Tagged With "First-class"
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
I've seen a lot of "award creep" in my days, and I think there's more to come. A "mile" is worth less and less all the time. It's clear that airline miles aren't worth banking for any period of time. Use them when it's logical to do so. They likely will be worth less in the near future. Thanks for the link, PHeymont.
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
Not sure I agree with the "burn 'em" philosophy. At the premium class end, there's certainly been a lot of creep, but not so much in coach, which is more price-sensitive, even for awards. True, summer awards to Europe have generally gone from 50K to 60K, but on the other hand, off-season at American went DOWN to 40K--and with the flexibility of taking one-way awards and combining them in interesting ways...it's actually a better situation. Also, there are some card-linked sales on flight...
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
I think you'll find reward trips from the Western USA are harder to get for European travel than from the East coast. But if your schedule is flexible, you could be lucky.
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
I think for premium travel,it makes sense. It has always surprised me that premium travel is so much cheaper from a frequent flier perspective (2:1) vs economy than when you actually buy the ticket. Just as a side note, aeroplan has recently reduced miles required on some of their reward charts as well.
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Re: United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
John's point about the ratio between the two tiers is interesting (we looked at that a little in a forum post this week on value of miles). My guess--and it's just that--is that the same kind of yield-management used to set prices has taken a look at this and is carefully balancing loyalty vs. burn... I can't really compare East vs West availability personally; my school schedules have defined when I can travel well enough that I'm able to start hunting tickets 330 days out, when the...
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Re: Coming soon: Adjustable-width airline seats?
Looking at the picture, it appears to me that the business class option is a far cry from the direction upper class has been going of late, more and more comfort. Does this mean it will be more comfortable than currently is the case for economy passengers or less comfortable for business class? Maybe the arc has peaked for upper class comfort and this indicates the start of a slide down the other side.
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Re: Coming soon: Adjustable-width airline seats?
I would presume the wider seat arrangement would more likely be "Economy Plus" rather than business class. Say two large people buying a 3 row seat and the third seat would get squeeze down by the wider adjustment of the above. International business class nowadays is almost universally lie flat bed seats. To not have these would mean a loss of this lucrative market for the airlines.
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Re: Coming soon: Adjustable-width airline seats?
Maybe the trend will be to 3, rather than 4 classes, with econ+ going by the wayside and the flat bed option called first. Who knows. Business started out looking something like econ+ does now. Four options seems like about 1 too many to me.
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Re: Coming soon: Adjustable-width airline seats?
Keep in mind that the picture is the patent model...tricked out with real upholstery it may look very different. Other than fitting big people better, I think this may mainly be used on smaller airliners that fly as one- or two-class, as British Air does on a lot of European flights....business class there is pretty much just empty middle. This would allow flexibility. Be my guess...
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Re: Visit San Francisco, Learn to Cook.
Yumm!!!! Thanks for the heads up. That could be a fun way to spend a day by the Bay.
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Lufthansa: Name your own upgrade...
Lufthansa has come up with a unique new...well, not sure if I should call it an offer, a game, a fee or a lottery! Economy passengers on Lufthansa's 747-8s is offering passengers in economy to bid on an upgrade to premium economy, or from economy to...
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United's Award Chart: Premium Award Cost Goes UP
United Airlines has released a new award chart that bumps up the miles required for nearly all business and first-class awards, and (for the first time) makes flights on its Star Alliance partner airlines cost more miles than on United. Details HERE
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Berlin's Tempelhof takes on a new crisis role
As it was in 1984, now to serve refugees Berlin's now-closed Tempelhof airport, famous for its role as the hub of the Cold War Berlin Airlift and more recently Berlin's newest public space, will now re-open as a refugee reception center for...
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New concept: Lie flat during take-off and landing
It's the dream of many weary business travelers, and just a fantasy for those of us in steerage. Boeing has developed a concept for a lie-flat business class seat that would let you lie-flat the entire flight if you wanted to, including...
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Lufthansa Rolls Out Upscale Restaurant Treatment for Business Class
Lufthansa starts implementing a more personal touch for long haul business class passengers starting this month. Flight attendants will pay more attention to individual passenger needs similar to an upscale...
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Delta Shrinking Front Cabin, Adding Coach Seats
Delta is replacing hard-to-sell premium seats on some international flights with in-demand coach seats. MORE
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Coming soon: Adjustable-width airline seats?
Boeing has been granted a patent on what's possibly the answer to several questions: It's an airline seat with movable armrests that could turn 3 economy seats into 2 business-class, or could allow a thin person and a fat person to make a better...
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A New Twist: Airline Food on the Ground!
Lufthansa and German food retailer Allyouneed have partnered on what must be one of the most unusual offerings: they'll deliver Lufthansa business-class meals to your home. Considering what most people think of airline food, that's amazing! So...
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Ice Fishing 101: A Quick Overview For First Timers
Ice fishing is a very unique type of sport. It entails sitting on the ice, over a hole in the middle of winter. The conditions are miserable and you have to constantly keep your hole from freezing up. It might sound overwhelming to some people. However, for others, it is heaven on earth. Some anglers enjoy and prefer ice fishing. If you are looking to engage in this unique fishing experience, here is a quick overview for you. The basic factors which you need to know before going for ice...
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Visit San Francisco, Learn to Cook.
I've heard of taking a cooking class as part of a stay in Thailand or Italy, but now San Francisco Cooking School is offering day-long classes, in addition to their very serious professional career curriculum. From wine to steak to pastry...
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'Premium Economy' in, First-class out?
Delta is joining American and dozens of international airlines in offering a 'premium economy' section on international flights. The trend is leaving more and more flights with business as the premium class instead of first.
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Mitsubishi Tests Japan's First Domestic Passenger Jet
Japan's first domestic passenger jet, the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ), had a successful test flight from Nagoya airport. Mitsubishi's MRJ will seat about 80 passengers and will compete with other regional passenger jet...
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Carnival launches half a new cruise ship
Carnival's newest ship is being built in two widely-separated Italian shipyards. The front, launched yesterday, is on the way to meet its mate.
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Construction of SE Asia's first bullet train begins
Indonesian President Joko Widodo broke ground on Southeast Asia's first ever bullet train.
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Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
American Airlines announces some inflight upgrades, including more entertainment choices, meals on Texas-Hawaii flights, and The Pretzels Are Back!
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Sept 27, 2018: A Visit to the Kwalin Dun Cultural Center, Whitehorse
DrFumblefinger visits the relatively new Kwalin Dun Cultural Center, an aboriginal gathering place in Whitehorse.
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Re: Mitsubishi Tests Japan's First Domestic Passenger Jet
I expect it will be one the finest regional jets made. I hope they succeed.
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
Nice to hear that American is doing something to improve the experience of its economy customers. Now if only they got rid of that annoying checked bag fee.
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
Regarding "that annoying checked bag fee", the problem is not the fee, it's that you aren't going far enough. Fly internationally and don't pay a fee. Or is that not true between Canada & the US?
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
Baggage fees apply for most airlines flying between Canada and the USA. The 'free bag' is for intercontinental flights, so far as I can tell.
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
American Airlines have been giving excellent service since their merger. I've only flown UK to US and back but their cabin staff have been courteous and charming. Must mention Bernie by name - what a wonderful charming man. Not so young, but he came back later into the flight to thank me for complimenting the crew. No charges for luggage - free drinks AND ice cream. I'm flying with them again in 10 days. Then Frontier to Miami. Am I in for a shock ?
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
Yes, Garry. I expect the last leg of your flight will be somewhat of a shock after your American pampering.
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
It's only 3 hours but I guess I'll be hammered for my luggage !
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Re: Look, Ma! The pretzels are back at American Airlines!
Most of my flights on American have been international, and the crews have been excellent (and you get snacks as well as meals.) On domestic flights, they've been just as nice, and usually my credit card has waived the baggage fee. That's never what I hear from people flying Frontier! By the way, one AA oddity: there's no free baggage on some international flights; Mexico City is international, but Cancun is domestic for baggage purposes. Caught me blinking on that one!
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Huron Traditional Site, Wendake, Québec
Vivie shares a look at the fascinating life of the Huron-Wendat First Nation Reserve in Quebec
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Re: Huron Traditional Site, Wendake, Québec
The tour was in French but they offer them in English too. This trip was with the high school band. We were in Quebec for an event and this tour was a surprise for them. Fun group, no discipline.
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Re: Huron Traditional Site, Wendake, Québec
My wife taught elementary at an inner city school. I used to take a day off and join in, by taking all the disruptive students in my group away from the main group so she could concentrate on the students who were really interested in the historical education without having to discipline the "bad" kids. I actually looked forward to keeping the undisciplined darlings focused on the educational aspects or they got no lunch or treats at the snack shops.