American Airlines flight 94 from New York to Madrid was one of the very first flight reviews I wrote for WTF, flying economy class back in 2016, so I was excited to return to this flight in business class up front. American is planning to retire these aging airplanes over the next several years, but I feel that enough travelers between the U.S. and Spain read this blog to justify a review of a product that won't necessarily be around forever. Overall impression is that of an enjoyable enough experience aboard an aircraft that is rapidly feeling more and more out of date.
Read moreOur five favorite credit cards to save big and have a great experience while traveling
The question is always packaged a bit differently depending on who asks, but suffice it to say that I'm often asked some variation of the same question question: I am miserable when I travel because [it's so expensive, it's so uncomfortable, it's so inconvenient], so what are the core credit cards I should sign up for to make it all a bit better?
Read moreReview: American Airlines Flagship Lounge at New York JFK is a winner on wine, food, ambiance (yes)
The soft sounds of happy conversation, clinking of glasses upon tables, and occasional popping of a Champagne cork waft about open, airy spaces filled with white paper lights hanging from the rafters, plants, and a tidy bar. Yeah, I'm sitting in an airport, though you wouldn't believe it. Turns out that the "Atrium" area of American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Terminal 8 at New York's JFK International Airport is one of the best things going in domestic air travel.
Read moreWinner (American Airlines) and loser (American Express) from Monday's DC travel calamity
It was starting to look as if 2017 would finally be the year that I skipped my annual calamitous experience traveling from Boston to Washington, DC. Not to be. This past Monday night, a hazardous material incident shut down the FAA control center handling traffic into all three DC-area airports. I was rebooked on seven different flights in a fifteen hour period -- though really appreciated every last friendly American Airlines employee who helped me on my way -- spent the night in Boston, and was utterly failed by my American Express Platinum card.
Read moreReview: Madrid to Philadelphia in American Airlines economy class aboard the Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 has been my ride back to the United States from Europe a couple of times lately, most recently flying in American Airlines main cabin extra from Madrid to Philadelphia. While I missed the business class seat I had on my previous experience aboard this plane, I can actually say that the A330 is currently one of my favorite planes to fly on in any class of service. This is a really great flight by economy standards, one that I am sure we'll take again.
Read moreHow to improve your odds of being less cramped aboard newer planes when on a short flight
It's the worst. You're on one of those old and rather beat up small regional jets that hop passengers on shorter distance flights between medium sized cities, or between larger cities connected by more frequent flights on smaller planes. Wine:Thirty Flight recently took off in a sparkling new Bombardier CRJ 900 model aboard American Eagle, so today we're sharing tips for brightening your journey by selecting tickets on a plane you actually want to fly aboard.
Read moreThis handy tool will easily track your progress towards earning elite status on U.S. airlines in 2017
The elite status qualification systems on the big legacy U.S. airlines (American, Delta, and United) have become excruciatingly complicated over the last several years. I still maintain that earning your way into a higher privilege tier nets worthy benefits in terms of better seats, free checked baggage, an overall kinder and gentler airline experience, and other perks that come along... so we built a tool that will help you track your progress and take some of the mysticism out of earning elite status.
Read moreInsight and tips for your trans-Atlantic American Airlines flight on aging but reasonable Boeing 767
As I write, we're flying from New York JFK International Airport to Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD) aboard an American Airlines Boeing 767-300, the smaller of the Boeing wide body long airplanes. We're spending this leg of the journey in Economy Class, so we're able to offer worthwhile tips to anyone flying similar American routes on this plane.
Read moreTouching down in Phoenix for a little taste of Arizona wine and absolutely beautiful country
Returned from Phoenix, AZ with good things to say about the local Arizona wine, newly renovated American Airlines Admirals Club at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and -- of course -- the beautiful scenery. It is absolutely beautiful country.
Read moreReviewing new American Airlines Admirals Club renovations with Phoenix as case study
Travel through the airport, step out of the chaos, pick up a glass of wine. That's what airport lounges are built for. Happily, American Airlines has been remaking their Admirals Clubs at key airports for well over a year. If Phoenix is any indication, I think American is making really good strides.
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