Don't look now, but Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) -- the DC area's third largest in terms of passenger traffic since being overtaken by nearby Reagan National (DCA) in 2015 -- is taxiing towards the runway of a veritable renaissance. This could be a big year here, and we could not be more excited for the principle international airport serving our home city.
Read moreWashington National Airport is getting an entirely new concourse, and it looks gorgeous
I am beyond excited to see this moving forward. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Arlington, Virginia -- just across the river from Washington, DC -- is beginning $1 billion in renovations that will see an entirely new concourse added in addition to completely revamped ticketing and security facilities allowing passengers to move freely between concourses without having to pass back out of security. The artist renderings are gorgeous. Locals and anyone who has ever flown in from smaller cities featuring small commuter planes know what a big deal this is.
Read moreReview: British Airways, Economy Class aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliner, London to Baltimore
Though the Boeing 787 Dreamliner airplane has been in service for several years, the chance to fly on one had eluded me until my recent flight from London to Baltimore, Maryland. This was the type of route that the Dreamliner was built for -- "long and thin" they call it -- i.e. long distance routes flown by fewer people (so lower demand). The Dreamliner can actually fly far longer than this, though it's easy to see why this airplane is a big part of long-haul air travel's future between all but the biggest cities. If you have a choice between taking a trip on the Dreamliner versus any other plane, choose the Dreamliner.
Read moreReview: Air France, Economy Class aboard Boeing 777, Paris to Washington
This was the final leg home on a trip that took me to Niamey, Niger in West Africa. The trip from Niamey to Washington took almost 24 hours, with a long layover in Paris’s Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG). Niger may be far off the beaten path for most travelers, but Air France between Paris and Washington, DC certainly is not. Despite the layover, overall I had a fine experience in economy class to bring my trip to a close. This is my complete review.
Read moreInsanely great airfares make this the absolute right time to book your Europe trip for later in 2017
If you've had a trip to Europe on your wishlist, now's the time to book it for later this year. We've been watching the airline prices from some of the big trans-Atlantic markets in the United States, and are feeling quite good about the fares available right now. The specifics will vary, but the bottom line is that we think now is the time to pull in a good deal (some even in the sub-$500 round trip range, flying economy class, of course).
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 moreReview: TAP Portugal Express, Seville to Lisbon to Porto, is great quality for short flights
TAP Portugal between Seville (Spain), Lisbon, and Porto treated us to the best regional air travel we've expereienced. If you love spending time on the Iberian Peninsula (that's Spain and Portugal, for the geographically uninitiated) as much as we do, it's entirely likely that TAP will be a big part of your plans. They are worth considering.
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 moreAre ultra low cost fares to Europe via Iceland's WOW air right for you?
Iceland: A land of sagas, legends, waterfalls, and restaurants that serve puffin. The main way to travel to Iceland from the USA is on their national airline Icelandair, but this can get pricy. For the last few years there has been a new game in town, an Icelandic low-cost carrier named WOW.
Read moreReview: Great experience in AirBerlin business class Berlin to New York... with wine tasting notes
I rarely pay to sit in business or first class, though I don't love a good experience up front, which I take via upgrade or use of miles when the stars align. My recent flight in AirBerlin business class from Berlin to New York was one such moment, and it was quite good. This was a fun post to write for its rare opportunity to bring together my geeky love of wine and commercial aviation in a single piece for, yes, I have tasting notes below!
Read moreNavigating Lisbon Airport: A mixed bag with some great deals on trans-Atlantic flights
Lisbon Airport (LIS) is relevant for intra-European and trans-Atlantic travelers alike because it's home and hub of the airline TAP Portugal, and TAP is rather good at offering competitive prices to, from, and inside of Europe... if you are willing to take a layover in Lisbon, often times at roundtrip fares from the U.S. to various European destinations offered at less than $500.
Read moreReview: AirBerlin economy class Sweden to Germany is solidly functional, but don't expect frills
Recent experience flying AirBerlin economy class within the European Union - Gothenburg, Sweden to Berlin, Germany - says the airline's economy experience is a good option. OneWorld Alliance membership adds extra convenience. Numerous destinations throughout Europe, combined with service to eight American cities and a smattering of others in Latin America and Africa make it a compelling option for cost-sensitive travelers to / from / inside of Europe.
Read more"Your Guide to Washington, DC-Area Airports" out in the "Washingtonian" last week
Washingtonian magazine was out last week with a DC-area airports guide that we want to share. We've made no secret of our love for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), we think one of the nation's very best, but there's great history and interesting things happening in the near future for travelers through all three of the airports serving Washington, DC. Locals and passers through read on.
Read moreReview: Norwegian Air is a solid low-cost airline for European and some North American travelers
Norwegian seems (mostly) a higher quality low-cost airline in the mold of jetBlue and Southwest. With nine destinations from New York alone, the airline may be a compelling alternative for some cost-conscious travelers. You won't fly luxuriously, but I think you'll fly comfortably… and you'll have some money leftover to spend when you get to wherever you're going.
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 moreCathedrals, Marvels, and Great Spots: Why America's airports aren't "like a third world country"
There's a rumor afoot that America's airports "are like from a third world country". Listen, not all airports are created equal. Some are better than others. Each excel at different things. There are absolutely stunning airports the world over (including in some developing nations), and also some pretty terrible ones. Book your next layover at one of our favorites to see for yourself.
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.
Read moreNational Aviation Day + National Photo Day = Our best #PlanePics of 2016. Also a mystery.
We're celebrating National Aviation Day, Friday, August 19, 2016! We'll also go ahead and, not coincidentally, wish Orville Wright a very happy birthday. He'd have turned 145 years old today. Wilber definitely got the short end of the quasi national holiday stick. We're celebrating with favorites from our stash of aviation photos we've taken this year. Two photos below, and only two photos, depict the exact same plane spotted on two separate occasions 1,010 miles away from one another. Which photos?
Read moreSouthwest's and jetBlue's reward programs offer simple ways to quickly earn free travel
Frequent-flier rewards programs generally fall into one of two categories, each suited to a different type of traveler. Knowing which to favor based on the type of traveler you are will help you get the most from your airline rewards, and actually use them faster! Today we're going to tackle what I call the "Points for Dollars" frequent flier reward programs that make Southwest and jetBlue particularly attractive for travelers who like to keep things simple and who want to earn free tickets quickly.
Read moreAboard the vintage Douglas DC-3 airplane, recalling travel from an era of suits and fancy hats
Ambling up those stairs into the cabin, it's not tough for the mind's eye to conjure men in suits and ladies in fancy hats finding their seats and drawing their curtains, reading their newspapers and smoking their cigarettes in the soft light of each lamp. Hat racks hang above the original seats, which are unbelievably far more narrow than the confines we now "enjoy", for passengers were a bit more svelte in those days. A buffet in the aft part of the cabin served hot meals (and, dare we ask, wine?) alongside fine china and silver.
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