Economy Class & Beyond
Turkish Airlines to improve connectivity to Birmingham Airport
Star Alliance carrier Turkish Airlines is ramping up its operations to Birmingham Airport in the United Kingdom for Summer 2024.  Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-900ER – Image Economy Class and Beyond  The airline is to expand its operations from 14 flights a week (operating double-daily) to 18 flights a week.  From...
View from the Wing
British Airways Is Its Own Worst Enemy: Flying Business Class, London – Austin
The last segment of our trip was a flight home from London Heathrow to Austin on British Airways in business class. They use an Airbus A350 on the route, with no first class but with the airline's Club Suites - essentially a bespoke version of the current American Airlines...
TravelUpdate
Las Vegas Review: Bellagio Fountain View Stay Well Room
Background & History: On a 2 Night Thanksgiving Trip to Vegas, I thought I’d give Bellagio a try again since now all of their rooms between the Bellagio Resort Tower and Spa Tower are renovated. Earlier this year in May, I stayed in the Spa Tower before it was renovated....
Points Miles and Bling
Review: W Toronto is where luxury meets hip, too much for my old bones
W Toronto – Introduction and Booking W Toronto can come across as trying too hard, with decor and esthetics that… The post Review: W Toronto is where luxury meets hip, too much for my old bones appeared first on Points Miles and Bling.
Miles For Family
How I’m Maximizing Quarterly Credits (New Benefit) on Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Cards
A month and a half ago, I wrote a post about getting approved for an offer on Amex Hilton Surpass card X 2 that didn’t contain a lifetime restriction language. I’m happy to say that I already got one sign-up bonus, but we are still waiting for my husband’s points...
TravelUpdate
Plaza Premium Lounge in DFW airport
I forgot that there is a Plaza Premium Lounge in DFW airport because I always use the Capital One Lounge in Terminal D when I fly. This week I got to try it. The lounge is in Terminal E near gate 31. https://www.plazapremiumlounge.com/en-uk/find/americas/united-states-of-america/dallas-fort-worth/dfw-international-airport/domestic-departures-terminal-e It is a small lounge, only about...
Live from a Lounge
Breaking: Marriott Bonvoy ties up with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer to offer reciprocal benefits to elites
Marriott Bonvoy and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer have announced a new partnership that allows for the elite members of both loyalty programmes to earn benefits from each other. Here are the details. The post Breaking: Marriott Bonvoy ties up with Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer to offer reciprocal benefits to elites appeared first...
The Travel Sisters
Beautiful Travel Themed Ornaments for Your Christmas Tree
Want to incorporate travel into your holiday celebrations at home? A travel themed ornament for your Christmas tree is a cute way to keep your wanderlust spirit alive, remember past trips and look forward to future travels. Here are some beautiful travel Christmas ornaments that make great gifts for travel...
Wild About Travel
Enchanting ride on Australia’s Unique Zig Zag Railway
I have been waiting to ride the Zig Zag Railway, located west of Sydney since it opened as a tourist railway in 1975. The Zig Zag Railway, true to its name, tackles challenging terrain with a series of dramatic switchbacks, creating a zigzagging route through the stunning Australian Blue Mountains....
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: The Langham Huntington (Pasadena, California)
In an era of minimalism and modernism in luxury hotels, a historic grand hotel dating back to the Gilded Age remains vibrant in a quiet neighborhood of Pasadena, California. My family truly enjoyed The Langham Huntington, a treasure in our backyard. The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, Los Angeles Review Who would...
Live and Let’s Fly
Introduction: The Long Way To Germany On United, Thai, SAS, Lufthansa
My family recently took an autumn trip to Germany since it appears unlikely we will be able to get away for the holidays this year. I decided to use the opportunity to leave a couple days early and take a longer route to Germany, giving me the chance to try...
Suites and Lobbies
Review: Fairfield Inn & Suites Seattle Sea-Tac Airport
For me to review flights to and from Hawai’i I sometimes spend the night at a hotel near an airport and this time brought me to the Fairfield Inn & Suites Seattle Sea-Tac Airport. I chose this hotel because it had 3 things I was looking for, a good price,...
Economy Class & Beyond
British Airways adds routes from Gatwick and London Stansted
We’re going to stick with British Airways and its network, as there appears to be an expansion of its operations From Gatwick to Agadir Agadir will join the British Airways short-haul network from 31st March 2024. The route will operate four times weekly, using  British Airways’ Gatwick short-haul subsidiary, BA...
Miles For Family
School Calendar Just Published: Let the Vacation Planning Begin!
One of my favorite days of the year is when the school calendar for the next school year comes out. Seriously, it’s like a holiday for me! Since my kids are in older grades and I’m a substitute teacher, we have to plan our trips around this calendar. The calendar...
TravelUpdate
Review: Missing Half of the Entrees, American Flagship First (JFK-LAX)
Background: I have flown on the American Airlines A321 Transcon in Flagship First on numerous occasions from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX). I find it to be one of the best ways to fly coast to coast, although it certainly has room for improvement. The major highlight that...
Points With a Crew
Should you expect hotel fire alarm compensation?
If the fire alarm goes off at your hotel, should you expect hotel fire alarm compensation. What do you think should happen in a situation where ...
Economy Class & Beyond
Avolon adds another 100 Airbus A321neo to its backlog
It seems that Avolon (an aviation leasing company) has brought itself an early Christmas present, by them ordering a further 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft.  The additional order will take its total order for the A321neo to 190 aircraft, securing its medium-term delivery pipeline of single-aisle aircraft. A delivery timeline was...
Travel Codex
Volga Hotel Mexico City, a Modern Brutalist Oasis
I enjoyed my short, but excellent visit at the Volga in Mexico City.  One thing to note up front, in many years of writing this blog, this is my first ever press trip, in the sense that my hotel stay was paid for.  I paid for all of my travel...
The Bulkhead Seat
Flight Review Showdown: WestJet Versus Air Canada Rouge
I flew between Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) roundtrip… The post Flight Review Showdown: WestJet Versus Air Canada Rouge appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Economy Class & Beyond
British Airways to offer Avios-Only flights to… Dubai
British Airways has rolled out a selection of flights, which were bookable with Avios Only (ie, bookable with Avios via the British Airways Executive Club, and not open to the normal booking engines). So far, they’ve all been short to medium-haul routes. Well, it seems the airline is dipping its...
Live from a Lounge
Air India unveils new uniforms for cabin and cockpit crew, designed by Manish Malhotra
Air India has released the images of their new uniforms, which will be rolled out shortly to coincide with the first A350-900 induction into their fleet. Here are the details. The post Air India unveils new uniforms for cabin and cockpit crew, designed by Manish Malhotra appeared first on Live...
The Bulkhead Seat
Hotel Review: New York Marriott Downtown
I had some meetings in New York City last week and stayed downtown for… The post Hotel Review: New York Marriott Downtown appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.
Economy Class & Beyond
SNAPSHOT: British Airways 772 – London Heathrow – Zurich Airport (Euro Traveller)
It’s time for another Snapshot, looking at the Passenger Experience aboard British Airways between London Heathrow and Zurich in Euro Traveller (Economy Class). In case you’ve forgotten how we do travel write-ups on Economy Class and Beyond, we have two major travel writing styles: Trip Reports – These are full deep-dive reports...
Live and Let’s Fly
Review: Qantas A380 First Class Sydney – Los Angeles
My journey home from Sydney to Los Angeles on the Qantas A380 in first class was quite pleasant overall with a heavenly bed and superb onboard cuisine, though the service did not feel much like first class. Nevertheless, I would argue there is no better way to fly between California...
TravelUpdate
Missing Food Review: First Class Chelsea Lounge New York (JFK) American and British Airways
Background: The First Class Chelsea Lounge at New York’s JFK Airport is a lounge collab from American Airlines and British Airways. The lounge opened in December of 2022 and replaced the Flagship First Dining concept for American & BA’s Concorde Room. There are a total of 3 lounges with this...
View from the Wing
My Unconventional Journey From DC To Staten Island With Amtrak’s Sleeper Car
I was heading to DC for work and planned to meet my wife and daughter in New York. Our plan changed a bit, and instead of meeting downtown I needed to heat out to Staten Island (gosh, I hadn't been there since late 2018 or early 2019). So...
Miles For Family
Where I’m Spending my Venture X Annual Travel Credit
My husband and I each own the Capital One Venture X credit card. One of the benefits that offsets the card’s $395 annual fee is a $300 credit for travel booked through the Capital One travel portal. For frequent travelers, it’s easy to effectively utilize this travel credit for flights...
Frequent Floaters
What to Pack for a Galapagos Cruise
Introduction: Sailing Celebrity Cruises’ Flora in the Galapagos What to Pack for a Galapagos Cruise Getting to Quito, Ecuador in Delta First Class JW Marriott Hotel Quito Review Exploring Quito, Ecuador on a Celebrity Cruise Excursion Quito to the Galapagos and Back by Avianca Charter Ship Review – Celebrity Flora...
We Travel There
Assiniboine Park, Festival du Voyageur & Forks Market in Winnipeg, Canada
I’m really excited to interview Mike Green of Tourism Winnipeg about Winnipeg, Canada. Mike’s tips for the best things to do in Winnipeg are awesome because he grew up nearby and moved back to Winnipeg in 2010 to start his family. He loves to skate on the river trails in...
2PAXfly
INDONESIA: AU$50 Visa fee to go, AU$15 Bali tourist tax to start for Australians
Indonesia is set to abolish its current AU$50 visa fee for Australians and a raft of other tourists. However, it will introduce a regional entrance tourist tax for those arriving in Bali. Background Pre-pandemic, there was no visa fee for Australians entering Indonesia. The visa-on-arrival fee was re-introduced as part...
The Travel Sisters
Best Travel Gift Ideas for Kids
I love buying my kids gifts that they will love but that they can also use when they travel.  These are some of my favorite travel gifts for toddlers and young kids. The post Best Travel Gift Ideas for Kids appeared first on The Travel Sisters.
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER departing Zurich Airport
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have a United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER in post-merger paintwork, as it prepares to depart Zurich Airport from the E Dock bound for Newark International Airport. United Airlines operates a fleet of 36 active Boeing...