Live and Let's Fly
Blog
Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries over the last decade. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world.
Studying international relations, American government, and later obtaining a law degree, Matthew has a plethora of knowledge outside the travel industry that leads to a unique writing perspective. He has served in the United States Air Force, on Capitol Hill, and in the White House.
His Live and Let’s Fly blog shares the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs and promotions, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel. Source
Actions
Media Outlet details
| Scope | International |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | N/A |
Similarweb UVM
|
Request pricing |
Comscore UVM
|
Request pricing |
Recent Articles
Search ArticlesAmerican Airlines Says No More Involuntary Bumping. Now Give Employees The Power To Make It Work.
American Airlines is telling employees to stop involuntarily bumping passengers from oversold flights, even if avoiding it means offering more compensation or taking a delay. I welcome this…but the real test is whether AA gives its employees the authority and support to make it work. American Airlines Wants To End Involuntary Bumping. Give Employees The Power To Make It Happen.
Elon Musk Is Turning X Against Delta Air Lines Over Starlink. Whose “Public Square” Is This? Original
Elon Musk is encouraging travelers to abandon Delta, American and United are offering them status matches, and X is serving up a steady argument that Delta’s Wi-Fi is terrible. I love Starlink, but something about this campaign bothers me…especially when the man selling the internet also owns the platform hosting the complaints. The argument over Delta Air Lines and Starlink has become rather absurd.
U.S. Ends Most Passport Stamps, Leaving Travelers To Trust Electronic Records Original
The United States is ending routine passport stamps at its borders, becoming the latest nation to replace a (fleetingly) familiar part of international travel with an electronic record. In an October 1, 2026 bulletin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that it will cease routinely stamping passports during primary processing, the initial inspection travelers undergo when entering the country. CBP says eliminating the stamps reduces processing time and operating costs.
Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Plane’s Own Crash Axe, UAE Says It Was A Terror Attempt Original
The weapon used to attack the captain of flydubai flight FZ1073 was a crash axe, according to UAE investigators. That is a chilling new detail: equipment carried to help save lives was used against the man ultimately responsible for protecting everyone aboard. The United Arab Emirates has now formally described the attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 as an attempted terrorist act, confirming that the first officer attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft.
Rant: American, United, Delta Highlight Internet Importance Original
Delta Air Lines’ highly controversial decision regarding inflight internet has become a hot topic with United and American. But the importance of connectivity is accelerating. A few months ago, as Starlink was signing some of its (now) 48 airline partners up for fast wifi – almost universally offering free wi-fi to travelers – Delta CEO, Ed Bastian, was one of just two to sign up to Amazon’s competing Leo service.
Las Vegas Is Cheaper Now, But Fewer People Are Coming Original
Las Vegas hotel rates hit their lowest of 2026 and August still lost 4.3% of visitors. Some blame the calendar, but the airport numbers say it’s bigger. Las Vegas welcomed 3.03 million visitors in August, down 4.3% from a year ago, according to the Las Vegas Convention & Visitation Association (LVCVA)’s monthly report. Hotel occupancy slid 3.4 points to 74.1%, and the average daily rate (ADR) fell 7.4% to $150.32, which is now the lowest rates of 2026.
Holiday Airfares Jump As Airlines Cut Seats And Fuel Soars Original
Thanksgiving flight costs are up 31% and Christmas 23% as airlines cut seats and jet fuel hits $4.40 a gallon. Here is when to book and which days to avoid. Domestic round-trip fares for Thanksgiving are averaging $402, up 31% or $95 from last year, according to Hopper’s 2026 Holiday Travel Index. Christmas is $452, up 23% or $85. Hopper says both are tracking to be the most expensive holidays in a decade. Hotels are mixed, with Thanksgiving rates flat at $170 a night and Christmas up 18% to $197.
Review: Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge – The Garden Doha (DOH) Original
Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge known as “The Garden” in Doha (DOH) is a beautiful place to spend a long layover, with extensive seating, good food, quiet rooms, and even a gym. I spent much of an eight-hour overnight connection here and enjoyed the lounge…though the service at dinner left something to be desired. After my Qatar Airways flight from Los Angeles, I had nearly eight hours before continuing to Delhi. That is a long connection, but the time flew by.
He Took The Business Class Upgrade And Left Her In Economy. She Says A “Real Man” Would Switch. Original
A woman says her boyfriend accepted a business class upgrade and left her in economy while they were flying to visit his family. She calls it the beginning of the end of their relationship and says a “real man” would have switched seats. I think he should have offered…but I also think that is a rather poor test of manhood absent more context.
Mistake? Alaska Airlines’ New 737 MAX 10 Leaves Economy Class Without Seatback Screens Original
Alaska Airlines is finally adding seatback screens to its Boeing 737 fleet, but only for passengers in its two premium cabins on the incoming 737 MAX 10. Everyone else will use their own devices. I welcome the investment up front, but I think leaving screens out of economy is a mistake…especially on aircraft intended to compete for premium transcontinental revenue.