✈️ What We Cover in This Episode
✈️ JetBlue's status match opportunity
- Targeting former Spirit elites
- Mosaic 1 vs Mosaic 2 benefits
- Why earning status after the match may be difficult
✈️ The reality of airline pricing right now
- $1,000+ coach fares and $6,000 first class tickets
- Why long weekend travel is so expensive
- Demand patterns driving pricing
✈️ Southwest customer service surprise
- Getting on an earlier flight without a confirmed ticket
- Why this rarely happens on other airlines
- Where Southwest still stands out
✈️ United's updated breakfast offering
- A healthier approach to onboard meals
- Hits and misses in execution
- Why simpler catering may be the future
✈️ Delta's new Seattle international routes
- Barcelona and Rome launches
- Competing with Alaska in Seattle
- Why these routes may struggle
✈️ Airport lounge overcrowding
- Priority Pass lounge frustrations in Las Vegas
- Why crowding still hasn't been solved
- The tradeoff between access and experience
✈️ Travel quirks and airline operations
- Special recovery flights with unique flight numbers
- How airlines handle cancellations and maintenance
- A strange diversion story to Wichita
✈️ Disney travel deals return
- Discounted tickets and hotel rates
- When Disney can actually feel "affordable"
- Comparing Disney trips vs cruises
⏱️ Episode 436 Timestamps
0:49 – Intro and travel updates
6:30 – Southwest gets a passenger on an earlier flight
9:20 – United breakfast review (the "chia mystery")
12:10 – JetBlue status match details
18:30 – Why it's hard to keep JetBlue status
18:30 – Why it's hard to keep JetBlue status
21:50 – $1,000 coach and $6,000 first class fares
25:00 – Delta adds Seattle to Europe routes
30:30 – Priority Pass lounge overcrowding in Vegas
32:00 – Unique recovery flight numbers explained
33:00 – Weird diversion story to Wichita
