Towards the top of every 12 months, I really like opening my digicam roll and reflecting on all the photographs and movies I took throughout the 12 months.
It won’t shock you that almost all of my footage and movies are taken throughout my travels, so it is an effective way for me to recap my high experiences and relive the monumental moments from every year.
I simply did this train and might assuredly say that 2023 was a blockbuster 12 months for me and my adventures. From a journey perspective, it was the primary 12 months since 2020 that felt decidedly again to regular for the reason that onset of the pandemic. Because of the elimination of almost all COVID-related journey restrictions and the resumption of key airline routes, I used to be capable of attain some far-flung locations, corresponding to Kenya, Taiwan and Brazil.
From a private perspective, I additionally began an MBA program at Wharton in Philadelphia. I not solely moved from New York, however I’ve additionally traded many airplane journeys for prepare rides forwards and backwards from New York Metropolis. Actually, that is my first 12 months ever earning Amtrak status.
There have been many different travel-focused highlights this 12 months, so I will recap a few of them beneath and share what’s on the horizon for 2024.
2023 journey stats
Complete miles flown: 191,271 (2022: 185,780; 2021: 152,033; 2020: 133,796 miles; 2019: 205,985 miles)
Longest flight: Newark to Dubai (6,844 miles)
Shortest flight: Nairobi Wilson to Masai Mara (109 miles)
Distinctive airways: 26
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Distinctive airports: 51
Elite standing earned: 7 (Amtrak Choose Plus, American AAdvantage Government Platinum, United Premier 1K, JetBlue Mosaic, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, World of Hyatt Globalist)
2023 highlights
A historic Center East tie-up
Flying a significant U.S. service to the United Arab Emirates would not have essentially been on my 2023 bingo card.
That is as a result of United Airways, together with “Large Three” U.S. rivals Delta Air Strains and American Airways, spent a lot of the mid-to-late 2010s unified in protests towards the Center East (ME3) carriers: Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways. They alleged that these fast-growing Center Jap airways took subsidies from their respective governments, which enabled the airways to offer superior service at a aggressive worth on long-haul routes to the U.S.
Nonetheless, this 12 months, United reentered the Dubai market with a brand new each day nonstop from Newark as a part of a once-unthinkable partnership with Emirates. I used to be on the inaugural flight, and like lots of United’s first flights, it made for 12 hours that I will not overlook anytime quickly.
Marriott’s first luxurious safari lodge
Till this 12 months, the world’s largest lodge chain did not function a luxurious safari property. That modified with the opening of the brand-new JW Marriott Masai Mara in Kenya, a luxe 20-tent lodge in one of many world’s most well-known recreation reserves.
I used to be one of many first vacationers to make a redemption on the property when bookings opened, and I scored a once-in-a-lifetime deal that I wrote about in my full review. However even when I had paid a rack charge, I might’ve been impressed with my keep.
The property wasn’t simply bodily beautiful — the service, facilities and culinary choices resembled one thing you’d discover at an Aman or 4 Seasons resort (after which some).
Setting the brand new home commonplace
Whereas the U.S. airways spent a lot of the previous couple of years perfecting their long-haul business-class choices, this 12 months was the primary time a few of them, significantly United, leaned into a brand new home expertise.
Dubbed United Subsequent, the Chicago-based service rolled out a new flagship onboard experience for short-haul flights onboard the Airbus A321neo.
That is United’s first new Airbus jet in almost a decade, and it is positive to impress probably the most discerning flyers. From 4K TVs to speedy Wi-Fi, this jet is a harbinger of fine issues to come back to the United inflight expertise.
United’s additionally been busy retrofitting present jets, such because the Airbus A319, A320 and Boeing 737, with these new cabins, however the A321neo is the primary aircraft that appears purpose-designed for this next-generation onboard product.
LAX will get even higher
Previously few years, many U.S. airports have received big facelifts.
Maybe none are as noteworthy as what’s taking place at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX), the place the airport has gotten (or is getting) some new and renovated terminals, a individuals mover, a consolidated rental automotive facility and extra.
Delta’s new LAX terminal is one of the shining stars of your complete redevelopment challenge, and I liked testing the brand new private Delta One check-in facility throughout the opening festivities in Could.
This non-public lounge is maybe probably the most unique solution to fly commercially from the airport, wanting paying a number of grand to make use of the nearby PS facility.
Gear upgrades
I started the 12 months with a giant journey hiccup — my Away backpack broke throughout a visit. I spent the subsequent few weeks testing out some high replacements and rounded up my findings in a story on the best business travel backpacks.
Later within the 12 months, I reviewed a number of the best noise-canceling headphones, and my favourite pair won’t essentially shock you. The excellent news is that increasingly airways are adding support for Bluetooth connectivity, so regardless of which pair you find yourself with, the chances of connecting them to the inflight leisure system are getting higher.
However my favourite gear upgrades this 12 months have been within the journey tech division. Apple’s iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Professional households are a significant improve for vacationers — just read my review — and I’ve liked enjoying round with the brand new Double Faucet characteristic on the Apple Watch that is already streamlined my journey routine.
And at last, the MacBook Air, one of the world’s best travel laptops, now is available in a bigger, 15-inch design that is positive to be successful with vacationers who need a bigger display.
Right here at TPG, we’re all the time offering well timed protection of all the most effective journey gear, so keep tuned for extra in 2024.
Chase’s first airport lounge
The competitors between bank card issuers has formally entered the airport.
Not solely do Amex and Capital One function airport lounges, however now Chase does too. Dubbed the Sapphire Lounge by the Club, these outposts are fairly swanky.
I liked testing Chase’s first domestic lounge in Boston on opening day, and I am extremely impressed by all of the facilities — particularly the therapeutic massage chair room — and the tasty food and drinks choices.
I can not wait to see what 2024 brings for Chase (and its rivals).
A premier solution to cross the pond
I did not assume 2023 can be the 12 months I would get to fly Air France’s La Premiere first-class cabin.
Nonetheless, when irregular operations struck on a visit from Paris to New York, I used to be capable of rearrange my schedule and rebook onto a flight to Washington, D.C., that featured this legendary first-class cabin. I managed to buy a last-minute improve from enterprise class for 1,639 euros, and boy, what an expertise it was.
From the free-flowing Champagne to the luxurious predeparture expertise to the non-public onboard suite, La Premiere lived up to the hype (after which some).
What’s on faucet for 2024
Now that I am in enterprise faculty, my travels look barely totally different. I have been taking extra group journeys and do not essentially have the time to jet off for a number of days in the midst of the week.
The excellent news is that I have already got a number of bucket-list journeys lined up, corresponding to Patagonia and snowboarding in Europe, and I am excited to presumably be part of certainly one of American’s or United’s big European inaugurals this summer season.
Within the gear world, we’re inching nearer to the discharge of Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional headset, and I can not wait to see how this gadget may revolutionize the inflight leisure expertise.
I am positive many extra plans will pop up all year long, so keep tuned to TPG for tons extra thrilling protection in 2024 and past.
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