Latest news with #Leff
New York Post
20-05-2025
- New York Post
Flight passenger calls out ‘nasty cologne' wearer, igniting airplane etiquette debate
A flight passenger called out a fellow flyer for his 'nasty cologne,' sparking a debate about smells in 'cramped spaces.' In the forum 'r/delta' on Reddit, the post was titled, 'Dudes and their nasty cologne,' as the user shared that he or she was on a flight from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Atlanta, Georgia. 'GUYS … You do not need to wear buckets of cologne before boarding a plane. The preferred amount would be zero. People are allergic,' wrote the user. The person continued, 'Honestly, it's wholly inconsiderate to wear anything super strong in cramped spaces.' Reddit users took to the comments section to share their thoughts about various smells on planes. 'Perfume and cologne are NOT meant to be announced, they are to be discovered,' wrote one user. Another user commented, 'I have to bring my inhaler with me for every flight because of this.' 4 A flight passenger called out a fellow flyer for his 'nasty cologne,' sparking a debate about smells in 'cramped spaces.' Andrey Popov – Yet another Redditor said, 'It doesn't help that a lot of airports have cologne shops where people go in and spray a ton of samples on themselves before their flight.' One user wrote, 'In my experience, it's mostly middle-aged women with their sickly sweet perfume that I notice. But I agree with the sentiment.' Said another person, 'I've given up a FC [first class] seat and moved to coach because a woman's perfume gave me an asthma attack.' 4 'GUYS … You do not need to wear buckets of cologne before boarding a plane. The preferred amount would be zero. People are allergic,' the user wrote. Pixel-Shot – A user advised, 'I always travel with peppermint oil to put in/around my nose to combat the noxious cologne/perfume /body spray /BO.' Another user joked, 'I think everyone needs to walk through a smell detector before they board a plane. If it's too much, they have to go home and take a shower.' Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog 'View From the Wing,' told Fox News Digital that passengers should be mindful of others. 4 The person continued, 'Honestly, it's wholly inconsiderate to wear anything super strong in cramped spaces.' 'Passengers have a zone of personal space on the plane that roughly corresponds to the area of their seat,' said Leff. 'Within that space, there are all [types] of behavior that might come under criticism (usually in the realm of personal hygiene and grooming), but it really comes down to the discretion of the individual,' he added. Leff said that with airflow and filtration, smells, sprays, or perfumes can be spread throughout the cabin. 4 'I have to bring my inhaler with me for every flight because of this,' one person commented on the post. NINENII – 'To broaden the lesson a bit, don't bring stinky foods on the plane, either!' Leff said. 'Some airports sell barbecue, but saucy ribs aren't a great idea,' he also said. 'Neither is Chinese food to go.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaiian Airlines: No one will lose their miles
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Loyal travelers with Hawaiian Airlines are being told not to worry as their HawaiianMiles are safe. The program will eventually be phased out because of the merger with Alaska Airlines. But analysts say that's a good thing. Nimitz Highway collision claims life of pedestrian The merger between Hawaiian and Alaska is eight months old now. While passengers haven't seen much change on day to day operations yet, the topic of HawaiianMiles has been a point of concern for passengers. 'Not worried about it, but maybe concerned,' said traveler Nalani Paio. 'We just wanna be updated so we don't lose our miles. And we can use it to travel whether it's interisland or to the mainland.' In an email, Hawaiian Airlines officials say they've been transparent that there will be a combined loyalty program between the two airlines, scheduled to launch this August. Members can rest assured, all their HawaiianMiles will be retained in the new program. No one will lose their miles.'We're moving towards a unified loyalty platform that's, frankly, a stronger loyalty program,' said Gary Leff, a travel blogger. 'And I think most folks who are familiar with HawaiianMiles are probably going to like it for the most part.' Leff says it's because Alaska is part of the One World Alliance, which has partnerships with different airlines from Hawaiian. 'There are more partners and more ways to earn points,' Leff said. 'There are more partners and ways to spend points. And on average, you'll find that the awards that you're booking cost fewer miles.' That'll allow travellers to use miles to reach new destinations from the islands. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'If you're going to be flying to Europe, you're already going to be connecting in the mainland,' Leff said. 'Well, you have the opportunity to fly British Airways and American Airlines, but also carriers like Aer Lingus out of Ireland, Condor from Germany, which are not One World Airlines, but are Alaska Airlines partners.' Experts say there is a downside to the merged rewards program. And it has to do with upgrades. One, they're guessing it could cost more, but two – availability. Because you're basically doubling your passenger base, upgrades could be fewer and far between. There's also questions on each airline's credit card. HIDOE students feast on sweet potatoes 'We'd like to keep Hawaiian's credit card or Alaska's credit card that can use both ways,' said traveler Matt Paio. 'So we kinda stuck in the middle about that we don't know if Hawaiian's credit card will be good with Alaska Airlines. We don't know.' Hawaiian says both cards will still be valid with miles earned available for either airline. But there will be a new card available soon, with more details this summer. 'But on the whole, it's going to be more positive,' Leff said. 'I am happy to see my own HawaiianMiles become Alaska Airlines miles.' 'I hope it's gonna be better,' Nalani Paio said. 'And we're just waiting to see and waiting for that confirmation.' Hawaiian says members can keep checking their website for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- General
- New York Post
Flight attendants dish on how they know you're breaking this flying rule
Vaping on planes can be a bit of a cloudy issue for some people who question whether flight passengers can get away with using e-cigarettes in the bathroom. One Reddit user took to the forum 'r/flightattendants' to ask others, 'Do you guys know when passengers vape in the bathroom?' Advertisement The post garnered an array of comments from various flyers and users claiming to be flight attendants who weighed in with their thoughts. 'Yes, we know,' one Redditor commented. The user added, 'Even if [an] audible alarm didn't go off (or maybe it did and you were too far to hear it), something else will alert on the FA panels or in the cockpit — and the pilots [will] call to tell us to check on a specific lavatory.' 'We get loud, flashing red alarms on the flight deck when smoke or particulates are detected. So, yes, we know when someone is vaping in the lav,' claimed another Redditor. Advertisement Another person said, 'There are sensors all over the plane. Just saying.' 'When I open the door and it smells like strawberry star crush, then yes,' said one user. One Reddit user took to the forum 'r/flightattendants' to ask others, 'Do you guys know when passengers vape in the bathroom?' Jorge Elizaquibel – Another person said, 'Keep in mind an alarm may have sounded, but it may not have sounded like a traditional alarm you think of — so it may not have registered [in] your mind it was an alarm.' Advertisement A Redditor suggested, 'Just buy some nicotine gum if you really are that hooked.' 'I watched someone just hitting their vape in their seat a few weeks ago,' said another flyer. 'Exhaled into her clothing. No one said anything to her the entire flight. I think some care more than others do.' A person claiming to be a flight attendant shared, 'Yes. I have worked a flight where the fire alarm went off due to a guy vaping in the bathroom. You can be arrested — it's not worth it.' Advertisement 'We get loud, flashing red alarms on the flight deck when smoke or particulates are detected. So, yes, we know when someone is vaping in the lav,' claimed a Redditor. Getty Images Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog 'View From the Wing,' told Fox News Digital about detectors on planes. 'It's just the smoke detector, but these aren't your average home smoke detectors,' said Leff. 'The modern ones can certainly detect aerosols from vaping.' 'You can't smoke on a plane. You can't vape, either,' said Leff. 'The FAA has interpreted the prohibition on cigarette smoking to include vaping products, even though they're quite different.' He added, 'It's not about banning vapor. The regulation simply extends the ban on cigarettes to include e-cigarettes, which weren't contemplated when the law against on-board smoking was passed.'
New York Post
30-04-2025
- New York Post
‘Shrinkflation' hits luxe airport lounges — travel expert slams major airline for notable change
As if harried travelers didn't have enough on their plates. 'Shrinkflation' has apparently taken to the skies: American Airlines is being accused of only offering puny plates at its frequent-flyer lounges, presumably to cut back on culinary expenses. 'They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs,' declared flight expert Gary Leff while dishing on the stingy measure in a recent piece for travel site View From the Wing. 'And they do this with very small plates.' The Post reached out to American Airlines for comment. The forced portion-control policy is allegedly offered at the AA Admirals Clubs, luxury lounges that feature various amenities, including personal travel assistance, shower suites and a full buffet. 4 'They (the plates) don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in,' flight expert Gary Leff declared. YouTube/Ryan's Reviews and Overviews Day passes run flyers $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles while annual membership costs range from $850 (or 85,000 AAdvantage miles) for an individual and $1,600 (160,000 AAdvantage miles) for a household. Despite their supposed ritzy reputations, the airport refuges seemingly skimp on serving sizes, per Leff, who said that the 'plates are so small that it's almost impossible not to make a mess.' 'They don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in,' the fussy flyer warned. 'If you pick up food using tongs and place it in the plates, some items like salad invariably fall onto the ground.' 4 Leff ripped American Airlines over the stingy shift. Instagram/garyleff AA's so-called minimalist dish policy is especially problematic given that the lounges offer the same plates no matter if they're serving salad or supersized sausages. Leff cited a submission from one reader who pointed out that the American Airlines Admirals Club in Charlotte 'is now serving full-size brats,' but the plates 'aren't any bigger and they don't fit.' Included was a photo of the titanic tubesteak with both ends jutting off the dish. 4 The Admirals Club (pictured) offers members the chance to 'fill up on a variety of premium food and enjoy hearty regional dishes,' per the site. Alex – 4 'They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs,' declared Leff. 'And they do this with very small plates.' Universal Images Group via Getty Images The travel expert said that AA's diminutive dish doesn't exhibit the basic functions of a plate, which include keeping food off a table surface, grouping items together and providing 'a flat, often decorative space to arrange food attractively.' But don't try hauling their complimentary vittles off in a to-go bag — Admirals Club members are prohibited from taking food, drink or periodicals away from the premises, per the lounge guidelines. Leff attributed AA's one-size-fits-all approach to the carrier's strategy to, in the words of CEO Robert Isom during a 2022 speech, 'never spend a dollar more than we need to.' He quipped that the airline could try and realize its recently announced mission of providing a more 'premium experience' and invest in dishware rather than just the food — which he noted was nothing to write home about either. Leff isn't the only one railing against dish shrinkage — Redditors have also ripped the paltry portions at the Admiral's Club. In 2022, one aggrieved air passenger wondered, 'Anyone else notice that the plates in the Admirals Club are now half the size?' 'Been in CLT [Charlotte Douglas International Airport], DFW [Dallas Fort Worth International Airport] and ATL [Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport] this week, and all have moved to the half-sized plates that hold two meatballs and six noodles (still need to confirm cheese cube capacity)?' they added. 'Maybe they are trying to discourage food waste, but I think it may increase cleaning costs bc I saw people dropping food from the tiny plates more often,' said another. This comes as products from toilet paper to Costco cookies are reportedly being affected by so-called 'shrinkflation,' which occurs when a product's size or value is decreased yet still offered at the same retail price.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Major airline under fire for cutting plate sizes in its lounges so flyers eat less
American Airlines travelers are undergoing portion control when they visit one of its famous Admirals Clubs, customers are claiming. Travel expert Gary Leff claimed the airline is offering small plates with all foods to save money at its lounges. 'They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs. And they do this with very small plates,' he wrote on his blog View from the Wing - Thought Leader in Travel. Already believing the Admirals Clubs 'lags the offerings of Delta and United,' Leff said the small plates also create a mess in lounges. 'They don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in. 'If you pick up food using tongs and place it in the plates, some items like salad invariably fall onto the ground,' he wrote. Leff also slammed the quality of the Club food, but noted it could be a reason why some locations aren't busy. Admiral Club members are required to adhere to rules, including paying for certain foods and not taking items away from clubs. Leff slammed American Airlines' Admirals Clubs and claims its features 'lags the offerings of Delta and United' A reader provided an example of full-sized bratwurst in an Admirals Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina. The smaller-sized dishes were the only plates at the Club, and the bratwurst didn't fit. Leff used the 'awkward' moment to give a tongue-in-cheek explanation of the basic purposes of a plate. The travel expert explained that dishes are used to help keep food off surfaces, spilling or dropping on the ground, prevent it from spreading food everywhere, and serve as a barrier between food and dirty tables. They can also provide a 'flat, often decorative space to arrange food attractively,' he said. Leff believes American mainly uses the small plates for portion control. 'I suppose if the lack of proper plates for Admirals Club food is a stopper, you could always just limit yourself to the Snack Tower of Sadness,' he joked, referring to a selection of snacks presented in tall plastic tubes. 'Or, American could take seriously the idea of their premium pivot and invest in dishware, not just food.' Reddit users were just as frustrated, and a few travelers claimed they watched Admirals Club attendees often ' dropping food from tiny plates.' Travelers interested in visiting a lounge must be Admirals Club members, Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders, purchasing a day pass, or traveling in premium cabins on qualifying flights Admirals Club lounges are a hotspot for American Airlines fliers worldwide. One of the airline's newer locations opened in 2023 at Denver International Airport in Colorado. Travelers interested in visiting a lounge must be Admirals Club members, Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders, purchasing a day pass, or traveling in premium cabins on qualifying flights. Besides American, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are known for offering high quality services through their lounges. Delta Sky Clubs are hot commodities in the eyes of flyers - especially its new first class lounge inside JFK. United offers three types of airport lounges, opened its newest United Club Fly location in February, reopened a Polaris lounge this week, and is scheduled to open a revamped club in June.
