JetBlue Bags Made From Recycled Uniforms

JetBlue has partnered with Manhattan Portage to transform of crew uniforms into trendy new bags.  The bags look cool, but I don't like the JetBlue brand enough to spend about $100 on a bag I would rarely use.  They are running a contest to win a trip to New York too.

JetBlue A320's

Sensible Germans Use Fewer Titles

Ze sensible Germans at Lufthansa have a simple and practical list of titles for customers to select.  It's a funny cultural contrast to British Airways' title obsession.

Lufthansa A320 at Madrid

Lufthansa titles: Mr, MrDr, MrProf, Mrs, Mstr, MrsDr, MrsProf, Ms.

British Airways Loves Titles

If I were an Earl, Commodore, Crown Prince, or Vice Admiral, I'd be very frustrated with web forms forcing me to select "Mr." Luckily British Airways identified this source of customer frustration and has a very thorough option set for customers to select their title.  It's a funny read.

Her Majesty, H R H, or Mrs. Windsor

Title: Mr, Mrs, Ms, Miss, Dr, Herr, Monsieur, Hr, Frau, A V M, Admiraal, Admiral, Air Cdre, Air Commodore, Air Marshal, Air Vice Marshal, Alderman, Alhaji, Ambassador, Archbishop, Archdeacon, Baron, Barones, Baroness, Bay, Bayan, Bishop, Brig, Brig Gen, Brig General, Brigadier, Brigadier General, Brother, Canon, Capt, Captain, Cardinal, Cdr, Chief, Cik, Cmdr, Col, Col Dr, Colonel, Commandant, Commander, Commissioner, Commodore, Comte, Comtessa, Congressman, Conseiller, Consul, Conte, Contessa, Corporal, Councillor, Count, Countess, Crown Prince, Crown Princess, Dame, Datin, Dato, Datuk, Datuk Seri, Deacon, Deaconess, Dean, Dhr, Dipl Ing, Doctor, Dott, Dott sa, Dr, Dr Ing, Dra, Drs, Duchess, Duke, Earl, Embajador, Embajadora, En, Encik, Eng, Eur Ing, Exma Sra, Exmo Sr, F O, Father, First Lieutient, First Officer, Flt Lieut, Flying Officer, Fr, Frau, Fru, Gen, Generaal, General, Governor, Graaf, Gravin, Group Captain, Grp Capt, H E, H E Dr, H H, H M, H R H, Hajah, Haji, Hajim, Her Highness, Her Majesty, Herr, High Chief, His Excellency, His Holiness, His Majesty, Hon, Hr, HraIng, Ir, Jonkheer, Judge, Justice, Khun Ying, Kolonel, Lady, Lcda, Lic, Lieut, Lieut Cdr, Lieut Col, Lieut Gen, Lord, M, M L, M R, Madame, Mademoiselle, Maj Gen, Major, Marchioness, Marquess, Marquis, Marquise, Marshall, Master, Mevrouw, Miss, Mlle, Mme, Monsieur, Monsignor, Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mstr, Nti, Pan, Pani, Pastor, President, Prince, Princess, Princesse, Prinses, Prof, Prof Dr, Prof Sir, Professor, Puan, Puan Sri, Rabbi, Rear Admiral, Rev, Rev Canon, Rev Dr, Rev Mother, Reverend, Rva, Senator, Senhor, Senhora, Senhorita, Senor, Senora, Senorita, Sergeant, Sheikh, Sheikha, Sig,Sig na, Sig ra, Sir, Sister, Sqn Ldr, Sr, Sr D, Sra, Srta, Sultan, Tan Sri, Tan Sri  Dato, Tengku, Teuku, Than Puying, The Hon Dr, The Hon Justice, The Hon Miss, The Hon Mr, The Hon Mrs, The Hon Ms, The Hon Sir, The RT Hon, The Very Rev, Toh Puan, Tun, Vice Admiral, Viscount, Viscountess, Wg Cdr.

Formula 1 United MileagePlus Auction

I wish I could still rake in 250,000 United miles a year, then I'd have no problem bidding 400,000+ miles for a Formula 1 weekend in Canada. I'm surprised the air travel is in coach, but it otherwise looks like an amazing weekend.  

I Need To Earn More United Miles

UPDATE: The auction went for a reasonable 451,000 miles.

Dawn Arrivals on the West Coast

I've had a string of gorgeous dawn arrivals on the west coast recently. Always take a window seat if you are landing into SFO or LAX as the sun rises. Also don't rush off the plane, the United Club bar doesn't open until 8:00 AM

Low Clouds into SFO

New British Airways Awards Travel Strategy

British Airways miles flew me to Easter Island, Santiago, and Montevideo on one award ticket from Miami for 80,000 miles and $64 in business class.  Their award chart had amazing values.  British Airways also thought it was amazing and changed it to remove any outstanding values. They went from a region based chart to flight distance based pricing.  Last week they changed their prices again, but only for premium cabin travel.  Business class is 50% more expensive and first class is 33% more expensive. Flying coach is the only economical use for British Airways miles now. I plan to use my remaining British Airways miles on short distance awards to maximize their value.  It was a fun program while it lasted.

Best Use of British Airways Miles

I'm A Bad United Airlines Customer

I'm the type of flyer who is crushed by United's new revenue based award miles.  Here's my stats from earlier this year:

MileagePlus Stats

Southwest Airlines First Class 737-800

Southwest has two first class seats on every 737-800.  The service isn't any different and they are the same narrow width as all the other seats, but these two seats do offer unlimited leg room.  I was able to claim one with boarding position A43 and B2 last week.  They are considered part of the exit row, so they can't be occupied by pre-boards, children, or the elderly.   

Seat 16A

Exit Rows 15 and 16

Seat 16A Leg Room

Happy May Day

I don't have any Air Koryo photos, so China Eastern will have to do.

Communist Airline With Proletariat and Bourgeoisie Classes

Lufthansa Crane Sponsorship

Lufthansa likes their crane logo. It is the best logo of any airline flying today (RIP Pluna).  The crane is a central part to the brand and is included in their kids programs too.  They also support a group saving crane habitats in central Europe. I enjoy well thought out branding and when companies support related and non-objectionable causes.

Lufthansa Crane Logo

Channel 9 at the Airport Hotel

I stayed at the Sheraton Albuquerque airport hotel and had some fun looking out the window.  I requested a high corner room to have a good view of the airport action.  To increase the fun, I brought along my NASCAR/ Indycar scanner and set it to pick up the ABQ tower.  The reception was great and I had a good view and understanding of the action.  Add in the Flight Aware airport view and I was a well prepared spotter.  The only bummers were it was not a busy day and the airport closed the runway that takes planes closest to the hotel.  It was still a fun way to relax after a long drive.

Good View of the Action

Flight Aware’s airport information provides airport maps with tower and ground frequencies.  This is completely legal in the USA, but illegal in certain other countries, like the UK.

Virgin Australia's New 777 Business Class

Virgin Australia is upgrading their long haul business class seats and they look amazing. The 777-300ER cabin upgrades will start in November, 2015. They are also a Delta Sky Miles partner with decent award space, so I can try the new seats for 80,000 Delta points each way.

British Airways Award Ticket Seat Selection Fee

I paid 50,000 miles and $557 in taxes and fees to British Airways for a business class ticket to London.  This was not enough for British Airways to give me a free seat assignment.  That will be an extra $113 for the USA - London segment. I'm flying premium economy back and the fee is $56. 

BA Seat Selection Webpage

United Express Bombardier Q400 (DH4) Seats

I got my first upgrade of 2015 since downgrading to Gold status.  I was the last to clear and was excited to try out a new first class cabin (for me at least).  I was flying MCI-DEN on a Bombardier Q400turboprop.  The seats and service are standard United Express, except the flight attendant was upbeat and never let my coffee go empty.  Row 2 is an exit row with plenty of space, but missing a window.  The best seats are 7 C & D in Economy Plus, their leg room goes for ever and they have windows. One tip no matter where you sit, bring ear plugs.  Bombardier's are quieter than other turboprops, but still much louder than jets. 

First Class Seats 2C and 2D, Reclined and Upright

First Class United Express Seats

Economy Plus Q400 Seats - Row 7 C & D

New Southwest Seats

Southwest is introducing new seats on the 737 fleet and are touting them as the widest coach seats on any 737 in service.  They did not mention the actual width, so I suspect they are less than 18in wide, the Airbus A320 family standard.  Wider seats are nice, but Boeing widening the 737 air-frame to accommodate 18in wide seats would be much better, but will never happen do to costs.

Good News For Southwest Regulars

Delta Ready For Anything

While very bored at AUS, I noticed Delta had tug tow bars sitting around the gate area for five different aircraft families, from CRJ to 757/767.  Delta wants to be prepared even though some of these are rarely, if ever, used.  Southwest only needs one for all their aircraft, so this is a good example of the value of fleet planning.

Delta Ready For Anything

Changes Coming to IHG Rewards Club in 2015

I picked up the IHG credit card from Chase recently so I could get a free night and top tier Platinum status for a $49 annual fee.  There are also bonus points to be collected, but I won’t spend anything on it later because the earn rate is pathetic.  I liked this plan and shared it with friends. 

I Mostly Have Airplane Photos

This morning I read an email from IHG announcing changes to the program.  I will no longer have top level status because “beginning in July, we’ll introduce a brand-new membership level for our members who stay with us the most.”  This is immensely frustrating because I was paying $49 to be on the top level.  I’ll keep the card for the free night and, soon, midrange status, but I’ll less likely to recommend it to anyone.  Also points will expire after 12 months of inactivity.  If this is a worry, sign up for the IHG dinning points program and you’ll be fine.  

Book British Airways Avios Awards Now

Spend your British Airways Avios on premium cabin awards now!  Award prices become ludicrous on April 27th and there is likely to be a mad dash for award space just before the prices change, so booking will be almost impossible after April 20th.  You can also save your Avios for short direct flights in coach, but that's not inspirational and won't make a good story.

Book While It's Still Worth While

Bad Email Subject Lines - ANA Edition

"ANA's Website will be simple and easy to use!"  This isn't the best email subject line in 2015.  I would expect that from any website, especially for a respected multinational brand that advertises in The Economist.  Maybe something was lost in translation?

ANA Does Run A Good Operation, With a Great Product

Airbus Shop Sale - 40% Off

A 1:100 scale PacMin A319 delivered to the USA for less than €200 is a great deal.  Shirts, stickers, and other models are also on sale.  Orders to the USA have VAT removed, but the shipping charges are high, so it's a wash.  Good deals though, especially with the cheap Euro.

1:1 Scale Airbus Model, Not On Sale

Update:  The store selection and frequent sales makes feel like Airbus isn't renewing this group's contract.  Maybe there will be a new and better store soon, I just hope they keep the custom A380 t-shirt.

I Wonder What's Beyond This Fence

I drove 1,200 miles last weekend to visit a radioactive hole in the ground. There was a large crowd that outnumbered off site protesters about 400:1 and it was an interesting continuation of my nuclear weapons tourism. It was really fun!

Let's See What's On The Other Side

White Sands Missile Range Landscape

Me at Ground Zero

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

US Airways Envoy (Business Class) to Europe

I was excited to fly US Airway's Envoy business class to Madrid.  However US Airways didn't share my excitement and oversold business class. I tried to board and on scanning my boarding pass, the agent said I didn't have a seat anymore and directed me to the gate podium to discuss my options. This was shocking because I had a boarding pass with seat assignment issued five hours earlier in Denver. Flabbergasted, I walked to an agent to discuss my options.

US Airways A330 in Philadelphia 

The gate agents were awful.  I spent a long time discussing why there were more business class passengers than seats and why I was selected to be denied boarding. I was told I lost my seat because business class was oversold, the aircraft was changed, I was not checked in, general reservations issues, I upgraded with miles, US Airways and United weren’t partners anymore, the reservation wasn’t valid, and 016 tickets aren’t valid on US Airways.  I was able to refute these implausible (or factually wrong) explanations and demanded I be accommodated on another flight in business class. No other business class options were available or the agents only looked for coach seats. Also no refund or compensation was offered because the reservation was booked with United Airlines miles and the gate agents said they weren’t responsible for United Airlines tickets.  The agents refused to look for business class options on other carriers and generally wasted time talking with themselves while other flights to Europe left and limited my options.  They repeatedly provided false information, like United had refunded the ticket or it was never valid. 

Better Than US Airways' Business Class

The best US Airways would offer was a coach flight to London, then coach to Madrid.  They also tossed in $20 in food vouchers.  This was unacceptable.  I called United and the phone agent had some choice words for the US Airways staff.  She also found a late departing Lufthansa flight from Chicago with business class award space (old style business class like on the A340-600).  Even better, there were flights from PHL to ORD and FRA to MAD with award space too.  She changed the reservation and I raced to the other end of the airport to get a boarding pass and board my new flight.  My time in Philadelphia was absolutely miserable and now I'm boycotting US Airways and American Airlines.

US Airways A321 First Class Review

I wanted to use my United miles for a trip to Europe before United changed their prices.  I also wanted to try the US Airways business class product before they switched from Star Alliance to oneworld.  Luckily US Airways had great availability to Europe.  I was able to book a flight from Denver to Madrid with a 90 minute connection in Philadelphia.  The trip was booked about four months in advance and included a free stopover in Brussels and an easy trip back to Denver with a direct on Lufthansa from FRA.

US Airways A321 First Class Seat

The flight from DEN to PHL was in a newer US Airways A321.  US Airways, soon to be American Airlines, has a basic first class offering on domestic flights.  There is no in flight entertainment, but WiFi is available to purchase.  The seat is acceptable, but feels a little cheap, under padded, and I was not able to take a nap.  

US Airways Airbus First Class Seat - Full Recline

The meal service on the three hour flight was much better than expected.  The first class cabin flight attendant provided attentive and friendly service.  He was so good, I filled out a US Airways online complement form for him before the aircraft parked at to gate so I wouldn't forget.  US Airways offers Dos Equis, a great option to break up the Budweiser / Miller Lite routine.  The steak was tasty and tender and everything was flavorful.  The red velvet cake was moist and springy too, a great end to a great meal (and what turns out to be the only in flight entertainment).  My dinning review is helped by never having an empty beer glass.  

Beer and Mixed Nuts Starter

Steak and Sides

Red Velvet Cake

I had a great experience with US Airways on my flight to PHL and was excited to hop onto the A330-200 to MAD and settle into the Envoy flat bed seat and experience US Airways' international business class offering.

Whatever, USA is Back

Bud Light's Whatever, USA promotion is back.  I wasn't invited last year, but I did see their large charter operation in action at Denver.

Up For Whatever?

Airbus Group Photography Contest

Airbus is running a contest for photographers to win a tour of an Airbus facility and have their picture included in the Airbus Group annual report.  I'll be entering a few snaps, find out more here.

Maybe a winner?

Not a winner.

Repainting a Virgin Australia Boeing 737

I love these time lapse films of aircraft maintenance.  Enjoy watching a colorful aircraft become bland (JAL is still the worst).

Paperwork Makes Aircraft Fly

I'm still surprised at how much paperwork is required for each aircraft movement.  Airlines are trying to move to iPads for flight planning and charts, but fuel information, passenger manifests, maintenance receipts, and other items are still generated on paper and flown every trip.

Pre-flight Paperwork Preperations

Delta's Silly Award Pricing

Anytime awards let customers use miles when standard award space is not available.  It's reasonable to expect a mark up, but Delta charges almost three times the basic award rate to Australia.  Luckily Virgin Australia has decent award space, so cheap award tickets can be found.  Though as shown below, Delta is happy to take many more miles from you to fly in their inferior business class.

Silly Delta, I'd Rather Not Pay 135,000 More Miles