Planes, Perks, and Pro Tips: Amex’s Lounge Fix, Iberia’s Big First, and Apple’s Baggage Boost

Good morning! Buckle up, because today’s journey is packed with firsts, fast fixes, and a little turbulence—both literal and figurative.

American Express is smoothing out your airport lounge check-ins with a new app feature (because nothing says “VIP” like skipping the line). Meanwhile, Iberia made aviation history by flying the Airbus A321XLR on its first long-haul route, proving that big things come in sleek, narrow packages.

If you’re into smart spending, Avianca’s LifeMiles sale might have you booking business class to Europe for pennies on the dollar—or at least a lot less fuel surcharge. And for Apple fans, AirTags just leveled up, teaming up with airlines to revolutionize lost luggage tracking.

Lastly, passengers on an SAS flight took an unexpected scenic route to Copenhagen after severe turbulence mid-Atlantic—10 hours and a diversion later, they became part of a story they won’t soon forget..

But first, here are the latest email articles:

✈️Avianca LifeMiles sale takes off with a 160% bonus

Attention mileage hunters! Avianca is offering up to a 160% bonus on LifeMiles purchases until November 19, bringing the cost per mile down to just 1.27 cents. For frequent flyers, this could mean snagging a luxury seat in the skies without luxury pricing.

Here’s the scoop:

• Business class to Europe starts at 45K miles, with no hefty fuel surcharges.

• Travel within North America? Get a United business class seat for just 10K miles one-way in specific zones.

• The catch? Availability doesn’t always align across booking platforms, so check LifeMiles.com carefully before buying.

While this promo is tempting, LifeMiles runs similar sales regularly, so there’s no rush unless you’ve got a high-value redemption in mind. After all, the best travel deals take a little planning.

✈️Apple and airlines join forces to solve lost luggage woes

Lost luggage? Apple’s AirTags might soon be your travel MVP. With iOS 18.2, Apple is rolling out “Share Item Location,” allowing travelers to share their AirTag’s last-known location with airlines. The goal? Make reuniting you with your wayward bags faster than ever.

Over 15 major carriers—including United, Delta, and Lufthansa—are on board to accept AirTag data as part of their missing luggage process. Apple is also teaming up with SITA, integrating this feature into the WorldTracer system used by 500+ airlines worldwide.

United leads the pack, starting implementation at select airports now, with full rollout expected by early 2025. Other airlines are pacing themselves, but the collaboration is set to redefine how airlines tackle mishandled baggage.

Talk about checking “where’s my bag?” off your travel stress list.

✈️Amex upgrades your airport experience

Airport lounges: a sanctuary or a sardine can? With overcrowding becoming the norm, American Express is stepping up its game. The credit card giant has expanded its online waitlist feature to most U.S. Centurion Lounges, letting you check in through the Amex app before you even reach the entrance.

Here’s the deal: if the lounge has space, you’ll snag a 10-minute QR code for entry—no card flashing needed. If not, you can join the waitlist and get notified when it’s your turn. Just don’t take too long; you’ve got 10 minutes to claim your spot once notified.

But here’s the rub: Some lounges lack express lanes for app users, making your QR code as effective as a “line starts here” sign. Still, it’s a promising step to save travelers time—and sanity.

✈️Iberia’s A321XLR takes flight into aviation history

November 14 is one for the aviation books. Iberia launched the first-ever long-haul flight using the Airbus A321XLR, sending its brand-new EC-OIL aircraft from Madrid to Boston. This single-aisle game-changer is equipped with 14 lie-flat business-class seats and 168 economy spots, proving big journeys don’t need big planes.

At a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet and a flight time of 7 hours and 31 minutes, the A321XLR delivered a smooth, fuel-efficient trip. Initially scheduled thrice weekly, the route will scale up to daily by mid-January and even double daily in May.

Next stop? Washington Dulles in January, where this narrowbody marvel will offer year-round service thanks to its low operating costs. Iberia’s move showcases how smaller planes are reshaping global travel—and cutting the carbon footprint while they’re at it.

✈️SAS flight reroutes to Copenhagen after a turbulent transatlantic detour

Passengers aboard SAS flight SK957 from Stockholm to Miami were in for an unexpected twist—or rather, a bounce. Severe turbulence over the Labrador Sea sent the Airbus A330-300 on a 10-hour journey, only to land 340 miles from its origin…in Copenhagen.

The drama began mid-flight as turbulence rocked the aircraft, with unsecured items and passengers taking flight within the cabin. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported. But instead of continuing to Miami, the crew turned back to Copenhagen, where SAS had the facilities to inspect the aircraft for potential damage.

The airline explained that flying to Miami could have grounded the plane longer, causing ripple-effect cancellations. While practical for SAS, passengers had to endure five additional hours of flight—and a redo the next day.

Call it a layover that no one asked for.

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✨ Safe Travels & Happy Landings! Thank you for flying with us on this newsletter journey. Until next time, keep your passports ready and your adventures grand!