaukee

Never Buy Miles at Check In

My dad called and asked about buying miles at check in recently.  United offered to sell him miles for about 3c each.  He thought that was a good price, but I disagree.  First he has almost 1 million miles in his account; with a balance that size, you don't need more to reach a certain award.  Also miles are subject to inflation, so the more you hold, the higher the cost of award price inflation.  Finally miles can be purchased for cheaper if they are needed.  The United shopping offers, flowers and magazines usually, can yield more than 33 miles per dollar spent.  Unless you need the miles tomorrow, never buy then directly from United.

United Heavy jets at EWR

Starbucks Rewards Woes

Even my Starbucks Rewards status feels light.  I need to start flying soon.  Luckily I have a business trip this month.

28 More For Gold Status

UPDATE 2/2: I must be great at complaining because Starbucks is running a bonus Stars program.  "Start collecting Stars now through February 11 and earn up to 20 Bonus Stars. With so many new treats you’ll have enough Stars in no time.  Earn 8 Stars and get 10 bonus Stars,

Earn 12 Stars and get 20 bonus Stars."

Scandinavian Airport Design

Scandinavian airports are designed better than any others.  Here's a quick example of a clock in OSL.  I love it and want one in my house.  The clocks at DEN (my home airport) are digital and rarely turned on; the last one I noticed was wrong by 5:38 too.

Oslo Airport Clock

75,000 American Miles For Spending $3,000

I acquired two American Airlines credit cards from Citi this week.  The first one was their small business card with 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 and no annual fee the first year.  This seemed like an easy and fast way to add to my AAdvantage account.  The next day I received a direct mail piece offering 45,000 miles after spending $2,000 and no annual fee the first year.  This sounded like a good deal and I signed up.  I was accepted for both cards and will now have a nice pile of miles when my US Airways miles are merged into AAdvantage.  JAL and Cathay Pacific sound like nice airlines to fly and soon I’ll have the mileage balance to enjoy both in first class (award space is another matter).

JAL 777 at NRT

Yes, there is an offer for 100,000 AA miles from Citi, but it requires $10,000 spent in three months and a $475 annual fee (lounge access is included); I prefer my arrangement. 

It Could Always Be Worse

Next time you have a flight delay, just remember it could be worse.  Often you'll see those people who have it worse when you deplane.  

Bad

Worse

Using Miles For Flights In Australia

I booked my brother to Sydney on a trip that includes a stop in NRT and a 23 hour lay over in Seoul.  Luckily he's excited to tour the DMZ and the USO offers regular tours.  Once he gets to Australia, moving around is much easier.  Qantas has great domestic award ticket space, especially between Sydney and Melbourne.  American miles work on Qantas, but the pricing is not great (10,000 in back or 17,500 up front).  I'll be using British Airways miles instead because they price by distance, so SYD-MEL is only 4,500 miles in coach or 9,000 in business (includes lounge access too).  This has the makings of a fun trip.

Qantas 747 at NRT

I'm Grounded

I don't have any flights booked for the next few months. 2014 status will be difficult with only one or two trips a month.

I'd take a ride on a prop plane even

United Miles To Fly To Australia - It Isn't Simple

My brother wants to fly to Sydney and Melbourne this summer and I volunteered to help him search for award flights.  Space is abysmal with United, Air Canada, and Air New Zealand flights.  Luckily, if you book online, you can route through Asia for the same price as going direct from North America to Australia.  No, you can't go via Europe and Asia for the same rate; I tried.  On the way out, I was able to book USA to Tokyo to Inchon to Sydney.  It's a lot of extra flying, but it works.  Still trying to find a good return option.

Yes, Tokyo Is On The Way to Sydney

500 Free Hilton HHonors Points

Grab 500 Hilton points for listening to a pitch from Hilton Grand Vacations.  Not the most generous offer for 6 minutes of your life, but a productive way to kill time.

Promotion Details

Frontier Airlines Discount Coupon Code

Frontier can't say "Broncos" because United is the team sponsor, so Frontier's coupon code is HURRYHURRY.  It's good for 18% flights.  I would have preferred an Omaha joke or maybe any advertising from United (I'm a MileagePlus member in Colorado).

Frontier Has Team Spirit, But Can't Name The Team Name

How Is Norway?

I don't know how Norway is because I never left the secure part of the airport.  To top off my status miles in 2013, I flew to Oslo for an hour and left on the same 757 that brought me. I was upgraded the whole way, so it was a pleasant experience. I did enjoy the small bit of Norway I experienced, but I didn't leave the airport, so I won't add it to my country list.

757 Seat DEN-EWR

My flight from Denver to Newark went quickly and uneventfully.  I went with the chicken salad because the other option was the gross Continental cheese burger.  I slept most of the flight and read the rest away. I didn't pick up Hemispheres magazine because I wanted to save it in case I ran out of other things to do on later flights.

Chicken Salad Lunch - Never Pick the Burger

The flight to Oslo left a half hour late and eliminated a third of my time in Norway.  Once boarding began, I was excited to grab my seat and give it a test drive.  The BusinessFirst seats on international 757's are fully flat and have a 15in-ish tv.  The seat is comfortable and easy to sleep in.   The tv was a let down because the movie offerings were not very good.  Luckily I was distracted by food and felt tired.

United 757 Business First Seat

Starter

Outstanding and Tender Steak

I slept most of the way and suffered through the first few minutes of a few films after dinner.  Once we started landing, I packed up all my stuff (it didn't take long, I only had a backpack) and was ready to sprint off the plane. I only had an hour to make my flight and I still needed to clear customs and security. 

SAS Star Alliance Gold Lounge - OSL

Seating in OSL

Customs was a breeze thanks to my EU passport.  I then took the door for international connections, so I didn't have to leave the airport and endure more security screening. I printed off all my boarding passes before leaving Denver, an important action because the security staff wanted to see my boarding pass before allowing me to the international wing.  With less than an hour on the ground I attempted duty free shopping (bad selection and astronomical prices) and relaxed at the SAS lounge.  Before I could finish my beer at the lounge, I had to leave for the gate.  There is a customs check before boarding so build in some extra time for that and other delays. 

Lunch

Snack Before Landing

Once on board I found my new seat and got comfortable.  We left on time and I enjoyed the meal service before sleeping the rest of the way.  I flew through US customs (thanks Global Entry) and was able to catch an earlier flight to Denver too.  A great trip, though I only saw airports.  A few tips for flights like this:

• Print all your boarding passes out before leaving your first airport.
• Pack a change of clothes, pack light.
• Bring enough to keep you busy if the tv breaks or has nothing worth watching.
• Stretch out and go for a stroll now and again.
• Stay hydrated.

Below Freezing Business Trip

I'm on a business trip in Chicago and it will never get above freezing, though it is 30 degrees warmer than Monday (yes, you notice).  I've been day dreaming of trips to warmer destinations, like Tahiti or Iceland.

Air Tahiti Nui A340 at LAX

I Flew Airbus #7000

I flew the 7,000th Airbus aircraft, an A321 delivered with some fanfare in December 2011.  I remember reading about this milestone and was excited to fly on a famous aircraft.  Inside the plane looked a little tired and well used.  My previous aircraft that day was a newer A321, both better than an American MD-80 or 757 (my other options for this business trip). US Airways will continue to take new Airbus jets into 2015.  I like Airbus A320 series jets more than Boeing 737's, so while I'm excited to fly new US Airways planes, United's new 737's seem almost obsolete.  

7000th Airbus - US Airways A321

2014 - The Year of Points Inflation

2014 will be the year of points inflation.  The points game won't die, but all the fun will be sucked out of it.  Award prices will be going up, up, and way up, while earning opportunities will be curtailed. United award prices are increasing Feb 1, 2014, 40% for United flights and 80% for partner flights in premium cabins (Lufthansa flights can be booked, but it won't be worth while). United is also borrowing a page from Delta and requiring a minimum spend requirement for status qualification, in addition to the miles requirement. 

From 135,000 Miles in First to Over 200,000

Delta will be increasing prices on their award chart, though it will go little noticed because there is so little discount award space, I haven't redeemed a Delta award in ages. When US Airways and American become a single carrier, March 31, I expect the US Airways award chart to vanish, taking with it the 90,000 mile around the world in business class award. Southwest is changing the Wanna Get Away fare from 60 points per dollar to 70 points as well.

Delta Lost Its Luster

Hotels and other programs are increasing prices too.  Hertz applied about a 10% inflation rate to their chart.  It didn't sting too badly because they announced it well in advance and 10% isn't too bad every few years.  Hyatt is adding a new award tier so the extreme values at 22,000 points will be ok values at 30,000 points.  A free bottle of Coke is 25% more today than yesterday too.  As usual, every year more hotels move up in reward tier category than move down too; a less noticed form of inflation.  

25% More Points in 2014