Euro Trip 2019: Selecting transatlantic flights

This is the time of year, when it’s cold and gray, that my thoughts turn toward Europe and warm strolls along the Seine or dining at a sidewalk café in a charming Italian town. Thanks to points and miles, my wife and I have been blessed to take an annual trip to Europe, something we plan to continue in 2019. I have written previously about my approach to travel planning, but this year’s trip is different in a few ways which makes the planning process different as well. However, the first step was booking our transatlantic flights.

Euro Trip 2019, Commercial Aviation, Points and Miles, Loyalty Programs, Travel PlanningDerek CookFebruary 21, 2019United Airlines, commercial aviation, Europe, Delta SkyMiles, Delta Air Lines, American Airlin, travel planning, United Mileage Plus

United to update business class, rebrand as "United Polaris"

United Airlines has announced a redesign of its business class and airport lounges. The product will be called "United Polaris" and will debut later this year. United Polaris looks enticing but, whether it can challenge the premium services of international competitors remains to be seen.

Commercial AviationDerek CookJune 6, 2016United Airlines, United Polaris, business class, commercial aviation

Delta in the news this week

Delta Air Lines was in the news this past week with reports that the airline would modernize 85 gates at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and has now grown to be the second largest U.S. airline as measured by passenger traffic.

Commercial AviationDerek CookJanuary 15, 2016Atlanta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Delta Air Lines, renovation, American Airlines, United Airlines

US-Cuba scheduled flights could resume in 2016

Last week, the governments of the United States and Cuba reached an agreement that could allow scheduled commercial airline service to resume between the two countries for the first time in decades. Since then, several airlines have expressed interest in resuming flights to the island nation.

Caribbean, Commercial Aviation, Government RegulationDerek CookDecember 22, 2015Cuba, commercial aviation, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, JetBlue

Justice Department sues United, Delta over Newark-Liberty agreement

The Justice Department is challenging an agreement between Delta and United to swap takeoff and landing slots at Newark-Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. But should they?

Commercial Aviation, Government RegulationDerek CookNovember 12, 2015United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Newark-Liberty International Airport (EWR), John F. Kennedy International Airport, Department of Justice, LaGuardia Airport, New York City, free market

American, Delta, United and Air Canada to stop shipping big game trophies

In the aftermath of the killing of Cecil the Lion, several North American airlines have instituted a ban on transporting exotic game trophies. The question is, why do companies continue to feel the need to insert themselves into insignificant political debates?

Commercial AviationDerek CookAugust 10, 2015hunting, Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, politics, cargo, commercial aviation

Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival - A book review

Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival by Laurence Gonzales is a gripping book that recounts the crash, aftermath and investigation of United Flight 232 that went down at Sioux City, IA in July, 1989.

Commercial Aviation, PopularDerek CookJune 19, 2015United Airlines, Flight 232, airplane crash, book, Laurence Gonzales, disaster, McDonnell Douglas DC-10, commercial aviation