Zach Griff

Travel, tech, lifestyle. @Wharton MBA grad. Always on the move, preferably in the sky. Embrace the underscore. IG: @_zachgriff

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

In November, I typed the first issue of my travel newsletter in the attic of my in-laws' house.

Last month, From the Tray Table was on a billboard in Times Square.

I spent nearly seven years as the de facto reporter-at-large for The Points Guy.

But with media changing, I decided to lean into my personal brand, which now reaches 500K+ followers.

In addition to my social content, I wanted a new home for my writing and reporting.

Instead of spinning up a blog to compete in the dying SEO space, I wanted to earn a spot in your inbox.

That's why I launched From the Tray Table. I write it 3x/week, share the latest travel updates, and build tools to help improve your travel experience.

This journey is just taking off. Thanks to @beehiiv for putting independent creators on the biggest stage in the world.

Not on the list yet? You're missing out: https://t.co/LBOO6UmfuE

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Big news for those chasing the new @united Elevated Polaris product

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Big morning at Apple 5th Ave. Vibes are high, people are buying, but one person is missing.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Great news: it wasn’t stolen!

Just lots of stares, as I unboxed Apple’s iPhone Duo on an NYC sidewalk before it even launches.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

.@united just unveiled its largest club ever in Houston — and the biggest airline club in the Americas.

✨ 54,000 sq ft
✨ 800 seats
✨ 1,350-sq-ft outdoor terrace
✨ 2 full-service bars
✨ 11 private phone rooms

Opens to the public tomorrow.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

@c_hunter_r @Boeing @AlaskaAir @AmericanAir I can't get that confirmed, but I wouldn't be surprised

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

It’s official. Now that the @Boeing 737 MAX 10 is certified, here’s how U.S. airlines plan to fly it.

@AlaskaAir: 168 MAX jets on order, mostly MAX 10s. At least 25 will get lie-flat Aurora Suites for premium transcons

@AmericanAir: 115 on order. No routes yet, but they’ll have 24 first-class recliners

@Delta: 100 on order (plus 30 options), flying from core hubs with 24 first-class recliners

@united: 167 on order. Some were slated for lie-flats, but with the Coastliner and A321XLR covering that, I’d bet on a standard domestic layout

This is exactly the kind of breakdown I send in my free aviation newsletter. Not on the list yet? Fix that here: https://t.co/LBOO6UmfuE

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Still not over this shocking new airline route. After all, I guess money talks.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Congrats to @AmericanAir for being the first travel app to support iPhone Duo! Can’t wait to get my hands on one soon

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

At long last, the @Boeing 737 MAX 10 has officially been certified.

This has major implications for U.S. airlines. American, Delta, United, and Alaska all have MAX 10 orders.

I'm especially excited for Alaska's new premium transcons on the MAX 10.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

I forgot to add: how long do we think it'll be until @Delta announces a return to Osaka and Tahiti?

Delta last flew SEA-KIX in 2019, and it pulled out of Tahiti last year.

But with Alaska entering both markets — and the ever-competitive landscape in Seattle — I wouldn't be shocked to see Delta try again. Even if it's just to put up a fight.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Confirmed: @AlaskaAir will launch nonstops from Seattle to Osaka and Tahiti.

Osaka starts May 14, 4x weekly.

Tahiti starts June 11, 3x weekly.

Both flights will be operated year-round by Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330s, which will (finally) get new onboard products in 2028.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Confirmed: @AlaskaAir will launch nonstops from Seattle to Osaka and Tahiti.

Osaka starts May 14, 4x weekly.

Tahiti starts June 11, 3x weekly.

Both flights will be operated year-round by Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330s, which will (finally) get new onboard products in 2028.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Good riddance to the worst business class in the sky. Can’t come soon enough.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

@theronshah @bookwithmiso I’ve never seen a JetBlue Mint seat for $8,900 — and I’ve been monitoring fares for a decade. Either Miso quoted you incorrectly or you just got the single-best JetBlue redemption in history

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

.@Delta’s summer 2027 route drought, by the numbers:

✈️ United: 13 new routes, 10 new destinations
✈️ American: 7 routes, 3 destinations
✈️ Delta: 4 routes, 0 destinations

The biggest reason for the gap? A plane Delta never ordered.

I'm about to break down why this happened, with rare commentary from Delta's chief commercial officer.

This is what you're missing if you're not on my (free) travel newsletter.

https://t.co/LBOO6UmNkc

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

@J17253926 @lufthansa Enough to fill 3x weekly Dreamliners (with at least a good % of full fare premium pax)? Unclear. Especially bc one of the weekly flights is on the weekend.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

I'd call this the most surprising route announcement of the year.

@Lufthansa just announced new nonstop flights between Frankfurt and... Columbus, Ohio.

It'll operate 3x weekly on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Lufthansa will receive subsidies for the route, but I can't tell how much $ they're getting.

My take: this route will be great for award space. Nothing like the NYC-CMH-FRA routing.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

@snjaffery @lufthansa It'll have Allegris!

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Big changes are coming to U.S. passports. And that’s before we talk about the expected controversial design change.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

Introducing the all-new signature @Delta One Suite. Lots to love, though it does feel pretty “standard” as far as new biz products go.

[Zach Griff @ZachGriff]

I found your weekend plans. This conversation is absolutely worth a listen, if I may say so myself.

[Kyle Potter @kpottermn]

One of my favorite conversations on the @thriftytraveler Podcast to date with @zachgriff. We talk:

-what those glitzy airline events are really like
-the “pay to play” future of points
-Delta vs United & who’s truly ahead
-the good & bad of AI in travel

https://t.co/wbeefh4Hgf