Monday, April 6, 2015

Best Looking Airplane Paint Designs - DHL

DHL has great looking race cars and aircraft.  The A300 and Dallara DW12 aren't very attractive shapes, but the DHL paint makes them look great.
Ryan Hunter-Reay in Long Beach
DHL A300 at Madrid

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Delta Posts Serious News Story on April 1

Delta announced a serious news story yesterday and disappointed me and every other April fools day fan. Delta's SkyMiles plan is a joke, but their corporate communications team is humorless. Booooo!
Dull Delta 
ATLANTA and SHANGHAI, April 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) is partnering with Ant Financial Services Group ("Ant Financial") and UATP to make it easier for Chinese consumers to purchase airline tickets via delta.com. The move, which sees Delta become the first United States carrier to add Ant Financial's Alipay payment platform to its website, is part of the airline's ongoing effort to serve Chinese travelers. UATP's alternative form of payment processing initiative connects airlines with online payment brands such as Alipay.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Middle Seat in Business Class - Lufthansa 747-400

I had a middle seat in business class on Lufthansa.  It wasn't my fault, US Airways gave away my business class seat and I was rebooked by United 678 miles away and three hours before departure.  It could have been worse, Lufthansa's old 747 business class layout is 2x3x2 while United's 747 business class layout is 2x4x2.  The service was outstanding too and I had extra space in a bulkhead seat.
Could Be Worse

Monday, March 30, 2015

American AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles Account Merged

My US Airways and American Airlines mileage accounts correctly merged this weekend. The combined balance will help me spend my American balance on fun international flights with oneworld partner carriers (business or first preferred).  I don't want to pay a fortune in taxes and fees, so I'll need to fly airlines other than British Airways.  Good luck on your account merger, if it happened.  If not, there will be a process to merge duplicate accounts sometime soon.
Award Space Is Great - Carrier Fees Are Miserable

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Cockpit Displays - Flat Panel LCD vs. Analog

The new flat screens look super cool, but some of the analog charm of flying is lost.
Smaller Business Plane
Business Jet
New Business Jet
Now Retired United 757 Display

Friday, March 27, 2015

Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) Interior

Not my style, but someone thought the idea of two long couches perpendicular to the direction of travel was a good one.
BBJ Interior Lounge

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Sleeping on a Business Jet - Gulfstream G550 Edition

The first class seats on long haul airliners make better beds than seats on business jets.  Airliners have heavy mechanical seats that convert into beds.  Business jets need to save weight, so they fold flat and then have a mattress pad added (the flight attendant should make your bed in either case). Also one bed takes up two seats, so overnight flights run at reduced capacity. Not every aspect of private aviation is better than flying commercial.
G550 Bed Set Up
Lufthansa A380 First Class Bed