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The pilot of British Airways flight 501 from Lisbon to London Heathrow reported being struck by lightning while on approach to the airport on Sunday. He described the lightning as having “entered [the aircraft] just underneath the flight deck” and said it left via the aircraft’s tail. “We saw it shoot through the cabin,” he noted, an occurrence he had only heard about in stories but never witnessed before.
A shirtless man was captured on video running from police on the tarmac of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) early Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. and involved an American Airlines flight.
A passenger on Delta flight 1245 from Boston to West Palm Beach shared a photo of a flight attendant wearing a Palestine flag pin. This practice appears more common among Delta employees than those of other airlines, despite violating the airline's uniform standards. Delta has not enforced these standards, possibly to avoid controversy during a unionization drive or to prevent alienating customers at their Detroit hub.
On July 7, 2024, a passenger shared a photo of an aircraft with what appeared to be duct tape on its engine, raising concerns about aviation safety. This image highlights a common misunderstanding in aviation regarding the use of speed tape.
An airport lounge is intended to be a place of refuge from the terminal, offering a quiet area to wait, some food, and a complimentary drink. However, recent reports indicate that this experience is being marred by staff at United Clubs soliciting tips.
An American Airlines passenger reported being extorted by a check-in agent in Managua, Nicaragua. The incident occurred during a flight from Managua (MGA) to Miami (MIA). The passenger claimed that the agent demanded a full-price ticket for their infant, insisting it had to be paid in cash.
Bask Bank has introduced a new offer that allows customers to earn 82,500 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles in six months without spending money. The Bask Mileage Savings Account awards 2.5 AAdvantage® miles per dollar saved annually, providing one of the highest returns possible for a savings account that awards miles instead of money.
People flying while sick and spreading viruses is a significant concern in air travel. A passenger recounted an experience on United Airlines where they contracted a viral infection from a fellow traveler with visibly bright eyes. Another incident involved a Southwest Airlines flight from Baltimore to Las Vegas, where a woman hesitated to board because the man ahead of her was coughing heavily. Despite his efforts to cover his mouth and turn away, she expressed her reluctance but eventually boarded.
When your flight is canceled and you’re stranded overnight, the airline might offer a hotel room. This often depends on whether the delay is deemed their fault—such as mechanical issues or unavailable crew—or beyond their control, like weather or air traffic problems.
In April, British Airways launched a status match offer for U.S. customers, causing significant concern among American Airlines executives. This promotion allowed participants to access American’s Flagship lounges when flying domestically.
News and notes from around the internet:
American Airlines is embroiled in prolonged negotiations with its flight attendants, whose contract became amendable four and a half years ago. Since January 2019, flight attendants have not seen an increase in their wage formula, resulting in an approximate 20% erosion in the value of their wages.
The assessment of cities worldwide often reveals varied opinions based on personal experiences and biases. In a recent analysis, several cities were highlighted for being overrated, underrated, or ideal for living and dining.
A pipe leak at Miami International Airport resulted in fluorescent green fluid pouring from the ceiling around 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday morning. The cleanup operation lasted approximately 90 minutes, and airport officials have assured that the substance was not hazardous. It was identified as a "green dye" used to trace the source of water leaks.
News and notes from around the internet:
Citibank and American Airlines have rebranded their small business card, the Citi® / AAdvantage BusinessTM World Elite Mastercard®. The card now offers 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first four months of account opening. The card’s $99 annual fee is waived for the first 12 months.
When the government evaluates an applicant for Global Entry, they consider two main factors: security risk and the likelihood of customs violations. The program grants 'trusted traveler' status, offering expedited airport security and immigration procedures. This means less scrutiny, no need to remove shoes or liquids, and bypassing body scanners.
United Airlines has updated its 'contract of carriage' to double the required check-in time for passengers, although enforcement of this policy has not yet begun. As reported by Live and Let's Fly, domestic flight passengers must now check in at least 60 minutes before departure, an increase from the previous 30-minute requirement. For international flights, the new check-in time is 75 minutes prior to departure, up from 60 minutes.
On busy travel days, flying can become profitable as passengers may sell their seats on overbooked flights. One Delta passenger recently capitalized on this by earning $5,000 in a single day. Initially, the passenger accepted $2,000 to give up their seat on an overbooked flight and take a later one. When that subsequent flight was also overbooked, they volunteered again and received an additional $3,000.
I receive compensation for content and many links on this blog. Citibank is an advertising partner of this site, as are American Express, Chase, Barclays, and Capital One. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners. I do not write about all credit cards that are available— instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Terms apply to the offers and benefits listed on this page.