NoWorkAllTravel

Will On-Board Immigration Ever Return?

January 20, 2025 by NoWorkAllTravel 2 Comments

Over the more than two decades of solo travel, I’ve never encountered an immigration system quite so whimsical as that in Indonesia. I’m only going to speak in terms of entering a county as a tourist, although years back I did work in Jakarta for a spell. How would on-board immigration have worked then?

As I mentioned yesterday, I used to travel a lot between Hong Kong and Jakarta, roughly covering years 2005 – 2012. As a U.S. passport holder, within that time frame, Indonesia went from full-page visa-on-arrival (VOA), to half a page, to no visa, and then back to half a page.

Speaking of entry requirements, here’s the North Korean embassy in Jakarta

At that time, U.S. citizens were also able to add pages to passports, potentially creating some real monstrosities.

What I didn’t realize was that Garuda Indonesia — back then the most expensive nonstop choice — began to offer on-board immigration for select routes.

Garuda Indonesia Airbus A330-343 at Jakarta CGK, bound for Bali-Denpasar DPS

Briefly, you’d buy your visa at check-in, then once the flight hit Indonesian airspace, an immigration officer would make his/her way around the cabin.

This peculiar service ended years ago; coincidentally, it was only around between 2010 and 2014. However, it was available between Tokyo and Jakarta, another route I’ve taken a few times, so I really should have tried it out on-board immigration at least once.

It’s not an unusual concept; on a 2004 ferry between Algeciras, Spain and Tangier, Morocco, there was mandatory in-transit immigration.

Of course, among other countries, Indonesia does e-visas for tourists these days. And then there’s preclearance for many U.S.-bound flights, but I think that’s a horse of a different color.

But in-flight passport control, I’m intrigued. Think that concept will ever return to the skies? Or, have e-visas and e-gates put a halt to it?

Five New Fifth Freedom Routes of 2025

January 19, 2025 by NoWorkAllTravel 5 Comments

If you’ve been feverishly roaming the interwebs for some new fifth freedom routes of 2025, I’m here to help.

Fifth freedoms are a common theme among travel websites, but I still want to provide a quick backgrounder. Created in 1944 by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention for short), and now managed by the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), there are only five officially recognized “freedoms of the air.”

To quote the ICAO’s Freedoms of the Air page, the Fifth Freedom Right is

the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one State to another State to put down and to take on, in the territory of the first State, traffic coming from or destined to a third State (also known as a Fifth Freedom Right)

Basically, a passenger can board the airline of a third country and fly it between two others, as long as the route officially starts or ends in the third country.

As a real world example of a fifth freedom, Emirates (based in the UAE) flies Dubai DXB – Bangkok BKK – Hong Kong HKG. Tickets on both BKK-HKG and HKG-BKK can be purchased, even if the passenger isn’t continuing from/to Dubai on that itinerary.

Airbus A380, Bangkok to Hong Kong, EK384 (1) — BKK is not a good airport for spotting. Nevertheless, you could board this to Dubai, or to Hong Kong.

Although my most flown one is China Airlines (Taiwan-based) from Hong Kong to Jakarta, I quite enjoying searching for the more unexpected ones.

On that note, here are five new fifth freedom routes of 2025–

Le Corbusier's Unité d'habitation, Marseilles, France — Le Corbusier’s Unité d’habitation, Marseilles, France

Shanghai Airlines, (Shanghai PVG) – Marseilles MRS – Casablanca CMN

Having just started on 19 January (nope, it’s already the 20th in Shanghai), this one operates three days a week, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The flight utilizes a Boeing 787-9, and complements Shanghai Airlines’ first ever route to Africa, Shanghai – Cairo, which only launched last month.

Shanghai Airlines’ parent company is China Eastern Airlines, which is part of the SkyTeam airline alliance.

2. Aegean Airlines, (Athens ATH) – Larnaca LCA – Rome FCO

On 1 April, the 26-years old Aegean Airlines will be commencing flights between Larnaca, Cyprus, and Rome.

Using Airbus A320s, the Star Alliance carrier will ply the route thrice weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

3/4/5. The United 3, those being
United Airlines, (Guam GUM) – Tokyo NRT – Ulaanbaatar UBN/Palau ROR/Kaohsiung KHH

Formosa Boulevard Metro Station, Kaohsiung

Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, Ulaanbaatar

You can thank Continental’s 1968 establishment of Air Micronesia for that mighty important Pacific hub of Guam.

At just under four hours between the U.S. territory of Guam and Tokyo, this makes for an easy way to swap crew, and to use narrow-body jets.

The Mongolia route begins on 1 May, Koror some time that same month, and to Kaohsiung, on 11 July. These rolls of the dice will also make United the only U.S. carrier serving the trifecta of destinations.

Which are your favorite fifth freedom routes?

Raffles Sentosa Singapore, an All-Villa Resort

January 18, 2025 by NoWorkAllTravel Leave a Comment

What do you do when your country’s best tourist attraction is its airport? For starters, try to tempt visitors to leave it. To wit, Singapore’s first all-villa resort, Raffles Sentosa Singapore, is opening soon.

Raffles Sentosa Singapore, source: https://www.raffles.com/sentosa/

Even though its opening date is slated for 1 March, bookings have already opened for Raffles’ second property in its home base.

The hotel is perched on a hilltop nearby Tanjong Beach, yet in a tranquil setting all on its own. Designed by Yabu Pushelberg, the same firm that created Las Alcobas in Mexico City, the property will have a total of just 62 villas. Villas, ranging from 210 sqm. (2260 sq ft) to 650 sqm. (6996 sq ft), will each have their own private pool and terrace.

However, given that Raffles Sentosa Singapore is located on compact Sentosa Island, Singapore’s own playground, you’re also not far from beaches, Resorts World Casino, or Universal Studios.

When you want to take a break from the sun, and Sentosa’s manufactured entertainment, try out Raffles Sentosa Spa, or one of the hotel’s five different restaurants. Cuisines range from Italian and international, to Japanese and Cantonese.

And of course, there will be a cocktail awaiting Raffles regulars…but it’s not what you think.

Singapore Sling at the Raffles Singapore Long Bar

That’s right, instead of a Singapore Sling, the Raffles Singapore’s standard, a new cocktail will be introduced: the Sentosa Sling.

Are you hankering for a stay at Singapore’s first all-villa resort?

Gifting Airline Status

January 18, 2025 by NoWorkAllTravel Leave a Comment

Gifting airline status isn’t unique to Italy’s ITA Airways. Just ask the US3 (i.e. American Airlines, Delta, and United).

For the past 15 years (save for maybe 2020 or 2021), I’ve had varying levels of airline status. Back then, the US3 rolled hard with distance-based mileage accruals, as did most of the world. You also had carriers like Aegean Airlines, which offered *G (Star Alliance Gold) as long as you could locate Greece on a world map. O.K., it was slightly more challenging than that.

The highest I ever made it was two consecutive years of United 1K; I distinctly remember an amenity being Regus (co-working space) membership for a year. However, Regus’ customer service was abhorrent, so I don’t recommend them.

Whereas I’ve been on the US3 roller coaster for around the same amount of time, depending on where I’m based, my status level has generally been Silver/Gold for DL/UA, and Gold for AA.

But then in 2022, ITA Airways’ Volare program manifested, causing a simultaneous sigh amongst SkyTeam lounge agents worldwide.

ITA Airways Volare status match extension 2023 — ITA Volare Status Match Extension for 2023!

With my Executive Volare status coming to a close this month, I must bid farewell to lounge access.

However, I recalled reading that Executive flyers can try out gifting Premium (just below Executive) airline status to one other Volare member:

ITA Airways Volare Executive Gift Status Offer

Premium still includes international lounge access (in theory), among other goodies, so that’s a pretty neat service.

Having learned more about this benefit with ITA Airways, I was curious to know how it worked with the US3.

Let’s find out a little more.

American Airlines

Firstly, you will need to have Platinum Pro or Executive Platinum status.
Then, you can you redeem Loyalty Points — one (1) eligible AA mile = one (1) Loyalty Point
— to start gifting airline status.

The lowest status that you can gift is AA Gold, which would allow for a free checked bag, better seat selections in economy, and to add one’s name to the ever-growing list of complimentary upgrades for domestic and some short-haul international flights.

American Airlines also has “status for a day” options, wherein it can be offered to folks who don’t have any AA status, or those with a lower status than the donor. (now that I think about it, I’m sorry for writing “status” so much, but it’s all too apt in this context)

Seating Overlooking the Maligned Terminal — AA Flagship Lounge LAX

n.b. the AA Flagship Lounge in LAX isn’t half-shabby.

Delta

Delta gets down to brass tacks. Delta Platinum can gift two Silver Medallion statuses for 2025, and Delta Diamond can gift two Gold Medallion.

United

United’s website copy faffs about, so here’s the skinny.

Once you reach Premier Platinum, you will get 40 PlusPoints deposited into your account. PlusPoints only have meaning once your United status hits Premier Platinum, no sooner.
Getting Premier 1K® adds another 280 PlusPoints.

Anyway, United is rather coy and political about gifting airline status, but just know that it is possible to do so once you’re Premier Platinum or higher.

ITA Airways lets you reward someone with status for a year at the touch of a button. For the US3, you have to weave through the claptrap to get it done.

Bottom line: if you wanted to show a family member or a friend that flying in the U.S. isn’t all hullabaloo and Hudson News, gifting airline status might be a nice way to do it.

My Top Five Eats of 2024

January 11, 2025 by NoWorkAllTravel Leave a Comment

As I review my top five foods lists of 2022 and 2023, there’s too much of a pattern. The same countries pop up. Guess I can’t get enough Georgian/Mexican/Turkish/Japanese food, hey? Think it’s status quo for my top five eats of 2024?

Probably.

Worse yet, I can’t recall much of what I ate between January and June…although I’m confident that the best stuff was in the second half of the year anyway.

Since all five entries are worthy of the top spot, I’m not going to place them in any real order.

Adjaruli Khachapuri at Chito Gvrito Restaurant, New York

As a visit to Sakhartvelo (i.e. Georgia) wasn’t in the cards last year, it was up to one of the many Georgian restaurants in New York City to take charge. Chito Gvrito, just east of Union Square in Manhattan, was more than up to the task.

Even though there are 10s of types of khachapuri, a cheese-filled bread, Adjaruli khachapuri — that is, a specific version from the Adjara region — always gets the limelight.

Is it it because it looks like a cheese bread canoe? I reckon.

What’s your take?

Mix together the sulguni cheese, butter, and eggs, rip off the ends of the canoe, then dig in.

Without a doubt it’s a filling dish. Unfortunately, I have a habit of torturing my arteries.
Must be why I followed up the khachapuri with some very good adjika-seasoned flank steak.

Fry Bread at Bar 10 Ranch, Littlefield, Arizona

I will acknowledge that fry bread is a controversial entry on this top five eats of 2024 list. More superficially, however I had never tried it before, and now it’s one of the few dishes from last year I think about.

While writing an article for a UTV (utility-terrain vehicle) operator last year, a big part of the story involved off-roading from St. George, Utah to Bar 10 Ranch in Littlefield, Arizona, right by Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

How does a UTV differ from an ATV? I can show you through experience:

It’s quite isolated, so the food is driven in from St. George on a weekly basis. But the ranch does raise Red Devon cattle, and they do fry up a good bread.

Chili for dinner, condensed milk for dessert…love that versatile and woefully unhealthy fry bread.

Two Feet of Tapas at Uno Mas Spanish Restaurant, Bangkok

Two feet of tapas. And it was all for me (I shared it with a couple of colleagues).

What did I share? Everything.

mushroom croquettes (possibly my favorite one, these were creamy, earthy, yet all too easy to enjoy in one bite)
smoked salmon (not overly salty, and paired nicely with the nam chim jaew the chefs prepared on the side)
Fried calamari (squeeze some lemon juice and pinch a hint of sea salt to go the extra mile)
White anchovies (slightly salty, slightly sweet, mostly fun)
Grilled octopus (love that grilled flavor, not too salty either)
Spanish meatballs (the tomato sauce was sweet, and greatly overpowered the albondigas
Blistered Padrón peppers (the best analog to these would be the Japanese shishito pepper, wherein 1 out of every bunch might be spicy)
Papas bravas (potatoes with olive and paprika)
Excellent green and black olives
“pil pil” shrimp (could have eaten this on an infinite loop along with the mushroom croquettes. Grilled peppery shrimp served in an olive oil jacuzzi and accompanied by lots of garlic)
Jamón Ibérico (“Iberian ham”) thin cured slices of aged pork. Melt in your mouth brilliance, and a good partner for–>
Tomato bread, simply put, “mmm”

Squid Tagliatelle Carbonara at Chiado Restaurant, Macao

As part of a two-chef tasting menu, I was invited to a feast at the Portuguese restaurant Chiado at The Londoner Macao.

Four-Hands Tasting Course, Chiado Restaurant, Macao

Whereas I enjoyed most of the courses, the squid tagliatelle carbonara — that is, tagliatelle made of squid — easily rose above the rest.

Squid Tagilatelle Carbonara, Chiado Restaurant, Macao

It was the lightest carbonara I’ve ever tasted, which really let the squid shine through.

If Chiado had that on their regular menu, I’d cross from Zhuhai just to have it again.

Finally, we’re at “number 5.”

Butter Sugar Butter Butter at The Sons’ Talk, Kumamoto, Japan

Croissant Bread, Ikinari Dango, and Boss Coffee

O.K., it’s not a superb photo of the subject, but holistically it was all a flavor party.

In the center, we have what I deemed butter sugar butter butter, or per their menu, フレンチクロワッサン (French croissant). I’m not in France much, so the patisseries of Japan are my go-to for mountains of butter.

Not to give short shrift to its companion to the left, I also quite liked the Kumamoto specialty ikinari dango. It’s a Japanese sweet — roughly translated as “sudden dumpling” — wrapping a sweet potato in wheat dough, then steaming it. I had a more eclectic version with kinako, or roasted soybean flour sprinkled on top.

Topped off with a Boss coffee — my jet lag standard — and I knew I was back in another land of good eats.

What were your top five eats of 2024?

Will On-Board Immigration Ever Return?

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Five New Fifth Freedom Routes of 2025

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Raffles Sentosa Singapore, an All-Villa Resort

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Gifting Airline Status

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My Top Five Eats of 2024

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