New airport terminals are relatively rare. Terminals that are truly new, not just upgrades of existing facilities are even harder to find. And a new terminal that instantly bring 24 daily flights to an area that previously had zero are like unicorns. This week we found that unicorn.

https://twitter.com/WandrMe/status/1102633449741926401

Paine Field is not a new airport but the commercial passenger terminal opened this week and it is all sorts of swanky. This week's episode is focused entirely on the new terminal and service, and also features a somewhat different format than usual. We joined up with Ed from Pizza In Motion and the Miles To Go Podcast to record a joint episode because we were on the trip together and both really wanted the content.  And there really wasn't any value in doing the same thing twice.

https://twitter.com/pizzainmotion/status/1102723448630116352

Remember that Norwegian 737 that diverted to Shiraz, Iran a couple months ago

with an engine issue? She's finally back after the embargo restrictions were

relaxed enough to get a replacement installed.

Also in this episode:

* Expedia and United are fighting over fare display and fees and who really

wins other than the lawyers??* OTA Kiwi will help

passengers out when booking throw away tickets. Maybe. In some form or

another. Oh, and it might not tell them that's what they're booking. * Haneda opened up a dozen new slots for US carriers. The

airlines wanted 19. Who and where and what are going on there?* Southwest Airlines is

seeing an unusually high number of flights delayed or canceled due to

maintenance issues. Management is, unsurprisingly, not happy about the

situation. Is it a work action or a real problem??* American Airlines added some luxury options for passengers in the terminals,

upping its Five Star service to include a Flagship Dining option. Real luxury or just a way to grab better ancillary revenue than

selling checked bags??

And, as always, plenty more inside. Enjoy the show!

What's in store this week?? Perhaps it is a surprise for everyone. Owing to

some excitement in the recording and editing process we're all about to find out

together!

Among the topics we think are included:

* British Airways is celebrating a

big birthday* An Air New

Zealand plane was not allowed to land in China* SFO has a new viewing deck* Cathay

Pacific continues to face pilot union challenges* Air Canada also oversells flights and someone just discovered that this may be

a thing and is EXCITED!* The A380 is officially dead after many efforts to revive the

line

Enjoy the show!

We're big fans of all things travel so when a couple of friends launched a

new destination guide site we were interested. Welcome to the Statesider, a new take on US

travel.

Born from the goal of helping explore more within the United States and

discovering the "foreign" available so very close to home, the Statesider is an

email newsletter/website combination that highlights destinations within the

United States. This episode we chat with the founders, Pam and Andy to get a feel for

just what the new concept is all about.

That the interview happened while Seth was sitting in the lounge prior to a(nother) trip to

Europe created an interesting dynamic for the conversation. Can we find new and

different and unique and special experiences without spending 10 or 20 or 30

hours en route? Just how different are we, despite being very much from the same

country?

https://vimeo.com/254059194

And it is not just list telling you where to go and why. Indeed, the

Statesider is pretty much anything but lists. Stories like The Bikes of

Wrath – a modern take on the Steinbeck classic – or just hanging out in the

Mississippi Delta, waiting for the Blues to reassert its power, are the fabric

of the site. And it is really, really interesting stuff.

Give the episode a listen then go sign up for the newsletter and give the_statesider a

follow on Twitter. And maybe travel a little more inside the USA.

Access to Tokyo's Haneda Airport is a big deal for airlines. The US military just helped everyone out with some changes to the

way that airspace is managed (and surprised the heck out of Seth along the way). Slots for US

airlines remain a sensitive topic for further negotiation.

Also in this episode:

*

Is the Emirates A380 order dead again? Or can the carrier come up with an engine deal to save it?* Speaking of engines, ANA suffered a double

engine out, but at least the plane was on the ground.* Rolls Royce is moving some of its engine design and engineering out of the UK

to avoid Brexit issues.* Routehappy made a nice

play in the codeshare space, clearing things up a little.* Qatar Airways wants some A321LRs and we're not really sure why.* Southwest is progressing on its plans for Hawaii service, operating its first flight to the islands (for certification

purposes, not with passengers) this week. * JetBlue appears to have a better plan for getting into London than buying slots at Heathrow

or Gatwick. And it just might work.

Enjoy the show!

The US government shutdown finally took its toll on a pair of inaugurals, and

a few others are giving up, too.

Among the topics we've got this week:

* Delta Air Lines pushed its A220 inaugural back a week, hoping that the

FAA certification pulls through in that time.* Alaska Airlines also had to

delay its service inaugural out of Paine Field north of

Seattle.* British Airways is finally giving up on its hopes of buying Norwegian and selling the ~5%

stake it took.* Seth flew on WOW Air and

the carrier didn't go bankrupt during the trip, which is a win.* United Airlines had a 777

stuck in Canada while en route to Hong Kong and it was pretty frustrating for

everyone involved.* Brexit uncertainty is causing all sorts of problems, including a catering company stockpiling some sundries.

Mid-January means a trip to Europe for the crew, with creative flight

routings and adventures along the way. This year the trip brings us to Zagreb,

Croatia.

Also in this episode:

* Norwegian is slashing crew bases and a few benefits as it tries to shore up

its expenses. Can the company survive?* Avianca Brazil is fighting to keep control of 10 aircraft that lessor GECAS

wants to reclaim* United Airlines beat analyst

earnings estimates for 2018 and showed a bit of sass in celebrating that

accomplishment* A guy in China made his own A320. For real. * Marriott renamed its loyalty program to "Bonvoy" and there are

questions around how well that will age.* Air India is reportedly dropping first class service. Hardly enough to save

that operation, but maybe it'll help?* Who is buying food for TSA and ATC employees while they're not being paid by the US

government? Seemingly everyone!

And, as always, plenty more rambling, tangents and anecdotes. Oh, and a beer

tasting live in this episode. The best part of that is Seth trying to say the names of

the different brands.

Honoring premium cabin mistake fares? Turns out that's not an impossible

dream. Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand both decided to do so in recent days.

Also in this episode:

* The GE9X engine is massive* Joon is really dead* Iberia is desperate for a Brexit solution* Air Asia is slowing its expansion plans* United has a new Polaris lounge this week and two new UClub location opening this year* The government shutdown continues to be a mess for aviation, among

other segments of the economy

No one likes when flights are delayed or canceled. But why is dealing with it such a pain in the ass? We've got Brett from Cranky Flier/Cranky Concierge on this week to talk through some of the challenges airlines and passengers face.

Also on the episode we talk about delays to the new Istanbul airport and possible delays to the Delta A220 entry into service.  

Drones dominated the news last week with the closure of Gatwick over possible

sightings. That's just one of the many topics on the agenda in this episode.

Also in the show:

* United/XJET bought ExpressJet. But not really. Just a little bit. And the FA union is unlikely to be amused. * Air Italy announced a trio of new routes to the USA, riling up

the US3 and causing sternly worded letters to be sent.* Delta had a 767 divert to to Shemya, Alaska just before

Christmas. And a remarkable recovery once it happened.* ANA now has Premium Economy awards available for redemption. Seth and Fozz fight over that a bit.

* Just how creepy is facial recognition? US CBP and DHS/TSA both have efforts

underway. You may not need your passport out to cross the border in the near

future.

Enjoy the show!