The World According to Pat

This past month I have flown on two US Airways flights and finally payed attention to how I was credited for these flights with United. One flight from PHX to SAN in economy the other PHL to SFO in First. The short synopsis is you will receive credit to your Mileage Plus account much like if you were flying on United. But there are some differences as well as some differences if flying other Star Alliance Carriers. To read more about flying US Air and receiving credit to your Mileage Plus account please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=284

For a complete review of the US Airways Club at the Philadelphia airport please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=240

This is a review of United's new business class seat from EWR to BRU.  This was a United 777 with three classes and is typical service for United's flights from EWR or IAD to Western Europe. For complete review of United's new business class please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=259

If recent travel experiences are any indicator than yes, much harder. As a 1K, I have not been upgraded on more flights the last two months than the last two years. It does appear United is trying to do away with Complimentary Upgrades!! You can read my full take on this topic at; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=226

This review is of two flights I took from SAN to IAH. Both 737-900's. One with United's new Sky Interior from Boeing and a quick review of the same flight the next week with traditional interior. For full review please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=153

To see the review for United Airlines First Class from Honolulu please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=182

For review of Alaska Airlines First Class service to Honolulu and Hawaii please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=174

For information on free transportation to Bath Rd. within Heathrow's Freeflow Free Fare Zone please visit; https://www.patstravelreviews.com/post/free-bus-transportation-from-london-lhr-to-bath-road-within-heathrow-freeflow-zone

For a review of Lufthansa's Business Class from FRA - CDG please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=40

For a review of Delta's Economy Comfort for 757, 737 and MD88 please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=140 For an update and further review of  Delta's Economy Comfort (and exit row seating) on A319, A320, and CRJ 700 & 900's please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=361

Please see review for United's Global First at; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=85

As of today (Sept. 1st) it is possible to book flights on some upcoming domestic routes United will be using the 787 Dreamliner on. They will fly the 787 from IAH to their other hubs. I know they will fly between ORD and IAH starting Nov. 4th thru Dec. 3rd. and then again from Jan. 4th thru March 29th. They will also fly between IAH and SFO, EWR, DEN, IAD, and LAX. After these domestic runs they will use the 787 on International routes . I guess I need to be in Houston or Chicago in November! I just found this page on United's site with all flights and times the 787 will fly domestically; https://hub.united.com/en-us/News/Company-Operations/Pages/united-787-dreamliner-domestic-routes.aspx Here is another page on United's site with more information on the 787; https://hub.united.com/en-us/Videos/Company/Pages/787-Dreamliner.aspx For more information on United's 787 please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=79

I have decided to start my own travel review site. You can find more travel reviews and travel information at http://patstravelreviews.com/ See you there!!

I just received an e-mail from America Airlines promoting their new fleet. Seems being in bankruptcy hasn't stopped them from buying new planes. They will be (in December) the 1st US Carrier to fly the 777-300 and it will have all aisle access in their new Business Class. Much better than United's 2 middle seats in each row on their 777 (and downstairs on 747-400) Business Class. They are also currently adding 3 next generation 737-800 a month and starting in July 2013 will start flying  Airbus planes (319 & 321). All planes will have in-seat entertainment (First Class seats will have larger screens). On their Transcontinental routes (A321) they will have 3 classes of service (like United's). From the video http://www.aa.com/i18n/urls/newplanes.jsp?anchorLocation=DirectURL&title=newplanes  it looks like what you used to think of American. One of the leading US airlines instead of what they have become lately. Looks very nice!! This mu...

I asked my sister the other day how to get my blog address to other relevant sites. She gave me some answer about non-profits (she works with non-profits) and might as well been speaking Portuguese with me because I didn't understand what she was saying. But, it did remind me of a great way to extend frequent flier miles that are about to expire and help out a Charity in the meantime.  Most US airlines frequent flier miles (Delta is an exception - their miles do not expire) expire after a certain amount of inactivity. United, US Air, American, Hawaiian, and Virgin America expire after 18 months of inactivity. Southwest and Alaska Airlines expire after 24 months of inactivity (and Jet Blue 12 months, but this does not apply to them as they do not extend miles without having their credit card or flying them). Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Lufthansa expire after 36 months of inactivity. A year and a half goes quickly and for a lot of...

There is not much to review for the Ghent Marriott Hotel as it is a basic Marriott hotel. This does not make it bad, in fact, at least you know what you are getting when you arrive. It is in the perfect location to explore the historic center of Ghent. The address is just Drabstraat · Ghent. Luckily we were able to choose the hotel on the cars GPS and did not need to type the address in, because I am not sure just entering Drabstraat as an address would have been enough. The hotel was easy enough to find with the GPS other than when we were just about to arrive at our location (according to the GPS) we reached a dead end and there was no hotel in sight.  Just as I was about to panic I looked up and noticed the Marriott sign on a very nondescript building. Now my wife didn't see it at all so I was only slightly embarrassed. The hotel was at the dead end and there was a very small driveway to the hotel garage to park the car (23 Euros/day). Aft...

I thought I would write about a couple restaurants we ate at in Belgium. I have had some questions about food so if anyone is in (or going to) Brugge or Ghent here are two very good restaurants. As a side note I enjoyed both Brugge and Ghent (My wife was not as happy with Ghent). Brugge is like a fairytale city. Very clean, and picturesque. Ghent has a similar feel, but is not nearly as clean (it has a large University and there are lots of kids who congregate along the river. I think this has become an issue because the day we visited there was a campaign to keep the river clean and throw away trash and not leave it on walkways) plus it is a larger city than Brugge. After having disappointing meals in Versailles & Trouville I decided to research some restaurants before we headed out for dinner. At both hotels the front desk staff recommended the restaurants from a small list I had made (I was looking for stew) and both ...

                              The Crowne Plaza Brugge is located on Burg Square at Burg 10, Brugge. It is a stones throw to the larger Market Square where the Belfry of Brugge is located (both Squares are beautiful). Arriving by car is very challenging. Even with the GPS we had a hard time finding the hotel (I also made the mistake of looking for public parking). Without the GPS we may still be driving thru the narrow cobbled one-way streets. But once we found the front of the hotel (we saw the back many times) there were actually a few places we could park the car while we checked-in. Check-in was quick and the young man at the front desk was very friendly and helpful (I was trying to find a Citibank). He informed us that we had an upgraded room (I am a Priority Club member, but rarely stay at Priority Club proper...

The Best Western Hostellerie Du Vallon is located at 12 Rue Sylvestre Lasserre in Trouville, France in the heart of Normandy. It is short walk to the boardwalk area where there are many shops and restaurants and a 15 minute walk to the center of Deauville (the cities are side by side with harbors in each city). It is not however, easy to find. Luckily on our way there we figured out the GPS and found the hotel after our second go round thru Trouville. The hotel is a typical Best Western in Europe. Meaning it is certainly not a luxurious property but is clean & charming and very basic. The exterior is striking with typical French Normandy style architecture (looks like a large Tudor home) and includes a small parking lot. Check-in was relatively easy. I think there is only 1 person working the front desk so if there were a few people checking in or out at once there could be a wait, She was relatively friendly and answered the few questions we ha...

For a review of United's Million Miler program please visit: http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=67

For full review of the Waldorf Astoria's Trianon Palace Versailles and Hilton Honors benefits at the hotel please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=50

The Hilton Arc de Triomphe is no longer a Hilton as of December 4, 2012. I just received an e-mail from I Prefer stating that the Hilton Arc de Triomphe is now called "The Hotel Du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe Paris". It is part of the Preferred Hotel & Resort group. Here is I Prefer's address for the hotel - http://www.iprefer.com/luxury-hotel/Paris/The-Hotel-Du- Collectionneur -Arc- de - Triomphe -Paris/ This review is still of this hotel, but obviously is no longer relevant as it pertains to Hilton Honors benefits. For review of the The Hotel Du Collectionneur Arc de Triomphe in Paris please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=48

For a review of Lufthansa's First Class Lounge at Frankfurt Airport please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=35 Thank you!!

For a review of United's Global First Lounge at Chicago O'Hare please visit; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=37 Thank You

For an update on Lufthansa's 747-800 please visit;  http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=24

I changed the name of my blog from Flight Museum as it really had no meaning. Just went to the Flight Museum in Seattle with my nephew the day my Sister convinced me to start a blog (I was not sure what a blog was - and maybe still not sure ;) ) I am not sure I like this title either, but it is here for now. I have a few photo's and review of 2 restaurants we went to in Paris. So if you are ever in Paris here are 2 good recommendations. The 1st is called Le Relais de Venise. The address is - 271 Boulevard Pereire, Porte-Maillot.. The restaurant is located across from the Porte-Maillot Center and Metro. Just off the Av. de la Grande Armee (which is the same road as the Champs Elysees - changes names at the Arc De Triomphe) This was the 1st time I have been to this restaurant in 5 years. And I was not disappointed. It is among my favorite restaurants in the world. In fact, on my many trips to Russia years ago I would purposely have an overnight layover at CDG and take t...

    For review of Lufthansa's First Class Service please visit ; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=30 This flight was from Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA), but I am sure the service (not the seat) is similar to all Lufthansa's flights from North America to Germany.    

For review of the Brussels Airline Lounge in Brussels please visit: http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=22  and http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=261

For review of the Brussels Airline Lounge in Brussels please visit: http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=22 and; http://patstravelreviews.com/?p=261

We are flying back home tomorrow. I will have review of some hotels and restaurants in France and Belgium in the coming days. I will also have review of UAL and Lufthansa flights as well. But 2 things about United. One very good and one bad. The bad - They can no longer keep your seat assignment. My wife and I have had 1A&B on flight from IAD to LAX tomorrow for 2 months. I just happened to look as I received the time to check-in notice and saw that we now have 1A & 5B. Since it is an International flight we are taking I can not change Our seat assignments on line (as stated earlier I do not like checking in on line (because usually you can't)) Plus 1B is now gone. So I will have to deal with this before I check-in in BRU and doubt they can do anything about it. This is a big problem for 2 reasons. One - this is the 4th time it has happened to me in the last 2 months (it had never happened to me in the last 10 years and I have taken 100's of flights- unless there was ...

Flight yesterday to CDG was a quick 50 minutes. Received full cold meal (cold pancakes, meats, bread, and fruit) and very good orange juice. Was fresh (same with meal on flight to FRA - but not before take off). Sometimes I judge an airline by their orange juice. United serves minute maid from the carton which is good while Delta only serves minute maid from the carton in the morning. The rest of the day it is from the can and that tastes like.... well not very good. But I was very pleased with Lufthansa as much as I dislike Orange juice from a can I also dislike Orange juice from a carton in Europe. As you can tell I like orange juice and it is the only thing I drink on planes before take off. Anyway - I think they even served quick meal in economy to CDG Arrival in CDG did not as smoothly. We cleared passport in FRA so flying from FRA to CDG is like flying from ORD to LAX you get off the plane and go. So that was easy. But we had arranged pick up from Interservice Prestige. Nor...

The Singapore A380 is just passing by. It is becoming a more common sight. I read where there are only 787 in service with none delivered last month. I would say the FRA 1st class lounge is nicer than the Singapore 1st Class lounge. For further travel reviews and travel information please visit http://patstravelreviews.com

In Lufthansa 1st Class lounge at Frankfurt airport in Terminal A. Very very nice. In fact, one of the best lounges I have ever been in.They don't have massage or beauty treatments like Swiss, BA, or Virgin have in this lounge- but very pleasant environment. I am typing this while I sit and look at runway. There is actually a tub in shower room so I drew a nice bath :) Had tasty smoothie and many more food options (including lots of candy) Unfortunately, I ate so much on the plane that I am too full to eat. It is much nicer than the Senator's lounges . The only problem it is still Frankfurt airport which is never easy to negotiate. I have been here at least 20 times and am always confused as to where to go. There are no signs telling you for passport or Schengen connections. This is only airport in the world I have this issue with. The United 1st class lounge in ORD was also very nice and a big step up from the regular United lounges. Many more food options and also a ver...

Staying at LAX Hilton to catch morning flight to ORD then to FRA. I tried to check-in online with Lufthansa, but internet connection went away. Just have to do the old fashion way. Actually, I find when traveling internationally it is better to check-in with a live person than online or from Kiosk. Never seems to work. When I was leaving Seattle Thursday a man traveling to Thailand was having all sorts of problems and was told he was not allowed to take flight because he didn't have the proper documents. But once agent started over from the beginning. No problem! I can still hear planes taking off (it is 1:45am) but can not see them because it is dark and runway is not well lit (it is for planes to land - but not to see from across the street). I guess I will have to wait for break off day. We have early flight, but we can still visit lounge where there is a great view of the runway. I just looked at weather for Chicago and got a little scare. I looked at today's fo...

http://747-8.lufthansa.com/#/b747/experience/first-seat The 747-800 starts to fly from FRA to IAD June 1st. My Wife (Polina) and I are flying to Paris thru FRA on a 747-400 in 1st this Saturday and I hope to change flight (is on award ticket so possible to do) on return from Brussels on June 2nd. We have a single connection thru IAD now on UAL, but maybe we can change fly thru FRA and IAD on the new 747-800. Hopefully she is not reading this because  somehow she doesn't see the enjoyment of adding another airport and a few more hours for the sake of flying in a new plane :) For further travel reviews and travel information please visit http://patstravelreviews.com

Very windy in San Francisco today. Had layover in SFO from SEA to SAN. Was so windy that plane shook while we were parked at gate waiting for jet way (and of course it took over 10 min. for someone to bring jet way to plane). Pilot said winds were gusting to 35 mph. The amazing thing is there were no delays at the airport (in fact, flight was early) At any other big airport that kind of wind would create big delays and this at an airport where even the daily occurrence of low clouds creates delays. So pleasant surprise. Lots of action at that time of the day. Lufthansa 380 (my 1st sighting) was parked in Int'l terminal and from United lounge I saw SQ Triple bird taking off as well as an Air Berlin A330 landing (flights were taking off to North so you could see lot's of action from the lounge). Plus there was a Turkish A330 and Qatar plane at East side of Airport. I do not think either airline fly's to SFO (unless cargo). As I walked thru Terminal 3 I stopped ...

Visiting Seattle took my nephew to the Flight Museum and saw two 787's parked at Boeing Field and saw 747-800 flying overhead.  What a day.  Leave tomorrow back for San Diego.  On a 737-800 from SFO to SAN.  First time flying a Continental Plane on a United Route.  Off to Paris on Saturday.  Breaking News !!!  Breaking News !!! Russia has ok'd December Vacations and Olga (sister-in-law) is coming to San Diego on December 22nd.  For further travel reviews and travel information please visit http://patstravelreviews.com