Brad Lightall, Author at BoardingArea

Brad Lightall

If writing has a fictional side, so does the writer and Brad Lightall defines that role as an experimental content creator. Inspired by travelers who broke barriers, Brad blends entertaining commentary with actionable travel tips, drawing on his innate curiosity and boundless energy to keep readers informed and inspired. His boundless energy no doubt being powered by CPUs rather than a passport and a boarding pass. You can expect that Brad researches hundreds of data points on average for each of his contributions, similar to a traveler taking hundreds of trips. Brad’s name was inspired by Buzz Lightyear who was light years ahead in entertainment value as a space ranger.

BoardingArea

Frequent Flyers’ Guide to the Best Hotels Near Universal Orlando

In my own journeys, I've always admired how Universal Orlando weaves exhilarating attractions with immersive storytelling, creating a place where every visit feels fresh—even after countless trips. Established in 1990, this resort complex now includes two theme parks, a refreshing water park, and the CityWalk entertainment district, making it a...

BoardingArea

Top Marriott Resorts in America for Luxury Travel in 2025

Marriott International sets the standard for premium hospitality, boasting over 30 diverse brands and nearly 600 Marriott Hotels & Resorts in the U.S. Its iconic portfolio features everything from elegant urban hotels to beachside and mountain getaways. I see frequent flyers making the most of Bonvoy points for memorable experiences,...

BoardingArea

Escape To The Blue Ridge Parkway: Nature’s Serenity Awaits

I’ve always been fascinated by the contrast between racing through airports and then slowing down to soak in nature’s wonders on a scenic drive. From my perspective, there’s no better antidote to rushed itineraries than the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stretching 469 miles between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Great...

BoardingArea

Virgin Atlantic A 350 Upper Class: Eco-Friendly Luxury Travel Review

I've always believed that modern air travel should unite sleek design and a lighter environmental footprint, and Virgin Atlantic's Airbus A350-1000 exemplifies this vision. From what I've observed, the quieter engines not only reduce noise pollution but also foster a more peaceful cabin atmosphere, giving frequent flyers the chance to...

Economy Class & Beyond

Royal Jordanian takes delivery of its first A320neo

Royal Jordanian has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320, with it accepting the aircraft from lessor Avolon. The delivery was celebrated at a ceremony at the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse and is the first of eight A320neos to be delivered by Avolon over the next 12 months. Royal Jordanian’s...

The Bulkhead Seat

Air Canada Drops Five US Routes as Demand Has Dwindled

Air Canada updated its schedule this week and has pulled five routes to/from the… The post Air Canada Drops Five US Routes as Demand Has Dwindled appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.

One Mile at a Time

Air India’s New Ad Campaign: “There Is An Air About India”

Air India is currently undergoing major changes, as the airline has been privatized, and is trying to reinvent itself (though it’s all happening at a snail’s pace). Along those lines, the airline has just launched a new ad campaign, which I think is worth highlighting.

View from the Wing

“I’m Sober!” United Passenger Yells—Then Tries To Bite Police At DFW [Roundup]

A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading “I’m Sober!” United Passenger Yells—Then Tries To Bite Police At DFW [Roundup]...

BoardingArea

Frequent Flyers’ Guide to the Best Hotels Near Universal Orlando

Live and Let’s Fly

Midair Meltdown: American Airlines Passenger Grabs Flight Attendant, Drags Her Down Aisle

Another alarming incident unfolded in the skies this week, this time aboard a delayed American flight to Chicago. A shirtless man reportedly grabbed a flight attendant and violently dragged her down the aisle in what authorities are calling an unprovoked midair assault. The legal consequences could be (and should be)...

Eye of the Flyer

Train-ing Days: My Great, Comfortable Amtrak Business Class Ride Between Los Angeles and San Diego!

I needed to visit San Diego for an airport lounge review and opted to take Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train from Los Angeles. I’ve traveled Amtrak two and a half times between L.A. and San Diego (the “half” included meeting my wife for a wedding in La Jolla). It’s not the...

One Mile at a Time

Avelo Operates Deportation Flights In Shame, With All-White 737s

Several weeks ago, we learned how Houston-based ultra low cost carrier Avelo Airlines would get into the deportation flight business. With this project, we’re seeing the airline base three Boeing 737s at Arizonas Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), with flights having started as of the middle of May. Anyway, here’s an...

You Are Travel

Stay at IHG’s New Beachfront Resort and Visit the World’s Largest Cave

Tl;dr – IHG has opened its first-ever voco Resort on Bao Ninh beach in Quang Binh, Vietnam IHG…

BoardingArea

Review: Plaza Premium Lounge – at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Terminal E

…The smallest lounge in one of the largest airports….with an outstanding staff The single room Plaza Premium Lounge at DFW Terminal E pales in comparison to its counterpart at London Heathrow. The only non-airline-affiliated lounge in Terminal E has no washrooms. I need to credit the AMAZING staff that is attentive...

One Mile at a Time

Sax Paris, Hilton LXR Hotel, Opens: Great New Points Option

While Paris is probably the worlds most competitive market for luxury hotels, there arent all that many luxury points options in the city. Thats why its noteworthy that Hilton has just opened a new property in Paris, which might just be the companys most luxurious option in the market.

One Mile at a Time

IHG Premier Card Limited Time 5 Free Nights Welcome Offer

Link: Apply for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Wingtips

Budget Airline Smackdown: UK vs USA

Ryanair or Spirit? easyJet or Frontier? Who’s the bigger menace to legroom and your wallet? Low-cost carriers (LCCs)… The post Budget Airline Smackdown: UK vs USA appeared first on Wingtips.

2PAXfly

ETIHAD: All-Suite Business Class heading for Melbourne and Sydney

Etihad Airways is upgrading its Business Class cabin for Australian travellers, swapping out its aging 777s for newer, shinier, and far fancier newer and more energy efficient, but smaller aircraft on its Sydney and Melbourne routes. That means doors, bigger screens, and fewer chances of being stuck in a dated...

One Mile at a Time

IHG Traveler Card Limited Time 120K Bonus Points Welcome Offer

The no annual fee IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is the most basic card that’s part of the Chase & IHG co-brand card portfolio. We’ve just seen an excellent new limited time welcome offer rolled out on the card, making it a great time to apply.

2PAXfly

USA: Update on travel precautions if you are an Australian travelling to America

I wrote an article back in April warning of the increased scrutiny tourists are receiving at the USA border, particularly if they are LGBTIQ+, Students or Academics, or have a history of criticising the Trump administration. Some thought back in April that the increased scrutiny of tourists might be transitory,...

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

American Airlines Just Showed Off its New 787 Dreamliner to the Media But Has Refused to Let Flight Attendants Onboard

The debut of a new premium Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner for American Airlines is just days away, and on Thursday, journalists and other members of the media got to take a real-life tour of the luxury new jet in Dallas Fort Worth ahead of its first commercial flight on June 5....

The Bulkhead Seat

Delta’s First Flight Between Boston and Barcelona Took Off Today

Delta Air Lines first flight between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Josep Tarradellas… The post Delta’s First Flight Between Boston and Barcelona Took Off Today appeared first on The Bulkhead Seat.

Frequent Miler

Best Offers Card Exploration Tool (Beta)

We’re experimenting with a new, more dynamic format for our Best Offers page. We’d love to hear your impressions. Check it out below… Take me straight to the Card Exploration Tool Our current Best Offers page shows all the the best public offers for nearly any rewards credit card you...

Points With a Crew

5 reasons I keep recommending the Chase Sapphire Preferred for people starting out

Amongst my friends and family, I'm considered the "credit card guy". When I'm asked for recommendations, most of the time it's the Chase Sapphire Preferred...

The Gate with Brian Cohen

The One World Observatory at One World Trade Center in New York: Ten Year Anniversary

Friday, May 29, 2015 was another milestone in the history of the tallest building in the western hemisphere and the fourth tallest building in the world — at least, at that time, as it is currently the seventh tallest building in the world — when the observation deck that is...

Frequent Miler

Hyatt app and website now show all your current promotions

World of Hyatt tends to run quite a few concurrent promotions based on a variety of metrics: stays, nights, visiting specific brands, earning with partners, etc. Most promos require registration, but it’s always been a pain to track down which ones are targeted to you, which you’ve already registered for,...

Josh Trips

Villa d’Este review: a luxurious retreat in Lake Como

My stay at Ville d’Este came at the end of week-long trip to Europe and, before arriving, I…

Your Mileage May Vary

If People Hate CLEAR So Much, Why Does TSA Allow It At Airports?

Despite being at airports since 2012, CLEAR’s popularity is…complicated. The private security company allows members to verify their identity at a CLEAR airport kiosk using biometrics, without needing to present…

BoardingArea

Best Disney World Hotels For Frequent Travelers: An Expert Guide

I've been exploring and analyzing Disney World resorts for quite some time, and I've watched them evolve into a vast collection of more than 25 distinct properties, each with its own character and charm. Over the years, I've learned that strategic planning around dynamic pricing, crowd calendars, and on-site perks—such...

BoardingArea

5 Highlights Of Lufthansa’s New Allegris Cabin Features

Lufthansa's Allegris cabin concept marks a major leap in enhancing passenger comfort and privacy. Launched last year on select Airbus A350-900s, the airline has been steadily rolling out this multi-year project with an eye toward full-scale adoption by 2027. In my own travels, I've noticed that it's drawn a lot...

BoardingArea

Explore Luxurious Boeing 787 First Class Cabins

Many frequent flyers dream of stretching out in a Boeing 787 First Class suite. In my own travels, I've been amazed at how technology, service styles, and cabin innovations vary from one airline to another—even when they all use the same Dreamliner model. Recent industry data from 2024 suggests that...

BoardingArea

Unlock Seamless Connectivity At Sea With Cruise Wi-Fi Tips

I've always been fascinated by how cruise lines have evolved their connectivity game. Back when onboard internet meant slow dial-up speeds (and an empty wallet), I would scramble to find any port café with reliable service. Today, it's incredible how far we've come, yet there's still room for improvement. A...

BoardingArea

Disney’s Pop Century Resort: Affordable Stay Near Disney World

I've flown into Orlando countless times, always drawn to the buzz of Walt Disney World, and I've found that Disney's Pop Century Resort offers a truly nostalgic experience. With nearly 3,000 rooms nestled across 175 acres, this value-priced property embraces the finer points of American pop culture spanning the 1950s...

BoardingArea

Unlock Miami’s Best Admiral Lounges: Discover Hidden Comforts

I've spent countless hours roaming airports, and Miami International Airport (MIA) has always stood out for its dynamic atmosphere and sheer volume of travelers. In 2025, industry data shows that MIA continues to handle more than 56 million passengers annually, making it a high-traffic gateway to the Caribbean, Latin America,...

BoardingArea

Unlock Tel Aviv’s 8 Best Hotels For Points And Perks

Tel Aviv, often celebrated as the "party capital" of the Middle East, blends lively nightlife with a storied history anchored in ancient Jaffa. I've seen how this city's blend of architecture, beaches, and culinary adventures create the perfect playground for frequent flyers—especially those who want to rack up points and...

BoardingArea

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: Is The Glitz Worth It?

Located on Playa Manzanillo in Costa Rica's Papagayo Peninsula, Planet Hollywood Costa Rica captures a movie-inspired vibe with a sprawling beachfront setting. I've observed that guests absolutely love the panoramic ocean views, the Hollywood memorabilia, and the all-inclusive format—a trifecta that often elevates the overall experience. According to a 2024...

Brad Lightall

Newsletter