
TravelSkills editor Chris McGinnis flew SWISS from SFO to Madrid this week! Stay tuned for several reports (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
TravelSkills’ 12 most popular posts over the last week… plus a few newsy nuggets we missed.
1> Not many flyers get to experience this: From factory to Hong Kong on a brand new B777
2> Yuck. Just yuck: Drenched in raw sewage at the airport- twice Flight attendant Tina Brock (the one who was drenched) emailed us with this comment– we have not verified its authenticity, but assume it is legit:
Dear Chris – I personally would like to thank you for writing your report – I would like the media to know that I only asked for an apology and my medical bills to be covered – after 2 years – no one did so – They wanted to shove it under the rug – Other reports mention that I sued due to lack of sex with my husband – these people are very sick who twist things around – you did not do so and I appreciate you as a wonderful human – The media can be very cruel – My insurance company says that workers comp should pay my medical bills – workers comp refuses to pay – I have had to pay all of my medical bills out of pocket for almost 3 years – The real reason for my personal lawsuit was due to no apology and not covering my medical bills – I want to save and fight for others who get abused by the system – People blog such horrible things – These people have no clue what we are going through and have no respect for other humans – I strongly believe in Karma – Thank you for telling the real story without trying to hurt the ones that hurt most – I admire and appreciate you – Tina Brock.
3> Special treatment for Stars: Star Alliance adds fast lanes
4> What’s notably missing? Airlines with best economy class food
5> Why do we keep going back for more? More frustration with frequent flyer miles
6> Now that’s a long flight: Boston to Hong Kong now 16 hours nonstop
7> Can’t beat this bonus- won’t last: United’s 50,000-mile bonus is back
8> We all love more room, right? Roomier widebodies on domestic flights? We hope so
9> Nice new additions New routes: Aer Lingus, SWISS, Air France-KLM, Air China, Turkish
10> Two new Hyatts plus more: 5 shiny new hotels in Washington, DC
11> Hotel size suite on a plane: The most outrageous luxury suites in the sky
12> American gets a big new plane: A big news day for American Airlines
Our favorite reader comment this week:

Note the double arm rests between seats in Cathay’s premium economy (Cathay Pacific)
From reader C.C. regarding Cathay Pacific’s premium economy section: “Did you notice the nice double armrests in premium economy? Delta PLEASE give us those on the long hauls!!!”
Juicy nuggets of news from other sources that we missed on TravelSkills this week:
These airports make arriving a pleasure
Hawaii’s Island Air sputtering
Profile: How does TravelSkills editor Chris McGinnis like to travel?
New Godzilla themed rooms in Tokyo
SF taxi driver video: What it’s like to compete with Uber
United sued for not disclosing wi-fi limitations
New York Times special business travel section