TravelStories Episode 62: Multiple TransAtlantic Memorial Day Weekend with Han Chicago

Episode 62: Show Notes

Friend of the show, Han Chicago, is fast becoming one of our most frequent and favorite guests, and today he joins Trevor and Tom to reminisce about his recent transatlantic trip. First, Han walks us through Ben Schlappig’s Lufthansa debacle before explaining how another travel aficionado, Matthew Klint, influenced his itinerary for his transatlantic Memorial Day weekend trip. Then, we learn why Han travelled not once but twice across the Atlantic on the same trip, how airlines change aircrafts without alerting passengers causing booking and seating complications, why flying economy across the Atlantic is a better option now than ever before, the ins and out of the Delta One Lounge at JFK, and Han’s short stay in London. Trevor, Tom, and Han all share similar negative experiences of the Frankfurt airport, and after trying to ascertain why Frankfurt is one of Europe’s least pleasant airports, they all agree that Lufthansa First Class is better in the air than on the ground. We also discuss the new T5 train at O’Hare International Airport, what American Airlines is getting wrong with their new 787 flagship seats, the standout moments from Han’s transatlantic journey, and everything that our guest has planned for the near future. To end, we unpack Boeing’s never-ending woes, Han’s final thoughts on JetBlue’s transatlantic product, and what the future of aviation may hold in terms of Business and First Class layouts.    

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:00:00] Han Chicago shares important travel news about Ben Schlappig and Lufthansa.   
• [0:10:00] The way Matthew Klint influenced Han’s transatlantic Memorial Day weekend trip.  
• [0:15:21] How one transatlantic trip became two, and being “Qatared” onto a lesser aircraft.    
• [0:18:17] Why transatlantic trips in economy are more appealing today than ever before.   
• [0:20:40] The Delta One Lounge at JFK, a short London stay, and travelling from Heathrow. 
• [0:32:50] Frankfurt versus Munich, and comparing aircraft to address airline inconsistencies. 
• [0:43:16] Han’s highs and lows from his time at Frankfurt airport.   
• [0:55:15] Why Lufthansa First Class is a better in-air experience compared to on the ground. 
• [1:02:28] Landing at O’Hare, the new T5 train, and American Airlines’ 787 flagship seats.   
• [1:10:35] The flight from Frankfurt to Munich and other standout moments from Han’s trip.
• [1:14:20] Acquisitions and everything else our guest has planned for his future.  
• [1:16:42] Unpacking Boeing’s persistent woes.
• [1:22:48] Han’s review of JetBlue’s transatlantic product.  
• [1:29:24] The future of aviation: A new era of Business and First Class products.

Quotes:

“The devil’s in the details on some of these partner programs.” — @tmount [0:16:14]

“Guys, to me, [the Delta One Lounge at JFK] is one of the best lounges in the US, and it can rival a lot of lounges overseas, too.” — @hanchicago [0:20:54]

“I’m trying to fly all the A380s on all the airlines that still fly them. After Lufthansa, the only one I think I have left now is Korean [Air].” — @hanchicago [0:31:43]

“Frankfurt is one of the least pleasant airports in Europe. Considering you’ve got Charles de Gaulle and Heathrow included there, that’s saying something.” — @TktweetsKim [0:44:57]

“Luckily, I made all my connections. So many times, I could’ve missed something; something could’ve gone wrong. That’s definitely happened to me on these kinds of [trips before], but Memorial Day weekend, it all worked out.” — @hanchicago [1:02:12]

“I’m always looking for that special feeling. And I have to say, as much as we started this episode off about bagging on Lufthansa for this and that, I would say that they deliver that [feeling] for me.” — @hanchicago [1:10:48]

“It’s turbulent times for us in the world, on various fronts.” — @hanchicago [1:12:38]

“Everyone’s planning a new first-class seat, but because of Boeing’s woes, everyone’s putting that off as to when they’re going to introduce it.” — @hanchicago [1:16:34]

“It’s a blessing to get on any of these aircrafts. Let’s never forget. It’s a blessing to be able to fly the way that we fly [and] in the luxury that we get to