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Imagine you're comfortably cruising at altitude when the announcement chimes ring out – a medical emergency. It's a stressful situation for everyone on board, and it raises a question most of us don't consider: what happens if a passenger dies on an airplane? While uncommon,
Have you ever been on a plane and seen a flash of light followed by a loud bang? While certainly startling, a lightning strike on an airplane is actually a fairly common occurrence. Modern airplanes are built to handle these jolts with minimal fuss. You might be surprised to learn
Have you ever wondered about the unseen officers who help keep our skies safe? While Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers play a crucial role in airport security, another group of highly trained professionals operates in the air itself: Federal Air Marshals (sometimes called FAM). Who are Federal Air Marshals? Federal
Aviation and astronomy might seem like distant fields, but they can brush paths during a fascinating celestial event: a solar eclipse. Let's explore what a solar eclipse is, how often they occur, and the potential impact they can have on air travel. What is a Solar Eclipse? A
![France Bans Strikes, Entitled First Class Passengers, United isn't "vibing" & More [Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/04/AA-Drunk-Passenger.jpg)
Hello from a lounge somewhere halfway across the world, this was a week of broken promises, entitled passengers, and a country famous for striking... banning striking. As we head into summer, the lines are going to start getting longer, and every little bit we don't spend at the
Ah, the humble airplane seat. It's our temporary home for hours on end, a place to work, eat, and hopefully, catch some sleep. But nestled within this metal cocoon lies a feature that sparks eternal debate: the recline button. On one hand, airlines advertise reclining seats as a
Imagine an airplane soaring through the air. As its wings slice through the air, they generate lift, an essential force keeping the aircraft airborne. But this lift creation isn't a clean process. At the wingtips, swirling vortices of air form – invisible tornadoes we call wake turbulence. These counter-rotating
Have you ever settled into your seat on an Airbus, eager for takeoff, only to be startled by a series of barking or sawing noises coming from near the wings? Fear not, curious flyer! This is the entirely normal sound of the aircraft's Power Transfer Unit (PTU) performing
IBIS, a French brand of economy hotels, member of the Accor hotel group, was just disclosed to having unsecured check-in terminals that allowed anybody to see room assignments and access door codes. Pentagrid, which "performs technically solid security assessments of IT systems for enterprises," disclosed their findings from
Imagine being a pilot relying on instruments to navigate your plane, only to have your GPS navigation signal disappear. That's the reality of GPS jamming, a growing threat in the world of aviation. We've been seeing increasing reports in Europe and around the world of airplanes
![Boeing CEO Out, Fake Service Animals, & Marriott Assault [Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/03/Fake-Service-Dog-United-Airlines.jpg)
This week has mellowed out in terms of drama, however we still saw some pretty big news headlines and the internet exploding over some fake service animals. It was a very opinionated week. The biggest headline of them all saw Boeing's CEO stepping down. There were a couple
Take a peek next time you're strapped into your airplane seat – you might spot a curious relic of the past tucked away by the lavatory door: an ashtray. It seems strange, doesn't it? Smoking on airplanes has been a major no-no for decades, so why are
Ever booked a flight with a long layover and wished you could ditch the airport for a taste of the local culture? Well, with stopovers, you can! This clever travel hack lets you transform a boring wait into an exciting mini-adventure, all without the need for a separate ticket. Understanding
The news of Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun stepping down later this year has the aviation industry abuzz. In the wake of several high-profile safety incidents and ongoing manufacturing concerns, many are wondering: who will take the reins of this American giant, and where will they steer it? There's
Gazing upwards, we've all seen the trails left by airplanes soaring through the vast expanse of the sky. These streaks, scientifically known as contrails, are as commonplace as they are captivating. However, they've also become entangled in a web of conspiracy theories, the most prominent being
Ever reached the airport, boarding pass in hand, only to discover your identification is missing? It happens to the best of us. But can you actually fly on a domestic flight in the US without photo identification? The answer is maybe, but it's a path with extra steps,
![Drunk Delta Pilot, American Striking, United Mileage Pooling & More [Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/03/miguel-angel-sanz-rn98SR_EI0k-unsplash.jpg)
This week, the big three legacy carriers all had some pretty negative news. A Delta pilot who was found drunk for his flight was sentenced to jail, the FAA is going to increase audits over United, and American's flight attendants are preparing for strikes across the company. Not
The safety of air travel is a complex equation, but one factor stands out – the immense responsibility airline pilots shoulder. Hundreds of lives depend on their skill, judgment, and split-second decisions. Recognizing this critical role, aviation authorities hold airline pilots to stricter standards regarding alcohol and drug use compared to
Lasers are undeniably cool. They zip through the air, project dazzling patterns, and seem like a harmless source of amusement. But there's one situation where a seemingly innocent laser pointer can morph into a serious threat: aimed at an airplane. Here's why pointing a laser at
Have you ever looked up at a jet soaring through the clouds and thought, "Wow, that thing is massive!"? Well, get ready to have your mind blown because we're about to explore the behemoths of the skies, the airplanes that dwarf anything you've ever
The Boeing 737 is a workhorse of the skies. Introduced in 1968, it's the best-selling commercial jetliner in history, with over 15,000 orders placed across various models. However, the aircraft's long history raises a crucial question: is the 737, even in its latest MAX iteration,
![Airline Collusion, Boeing Whistleblower, LATAM 787 & More [Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/03/GIpNTEeakAEfLOC.jpg)
This was quite the week for news stories with developments in the criminal probe for the 737MAX issues, people trying to access the cockpit on an Alaska flight, and confirmation that airlines are the reason why your food in the air sucks. Most of the time, I feel like I
For decades, Boeing and Airbus have dominated the commercial aviation industry, locked in a fierce rivalry. Both manufacturers produce a wide range of aircraft, transporting billions of passengers annually across the globe. But beneath the similar purpose lies a fascinating contrast in design philosophies and aircraft offerings. This blog post
The term “black box” conjures images of mystery and intrigue. In the world of aviation, however, black boxes are anything but mysterious. These crucial pieces of equipment play a vital role in air safety by providing investigators with invaluable data in the aftermath of an accident. But did you know
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) sits just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C., offering a convenient hub for air travel in the nation's capital. However, unlike most major airports, DCA operates under a unique regulation known as the DCA Perimeter Rule. This rule restricts the
Airports act as bustling crossroads, connecting people and cultures across vast distances. Some stand out for the sheer volume of passengers they handle year after year. Here's a look at the top 10 busiest airports in the world based on total passenger traffic in 2022: 1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
The cockpit of a commercial airliner is a dream job for many – adventure, travel, and the responsibility of piloting a magnificent machine. But let's face it, financial security is also a major factor. So, if you're considering a career as a commercial airline pilot in the
![United Problems, Frankfurt Strikes, & Engine Coins [Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/03/GIKAV3-XoAAsreR.jpg)
This week was... interesting. Filled with aircraft incidents, new route announcements, DOT complaints, and in news that I'm sure we all saw coming: jetBlue has terminated their merger agreement with Spirit. This comes as no surprise when a federal judge blocked the merger. It really didn't
A decade has cast a long shadow since Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished on March 8th, 2014. The Boeing 777, carrying 239 souls on a routine journey from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, inexplicably disappeared from radar screens, leaving behind a gaping wound in the hearts of families and an indelible
A United Airlines Boeing 777-200 bound for Osaka, Japan, suffered a dramatic incident shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) this afternoon. EXCLUSIVE: Here's the moment that United flight #UA35 lost a wheel during takeoff, captured by CaliPlanes (https://t.co/QPzmrN2j2T) ✈️ https://t.co/JSTzbHuGD2
For frequent flyers, airline miles are a gateway to dream vacations and luxurious upgrades. But for budget-conscious travelers, the question arises: should you invest in buying airline miles? The Allure of Buying Miles * Bridge the award gap: Stuck a few thousand miles short of your dream trip? Buying miles can
Portland International Airport (PDX) wasn't always graced with the teal-toned geometric wonder that became a local icon. Travelers in the 1950s walked on utilitarian brown terrazzo, followed by a forgettable blue carpet emblazoned with the Port of Portland's logo. But in 1987, a desire for a
Queenstown, nestled amidst the Southern Alps of New Zealand and cradled by the shores of Lake Wakatipu, isn't just New Zealand's adventure capital; it's a playground for the soul. Whether you crave heart-pounding thrills, serene natural encounters, or a fusion of both, Queenstown caters
Planning a trip is exciting, but airfare costs can cast a shadow. While it may seem like buying tickets as soon as possible might be the best way to secure the seat you want, it may not be the cheapest. While there's no magic bullet, understanding buying windows
Once a symbol of American innovation and aviation safety, Boeing has recently faced a series of challenges that have eroded public trust. From quality control lapses to controversial management decisions, these issues demand a closer look to understand the path Boeing needs to take to regain public confidence. Quality Concerns
Boeing is circling back for a potential acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems, the company it spun off nearly two decades ago. The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, comes as a surprise after Boeing executives previously dismissed any interest in a buyback. This potential reunion raises questions about whether
The sight of an empty baggage carousel can send shivers down any traveler's spine. While the vast majority of checked luggage finds its way to its rightful owner, a small percentage embarks on an unexpected odyssey, leaving passengers scrambling and airlines working diligently behind the scenes. The Global
Traveling can be stressful, as an avid traveler I'm always looking for tips and tricks to improve my experience. As I was browsing around yesterday, I came across an infographic that I felt like I had to share. Mart Virkus created quite the cool infographic with some simple
The allure of credit cards with annual fees is undeniable. They beckon with promises of extravagant rewards, exclusive airport lounge access, and a sense of elevated financial status. However, before diving headfirst into these flashy offerings, it's crucial to ask yourself: Is the annual fee worth it? The
A Twitter/X user posted a video showing a very drunk looking passenger having an altercation with a flight attendant. That passenger ended up headbutting that flight attendant before being thrown to the ground and subdued by the crew. While the headbutt did not look to have injured the flight
![Airline Shutdowns, Bag Fees, Brisbane Expansion & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/02/Lynx_Air_B738_landing_YYC.jpg)
This week we saw the extremes of the aviation industry, airlines expanding and airlines ceasing operations. It's still clear that, even post pandemic, some airlines are struggling to operate while others are seeing their biggest profits ever. However, there are some airlines that are looking for the easy
The recent wave of checked bag fee hikes by airlines isn't just a bump on the travel road, it's a full-blown detour into frustration and financial strain for passengers. While airlines paint it as a necessary evil to counter rising costs, the reality is far more
Airplane travel, despite its safety record, can be a nerve-wracking experience for some. Claustrophobic cabins, turbulence, and the sheer audacity of hurtling through the air at hundreds of miles per hour can trigger anxieties. However, amidst these anxieties, a common misconception arises: the fear of someone accidentally (or deliberately) opening
For frequent flyers, the age-old question of window or aisle seat sparks endless debate. Both options boast devoted supporters, each touting their own set of advantages and drawbacks. But which side truly reigns supreme? The answer, as always, lies in the eye (or should we say, travel style) of the
For many, inflight entertainment is a saving grace, a portal to escape the confines of the cabin. But is Apple's Vision Pro, the tech giant's foray into augmented reality, poised to revolutionize the way we experience entertainment on board? For some I believe that Apple'
![Maggots on a Plane, Mortars Through Security, Skiplagging & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/02/737-hotel.jpg)
What would you do if maggots were raining from the ceiling in an airplane? What about if all the toilets stopped flushing? It was kind of a gross week for aviation, however there were some brighter sides to it. Delta has continued to announce some route expansion and has joined
In 2011, the air travel landscape was marred by harrowing tales of passengers stranded on tarmacs for hours on end, enduring dehydration, discomfort, and simmering frustration. This outcry spurred the creation of the Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections rule, more popularly known as the Three-Hour and Four-Hour Tarmac Rule. This regulation
Have you ever heard the gate agent come over the loudspeaker and say the flight is payload or weight restricted? What does that actually mean? While there are a variety of factors that go into planning a flight, and it's impossible to know exactly why a flight is
If you've ever been stranded at an airport like I have on multiple occasions, but the stay isn't long enough to consider a hotel, let's talk about where to sleep. Sometimes things happen that are outside our control, it could be that a flight
For air travel, winter isn't a season of cozy nights; it's a demanding ballet of meticulous operations amidst challenging weather conditions. From icing to reduced visibility, snowstorms present a complex array of hazards that necessitate robust safety protocols and exceptional pilot skill. The Icing Threat Icing
Another one checked off my bucket list! After my trip to Auckland, I decided to come back home the long way around and ended up in a Singapore Airlines business class seat for more than 18 hours! Last year I had the chance to fly on the current longest flight
![Naked Florida Man, Passenger Death Penalty & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/02/canadian-death-penalty.jpg)
This week seemed to be all about passenger experience. Delta announced new cabins, American Airlines is struggling with customer service... still, and a Canadian man is facing the death penalty for pulling an evacuation slide. I think it's important that airlines should be improving their onboard customer experience.
A Delta Connection CRJ, operated by Endeavor Air, seems to have declared an emergency into Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport late afternoon Friday after what seems like a fire or smoke event inside the aircraft while on approach. This story was picked up by a Twitter (X) user who posted
Misplacing your passport can transform pre-trip excitement into cold sweats and frantic searches. But fear not, while losing your passport is undoubtedly stressful, it's a situation with clear solutions and resources at your disposal. Here's your roadmap to navigating this unexpected detour. Retrace Your Steps Before
This one came across my YouTube feed recently, and it made me angry on behalf of the air traffic controller. There is a certain etiquette when speaking on a frequency between pilots and air traffic controllers, and it's not just for fun. It's for safety! Every
Imagine you're comfortably mid-flight, enjoying the smooth journey, when suddenly, a pungent odor assaults your senses. It's unmistakable - the infamous "dirty sock" smell. While it might seem like a smelly annoyance at first, this smell is no laughing matter. In fact, it could
As snowflakes swirl and temperatures plummet, the sight of an airplane getting drenched in a mysterious liquid becomes commonplace at winter airports. But this isn't just a pre-flight car wash – it's a critical safety procedure known as deicing, ensuring that every journey takes off on the
!["Take Him Down," 1-Hour Connections, Boeing CEO & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2024/02/jan-rosolino-KdzvwIW5gXY-unsplash.jpg)
This has been quite the crazy week in the aviation world, it's time for another weekly roundup. For those that are new this is a post where I take all the interesting aviation news I read this week and give my two-cents. If you'd like to
Even as sleek jets slice through the clouds and sophisticated navigation systems chart their course, a humble hero from the dawn of aviation continues to hum in the background: the High Frequency (HF) radio. While satellite technology and digital marvels grab headlines, HF remains the unsung champion of global air
Hey American Airlines, come here buddy let's have a chat. Because what you're about to do is probably one of the most irresponsible and terrible things that you can do right now... American is about to layoff over 600 customer service workers across their Phoenix and
As spotted by an eagle eyed photographer, one of the next Delta A350s to roll off the assembly line will be a special Team USA livery. This will accompany the A330NEO already in service sporting a similar paint job. As the airplane looks fresh off the line, it may go
With Super Bowl LVIII right around the corner with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, all fans are on deck and already paying thousands of dollars for commercial flights to the big game. Another mostly unknown traveler to the Super Bowl will be private pilots, with the outrageous
File this under things most people don't know, the NBA owns eleven Boeing 757-200 aircraft. However you may not even know it because these planes are not painted up in team colors or the NBA logos, rather they are painted to look exactly like commercial passenger carrying Delta
In quite the chilling event a private pilot flying out of Addison airport in a Cessna 172 near Dallas, Texas appears to have flown the airplane to a remote part of the city near Caddo National Grassland and intentionally crashed, killing himself. From obtained ATC recordings we hear the pilot
Imagine gliding through the clouds, a majestic bird of steel slicing through the crisp air. But beneath this serene spectacle lies a hidden battle, a constant war against an invisible enemy – ice. Even a thin layer of ice on an airplane's critical surfaces can disrupt the delicate balance
I think we all understand that checking your bag at an airport is one of the most risky things that you can do. There's always the possibility it could end up halfway across the world at the wrong destination, or worse not get loaded on the airplane at
Just when I thought that Chase had forgotten about the Ritz-Carlton card they come out of left field with a bit of good news. I've been a Ritz-Carlton card holder for a long time, I still believe it's one the the best Marriott cards you can
Last year MGM ended their partnership with Hyatt and announced they would be partnering with Marriott for elite perks and reciprocal agreements sometime in 2024. At the time there were no specifics on what the program would look like or what reciprocal agreements would look like. However, MGM and Marriott
Soaring through the clouds, bathed in sunlight, feels like a world away from earthly worries. But at those lofty heights, an unseen danger lurks: the possibility of rapid decompression. While modern aviation is incredibly safe, understanding what happens in such an event can be both informative and reassuring. Under Pressure
Imagine cruising at 30,000 feet in a Boeing 737, lulled by the gentle hum of the engines. Suddenly, a deafening bang rips through the air, followed by a chilling rush of wind. Oxygen masks deploy, faces etched with confusion and fear. This was the unsettling reality for passengers on
Back in October I had the opportunity to fly on Delta's inaugural flight to New Zealand but I didn't just stay in Auckland, instead I hopped on another flight and spent my week in Queenstown which is one of the most stunning places that I'
It has been awhile since I've flown through the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or SeaTac for short, but I had a few hours to explore while on a mechanical delay over this last holiday season and finally had a chanced to check out the new Centurion lounge. If you
Only two days into the new year and it's not starting off great for Japan. Day one a massive 7.6 earth quake rocked the west coast of Japan killing dozens and collapsing buildings, it is the largest and most deadly earthquake since 2015 which registered a 7.
According to Boeing the 737 MAX jets may have loose bolts in exactly the place you don't want them. The airplane maker is urging all operators of the 737 MAX to inspect the rudder for possible loose bolts in the Rudder Actuator. This comes after an international operator
Imagine the scene: a sleek metal bird hurtling towards the earth, its landing gear poised to kiss the tarmac. But instead of a welcoming runway, a veil of swirling mist obscures the path. This, my friends, is the dilemma of airplanes and fog. While these modern marvels conquer vast distances
In the dazzling firmament of aviation, where behemoths like the A380 and Boeing 747 steal the spotlight, the Boeing 757 often gets relegated to the sidelines. But beneath its unassuming silhouette lies a hidden gem, a testament to engineering prowess and unwavering dedication to efficiency – a plane that, dare I
Ever scanned your boarding pass and seen a cryptic string of letters that sent a shiver down your spine? SSSS, the mysterious acronym, stands for Secondary Security Screening Selection, and it's not exactly a welcome sight for any traveler. But don't panic just yet! Let'
Check this out, a reddit user posted a video on the r/aviation subreddit with the funny caption of "When ground personnel have had enough of Delta 😅" and the video shows more than a dozen pushback tugs in Amsterdam following this Delta A330 being pushed off the gate.
For pilots and passengers alike, landing in bad weather can be a nerve-wracking experience. But thanks to advanced technology and precision approaches, planes can safely touch down even when visibility is limited. This is where Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and their different categories, CAT I, CAT II, and CAT III,
Have you ever wondered about the complex choreography that orchestrates every seamless flight you take? While pilots get the lion's share of the credit, there's another critical player behind the scenes, silently ensuring your journey's safety and efficiency: the flight dispatcher. Who is a
Anyone who's ever booked a flight knows the sinking feeling of a cancellation. But not all cancellations are created equal. In the complex world of air travel, there's a distinction between those caused by forces beyond the airline's control (think: Mother Nature) and those
Ever booked a flight only to face the dreaded overbooking scenario? You arrive at the gate, ready to jet off, but then the unthinkable happens: you're denied boarding because the flight is oversold. It's frustrating, confusing, and often leaves you scrambling for alternatives. But why do
When I took the Delta inaugural flight down to Auckland I didn't just want to visit the big city but I wanted to go somewhere that has been on my bucket list for years. Not only are the approaches into Queenstown airport stunning, but the small town is
A complaint I hear a lot from inexperienced travelers is that their airplane made a stop before getting to their final destination. And not because there was something wrong with the aircraft, but because they booked a flight with an intermediate stop before their final destination. When they complain that
LaGuardia Airport (LGA), squeezed between New York's JFK Airport and New Jersey's Newark Airport has a unique quality that neither of its neighbors has. Unlike JFK and Newark which has international flights all over the world, LaGuardia is restricted to destinations up to 1,500 miles
The northeast is a tightly compact space that makes it difficult to commute between the populous cities. You can take commercial air travel, but then you have to deal with security, long lines, and the pain of showing up early for your flight. You could take the high speed train
It seems recently that I've been on a trend of starting my international trips from LAX. I'm still on the hunt for a good hotel around the LAX airport that doesn't smell or seem run down. My last stay was at the Hyatt Regency
I have been a long time fan of the xkcd comics, the author Randall Munroe has been posting since 2005 a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math, and language. Occasionally I come across one of his comics that comments on aviation and somehow I always have a good chuckle. His comic
In 2021 YouTuber Trevor Jacob published a video entitled "I Crashed My Plane" in which it was implied that while flying his single engine prop plane had engine issues and he had to eject himself from the airplane and parachute to safety. It was a wild video that
In possibly the most out of nowhere announcement, Alaska Airlines has announced on Sunday night that they will acquire Hawaiian Airlines for $1.9 Billion in cash. With Alaska's commitment to retaining the brand through the merger, will it be enough to keep the fierce loyalty of Hawaiian
The second biggest airport in Germany has shutdown due to snow. A large weather system is moving across Switzerland, Germany, and Austria bringing heavy snow falls and poor weather to the area. Munich experienced so much snow that the airport said it couldn't keep up with the snow
Did you know that you can ask your Delta pilot for a secret trading card. Most Delta pilots will have a small stack of trading cards on them for the type of airplane they fly. And you can collect them all! Delta has had these trading cards for a long
For better or for worse in the eyes of almost every US airline you weight 210 pounds. One of the most critical parts of aviation is figuring out the weight and balance of an airplane. And because it would be extremely time consuming to weigh every passenger and every piece
In a misguided attempt to address operational issues and noise concerns, lawmakers in the Netherlands have proposed capping the number of flights at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. This decision, if implemented, would have severe consequences for the airport, airlines, and the Dutch economy as a whole. While I'm thankful
As the leaves change their hues and the crisp autumn air fills our lungs, Thanksgiving, a time for family gatherings, delectable feasts, and cherished traditions, draws near. This holiday season, many of us will embark on journeys to reunite with loved ones, and for many, that journey will involve the
Inaugural flights are always so much fun, there's a certain electricity around the boarding area and throughout the whole flight. Delta's recent inaugural flight to Auckland, New Zealand didn't disappointing. Rich with traditional ceremonies and an all around warm atmosphere it ended up being
Hot off of my internal debate on whether I would renew my CLEAR Plus membership that is coming up, my decision has all but been made up as they have now increased the cost per family member to $100, which is an increase of $30 over their previous offer. For
When you're traveling around the world, timing is everything. Whether it's catching a flight or meeting a deadline, time management plays a significant role in our daily lives. However, the long-standing debate between the 24-hour and 12-hour time systems continues to persist. Especially in the United
For as technologically advanced as modern airliners are, most have one a major flaw. If loaded or unloaded incorrectly they can tip on to their tail. Almost every airliner that I know of has a tricycle design for their landing gear, meaning they have one gear at the nose and
UPDATE: At the pilot's court appearance today it seems like he took mushrooms before boarding the flight and had a psychedelic episode. While his actions are inexcusable it makes more sense that a intentional act of violence. By now it is being widely reported that a jumpseating pilot
It's that time of the year again, my CLEAR Plus Membership is coming due and I'm not sure if I want to renew it. Over the past year we've seen price hikes, security breaches, and lines that are longer than PreCheck. So let'
Over the past few years I have had significant struggles with Hertz to the point where they are now permanently on my blacklist to ever deal with the company or any of their affiliates ever again. Let me start by saying that Hertz used to be the only rent-a-car company
There are only a handful of airlines that have a true international First Class cabin, and a lot of them have said it isn't worth it anymore and have started to remove this ultra premium cabin. British Airways while not totally removing First Class have been rumoring the
Well file this in the didn't expect to see it actually happen box, United is changing up their boarding process and using a method I thought airlines would never use. Instead of boarding from back to front, United has announced for their man boarding process they will now
Editor's Note: The article was updated to reflect inaccurate information, the reflector was affected not the solar panels. Recently I was on a trip to Hawaii, flying in Delta's new A321neo aircraft, during the boarding they made an announcement that WiFi wasn't going to
![Scalpers get scalped, FedEx Crash, Israel War Evacuation & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2023/10/chris-leipelt-eSTpS33I390-unsplash.jpg)
Another week in the aviation industry is in the book, we saw some interesting things happen including a FedEx 757 making an emergency landing without landing gear, Mexico had their safety rating upgraded, American and Southwest are trying to take down JSX, and Israel's airport shut down as
If you haven't caught it by now FedEx had quite the incident on October 4th. A 757 freighter scheduled from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Memphis, Tennessee had a hydraulic problem after takeoff, the crew elected to return to the airport however their landing gear could not deploy. This resulted
When you're in a new time zone, your body isn't used to the changes in light and temperature. This can cause problems with sleeping and eating, which can lead to fatigue and even illness (especially if your immune system is already compromised). But there are things
This was not quite the news that I was expecting, since 2022 SAS has been in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then they've being trying to restructure and climb out of it while maintaining their partnerships in tact. Instead today SAS has announce
![Breeze CEO Hates Sustainable Fuel, JetBlue Severe Turbulence, & Spirit Clothing Optional [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2023/09/F7HwxpRXIAAqor2.jpg)
Another week down and some interesting developments from the aviation community. Some big highlights include Delta's CEO saying their SkyMiles changes went too far and will be modifying the changes for the 2025 program year. United's pilots got a huge $10 billion raise. And upcoming European
Recently on a trip from Los Angeles to London I had the chance to try out the Star Alliance lounge, a lounge in which I wouldn't normally have thought to visit as I'm not primarily a Star Alliance flyer. This was apart of my larger trip
I don't normally write about my phone apps, simply because everyone has their favorite ones and it can be highly dependent on if you're an iPhone or Android user. However, I just had such a great experience with the app and I've been using
Alaska Airlines hasn't waited long to jump on the Delta-hating bandwagon. In a move to win over Delta Medallion flyers and try to steal business away from Delta, Alaska is offering exclusive incentives and extended status matches for Medallion flyers. While Alaska Airlines usually offers status match only
By now you've probably seen the Twitter (now called X) tweet by New York Times Op-Ed columnist David Brooks claiming that he spent $78 on what looks to be a hamburger that was picked apart and a drink. This sent the entire aviation community into rage about airport
![United Diverts Twice, Alaska Tail Falls Off & Best US Airports [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2023/09/47135376251_5f2309f37f_k.jpg)
This week was an interesting week, from the outset it wasn't a great week for commercial airlines. Delta decided to add one more limit to their new changes SkyMiles changes, United diverted two European flights at the same time, Alaska had a piece of airplane fall off, and
One of the things I usually do before showing up to an airport is grab a bite to eat, usually fast food or a meal at home before I leave. Why? The food at the airport is so expensive. Even a simple coffee is over $5, which is insane! But
I just got back from a two week trip to London, which was amazing. For my flight back to the states I managed to find a British Airways First Class ticket through American Airlines for around 80,000 miles, which is an absolute steal. It was quite the splurge and
Did you know that on long haul flights there isn't just two pilots in the flight deck, there are actually up to four. Pilot rest requirements stipulate that flights over 8-hours long crews are given adequate rest to keep them alert. This means that many long haul flights
I've flown to London a lot, most of the time it's to transit onward to other destinations and maybe once a year to just visit the wonderful country. I choose to fly to London because of one of the best airlines that I've found
![MGM Hacked, TSA Agents Stealing, Passenger Assaulting Flight Attendant & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2023/09/david-vives-O7H0w6s9jG0-unsplash.jpg)
Another week of interesting aviation news is over, there was a lot I wanted to write about and some stories that I bookmarked so I'll share them here with you. Obvious the big news of the week was Delta's SkyMiles changes, but I won't
Well... Delta has finally done it and published the new changes to their SkyMiles program, and I was right. Delta is moving to a purely revenue based system that rewards big spenders on their credit cards. Lounge access rules have also changed to a limited access system rather than unlimited.
Over the last few months I've been getting more and more questions from friends about emergency exits on airplanes. There have been a few viral posts about passengers becoming disoriented or claustrophobic while in the air and making a lunge for the door to try to open it.
I have to admit I've never really been a fan of ExpertFlyer, probably only due to the fact that I haven't had much use for it, or all the situations I have tried to use it I managed to catch an opening before they did. However
Whenever I have a layover in LAX I always dread trying to pick a layover hotel. I've tried almost every hotel around the airport and I just can't seem to find something that's acceptable. I've had issues with loud guests in neighboring
![New Pacific Airlines, Hawaiian 787, Delta SkyMiles Changes & More [Weekly Roundup]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2023/09/NPA_Fleet.jpg)
Welcome to our Friday wrap up, here is a collection of things that happened this week that I thought were worth mentioning or just seemed pretty cool. * Hawaiian finally set dates for their 787 inaugural flights which will happen in April of 2024 with Honolulu to Los Angles service. Hawaiian’
All three of the US legacy airlines (American, Delta, and United) operate similarly by providing a full-service flight experience to domestic and international destinations. While each airline have different hubs dotted around the United States, they all serve many of the same international and domestic destinations. For those of us
As widely reported over the previous day and leaked on Reddit, Delta will be making some major updates to their loyalty program. These changes are so big they're sending their employees through a special training session to get them caught up with the upcoming changes. Unfortunately I don&
If you haven't been watching the epic tale of the airlines versus Haneda Airport, it is finally reaching its peak. Since the pandemic, airlines have been given "slot wavers" due to depressed demand and slow recovery in the Asian markets for travel and tourism. However Haneda
![[HOT UNPUBLISHED SALE] Alaska Air $500 First Class Round Trip From Atlanta to Juneau](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/media/2023/09/51121950921_8abd39a62d.jpg)
While searching around for some award flights on Alaska Air I ran across this unpublished First Class fare sale for flights originating out of Atlanta and connecting in Seattle to Juneau. I can't find any public information on this sale but there seems to be wide availability from
Did you know that not everyone on your flight pays (or redeems miles) for their flight? These people are most likely airline employees who travel under a space available policy with their own airline, this is a perk most major airlines give to their employees as a privilege of working
In the world of travel, cost-saving strategies are always in high demand. One such practice that has gained attention is skiplagging, a controversial airfare hack. However, while it might seem like an ingenious way to save money, skiplagging carries significant risks and potential consequences. We will delve into what skiplagging
United just showed off their "new" first class seat, it is modeled on a seat they already retrofitted in their A319's earlier this year. Unfortunately I am not a fan of these new seats, but there are some redeeming perks. There seems to be a growing
For those transiting through Atlanta on their way to wider destinations, or if you're visiting Porsche's race track near the Atlanta Airport I may have found the best hotel for you. Living in the Atlanta-area from time to time I need to stay at a hotel
In the digital age, staying connected while on the go is not just a convenience but a necessity. When it comes to frequent and international travelers, the need for a reliable and cost-effective phone plan cannot be overstated. Google Fi Wireless emerges as a game-changer in this scenario, offering a
In recent weeks, an escalation of flight cancellations and delays across the Northeast has triggered a wave of frustration among travelers. However, these disruptions have also caused a rift between airlines and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, has publicly criticized the FAA for their role
An aircraft accident, as defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), is an occurrence linked to the operation of an aircraft during the span of time from when the first person boards with the intention of flight until the last person disembarks. During this time, if a person is
On a recent trip to Sydney I was able to splurge and booked the Four Seasons Sydney. Located right in downtown Sydney it's the perfect walking distance from all the major attractions and puts it in the perfect location to hit the highlights around Sydney. Both the Harbor
As an aviation enthusiast or simply an avid traveler, you've probably heard about SQ23, the world's longest flight, operated by Singapore Airlines from Singapore to New York's JFK airport. This impressive feat of modern aviation embodies the epitome of long-haul flying, covering a staggering
On my recent journey to England's capital city, I had the pleasure of flying Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic. This was the perfect start to what would become an unforgettable trip. Below, I present to you a guide to the top 10 attractions I discovered in London and
As an aviation enthusiast, I've always had an insatiable appetite for all things related to the sky. There's just something about the roar of the engines, the sleek designs of aircraft, and the intricate technology behind them that mesmerizes me. Over the years, I've
As an avid traveler I am always on the lookout for exceptional hotels that offer a perfect blend of luxury, comfort, and unique experiences. My recent visit to the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel exceeded my expectations in every aspect.Let's take an in-depth look at the various
The Delta Sky Club at Denver International Airport is a cramped retreat for travelers looking to relax before their flight, as long as you can find a seat. The range of amenities and services are basic yet high quality. You can tell Delta tries with the space that they have,
Traveling can be a thrilling and life-changing experience, but it can also be a logistical nightmare if you don't have the right luggage to meet your needs. With so many options on the market, it's crucial to choose the right luggage style to ensure a smooth
Did you know that over 30% of travelers experience jet lag after a long haul flight? It's no surprise that jet lag can be a major issue for those who frequently travel across time zones. If you don't want to feel fatigued it's important
Every time I pack for a trip I always ask myself what do I really need to take with me. After years of only traveling with a carry-on and not checking my bags I worked out my strategic guide to packing for a trip. If you're traveling out
Frontier Airlines, known for its ultra-low-cost flights, has come under fire for a new practice that could have severe consequences for both passengers and gate agents. The controversial practice involves offering kickbacks (in the form of $10 per checked bag) to gate agents who force passengers to pay for overhead
Recently on a road trip to my new home in Georgia I had the chance to stop in St. Louis and had the pleasure of staying at what would prove to be a very desirable hotel.
Its been quite the year for Priority Pass, their network is expanding adding even more interesting places. They’ve reached beyond just lounge access and have started offering meal credits for airport restaurants all around the country. The Denver International Airport offers their only Priority Pass perk, Timberline Steaks &
American Airlines is an airline that a seldom fly, being based primarily out of the Pacific Northwest I don’t get to fly them all that often. While they don’t have much of a footprint at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport you can get some great flights to their hub
One thing that I’ve always liked about earning miles and points is that I feel much better about doing spontaneous trips. My running miles and points balances is like a separate bank for storing my savings until I’m ready to use it. This last weekend I decided that
Airport lounges have reduced the stress of traveling immensely, once through security the relaxation of kicking back before a flight not being pushed around in uncomfortable terminal chairs is amazing. As a American Express Platinum card member I have access to the Centurion lounges around the United States and internationally.
New York has no shortage of hotels that you can stay at. At almost every street corner you’ll find some sort of hotel just like you’ll find a Starbucks on every street corner in Seattle. This makes it incredibly convenient for travelers who want to stay close to
Delta has been slowly taking over Seattle as another major hub for the airline. Their wide variety of flights offer a good selection to the US and Asia. While I didn’t take Delta international on this flight they’ve setup Seattle as their Asia hub with many international flights
Alaska has been hard at work remodeling their Seattle lounges to compete with the likes of the Delta Sky Club and American Express Centurion Lounge, they’ve been aggressively expanding their lounge and addicting additional ones in the airport. While I haven’t been to the brand new main Board
By far one of the best lounges inside of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is the newly renovated Delta Sky Club. This lounge is massive with two floors of seating and a massive wall of windows that looks over the south side of the airport. Overall the Sky Club has
This is an unusual review for me as it’s not a hotel but rather a vacation rental that I stayed at. Vacation rentals can be a great option for the avid traveler if you’re traveling in a large group or staying for an extended period of time. These
With everything going on with United in the news lately I felt like it was time to revisit the airline as I haven’t flown them in over 5 years, plus the tickets I wanted were pretty cheap. Being northwest-based my primary airline of choice has been Alaska, most of
Seattle is my home airport and I fly out of it often, whenever I’m not flying Delta and using the Delta Sky Club the Centurion Lounge is my next go to lounge to take a load off and relax. As of recent it got a remodel making it a
Alaska Airlines recently joined the more premium economy arena with their own offering, Premium Class. Upgrade pricing ranges from $15 on up, the seats offer you 4 extra inches of leg room, a snack box, and free alcoholic drinks. Booking It all started with booking experience, while my primary airline
Priority Pass has had quite the year, despite growing at an increased pace with so many new travel credit cards adding the perk and losing a few lounges along the way. The company still seems to be growing and expanding while celebrating its 25th year. The Ronald Reagan Washington National
If you know anything about Spokane, Washington you know something about the Davenport name. It’s historical The Historic Davenport Hotel is known as the first hotel in the United States to have air conditioning, a central vacuum system, pipe organ, and dividing doors in the ballrooms. When The Historic
Delta has increasingly become by airline of choice when traveling domestically throughout the United States. Being located in the Seattle-area Delta has been in a ruthless competition with Alaska Airlines for routes out of this great Northwest city. For the consumer this means pricing competitions that push down the prices
Delta has been taking over the Pacific Northwest and encroaching in on Alaska Airline’s territory. As such I’ve been finding myself flying Delta about as equally as I’ve been flying Alaska Airlines. For most people it’s about getting your money’s worth out of the time
In a bit of good news and possibly the lead off for other processors to follow. Mastercard will now require companies to get confirmation of continued charges after a free trial ends. This is a great consumer move that benefits Mastercard in the end to ease the headache of requesting
Safety and security with your online accounts is something everyone should be concerned about. With websites having their user details leaked and exploits happening all the time to try to steal your data. It’s not if but when it will happen to you. Recently I went through my own
As of January 2019 Citi is going to be making some huge devaluations to the Prestige card that will made it one of the most underwhelming premium travel cards out there. Citi’s efforts to try to make a card to compete with other premium travel cards falls way short
Barclay is a bit of a hot mess, their cards don’t have any huge attractions and their approval odds even for the most qualified applicants are low. When it was announced less than a year ago it struggled to entice users beyond an alright signup bonus and a convoluted
It’s now post merger with Marriott and SPG is still not fully integrated with Marriott’s system. Primarily the Westin and Sheraton Vacation Clubs haven’t yet been adsorbed into Marriott’s portfolio. This past week I stayed at a Westin Vacation Club through some family connections, upon check-in
Most people think that if an airplane has a seat open on a plane, that it can be filled and occupied by someone all the time. While this is the case for the majority of flying, there are some interesting reasons that the seat next to you isn’t filled
I’ve been very frustrated with the finalization of the merger between Marriott and Starwood Preferred Guest. The new program changes remove key benefits that were available pre-merger and make their mid-tier Gold Elite status completely worthless. Personally I see no point in having status with Marriott anymore unless you
It’s not like anybody didn’t see this coming, in the wake of every other US carrier raising their baggage fees, American Airlines joined the increased revenue train and pumped up their fees by $5. I can’t say nobody saw this coming as it would make them the
Hawaiian Airlines has announced that it is expanding to another east coast destination, Boston. This will mark the longest nonstop flight for the company at 5095 nautical miles direct. The flight will operate as a red-eye to Boston and a morning flight getting in early afternoon to Honolulu. The flight
Miles and points are fun to earn and are a blast to spend, but I notice one overarching trend among the new and old travel hackers alike. The debate always comes up of what miles and points are worth and getting the best redemption value for them. I personally know
Domestic flights aren’t very exciting these days. Most in-flight food options are expensive and not very good plus the entertainment is few and far between. Most carriers have changed to the model of bring-your-own-device allowing you to stream movies or prerecorded TV shows. Legacy carrier do have a few
Our community is very special, we get these ultra premium credit cards and try to justify the cost with spending, both organic and manufactured. For the more casual credit card user who wanted to pick their first starter card, or break into a new earning strategy the lower end cards
Some say it’s collusion, some say it’s just impeccable timing. Hot on the heels of United and JetBlue raising their baggage fees, the two major Canadian carriers Air Canada and WestJet announce their own baggage fee increases. Unlike United who pumped up bag fees without any notice or
United is the next one up to the podium to raise up their baggage fees. The airline following close in the heels of JetBlue who just raised up some of their key fees. Unlike JetBlue who raised fees on not only checked baggage and various other fees, United focuses primarily
Effective today JetBlue is increasing fees across the board for most of their extra services, such as checked baggage, pets, and ticket change/cancellations. Historically JetBlue has been very generous with allowances and fees in stark contrast to most legacy carriers. Most fees are a modest jump of $5 which
Lockheed L-1049 Super Constellation is a national icon. It was built in response to the Douglas DC-6 which was a work horse of the 1950s. At the time airlines all around the world started to buy up the Super Constellation and put them into service for their customers. Notable airlines
Back in 2015 there was an Alaska Airlines plane that had a ramp worker stuck in the cargo hold under the aircraft. The worker had been napping in the aircraft and woke up sometime when the aircraft was about to take off bound for Los Angles. The story ends up
Boeing has revealed the cockpit layout and design for the brand new wide-body aircraft 777X. The announcement was made during the Dubai Airshow just as it secured a massive order from Dubai-native Emirates Airlines who put in a massive order for the 787 aircraft. Looking over the new design of
One of the least used features on a multi-million dollar aircraft is its emergency slides. It’s a feature that no one ever wants to use but still must be tested on a regular basis so that when it does need to be put to use it will work. There
Not every credit card allows you to refer your friends and get something for doing it. Today we can add another card to the list on Chase’s front for referrals. This generous new referral opportunity can net you up to 50,000 points for referring just five friends to
A Hawaiian Airlines A330 was being ferried from Everett, Washington to SeaTac, Washington and after landing the engine appears to catch fire. Thankfully there was no-one on board the aircraft at the time, just the crew. There are two videos offering unique angles of the incident that happened Tuesday night.
At the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) the experience maker announced that person-to-person Apple Pay payments would become a thing. Since then details have been vague and the service has yet to officially launch. With today’s public beta iOS 10.3 release you can now start to test payments
The joint venture between KLM and Air France, Flying Blue, published changes to their award program going live on April 1st, 2018 (April fools to us?) that will fundamentally change how the program is run. Some of the major highlights is their change to revenue based earning, all seats being
Finnair has started to weigh passengers as they board their flights. This is something unheard of and hasn’t happened since the early parts of commercial aviation. The only reason you are really weighed in the current day is for very small commercial prop planes at small airports. Finnair runs
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has long had a rule on the books stating that you cannot use gift cards to purchase money orders. This policy obviously is in place to prevent fraud and those who have less than honest intentions. Most people who buy gift cards to satisfy
Consumer drones are fun to play around with, it’s opened up a new avenue for people to explore and get some amazing shots of places. There are entire YouTube channels dedicated to cinematic shots of places done with drones. I myself have my eye on a DJI drone for
The SR-71 Blackbird didn’t just have any normal engines, they were highly engineered beyond anything that someone would expect to both improve performance and make it one of the best military planes to date. For the 1950s and 1960s the SR-71 Blackbird was a military airplane ahead of its
Europe’s thirteenth largest airline has gone under, Air Berlin announced earlier this year that they would be ceasing operations and shuttering their business. The last revenue generating Air Berlin flight from Munich, Germany to Berlin, Germany was met with the airport’s fire trucks lining their taxi route and
We never expect airplanes to get so close to one another, but the only time they really get within inches is usually military planes or private planes doing formation flying. A spectacular things to witness and behold is the aerial refueling of an airplane. It takes immense skill and concentration
In a not so shocking move SPG has announced today that they will be ending their partnership with Uber which gave 1 Starpoint per $2 spent at Uber. It can only be assumed that this comes as a result of Uber launching their own credit card which will debut November
Hands down the best travel card to own is the Chase Sapphire Preferred, it checks all the right boxes when it comes to benefits and features and gives anyone who loves to travel the best of the best for the right price. I’ve talked a lot about Chase Sapphire
Uber is at it again trying to reach their footprint even larger with their brand new credit card with some actually impressive categories. This isn’t a rewards card but rather a cashback card so you won’t be bound to just earning Uber credits. While I’m not a
What’s the largest airline operating in each state? the answer may not be as clear when you take a look at how many passengers the airlines usually move in and out of the state. I was actually quite surprised by some of the numbers and the biggest carriers are.
The credit card industry has been pretty slow to adopt changes and new technologies. The evolution of credit and debit card payments has seen the necessity for signatures be all but eliminated. For me I usually just scribble my name whenever I’m required to sign for a purchase as
It’s been just over a year since the Chase Sapphire Reserve came out and just two months away from when my annual fee is going to hit for my card. While normally people will churn and burn premium cards just for their sign up bonuses or features this is
Boeing and Bombardier have been in an intense battle over the CSeries line of jets. The US airplane maker has successfully complained to the US trade authorities and gotten a 300% tariff on any CSeries jet being bought by the US. Now Airbus has joined the battle by buying a
For almost 50 years the Boeing 747 has been an iconic bid in the sky with its recognizable hump it’s probably the most identified aircraft. Since its rollout in 1969 it’s caused a stir in the aviation community being the only double-decker modern airliner, of course except for
A Reddit user has submitted an email that just showed up in their inbox from United stating that the one-time use passes that you get from being a United MileagePlus Explorer card holder will now be delivered electronically. Before this new development MileagePlus Explorer card holders would receive their passes
Bombardier has been trying to make their way into the modern medium haul commercial jet market with their ‘CS’ series of jet. These modern jets boast their large windows, composite bodies, and highly efficient engines. Air Baltic is a launch airline with the CS300 and recently they allowed for cameras
Another lounge is joining the Priority Pass network of lounges that you can visit with just one membership. The Club at PIT just opened up in the C concourse across from gate C52 and is offering free admittance for Priority Pass members or $40 per visit if you’re not
Delta has rolled out an update to its Delta mobile applications that do away with checking in for your flight 24 hours before takeoff. Instead your boarding pass will now show up automatically 24 hours before your flight and you’ll just have to confirm that you are not bringing
American Express has a strong business presence and works hard to build lasting relationships with clients around that fact. Our primary purchasing card around here is the American Express Business Gold Rewards card because it has an extensive set of features, bonus categories, and an amazing customer support team backing
After a long string of rumors and leaks that Southwest Airlines would start routes to Hawaii it’s finally official. The airline has said that they’re going to start selling tickets to Hawaii sometime in 2018 and will offer the flights soon. While the airline is saying that they’
Experimental aircraft isn’t limited to large jet liners, it’s a classification of aircraft that have been self built and not certified by a federal agency. Sometimes it can be as simple as someone building their own helicopter out of a box or someone tinkering in their garage. In
United Airlines has increased the bonus offer for their top of the line credit card, the United Club Card. This premium credit card from Chase features a membership to United Club, two free checked bags, and Premier Access. For the frequent United traveler this would be the perfect card in
American Express is now offering a bonus for transferring your American Express Membership Rewards to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Miles. This is an increase to their normal offering of a 1-to-1 transfer from Membership Rewards to Flying Club miles. This deal is great for people looking to take an upcoming
Not all miles and points are alike, every loyalty system values their currency differently. The way that we value miles and points is a combination of our estimated cash value and overall value of the program. The actual cash value of your miles and points will change depending on when
Being a seasoned flyer I’ve been through many scary moments of flying. I’ve had my share of hard turbulence throwing me around in my seat, hard landings that made luggage bins pop open, and uneasy feeling landings. Never before have I seen such a giant aircraft being thrown
Parts of the Air France A380 that had it’s right outboard engine blow up enroute over the Atlantic Ocean has been found in the snow of Greenland. Flight 66 (seems ominous), was enroute from Paris (CDG) to Los Angeles (LAX) and was somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean when the
Most of us are aware of the highly restrictive 5/24 rule that Chase imposes on select credit cards, basically meaning you cannot have 5 or more new credit cards within a rolling 24 month period. This makes it difficult for those of us in the credit card game and
American Express has a strong set of co-branded credit cards that offer a diverse and great set of rewards. The company’s own branded charge cards offer some great rewards that both personal and business owners might be interested in. Charge cards are quite different from credit cards in that
Southwest has been regularly increasing the bonus offer on their Chase co-branded credit cards. With the Southwest Rapid Rewards program it’s one of the last that still lets you earn premium features with just credit card spend. Its long been known that if you pick up two of the
A couple of months ago we learned that American Express will become the exclusive card issuer for the Hilton credit cards. Before this announcement both American Express and Citi were issuers for the Hilton credit cards but now that Citi has been dropped it leaves the question of what’s
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about places to visit and things that I want to do in my life. I’ve already outlined my list of doing the island hopper service that United offers from Hawaii to Guam, with an upcoming trip I’m taking to New York
Early this morning an A380 crossing the Atlantic had an uncontained engine failure. The flight was midway across the ocean when the outboard engine on the right side of the aircraft had a failure, the entire casing came off and the engine blades completely separated from the aircraft. We’ve
By far one of the best things about the American Express Platinum cards is the access it gives you to Centurion Lounge. I will always recommend a Centurion Lounge over any other domestic air lounge. They’ve become so popular with card holders that recently American Express has been restricting
Modern commercial airliners are just starting to introduce large color displays into their new jets. Both Boeing and Airbus have put large colorful displays covering the cockpit to replace individual gages and dials. These massive displays are more modern, can display more information, and are highly configurable per the airline.
I just received a very interesting from Marriott that seems to indicate they are putting massive restrictions on their Twitter campaign that was supposed to offer around 52,000 points per year if you took advantage of the entire program. This amount of points could equal up to a night
The Starwood Preferred Guest American Express credit card is probably one of the most lucrative credit cards for hotels and airfare. Frequently valued at well over 2-cents-per-point the rewards program offers some of the strongest redemption values we’ve ever seen from rewards cards. When I can’t earn bonuses
A woman on a Southwest flight from Baltimore (BWI) to Los Angeles (LAX) yesterday was dragged from her flight after refusing to get off the plane. She was originally asked to deplane from her flight after she raised concerns to a flight attendant that she had a life-threatening allergy to
In wake of Ryanair cancelling 40 to 50 flights daily for the next six weeks they’ve announced a more long-term outlook for the airline and announce that they’re going to be canceling an additional 18,000 flights over the next six months. The airline firmly denies that it
We’ve revolutionized the way that we travel in airplanes by changing the materials we build them with, the engines we put on them, and the general dynamics of how we design the airplanes. The question that still exists, why can’t we make them fly faster? The short answer,
AirBNB is breaking into the restaurant business with reservations to compete with the other big guys. A lot of us are already AirBNB users and the ability to make reservations just adds to the usability of the service. This is yet another way to attract more users to the platform,
When Chase announce the Ink Business Preferred almost a year ago I was surprised at all the features that it offered with only a $95 annual fee. For the small business that makes regular travel and shipping purchases this card can be a very powerful tool in earning points quickly
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an incredible aircraft made with revolutionary materials that increase passenger comfort. Watch how Boeing lays carbon fiber strips like tape on the shell of a 787 to build up layers and create the fuselage of the aircraft. The 787 is an incredible aircraft that has
American Express seems to be expanding their lounge presence worldwide by adding their first ever non-Centurion lounge. This lounge, which you don’t need Priority Pass for but instead your American Express Platinum or Centurion card gives you access to Lufthansa’s lounges in Munich, Germany. While most premium credit
All premium cards now-a-days are going to varying degree of metal for the car. The Chase Sapphire Reserve was the premium card to kick it off with a layered metal finish that makes the card feel very premium. Earlier this year American Express began offering the Personal Platinum in metal
The first Qantas 787 has rolled out of the factory, this 787-9 will operate the world’s longest route from London (LHR) to Perth (PER). This more than 9,000-mile long route will take a whopping 17 hours and 30 minutes to fly on an average day. Just the first
Wells Fargo is desperate for new accounts and customers in the wake of them uncovering millions of fake or fraudulently signed up for accounts. In some ways this works out great for the consumer as Wells Fargo is pretty much bribing people, by way of bonuses, into being customers. While
The rumor mill has been flying with reports that Southwest Airlines will announce Hawaiian routes very shortly. The low-cost carrier has been adventuring into new markets including, Havana, Cuba which has reopened back up to US air travel. It wouldn’t be a far fetch for Southwest to use its
Citi has sent out a survey to all its Prestige card holders to get their thoughts on new changes that we might see coming to their premium card. The Citi Prestige card has long been a double edged card to own, it offers great benefits like 4th night free at
Amazon seems to be partnering with everyone for redemptions on products. In the latest move Hilton has announce you can start to use your HHonors points for redemptions on Amazon. The partnership today adds a bit more value to your HHonors points if you’re not interested in redeeming them
Air traffic control drives our hobby and keeps the skies moving. One of the largest European hubs, Heathrow, in London moves 75,711,130 people a year and 474,963 aircraft movements according to 2016 statistics. The air traffic control tower oversees all those movements and has some of the
We’ve been seeing small leaks from Bank of America that they’re going to try to get into the premium card market with their own rewards card. Before this new Premium Rewards credit card we had the Cash and Travel Rewards credit cards which didn’t offer any premium
Late tonight United shutdown its MileagePlus Gift Registry with some conflicting information on if it will be coming back. The official website says that the registry has been discontinued permanently while United’s main site says that it’s down for maintenance. If the registry website is to be believed
At the time when the supersonic passenger transport was all the rage three countries took a step forward to try to be the first ones to perfect it. The United States had Boeing who eventually fell out of the supersonic race, Europe who partnered to build Concorde, and the Soviet
![Top 10 Largest Airports By Passenger Numbers [2017 Edition]](https://static.avgeeks.aero/content/images/wordpress/2017/09/1280px-Heathrow_LON_04_07_77.jpg)
In the aviation world there are some incredibly large airports out there, most of these airports subscribe to the hub and spoke model in which massive amounts of people travel to a regional hub then take smaller flights to their final destination. This model has helped fuel some of the
There is a special transatlantic flight route operated by British Airways that takes one of the smallest commercial aircraft across the Atlantic. This plane is incredibly unique as it operates this long-haul route with just 32 business class seats across the Atlantic Ocean. British Airways setup this route with an
Most premium travel credit cards comes with a membership to Priority Pass which is a global service offering access to airport lounges all around the world. Worldwide this can be perfect for getting away from the hustle and bustle of busy airports. In the United States the lounges that Priority
I’ve been traveling for over two decades, in that time I’ve refined my traveling process. From my constant traveling I now have a specific process I use for packing, streamlined how I should move through airports, and know exactly what I need to make it through security without
I remember as a boy laying on a beach in Hawaii on one of our family vacations and hearing the puttering of plane overhead, whenever I would look I would see a private plane towing a large sign advertising something going across the busy beaches of Hawaii. I’ve always
Just days ago Equifax announced a massive data breach of personal information. If you don’t know what Equifax is, it’s a consumer credit reporting agency, they maintain information on over 800 million consumers and more than 88 million businesses worldwide. This company controls massive amounts of personal information
Have you ever seen 116 planes on a single runway at once? How about all of them taking off at the same time? A tradition for Oshkosh, a massive fly in for private pilots and aviation enthusiasts, is for the Beechcraft clubs to get together and fly all in a
When the Chase Sapphire Reserve exploded on to the market about one year ago it changed the game of premium credit cards. Chase went all in on this credit card offering a huge signup bonus of 100,000 Ultimate Reward points worth about $1000 of raw cash or $1500 in
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma where mass evacuations are recommended to escape the deadly powers of the hurricanes one question comes to mind. What important paperwork should you take with you during an evacuation to keep safe? The one thing that we might not think about
Delta is really fighting for their amazing on-time record, when Hurricane Irma was bearing down on San Juan a Delta flight braved the storm and managed to land and take off all under an hour. Hurricane Irma was an amazingly powerful storm that ripped all through the Caribbean destroying islands
Hurricane Irma came down on the Caribbean Islands and caused millions of dollars worth of damage to cars, buildings, and more. One of the most famous webcams in the area is the Maho Beach Cam which provides watchers a prime view of airplanes landing on the famous island. St. Maarten
Hot on the heels of Chase’s new United TravelBank card American Express has announced their own no annual fee version of their Delta SkyMiles credit card. The Bule Delta SkyMiles credit card seems like a much better offering than the new United card due to the fact that it
We’ve been hearing rumors of a new United credit card from Chase in the works and now it’s finally here. Today Chase and United announced the brand new United Travelbank Card, this no annual fee card gives you 2% cash back on United purchases and 1.5% cash
PayPal has started sending out mailers to PayPal Business Debit card holders that a new and improved card is on the way. Highlights to this new card include Masterpass technology from Mastercard, chip card, and a new design. The business debit card is great for quick access to PayPal money
Most businesses need a credit card of some time, if you don’t you’re throwing money away that you could be investing back into the company from everyday purchases. You don’t really even need to get a fancy card with high annual fees to get a good return
So I just found out about this island hopping service that United has between Honolulu, Hawaii and Guam and after reading up it seems like the perfect flight for any aviation geek. This is a very unique flight in that United Airlines flies a Boeing 737-800 from Hawaii to Guam
There comes a time when it’s time to retire a plane from active service. Sometimes they might be bought up by another airline and kept in operation, some are converted into cargo carring aricraft, but most go off to a place to get parted out then broken down. If
If Hilton is your choice of hotels an increased signup offer is now out for a limited time. Offers like these don’t come around too often, and this is the second time ever that they’ve offered something like this. Hilton’s American Express Surpass credit card is currently
One of the most impacted areas from Hurricane Harvey are airports, they are the life line for people and cargo moving around the world. If an airport comes grinding to a halt it could mean your food supply is cutoff. Not only have we been seeing photos of Texas airports
Starwood is sending out a new round of targeted offers, these range from boosted Starpoints to earning Elite Nights quicker. These targeted offers are linked to your Starwood account number and will depend upon what offer is linked to your account. My personal Starwood account got targeted for 7,500
USAA’s mainstream flagship credit card is the Preferred Cash Rewards card offering 1.5% cashback on all purchases with no limit. USAA is known for great insurance rates and this reflects in its credit card offering. Like most USAA credit cards this offers no annual fee, no transaction fees,
In December of 2016 a Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu, Hawaii to New York’s JFK airport turned around after a passenger began making threats to his girlfriend and staff on the long haul flight. The man threatened to cut his girlfriend’s neck with a knife and the plane
For anyone who enjoys traveling and aviation a trip to Sint Maarten will be on their list. Maho Beach is the place to go to get as close to airplanes as you’d possibly want to get. With the Princess Juliana International Airport located right on a popular beach, Maho
The online payment giant has announced a brand new credit card, the 2% cashback Mastercard is the companies first big endeavor in credit card rewards. This card was available for a short time on limited release but today marks its public debut for anyone to apply for this card. As
It’s always exciting when an airline takes delivery of it’s very first new aircraft line, today Southwest took ownership of their first first Boeing 737 MAX, with an additional 198 on order Southwest is refreshing their entire fleet with a new interior and planes to go along with
The Discover it card was my first dabble in a higher rewards card. Discover is a great card issuer if you’re just looking into credit cards are don’t have a very extensive credit report. As a student this card was great for its 5% revolving cash back calendar
My very first credit card was issued by the military bank USAA in which I have ties due to a family member being apart of the service. USAA is known for their great car insurance rates and outstanding service to members. Being my very first credit card this was far
Chase has been known as one of the most restrictive credit card issuers with their “5/24 rule” which states you can only get their cards if you have not opened five new accounts in the last 24 months. Chase’s Sapphire family of cards are one of the most
Canada has had a recent string of wildfires that sent plumes of smoke across the Pacific Northwest blanketing it in thick smoke making visibility very poor and air quality toxic to those with breathing problems. During a recent flight I took from Seattle to Denver you can see exactly how
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