Leaked Details of New Southwest Airlines Snack Service for Hawaii Flights

by Gary Leff

hawaii
Feb 23 2019

After many years of speculation, sixteen months ago Southwest finally announced they would fly to Hawaii. How long have we been waiting? In December 2010 they advertised for an ETOPS manager suggesting they were planning long overwater flights.

They have yet to begin selling tickets but details of their plans have been trickling out ever since. Last year they confirmed several Hawaii routes: Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, and Sacramento will see Hawaii service and they’ll fly to Honolulu, Maui, Kauai, and Lihue.

And now we know what they will serve inflight, too.

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As Airlines Raise Drink Prices, Man Carries Giant Beer Through the Airport

by Gary Leff

Feb 23 2019

The price of inflight beer and wine – like all other airline fees – has gone up. You may now pay $9 for a drink. And just like the movie theater you aren’t supposed to bring your own snacks, but at those prices how can you not at least consider it?

That looks to be what happened at Washington Dulles airport as a man is seen carrying a giant beer on one of the airport’s mobile lounges between concourses.

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Nagoya Declares Itself “Ninja Airport” With Staff Directed to Dress as Ninjas

by Gary Leff

Feb 22 2019

Nagoya airport in Japan runs the Samurai Ninja Project to introduce the history of Central Japan to tourists.

The airport’s staff dressed up as ninjas for Ninja Day which is the 22nd day of the 2nd month because the Japanese word for two is ni (transliterated, natch) and ni ni ni is like Ninja. So it’s sort of like how May 4th is Star Wars Day because ‘May the Fourth be with you’.

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United Hires Chicago Politician Whose Decisions Benefited the Airline

by Gary Leff

airport
Feb 22 2019

Back in February American Airilines went apoplectic over a deal to disproportionately increase United’s gate count at Chicago O’Hare. They said they would not sign a new lease under those conditions.

The Chicago Deputy Mayor charged with handling O’Hare expansion has now been… hired by United. Robert Rivkin was named United’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel.

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Existing Legacy Starwood Amex Cardholders Can Earn 100,000 Marriott Points

by Gary Leff

marriot bonvoy card
Feb 22 2019

If you have the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card you might not even know it because you still think of it as the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Card — and your card still says SPG on it.

One of the biggest criticisms of the new program is that the value of points earned via credit card is one third less than Starwood Amex cardmembers are accustomed to. They’ve solved that through the rest of the year.

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9 More Airlines Let You Get Through Security Faster With PreCheck

by Gary Leff

security airport
Feb 21 2019

Whether you have PreCheck because you’ve signed up for that program, or gotten it through another service like Global Entry, it only works with participating airlines that have invested in integrating with TSA for screening customer information.

TSA announced today that 9 more airlines support PreCheck: Air India, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Eastern Airlines, Elite Airways, EVA Airways, Japan Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, and Volaris.

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