OK. Now it’s getting serious. After flying from San Diego to Miami in American Airlines 737 MAX 8 first class, I’m convinced that they are totally winning – nay, dominating – the race to become America’s most consistent airline. The problem is that consistency isn’t always a good thing if what you’re being consistent with isn’t all that great. American Airlines domestic first class is OK. The seats look fantastic in my opinion, but the lack of padding (and video screens) makes it a sub par experience. Constantly being bombarded with credit card ads doesn’t help either. I don’t need yer stinkin ..read more

Delta 717-200 first class is an experience that hits a little different compared to typical Delta domestic first class. Yeah, I ate very well on my 2 1/2 hour flight from Charlotte to Minneapolis. Food and drinks were served with a smile. The seat was actually kind of comfortable as well. However – in-flight entertainment is mysteriously absent (trying to figure out why your seatmate is the way he or she is doesn’t count). There are no video screens. Wi-Fi may or may not be working. It’s basically the only mainline aircraft in Delta’s fleet that they deemed to be not worth the effort of spiffi ..read more

Of all the ways to try out the Spirit Airlines A321neo Big Front Seat, I chose one of the longest routes possible: Los Angeles to Charlotte. I mean, if I was gonna go Big, I might as well go long. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: the Spirit Big Front Seat is the best value in the US airline Industry. What’s not to love about a huge domestic first class seat that only costs a fraction of what other airlines are charging? As long as you have the confidence to admit flying on an airline with neon yellow airplanes and fares starting at $15, you’re likely to have a real good time. NK2 ..read more

I’m surprised that I enjoyed my recent Norse Atlantic 797-9 Premium Cabin experience as much as I did. It was supposed to be a sub par experience. Something I could use as an example when explaining why it’s often worth paying more for premium economy on a “real” airline. What I learned is that Norse Premium Class is about as real as it gets. Legroom is excellent, seat width is better than what other airlines are offering, and the food is pretty darn good. In an unexpected turn of events, what you’re about to read is a detailed explanation of why it’s often worth paying less for premium econom ..read more

Guess what happens when you mix Italian style and design with the mediocrity of European regional business class? You get ITA A320neo business class, that’s what. Of course it’s the same 3-3 layout (featuring the same rock hard slimline seats) that all the other airlines have. All middle seats are blocked, so you’ll never have to sit next to a complete stranger. However, it’s the extra sprinkling of panache that might have snubbing your nose at other Euro airlines from here on out. I never would’ve thought that beige carpet and cream-colored leather could have that kind of effect on me, but wh ..read more

What the hell are you even thinking considering taking a flight in Air France A321 economy class? Have you gone mad? My assumption is that you found this review because you found a tempting deal, and before pulling the trigger, you just want to see what it’s like. I get it. We’ve all been there. My advice? Save the money and choose an ultra low cost airline instead. Yeah, you’ll miss out on a tasty (and free) in-flight snack, but everything else will look and feel the same. Why full price to punish your knee caps this badly? AF1504 Paris, France (CDG) – Rome, Italy (FCO) Friday, January 19, 20 ..read more

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Air France A350-900 premium economy ain’t all that. It was easily the most cramped I’ve ever felt in a long haul premium economy seat. It wasn’t completely terrible though. The dinner service was decent. The in-flight entertainment (minus the ultra cheap headphones) was quite good. And the mood lighting? I can’t decide if it was “sexy chic” or “totally kick a**.” It works either way. Unfortunately, all of that stuff means little when the total stranger in front of you is lying in your crotch for the entire flight. Seat recline is that good bad. AF137 Ch ..read more

Here we go. This United A321neo first class review represents the first time in a while that I’ve actually felt giddy about writing a review of a domestic first class product. Sure, I’ve had some interesting experiences recently, but this was the big one. United went big with an all new first class seat design for the A321neo. It’s a huge improvement over their existing domestic first class seat, with class leading features such as privacy screens and 4K (13”) displays. It’s hardly anything I’d call revolutionary though. The lack of under seat storage space almost makes me yearn for the seat o ..read more

Scoring a Southwest 737 MAX 8 exit row seat was far more eventful than I thought it would be. On one hand, the leg room is excellent, and I very much enjoyed spreading out like an absolute boss on my flight to Phoenix. On the other hand, thanks to their open seating policy, I didn’t actually know that I’d be able to sit in the exit row exit row until I was on the plane (staring at said exit row). I don’t even want to know what kind of permanent damage the palpitations – and acid reflex – I suffered in the moments leading up to the boarding process did to my innards. And should I be concerned t ..read more

From my US-centric perspective, flying in and around China is a little different than flying domestically here at home. One of the best ways to explain these differences is to show you what it’s like to fly China Southern A330-300 economy class from Hong Kong to Beijing (Daxing). Whether or not it’s technically (politically) correct to call HKG-PKX a “domestic” flight is irrelevant. Call it a regional flight if you must. What is relevant are the free (and rather substantial) meals. The colorful seats. The friendly – yet structured – cabin service. It’s pretty good. A little quirky. Probably ev ..read more