Turn Left

I love boarding an airplane and turning left.  It gives a sense of occasion to travel because only large planes board through a middle door and the premium cabin waits.  It is only rivaled by walking up stairs in the plane to reach your seat (747's only, the A380 usually uses a jet bridge to load upper deck passengers).

757 Boards Through the Second Door

Fun Photo

I'm still dreaming of my first trip on a 787.  The British Airways flight to Austin uses a 787 and I grabbed a picture after my day dreaming (I was flying on a regional jet).

Austin to London in 9 Hours

Frontier Airlines Promo Code June - July 2014 10% Off

Frontier will offer a 10% discount on domestic fares from Friday, June 13, 2014 through 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Sunday, July 13, 2014. The discount will apply to regular and sale fares for domestic travel to/from Denver International Airport from June 14, 2014 through October 1, 2014. All fare rules will apply. Travel excludes the following blackout dates: 6/29, 7/3, 7/5 - 7/6, 8/28 - 8/29, 9/1; 2014.

Tickets must be purchased online below using the promo code WILDLIFE. No exceptions will be made.

Frontier Airlines Discounting Fares, Not Fees

More 737 Split Scimitar Winglets

I spotted another 737 with new split scimitar winglets, this time on a Southwest plane in Austin, Texas.

Southwest 737 With New Winglets

Head on View of the New Winglets

737 Split Scimitar Winglets Sighting

I spotted the new style split scimitar winglets, an after market option for 737 owners, on an Aeromexico plane in Houston this week.  It's a cool looking design and I was excited to finally spot them after hearing about them last year at EBACE.

New Style Split Scimitar Winglets

United Destroys The Other Half Of MileagePlus

United is completing their destruction of MileagePlus by changing how mileage earning works.  Starting in 2015, miles earned for flights will be based on the fare price (not including tax) rather than the distance flown.  The new earning method, paired with award price inflation last year, removes any hope of earning a decent rate of return on air travel. It should be easier to redeem miles because far fewer will be in circulation.  I suspect I'll earn more miles on the ground now, even if I fly three or more times around the equator each year.  Maximizing credit card bonus and other earning options will be critical to my 2015 earning strategy.

The Sun Is Setting On MileagePlus

My last sliver of loyalty to United will be from their Million Miler program.  I'm almost 70% to lifetime Gold status and Star Alliance Gold status.  United did change the benefits for their Million Miler program before, I just hope I can cross the 1,000,000 lifetime flight mile mark before they  change it again.

Upgrade Didn't Clear Email

I love seeing emails from United with the subject "Elite Upgrade Notification" because it allerts you to a confirmed upgrade.  The "Save now on DIRECTV on your upcoming flight" is a new email for me and confirms my upgrade is hopeless. 

No Luck

Fun Photo

Happy travels!

Even Flying Allegiant Is Better Than Not Flying At All

Boeing Store 20% Off Sale

As a quick follow up to their free shipping sale, the Boeing Store has 20% men's apparel and model airplanes.  It's a great opportunity to buy a PacMin 747-400 model for cheap.

Boeing 717 - Also For Sale Cheap

Iceland Air Advertising In Denver

Iceland Air has some great outdoor advertising in the Denver area to promote their direct flight to Reykjavik.   All the ads follow the same formula, a stunning photo of nature in Iceland and some short copy about long days and short nights.  It's very memorable for me because I love the inspirational nature of the ad.  Now if only their flights weren't so expensive; they charge like you are going all the way across the Atlantic when you are actually stopping half way.

Iceland Air 757 at Denver

Prosper Loan and United MileagePlus Miles Promotion

Earn 1 mile fore every $1 loaned, up to 35,000 miles; no prepayment penalties either.  I was interested in taking out a loan, paying it back the next day and pocketing 35,000 for a negligible interest expense.  Then I looked at the fees page and saw a loan origination fee of 2% to 5%.  Yikes, I'm not paying 2c to 5c a mile, never mind.

Let This Offer Fly By

United DC-8 Model

This is what travel on United was like back in the days of the original Hawaii Five-0.  The Wings Over The Rockies Museum had this and other cool models and some full size planes too.

Boeing Store Free Shipping Code

Use the code SYMBOL14 for free shipping at the Boeing Store.  The code expires today.  It's great for small value orders, like 59c luggage tags, $6 party kits, or t-shirts.  The Boeing Store has sales every few weeks.  If you are looking to buy an expensive model, wait for their 20% promotions. It would also be great if the Airbus Shop has free shipping because they ship from Germany.

1:1 Size 737 Model

US Airways Store Sale

Get an additional 20% off your entire order plus free shipping on all orders over $75.* Here's how:     Shop for gifts online May 23 - 26, 2014 Enter discount code SUMMER after you add the first item to your cart Your 20% discount will be taken off your order http://www.usairwaysstore.com/scripts/default.asp

Grab Your US Airways Gear While It Lasts

A Personalized Video Message for You

Etihad sent me an email with a personalized video message.  I clicked through to watch and the landing page was broken.  I'll never know what was on offer, maybe they'll call with a personalized phone message.

Not an Ideal Marketing Campaign

New British Airways Benefit

British Airways will offer members $75 off flights in exchange for 7,500 miles.  I don't like this offer for three reasons.  First, I expected the discount to be in British Pounds rather than US Dollars.  Second, a penny per point is a lousy point value, cash back cards offer twice that value in cash.  Third, 7,500 miles is a free one way flight up to 1150 miles long. British Airways miles are a great value for short point to point trips. 

I'l Keep Saving For A Trip On The 787

Star Alliance Cut Round The World Ticket Prices

The Star Alliance Round the World booking tool is one of the best day dream distractions on the internet.  I haven't booked a ticket yet, but now I am tempted because Star Alliance just lowered the fare prices and added a new short business class route. The ticket requires circling the globe and making 3 to 15 stops.  There are some tricks to maximizing value, like starting your trip at a major US gateway (positioning flights in the US are cheap) and you just have to start and end in the same country to save distance (start in LA and end in New York).  Also the Cook Islands are hardly out of the way when going from LA to New Zealand.

SWISS AVRO100 in Star Alliance Colors

I did book the Star Alliance Europe Airpass a few years ago and bounced around the continent for two weeks,  It is priced per segment, so I avoided connections and kept the costs very low.  It's a flat rate based on segment length, an outstanding value verses buying the flights at market rates.

Looking For A Cheap United Fare

United's new status requirements include a spend and mileage (or segments) requirement.  The spend requirement is 10c per mile, too expensive to buy status outright, so I thought cheap fare flying would be over for me.  Work trips have been my only flights so far this year and they are averaging 16c a mile, so I want to balance out the ratio with a few cheap flights.  Unfortunately flights aren't that cheap out of Denver right now, so I'm grounded for the moment.  I'll keep searching and it will keep the miles and points game fun too. 

I'm Willing to Fly Regional Jets or Props if the Fare Is Low

EBACE 2014

The European Business Aviation Convention & Exposition (EBACE) is next week, but I am unable to attend.  I thoroughly enjoyed the conference last year and have few photos from it that I haven't used yet.  Enjoy a fun Friday picture of a Gulfstream IV used by PPG; the jet wasn't part of the conference, just one of the many private aircraft at GVA.

PPG's Gulfstream IV N827GA at GVA

Antonov 124 at IAH

I spotted an Antonov 124 (I think) in Houston.  A rare sighting for me, so I thought I should share.

Antonov 124

Budapest Airshow & WIZZ AIR Flyover

The Budapest airshow goes right down the Danube in the center of town and WIZZ AIR's A320 did a cool low lever fly by.  Enjoy some pictures and video from WIZZ AIR.

Photo from WIZZ AIR

Photo from WIZZ AIR

Photo from WIZZ AIR

Photo from WIZZ AIR

Photo from WIZZ AIR

And a video:

Spirit Airlines Educates Potential Customers

Spirit Airlines just launched an outstanding marketing campaign focused on educating potential customers about how flying Spirit is different than other carriers.  The campaign called Spirit101 is a response to their industry leading (though still rather small) complaint count.  Spirit explains the unbundled fare idea to better set expectations for first time Spirit customers.  Only a cramped seat and a small personal item are included in the ticket price, so customers need to expect fees for optional extras.  Setting this expectation well in advance will change customers' mindsets and should reduce complaints while providing an experience that meets expectations.  Enjoy the video below and learn something about Spirit Airlines too.

The Best and Worst Airlines for Spending Frequent Flier Points Observations

Southwest and Air Berlin have the best award seat availability and US Airways and Avianca the worst according to a study published in the Wall Street Journal.  This study is meaningless for point and mile collectors because the survey methodology is flawed.  The study “looked for two seats on each airline's 10 busiest long routes and 10 busiest short routes on 14 different round-trip dates between June and October.”  For example, Southwest’s busiest short route is Dallas to Houston, but they run 46 flights a day between the two cities, so an open seat is likely to be found, though not always at a preferred time.  The study assumes simple point to point awards, so connections are disregarded even though they are more difficult to book and more useful to passengers because it increases redemption options.  The study also does not factor in awards with partners, a valuable and often used feature of frequent flyer programs.

US Airways Does Better Than It Looks

The study also doesn’t factor in point value.  Southwest does great in this study because it will sell you any available seat for points.  The value received could be atrocious though because Southwest charges a fixed multiple of the cash fare.  Most other carriers charge a flat rate for domestic flights, regardless of distance, connections, or cash fare prices.  The flat rate model could be of great value to customers because it can multiply the value of their miles.  Airlines also have to limit flat rate award seat availability to maximize revenue, lowering their ranking in this study even if it increases value received by customers.

Partner Awards Add Flexibility And Value

The final flaw is assuming two coach seats on the same flight in the peak summer travel season.  Miles are most valuable (cash price of award / miles price of award) for international premium cabin awards.  This study also overlooks the intangible benefits of miles, like bringing the unattainable into reach.  Lufthansa’s First Class Terminal experience would only be available to most people with Star Alliance airline frequent flyer miles, so there is no value equation if the numerator is priceless.

Go Anywhere With Miles

Marriott Plus Points Social Rewards

Spam your friends for 2,000 Marriott or 500 United points each month.  Sign up for Marriott's new Plus Points program and earn points for posting about Marriott. Participants can earn up to 2,000 Marriott points per month.  Marriott points can be transferred 4:1 to United miles with the Rewards Plus program discount, the ratio improves the more points are transferred.  Marriott rewards points have a poor value, so I will be transferring my points to United, but waiting for the price breaks.

Earning Methods

100% Bonus US Airways Purchased Miles - Again

US Airways is offering 100% bonus on purchased miles this month.  They run this promotion every other month because it does really well.  They collect money up front in exchange for something later.  I trust their redemption costs are less than the miles price they quote, plus they benefit from the float on the cash.  People can buy a business class ticket to Europe or Asia (100,000 miles) for $1,750 plus taxes and fees.  That's a good price compared to advertised prices for US Airways and their oneworld partners.  I recommend against putting down money without a plan to use the miles quickly because US Airways runs this promotion all the time and award price changes can happen at any time without notice and reduce the value of the miles.

US Airways' Airbus Collection at CLT

Southwest AirTran Miles Program Merger Update

Rapid Rewards will be the single frequent flyer program for the merged AirTran and Southwest (the 737 will be the single aircraft and Southwest will be the single brand too).  The AirTran A+ program's final day will be November 1, 2014.  To ease the IT transition, AirTran is sending emails offering 750 Rapid Rewards points (about $10.71 in flight value) to confirm their guess at what your AirTran and Southwest numbers are.  Keep you eyes peeled for the email and free points.

Southwest And AirTran Moving Closer

Window Seats - From 9 to 4

Good luck grabbing a window seat for your flight. The Boeing 787 has only four windows for the flight deck, the older MD-80 has nine. Just an interesting comparison for Friday.

4 Flight Deck Windows on the 787

9 Flight Deck Windows on the MD-80

Last Flight of a Lufthansa 737-300

Lufthansa Cargo today posted a link to their flight radar map showing all the Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo flights in air.  I clicked on a few flights and then found LH9924 from Bangor to Tulsa.  This is the final flight for the aircraft D-ABXY because Lufthansa sends their old 737's there to be scrapped.  It's sad to see an aircraft's final flight after years of faithful service.  I flew a Lufthansa 737-300 last year from FRA to GVA and the aircraft felt up to the task.  Sorry to see this one go.

Last Flight For This Lufthansa 737-300

Frontier Moves to A La Carte Pricing

Frontier was sold last year to the company that turned around Spirit Airlines and then sold it for large pile of money.  Frontier’s parent company seems to be trying that model again by making Frontier into a new Spirit.  They will still not offer perks to people buying tickets purchased anywhere but flyfrontier.com, but now those tickets come with less.  The full fare Classic Plus is unchanged and now there is only one other option, Economy.  The Economy ticket price includes your flight and one personal item that will fit under the seat. Then, you pay for the add-on choices you want, such as:  1st Checked bag – from $20 (just $15 if you join Frontier’s Discount Den), Carry-on bag – from $25 (just $20 if you join Frontier’s Discount Den), 2nd Checked bag – from $30, Ability to choose your seat starting at $3 on every flight.

Frontier Moving Closer to Ultra Low Cost Status

Frontier's Discount Den (sounds like Spirit’s $9 Fare Club): Together with these changes, we are introducing Frontier's Discount Den, a club whose members can receive discount fees on bags and access to ongoing promotional savings opportunities. Frontier's Discount Den members save $5 off their carry-on at time of booking and $5 off their first checked bag at check-in. Membership is free through June 2015 for all EarlyReturns® members, so sign up today. Then, log in to your EarlyReturns account to start saving!

US Airways A319 In American Airlines Colors

I spotted my first US Airways plane in American Airlines paint.  N809AW was in the US Airways fleet (AW stands for America West, the airline that took over US Airways and now American), but recently received a fresh coat of paint.  US Airways is making very fast progress.

US Airways A319 Now In American Paint

Do You Have 5 to 30 Million Dollars?

Four Seasons would like to invite the very rich, but not super rich to take a trip around the world with them on a chartered 757. The $30M mark is when people start contemplating buying a jet (Embraer Phenom 100 or HondaJet for starters) or joining a fractional ownership program (NetJets). So the target market here is couples that can easily afford the $119,000 a person cost, but not quite pay to go private and avoid other people while completely controlling their itinerary. It looks like a decent itinerary, but there are a few stops I could miss, so I won't be going.  Each ticket includes a Rimowa Salsa Deluxe Hybrid Cabin Multiwheel suitcase, a $695 value; so there's lasting value to the trip.

757 Take Off

Earn Airline Miles With Bing Rewards

Bing Rewards now earns now lets you earn airline miles.  Assuming you are a gold Bing member, it's easy and warns you discounted awards, you can earn 100 miles for 385 points.  A $5 gift card to Amazon or Starbucks is 475 points, so you are buying points at about 4c per mile.  That's too expensive for me, but it could be useful to top up an account or reset an expiration date.

Earn American Miles on Bing

Redeem your credits and get 100 points/miles for your favorite frequent flyer, hotel or retail loyalty program. Participating programs include American Airlines AAdvantage®, Frontier Airlines EarlyReturns®, Hawaiian Airlines® HawaiianMiles®, Icelandair Saga Club, IHG® Rewards Club, LifeMiles, My BestBuy™ Rewards, SVM FuelCircle, US Airways® Dividend Miles® and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

US Airways Paint Updates

US Airways is quickly updating the paint on their aircraft to the new American scheme.  It'll happen quickly so enjoy their good looking planes while you can. There are still AirTran and old United schemes flying around, but US Airways updates much faster.

Soon to be Repainted

School Spirit

Go Boise State!

Alaska Airlines Supporting Boise State

Frontier Airlines Flat Tire FFT221

Frontier flight 221 had a flight tire in Austin yesterday.  The flight was scheduled to leave Austin at 6:55 and arrive in Denver before 8:00; instead it landed at midnight.  I've never seen an airplane with a flat tire, this was quite novel.  I was also thankful I was on the United flight to Denver 30 minutes later.

Frontier Airlines A319 

Use British Airways Miles On The Ground

British Airways miles (Avios) can now be used to buy experiences on the ground.  There are dozens of tours, excursions, boat rides, and other fun activities you can do around London and pay for with miles.  Denver is less lucky and only has airport transfers available.  These could be good value too at 1-2c a mile in the few I priced out in cash.  Even better, there are no fuel surcharges or UK air duty taxes to pay on these redemptions (taxes and fees turn a free round trip to London into a $400+ trip).  Avios can also be used for car rentals and hotels, but that isn’t terribly noteworthy.

Speedbird 787

Made Starbucks Gold

I made Starbucks Gold last week.  Now for Star Alliance Gold; it will be much more challenging.

Starbuck Gold Status

Jet Suite Flash Deals

Private jet carriers aren't always able to sell every leg they fly, so Jet Suite and others try to sell empty legs online to the proletariat.  This could be an amazing bargain if the cities and dates align, or it could just be funny.  Take the flight from Van Nuys to Burbank.  It's a 20 minute drive and about 9 miles.  There was also a flight for 4 from Las Vegas to Salt Lake for $536, that's cheaper than Delta's last minute prices. I signed up for text alerts in case there's something from the Denver area to anywhere; I think it would be fun to fly private, the destination won't matter (but it will need to be more than 9 miles away). 

Jet Suite's Suite Deals

Clear Free Trial Coupon

Use code CHDENKA for a two month free trial of Clear, a short cut through airport security lines.  Sign up at clearme.com.  Global Entry might be the better deal because it comes with PreCheck, but if Clear is at your home airport, it's worth a trial.

Clear Is Available at SFO

Qantas Apologists

The Sydney Morning Herald has the best travel section I have found.  Their largest weakness is a fondness for the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service (Qantas), no matter what.  Qantas recently devalued their frequent flyer program, but it's a good thing according to their article.  American Airlines has the best intra-Australia awards (10,000 coach or 17,500 first one way) and British Airways is great value for short direct trips (starting at 4,500 miles), but the story only suggested Virgin Australia as an alternate option. I enjoy SMH articles, but it would be nice if they think outside Australia for points programs and say a negative thing about Qantas once a decade.  

I Really Like the British Airways Dreamliner

NTSB Reminds Pilots To Land At The Right Airport

More funny than insightful, the NTSB is warning pilots about "Landing at the Wrong Airport."  Flight crews are recommended to "confirm that [pilots] have correctly identified the destination airport before reporting the airport or runway is in sight."  Sounds pretty basic, but someone thought this bulletin was needed.  Other gems the NTSB could publish include Adding Enough Fuel, What Runways Look Like, or Why Altitude Is Important.

Don't Land at the Wrong Airport