One thing that has struck me in this whole refugee crisis is the sense of entitlement exhibited by many seeking asylum. Many refugees set off for Europe feeling entitled to asylum and safe haven, as if the Europeans have no other choice. The attitude by many seems to be that "Europe will be forced t...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/RRTrent" class="quote" target="_blank">RRTrent</a> (<a href="#102" class="quote">Reply 102</a>):<br/><i>Isn't the limit in the US not 55mph? In ...
Jump to postHelsinki is a cool little city and a few hours can give a good impression. It's great that you will be there in May as well, since the days will be long. I'd suggest something like the following: - take Finnair bus to the central station (6 euros each way) - walk to the senate square where you can s...
Jump to postWell done Alaska! I think this looks great. Probably the best brand refresh/new livery that I've seen in quite some time.
Jump to postMy only experience with Shabbat is that the taxi drivers are going to demand a special "shabbat" rate that is much higher than usual... so be prepared for this (it's a scam in my opinion, but one that seems to be accepted...). You might want to consider renting a car as it isn't too difficult to dri...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/XAM2175" class="quote" target="_blank">XAM2175</a> (<a href="#6" class="quote">Reply 6</a>):<br/><i>As an aside, for my own curiosity - are the ...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/flyboy80" class="quote" target="_blank">flyboy80</a> (<a href="#15" class="quote">Reply 15</a>):<br/><i> I can't believe people really get so wo...
Jump to postYou might want to check out the cost of upgrading to Premium Economy. Maybe only a few hundred dollars and I think it's worth it over regular economy. I recently took premium economy on <acronym title="San Francisco - International (SFO / KSFO), USA - California">SFO</acronym>-<acronym title="Frankf...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/DocLightning" class="quote" target="_blank">DocLightning</a> (<a href="#11" class="quote">Reply 11</a>):<br/><i>3 BART fares will run about $12....
Jump to postUp until earlier this year, <acronym title="Amsterdam - Schiphol (AMS / EHAM), Netherlands">AMS</acronym> did security screening at the gate for all non-Schengen flights. This wasn't unique to flights to the US. The airport recently changed the procedure - now there is centralized screening for nonS...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/B747forever" class="quote" target="_blank">B747forever</a> (<a href="#2" class="quote">Reply 2</a>):<br/><i> By the time the OP has cleared immi...
Jump to postBART is faster at that time of day as traffic going into San Francisco can be very heavy. The trains are relatively spacious and I wouldn't be overly concerned about luggage... But keep in mind a few things: - BART costs $8 a person; for a family of 4 you can likely do just as well by taking an Uber...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/global1" class="quote" target="_blank">global1</a> (<a href="#0" class="quote">Thread starter</a>):<br/><i>I'm aware of carriers that offer them...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/Sightseer" class="quote" target="_blank">Sightseer</a> (<a href="#11" class="quote">Reply 11</a>):<br/><i>Wow, nice year-over-year-over-year gro...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/CALPSAFltSkeds" class="quote" target="_blank">CALPSAFltSkeds</a> (<a href="#16" class="quote">Reply 16</a>):<br/><i>I'm sure this is a Nimby thi...
Jump to postThey can't lengthen the runway because it's already hemmed in on all sides and the neighbors would sue for decades to prevent it. <acronym title="Santa Ana - John Wayne / Orange County (SNA / KSNA), USA - California">SNA</acronym> is in a very wealthy area and there are already many more noise and o...
Jump to postRecall that the <acronym title="Taipei - Sung Shan (TSA / RCSS), Taiwan">TSA</acronym> nixed <acronym title="Delta Air Lines (USA)">DL</acronym>'s plans to start flights to <acronym title="Nairobi - Jomo Kenyatta (Embakasi) (NBO / HKJK), Kenya">NBO</acronym>. If <acronym title="Nairobi - Jomo Kenyat...
Jump to postNice to have more space, but will <acronym title="Delta Air Lines (USA)">DL</acronym> actually bring the club amenities to an international standard, or just have another large mediocre club with awful food options, limited selection of complimentary alcoholic drinks, forcing you to get water/soda f...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/Osubuckeyes" class="quote" target="_blank">Osubuckeyes</a> (<a href="#27" class="quote">Reply 27</a>):<br/><i> I also would guess that this will...
Jump to postAs others have mentioned, <acronym title="Delta Air Lines (USA)">DL</acronym>/NW merger was really the impetus for the other mergers we've seen, including <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym>/CO. If you look at the position of the two carriers at the time, it made a lot of sense from ...
Jump to postCongrats to <acronym title="EVA Air (Taiwan)">BR</acronym> on their recent success and continued growth. I have to say that I recently flew <acronym title="Bangkok - Suvarnabhumi International (BKK / VTBS), Thailand">BKK</acronym>-<acronym title="Taoyuan (Taipei) - Taiwan International (Chiang Kai S...
Jump to postMy worst experiences have been at <acronym title="London - Heathrow (LHR / EGLL), United Kingdom">LHR</acronym>, <acronym title="CURRENT: Hong Kong - International (Chek Lap Kok) (HKG / VHHH), China - Hong Kong AND OLD: Hong Kong - Kai Tak International (HKG / VHHH) (closed), China - Hong Kong">HKG<...
Jump to postI've seen bussing done the right way and the wrong way. I can only hope <acronym title="Seattle / Tacoma - International (SEA / KSEA), USA - Washington">SEA</acronym> goes with the "right way". When I've seen bussing used correctly, it can work well. By correctly, I would mean that premium passenger...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/Jamie2k9" class="quote" target="_blank">Jamie2k9</a> (<a href="#4" class="quote">Reply 4</a>):<br/><i>Customs is done at <acronym title="Dublin ...
Jump to postTo me it's a no-brainer, take <acronym title="British Airways">BA</acronym> through <acronym title="London - Heathrow (LHR / EGLL), United Kingdom">LHR</acronym>. You want to maximize your time on the widebody aircraft and in a true international business class. All the flights through NYC/<acronym ...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/HiFlyerAS" class="quote" target="_blank">HiFlyerAS</a> (<a href="#3" class="quote">Reply 3</a>):<br/><i>Any other ideas? </i></font></td></tr></...
Jump to postFisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
Montmarte in Paris
Times Square in New York
La Rambla in Barcelona
Picadilly Circus/Leicester Square in London
I recently connected through <acronym title="Frankfurt am Main (Rhein-Main AB) (FRA / FRF / EDDF), Germany">FRA</acronym> on a <acronym title="CURRENT: Munich (- Franz Josef Strauss) (MUC / EDDM), Germany AND OLD: Munich - Riem (MUC / EDDM) (closed), Germany">MUC</acronym>-<acronym title="Frankfurt ...
Jump to postAA is very weak in Amsterdam - only a daily 752 to <acronym title="Philadelphia - International (Municipal) (PHL / KPHL), USA - Pennsylvania">PHL</acronym>. They could at least add a flight to <acronym title="New York - John F. Kennedy International (Idlewild) (JFK / KJFK), USA - New York">JFK</acro...
Jump to postAs mentioned above, the full routing was <acronym title="Miami - International (Wilcox Field / 36th Street / Pan American Field) (MIA / KMIA), USA - Florida">MIA</acronym>-<acronym title="Seattle / Tacoma - International (SEA / KSEA), USA - Washington">SEA</acronym>-<acronym title="Tokyo - Narita In...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/32andBelow" class="quote" target="_blank">32andBelow</a> (<a href="#46" class="quote">Reply 46</a>):<br/><i>I guess the only advantage of going ...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/jfk777" class="quote" target="_blank">jfk777</a> (<a href="#3" class="quote">Reply 3</a>):<br/><i> While <acronym title="San Francisco - Interna...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/hoons90" class="quote" target="_blank">hoons90</a> (<a href="#4" class="quote">Reply 4</a>):<br/><i> A few days ago, I found a $1,800 USD (appro...
Jump to postI just got back from a trip <acronym title="San Francisco - International (SFO / KSFO), USA - California">SFO</acronym>-<acronym title="Frankfurt am Main (Rhein-Main AB) (FRA / FRF / EDDF), Germany">FRA</acronym>-<acronym title="San Francisco - International (SFO / KSFO), USA - California">SFO</acro...
Jump to postHow would <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym> know if the visa was cancelled? My guess is that they simply look for an ETA print out, or a visa physically in the passport. If either of these are present, they would likely allow a passenger to board. I've never seen an airline actuall...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/HPRamper" class="quote" target="_blank">HPRamper</a> (<a href="#146" class="quote">Reply 146</a>):<br/><i>I think Washington really needs to loo...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/nwray" class="quote" target="_blank">nwray</a> (<a href="#91" class="quote">Reply 91</a>):<br/><i>SeaTac ranked 13th busiest last year, has 74 g...
Jump to postGreat news for <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym>! Let's hope this can finally be a turning point that pivots the carrier towards customer service, operational reliability, and a happier workforce. If I were Munoz, I'd immediately start with a new rebranding campaign and bring a fre...
Jump to postUA's rule isn't clear whether it needs to be a boarding pass in general, a star alliance partner, or <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym> metal. I guess we'll have to see if there's any clarification. In any event, I'm guessing that <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym> ...
Jump to postAs mentioned above, I'd try to confirm the R class availability before making a booking. If you book a flight where R isn't available, there's still a chance although it may be a long shot. This is a busy hub to hub route and the waitlist for upgrades can be as high as 50 or more people. If there's ...
Jump to postDoubt the DOJ would approve it given <acronym title="Delta Air Lines (USA)">DL</acronym>'s large size and existing hubs in <acronym title="Seattle / Tacoma - International (SEA / KSEA), USA - Washington">SEA</acronym>/<acronym title="Los Angeles - International (LAX / KLAX), USA - California">LAX</a...
Jump to postAs mentioned by others, just buy a refundable ticket and then call to cancel before the flight actually takes off. Easiest way to avoid the issues aforementioned above (and it's free!)
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/william" class="quote" target="_blank">william</a> (<a href="#27" class="quote">Reply 27</a>):<br/><i>The way Delta is acting at Love Field, if ...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/mozart" class="quote" target="_blank">mozart</a> (<a href="#24" class="quote">Reply 24</a>):<br/><i>Who is the main competitor for United's San ...
Jump to postWhat would a <acronym title="Dallas / Fort Worth - International (DFW / KDFW), USA - Texas">DFW</acronym> hub add for <acronym title="Delta Air Lines (USA)">DL</acronym> that they don't have now? The main purpose the hub served was connecting domestic traffic within the Texas and other states in the...
Jump to post<table border="0" align="CENTER" width="95%" class="quote"><tr><td><font size="2" face="ARIAL, Helvetica, Geneva" color="#9A9DA0">Quoting <a href="/profile/united319" class="quote" target="_blank">united319</a> (<a href="#33" class="quote">Reply 33</a>):<br/><i>What will the seating arrangement/capa...
Jump to postI'm hoping that <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym> will use the introduction of the 77W as an opportunity to introduce the new business class offering that has been in the works for some time. It's a mistake to continue installing the same old <acronym title="Continental Airlines (U...
Jump to postThanks for the report! Good to see your opinion on these carriers, as I have flown both in long haul several times as well. I like the privacy offered by the single window seats on <acronym title="OLD: Crossair (Switzerland), NEW: Swiss International Airlines (Switzerland)">LX</acronym>, but agree t...
Jump to postCurrently <acronym title="United Airlines (USA)">UA</acronym> management has shown that they are unwilling to make improvements to the passenger experience unless they are far behind the competition and need significant catch-up. One could argue that they are already there with respect to the lack o...
Jump to postThanks for this excellent report. I just booked <acronym title="Lufthansa (Germany)">LH</acronym> Premium Economy from <acronym title="San Francisco - International (SFO / KSFO), USA - California">SFO</acronym> to Moscow this fall. I would much prefer business, but it's a differential of several tho...
Jump to post