Live and Let’s Fly
A Perfect Aperitif At 35,000 Feet: SWISS Alpine Essence Cocktail
It was 5:00 pm somewhere…specifically, on my SWISS flight from London to Zurich. SWISS introduced its own signature cocktail last year called Alpine Essence, but I only recently had the chance to try it on my evening hop to ZRH. SWISS Alpine Essence Signature Cocktail The cocktail is a riff...
Frequent Miler
(Now live) The Free Spirit Debit Card has launched: Here are its features
Spirit Airlines teased the launched of a debit card last year, but it hadn’t materialized yet. More details about the card emerged a couple of months ago and the card itself is now available for applications via the new Free Spirit Rewards Debit Card app; links to the app can...
Miles For Family
Airlines Increase Checked Baggage Fees, Travel Pet Peeves and More
Happy Monday! Rumor: Southwest to Ban Carry-on Bags on its Cheapest Tickets: Wow, I sure hope this rumor isn’t true! I haven’t flown Southwest much these past few years because the fares (in cash and points) have not been competitive with American Airlines from my home airports. But still, this...
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
KLM’s Sky High Wage Bill For Aircrew and CEO is Proving Highly Controversial in the Netherlands
Soaring wage bills for aircrew at the Dutch flag carrier KLM, and an inflation-busting bonus package for its chief executive, are proving to be incredibly controversial in the Netherlands, where the country’s finance minister has vowed to object to the bonus at the airline’s next general meeting. It’s no secret...
One Mile at a Time
Etihad Massively Expands China Flights, Goes From One Route To Six
Etihad Airways has been on quite the expansion kick lately, as the airline is trying to grow its destinations at a record pace. We’ve seen the airline add quite a few new routes in recent months, though here’s perhaps the single most concentrated regional expansion we’ve seen.
View from the Wing
Flight Attendant Pours Tea In One Long Perfect Stream At 35,000 Feet [Roundup]
A flight attendant turns tea service into a one-pour show at 35,000 feet, with a long, steady stream that somehow lands perfectly cup after cup. Also: an Icelandair pilot gets reported to police over a retirement low flyover, Lufthansa starts charging refund fees on flexible tickets, American serves another grim-looking...
Monkey Miles
The new Atmos Alaska Airlines Credit Card Offers – up to “125k” points + 50% flight discount code
The best Alaska Airlines Credit Card Offers Alaska Airlines debuted a new loyalty program ( Atmos Rewards ) and 3 new card offerings with very attractive offers. Personally, I think the top tier premium $395 “Summit” is the most attractive; however, many of you will prefer the $95 annual fee...
Eye of the Flyer
What to Do First With This Popular Gold Rewards Card
Many cardholders miss out on hundreds of dollars in annual statement credits simply because they don't know how to enroll or where to use them. I watched a family member leave points on the table for years before finally asking for help. Here's everything you need to know about actually...
View from the Wing
United’s Cheapest Business Fares Even Worse Than First Reported — No Flight Credit, And For Many Travelers No Miles
United’s cheapest business class fares are turning out to be more punitive than first advertised: beyond losing Polaris lounge access, seat selection, and no changes, many travelers will also earn no redeemable miles and get no flight credit toward status.
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX: Garuda Indonesia selects MOMENT for its Wireless IFE solution
Garuda Indonesia has partnered with MOMENT to push forward the airline’s expansion of its Wireless In-Flight Entertainment (W-IFE) capabilities. Under a three-year agreement, Moment has deployed 64 Flymingo Box units to enhance the digital onboard experience for Indonesia’s national carrier. These units represent Moment’s proprietary wireless IFE hardware, specifically designed...
One Mile at a Time
Review: SWISS Senses Business Class Airbus A350 (ZRH-BOS)
To finish off the return portion of my exotic journey to Bangkok via Paris, I flew SWISS’ Airbus A350-900 business class on the 7hr55min flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Boston (BOS). I was particularly looking forward to this flight, since it was operated by the carrier’s brand new A350, featuring its new SWISS Senses...
Live and Let’s Fly
Airline Says Pay More AFTER You Book Or You Can’t Fly…Is That Even Legal?
Airlines are always looking for new ways to boost revenue, but the latest move by Spanish budget carrier Volotea is quite unorthodox…and likely illegal. Spanish Airline Volotea Adds Fuel Surcharge After Booking…Fair Or Illegal? Spanish low-cost carrier Volotea is notifying passengers that they may have to pay an additional fuel...
One Mile at a Time
Today Only: Up To 4x Bonus Airline Miles On Apple Purchases
Online shopping portals can be a great way to pick up additional miles and points for purchases youd make anyway. Just for following a specific link, you can earn bonus points in addition to the ones youd earn for credit card spending.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo
Heathrow Passenger Numbers to the Middle East Plummeted By 51% in March And Outlook Remains Uncertain
Passenger numbers between Heathrow Airport and the Middle East plummeted by more than 51% in March as airspace closures across the Persian Gulf and the threat of Iranian missile and kamikaze drone strikes disrupted flights and frightened passengers away. Around 600 million passengers who passed through Heathrow in March 2025...
Economy Class & Beyond
AIX: ThinKom Unveils Space-optimized ThinAir Nexus Aircraft Antenna
On the eve of Aircraft Interiors Expo, ThinKom has unveiled its new antenna – the ThinAir Nexus. The compact antenna allows airlines to rethink what is possible, giving efficiency, size, power, and flexibility in a package size similar to single-orbit electronically steered antenna (ESA) solutions. Nexus matches the size and...
Wild About Travel
Surviving Sakura Cherry Blossom – 12 survival tips
I always said I’d never visit Japan in peak sakura season.Too busy, too expensive, too intense.And then I did. I described my 12 marvellous days yesterday. It was beautiful.It was also crowded, overloaded, and at times exhausting.Here are a few things I did that helped, and that I’d do again....
Frequent Miler
What is a Minimum Spend Requirement? An explanation, tips, & potential pitfalls
One of the best methods for gaining a large chunk of points or miles is to earn welcome bonuses on credit cards. This usually involves meeting a minimum spend requirement. In this post we’ll be explaining what a minimum spend requirement is, potential pitfalls to be aware of, and other...
Frequent Miler
What are the worst airline websites? | Ask Us Anything Ep85 | 4-8-26
What are some unusual cards you find yourself using? What are your least favorite airline websites? Which dead cards do you miss the most? We answered these questions and more on the Ask Us Anything hosted live on YouTube on April 8th, 2026. Watch the full episode below, or listen...
Economy Class & Beyond
Airplane Art – airBaltic Airbus A220-300 at Hamburg Airport
It’s Sunday again, so it must be time for some more Airplane Art. This week, we have an airBaltic Airbus A220-300 being loaded up at Hamburg Airport, as it is prepared for the return trip to Vilnius, Latvia. airBaltic is an all-Airbus A220-300 operator, flying 55 of the type under its own flag,...
View from the Wing
Ralph Nader Takes On TSA’s War On Hummus [Roundup]
Ralph Nader says TSA confiscated a container of hummus, turning airport security into yet another absurd fight over what counts as a dangerous liquid. Also McDonald’s devalues rewards, Kamala Harris picks the wrong premium cabin, Pand American’s domestic first class caviar gets put to the test.
Economy Class & Beyond
Time for another Lufthansa Strike (Monday and Tuesday, 13th and 14th April 2026), featuring Eurowings
It seems that Vereinigung Cockpit union is in the mood to have a pop at Lufthansa, with it calling out its members on strike on Monday and Tuesday, 13th and 14th April 2026. This will impact operations by Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cityline from 00:01 am on Monday (22:01 UTC on Sunday) through...
