Good afternoon from sunny Tampa!
After a quick trip to Frankfurt I am visiting my parents in Florida, where the weather is significantly better. 😉
Next week I leave on my dad’s big birthday trip, so there will be lots of fun updates from the road.
I apologize for the lack of trip report updates this week, as it has been an absolutely crazy week. Sub-48 hour trips to Germany generally don’t help in the “gotta catch up on writing” department.
That being said, I promise to get the “A380 Addiction” trip report done before I embark on the big trip!
Featured Stories
One Of The Airline Industry’s Greatest Mysteries
I live out of a 20″ carry-on, and one thing I just can’t figure out is why flight attendants need so much luggage. Fortunately you guys are smarter than me, and the comments on this post are fascinating. Who knew there was such a bustling resale market?
Save $3000+ On Domestic Travel
If you travel within North America, and have a consistent traveling companion, you should really be considering the Southwest Companion Pass.
To accrue the Companion Pass you need to earn 110,000 points in a year, and a few tricks will get you there in no time.
Save 10% (And More) On Hyatt Stays
Hyatt is offering a discount on gift cards, and by stacking with some other offers you can save more than 10% on Hyatt stays in the US, Canada and Caribbean.
If you routinely stay at Hyatt properties, this is pretty much a no-brainer!
TIPS: Earning Miles & Promos
Up To 20% Off Virgin America Winter Tickets
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Register For Club Carlson Points Or Nights Promotion
TRICKS: Redeeming Miles
Alaska And Virgin Australia Awards Bookable On Delta.com Again
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Awards Become More Restrictive
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TONS Of American First Class Awards To Europe This Spring!
TRAVEL With Lucky
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REVIEWS & Trip Reports
Review: Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park
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NEWS & Updates
No One Wants To Hear About Your Great Trip
Admirals Club Members Now Get More Board Room Access
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Emirates Adds Third Daily A380 Flight To New York JFK
Alaska Board Room Members Have Cathay Pacific Lounge Access At SFO
Aer Lingus Starting Washington Dulles Flights In 2015
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Has Hyatt Discontinued The Diamond Challenge?
China Eastern 777-300ER To Los Angeles Starting February 2015
Aer Lingus Announcing New US Destination On Wednesday?
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Another Beautiful 747 Retirement Video
Safe travels, and I hope everyone has a great week!
Can’t wait for the Qatar A380 trip report and upcoming trip with your dad – especially as we will get updates from the trip almost as they happen. Great stuff.
Hey Ben,
Enjoy the blog but multiple identical shots of hotels are getting a bit stale (at least for me). Some observations from someone who flew as a flight attendant for 26 years, then earned not quite a million miles on UA:
Please tell Travis that as a former cabin safety delegate to the Air Transport Association, NEVER subject your children to being a lap child. (Check the accident report on the UA DC-10...
Hey Ben,
Enjoy the blog but multiple identical shots of hotels are getting a bit stale (at least for me). Some observations from someone who flew as a flight attendant for 26 years, then earned not quite a million miles on UA:
Please tell Travis that as a former cabin safety delegate to the Air Transport Association, NEVER subject your children to being a lap child. (Check the accident report on the UA DC-10 in Iowa. In an otherwise survivable crash landing, no human being can hold onto an infant who becomes an unguided missile. Multiple infant deaths on that flight--I believe EVERY infant perished). BA used to offer something called a "belly belt" which was belt within a belt for infants. Research showed that it guaranteed crushing the child when the adult's arms and legs flew forward on impact. Gruesome? Yes. Try answering THAT complaint letter. The ONLY way to travel with an infant is an approved child seat in the window seat. If you can't buy a seat, stay home.
The Asian F/A's with enormous bags on short layovers were buying huge power tools and generators to take home which they could not buy there. Always amusing to see the petite Thai crews in Paris showing off their new power tools and generators at outbound crew customs.
JFK-MIA? It wasn't the worst but if I say more here, I'll be accused of racism. There's not enough space available to relate the bad behavior I've seen, although JFK-PBI was even worse. For starters, people were caught stealing the under seat life vests ("it's for the pool") stealing galley supplies ("what do you care? you can't use this stuff again anyway"). One night at JFK, we had 17 wheelchair requests. I asked the agent how they handled that and he said, "Simple...we don't bring any chairs for 15 minutes. Anyone still onboard really needs one." That said, I put with a screaming elderly woman one night who, when the wheelchair finally arrived, jumped out of her seat, threw her carry-on bag into the chair, and took off like a rocket.
Again, enjoy the blog. Most times you're spot-on.
Best wishes...
Btw Ben, all the new TRs aren't in the Trip Report Index. Cheers and have a nice weekend!