Airline Reviews Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Benjamin J Travel

Trip Report: Cathay Pacific A330 Premium Economy | Hong Kong to Singapore

Trip Report: Cathay Pacific A330 Premium Economy | Hong Kong to Singapore

30 January, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

Bound for Singapore on my final leg of my outbound journey, I was booked in Cathay Pacific A330 Premium Economy. It’s about a 3.5 hour journey to Singapore from Hong Kong but this aircraft was configured in a long-haul configuration. My last intra-Asia flight on Cathay Pacific was on the regional two-class version of the 777. I savored as much time as possible at The Pier First Class Lounge as long as possible before hiking over the Gate 27 for boarding….

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Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic 747 Premium Economy | London Gatwick to Las Vegas Upper Decl

Trip Report: Virgin Atlantic 747 Premium Economy | London Gatwick to Las Vegas

23 January, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 14 comments

After a very nice holiday in Europe, it was time to had back to Texas. We had booked ourselves from London Gatwick to Las Vegas on Virgin Atlantic. I was curious to review the Virgin Atlantic 747 Premium Economy. The Queen of the Skies is quickly disappearing from fleets around the world and at the time of writing, Virgin Atlantic has shifted all of their 747s to their Gatwick base. Because I love the 747 upper deck, I specifically booked our…

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Quirks of Iberia Basic Fares and OneWorld Elite Status

Quirks of Iberia Basic Fares and OneWorld Elite Status

9 January, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 5 comments

With just about airline around the world offering or getting ready to introduce “basic” fares, Iberia was early to the party on offering these fare bargains. Like most basic fares, Iberia Basic fares doesn’t include perks like checked bags, seat selections, or refunds. When planning our recent trip to Brussels, we booked a one-way cash ticket on Iberia from Madrid to Brussels. The cheapest option by far was the “Basic” fare which doesn’t include a checked bag. We were both going…

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Mini Review: AA 787-9 Premium Economy | DFW to Madrid

Mini Review: AA 787-9 Premium Economy | DFW to Madrid

8 January, 2017 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

While I’ve already posted two extensive reviews on AA 787-9 Premium Economy on the 787-9 between Dallas and Madrid and reverse, both trip reports were on the inaugural weekend of the product. I found myself in the same cabin about 2 months after the launch of AA’s international Premium Economy product and though I’d provide a min-update on the service. Full Trip Report: AA 787-9 Premium Economy Dallas to Madrid Full Trip Report: AA 787-9 Premium Economy Madrid to Dallas We…

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Trip Report: Upper Deck Club World on British Airways' 747 | DFW to London

Trip Report: Upper Deck Club World on British Airways’ 747 | DFW to London

20 December, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 7 comments

Bound for Ireland for the Thanksgiving holiday, this particular trip was extra special to me. My Dad has done so much for me throughout my life. Raising me, taking care of me, and helping mold me into the person I am today. In decades past, my dad has traveled to Mexico and Canada with the US Navy but this truly was going to be his first “overseas” trip. I travel so much for my blog and personal travel, but I…

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Lounge Review: Returning to the Iberia Velázquez Sala VIP Madrid | Terminal 4S

Lounge Review: Returning to the Iberia Velázquez Sala VIP Madrid | Terminal 4S

13 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Terminal 4S is the primary terminal for Iberia, American Airlines, and other OneWorld carriers. It’s a fantastic, award-winning terminal design with some striking architectural features. Despite all this lovely design, I do find the fact that the Velasquez lounge entrance is located inside the duty free shop. The bright silver hues of the perfume section blend in with the stainless steel doors of the lounge. The Iberia staff was polite and I was promptly checked in. The lounge is very…

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Trip Report: Back to DFW From Madrid in AA Premium Economy

11 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 12 comments

After experiencing American Airlines’ Premium Economy on the 787-9 just 2 days prior, it was time to make the same trip home. Same aircraft, same cabin and even the same crew! As a travel blogger, it was an interesting experience to compare identical travel products just 2 days apart. I had a pretty good experience on the outbound so I was hoping for an experience as good or better. The AA Premium Economy product has been introduced on their new…

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Launch of American Airlines 787-9 Premium Economy DFW to Madrid

Trip Report: Launch of American Airlines’ 787-9 Premium Economy | DFW to Madrid

7 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 42 comments

After the fanfare of American Airlines’ first official 787-9 flight domestically from DFW to LAX, it was time for American to take 787-9 for the long haul. I had booked my ticket well in advance in anticipation of the launch of American Airlines’ 787-9 Premium Economy product. Plus, I love Madrid and I’m happy to visit any time! American is currently offering Premium Economy seats complimentary to elite members (Executive Platinum and Platinum at booking) and are being sold as…

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Tomorrow’s Adventure: American Airlines’ Inaugural DFW to Madrid 787-9 Flight

3 November, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

Well the day is almost here and tomorrow, November 4, I’m aboard another inaugural flight with American Airlines. I’m pleased to be on the inaugural DFW to Madrid 787-9 flight with AA, featuring Premium Economy. This tags onto the inaugural domestic 787-9 flight I took from DFW to LAX this last month. It’s quite excited that American is introducing a new aircraft, the 787-9, to their fleet. This is the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. On the DFW to…

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Lounge Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt | Concourse Z

Lounge Review: Lufthansa Senator Lounge Frankfurt | Concourse Z

19 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 2 comments

While the First Class lounges and the dedicated First Class Terminal get all the attention at Frankfurt Airport, I think the Lufthansa Business Class Senator Lounge in Frankfurt is worth more than just an honorable mention. After connecting from my BA CitFlyer flight from London City, I had about 2 hours to transfer terminals and explore the lounge. Fortunately, I avoided checking a bag at London City with British Airways to make the transfer at FRA relatively painless. I had arrived at Terminal 2…

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Delta A330-300 on Tarmac at Barcelona El Part Airport Economy Class Review Delta Announces New Service From New York JFK to Lagos, Nigeria

Trip Report: Delta A330 Economy Class | Barcelona to New York JFK

11 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 0 Comment

After a nice extended weekend in Barcelona, it was time to head back home. We’d flown Air France on the outbound journey and had a less than great experience. I wasn’t quite ready to go home after such a short visit to Barcelona but alas it was back to work. As part of our super cheap SkyTeam fare we scored for this trip, our return flight was aboard Delta’s A330 Economy Class via JFK. We took the metro to Barcelona–El…

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Trip Report: Air France A340 Economy Class | Minneapolis to Paris

Trip Report: Air France A340 Economy Class | Minneapolis to Paris

9 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 1 comment

After traveling in the comfort of Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and American Airlines Business Class to Greece and Italy two weeks before, it was time to back get to basics for an extended weekend in Barcelona. We had snagged a super cheap SkyTeam flight. It was time for a ride in Economy Class aboard the Air France A340! Our trip started with a Delta flight from Dallas to Minneapolis for our connection to Air France. We started our day with several…

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Trip Report: American Airlines’ Brand New 787-9 Premium Economy

7 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 51 comments

I had the pleasure of flying aboard American Airline’s inaugural domestic 787-9 flight this week from Dallas to Los Angeles, as well as the return to Dallas on the same aircract. Sitting in the 787-9 Premium Economy cabin, I was fortunate enough to be one of the first passengers to try American’s Premium Economy seat. American was not only launching a new aircraft type with 787-9, but it’s also the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. There was a little…

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Good Morning from American Airlines’ Inaugural Domestic 787-9 Flight!

6 October, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 6 comments

Good morning travelers and #avgeeks! I’m currently on board the inaugural domestic 787-9 Flight with American Airlines’. This is American’ first “official’ scheduled 787-9 flight although technically they flew an ETOPs certification flight earlier this month. Not only is it exciting that American is launching a new aircraft type today but the 787-9 is the first plane with American’s new Premium Economy product installed. On this DFW to LAX flight, I’m sitting in the new Premium Economy section in seat 11L….

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Air New Zealand 777-300ER Economy Class

Trip Report: Air New Zealand 777-300 Economy Class | Los Angeles to London

1 September, 2016 Benjamin J Travel Comments 9 comments

Taking the unconventional routing from Dallas to London via LAX, I was excited for my first flight aboard Air New Zealand, even if it’s in Economy! I had snagged a pretty cheap flight for under $400 USD one-way from LAX to London Heathrow. This route is “fifth-freedom” route for Air New Zealand, and a popular one! I had arrived on a separate American Airlines flight from Dallas so I used my Priority Pass membership to access the KAL Lounge in…

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