Sign in

Gunnar Olson ✈️

@gunnarolson.bsky.social
394 followers 353 following 73 posts

🏔️ Flatlander with mountain envy. ✈️ Writing about airlines and flight deals for Thrifty Traveler. 🏡 Minneapolis.

PostsRepliesMedia
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
Google released its top trending Thanksgiving destinations. No. 1 is a head-scratcher...until it isn't...
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 18/05/2025
Outstanding piece in the Sunday Times from S.L. Price about the Haudenosaunee's fight to compete under their own flag when lacrosse debuts at the L.A. Olympics in 2028. It's simple to me. They must be included. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/m...
nytimes.com
They Invented the Game. Will They Be Allowed to Play It in the Olympics?
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
It's going to be another one of those days, Thrifty Traveler Premium subscribers... ...but only if you like flights to Rome for $384 roundtrip... The deal will be out shortly. In our system, it's currently titled: "SMOKING HOT EUROPE sub-$399."
030
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
A super fun episode to record. I got to interview @kpottermn.bsky.social and I learned a lot about my friend and coworker that I never knew before. (Watch the YouTube for a photo from his punk/hardcore days!) He gets to flip the script on me next week. thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/epi...
thriftytraveler.com
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast, Ep. 9: Punk, Politics & Travel w/ (Failed Uber Driver) Kyle Potter
You've read and heard plenty from Thrifty Traveler's Kyle Potter, but do you really know him? Gunnar grills Kyle on his path to travel writing and much more!
021
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
Absolutely floored by this NYT story about finding love in airport lounges. It's an incredible piece. Some takeaways: - There's an inflight dating app called "Wingle" - Someone got married at the BNA Admirals Club - and so much more. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/t...
nytimes.com
Single Travelers Are Finding Love in Airport Lounges
For some people, the calmer, semi-exclusive spaces away from the deadening realities of modern air travel have become a prime place to find romance.
020
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
How big is Canada? Well, WestJet just announced transcontinental Halifax (YHZ) to Vancouver (YVR) flights, which is ~200 miles longer than its transatlantic Halifax-Dublin (DUB) flights. Data from Great Circle Mapper, collected by @kpottermn.bsky.social
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. Ew. WestJet just tacked on these "Ultrabasic" fares (that don't even include a carry-on) on many of its Canada-US routes. These fares were not there just a week ago. A new leader in the race to the bottom.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
Free flight deal for ya, MSP! Wake up to snow on the ground this AM? Book a nonstop Delta flight to Cancún THIS WEEKEND for $375 roundtrip. You can even leave today. Wide open availability. Book this so I don't have to. www.google.com/travel/fligh...
000
Reposted by Gunnar Olson ✈️
Kyle Potter @kpottermn.bsky.social · 14/03/2025
It's official: We have a podcast! 🥳🎙️ Tune into The Thrifty Traveler Podcast each and every Thursday morning, hosted by @gunnarolson.bsky.social and yours truly. Our first episode focuses on cheap destinations for 2025. Let us know what you think! thriftytraveler.com/podcasts/epi...
thriftytraveler.com
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast, Ep. 1: The Best Bets for Flight Deals in 2025
The first episode of The Thrifty Traveler Podcast delves into your best bets for finding a cheap flight in 2025, how Chase is winning the lounge wars, and more!
151
Reposted by Gunnar Olson ✈️
thriftytraveler.bsky.social @thriftytraveler.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast is here! Now streaming on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Tune into Episode 1 for a deep dive into cheap destinations, why Chase is winning the airport lounge wars, and more!
thriftytraveler.com
The Thrifty Traveler Podcast, Ep. 1: The Best Bets for Flight Deals in 2025
The first episode of The Thrifty Traveler Podcast delves into your best bets for finding a cheap flight in 2025, how Chase is winning the lounge wars, and more!
021
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 26/02/2025
For the Not-So-Thrifty Traveler: White Lotus Private Jet Experience 20 days, all 3 "White Lotus" hotels (plus Singapore, Marrakech, Maldives, Nevis & Mexico City), and travel on the (insane-looking) Four Seasons Private A321. Price: $188k per person. www.fourseasons.com/privatejet/j...
fourseasons.com
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
Who wants to fly to New Zealand tonight? $747 roundtrip on United. One stop.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
Here's the key: Avoid the "mushy middle." Booking way, way in advance or the last-minute are the best ways to get good spring break fares. You're either setting the market, or gobbling up empty seats at the end. And expert mode is doing both...
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
The worst markets for "hub captives": Charlotte (CLT) – 87% American Atlanta (ATL) – 73.3% Delta Salt Lake City (SLC) – 73% Delta Detroit (DTW) – 71% Delta Minneapolis (MSP) – 69% Delta Philadelphia (PHL) – 68% American Dallas (DFW, DAL) – 63% American thriftytraveler.com/guides/trave...
thriftytraveler.com
Flights Expensive From Your Airport? How to Break Free as a 'Hub Captive'
While hub captives have it tougher than travelers in cities with lots of healthy competition, not all is lost. Here's how to break free and book low fares.
100
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Update: For Delta Reserve cardholders, you can also now see your tracker in the Delta app. No dice for Amex Platinum cardholders – you still have to go through Amex for your counter.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
Unlimited Delta Sky Club access with your Amex card is now officially a thing of the past. At least Amex will keep track of your allotted (10 or 15) visits for you, I guess? thriftytraveler.com/news/airport...
thriftytraveler.com
Delta Sky Club Access Limits Have Arrived: Here's How to Track Your Visits
American Express cardholders are now limited to a certain number of Delta Sky Club visit days. Here's how to find your Delta Sky Club visit tracker.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Here's the definitive answer: There's no reason to wait to book flights. thriftytraveler.com/guides/fligh...
thriftytraveler.com
Should I Book Flights Now or Wait? Here's the Answer
We finally have an answer to the question that's been plaguing travelers for decades: "Should I book flights now, or wait to see if the price drops?"
020
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
At New Orleans (MSY) this past weekend, I got to try out the new CLEAR "Lane of the Future" pods. Maybe I'm naive, but I think they could solve a lot of CLEAR's big and growing problems with speed and efficiency. Take a look. thriftytraveler.com/news/travel/...
thriftytraveler.com
Will CLEAR's Lane of the Future Pods Fix Its Woes? Our Firsthand Look
CLEAR recently unveiled its new Lane of the Future, and in our brief experience, the facial scanning process was faster and easier to use than the old verification kiosks.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
Forgot to mention: Pictured is my sweet, sweet boy Wallie whose trip to Orlando a few years ago led me to first write this story.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
I might be late to this, but it appears Delta has lowered the price of a carry-on pet from $125 to $95 each way. Delta is now the cheapest of the major U.S. airlines to carry a pet onto. Alaska is close behind at $100. thriftytraveler.com/guides/trave...
thriftytraveler.com
How to Fly with a Carry-On Pet on Your Next Trip
With careful and proactive planning, flying with a carry-on pet can easily be done. But it depends on the pet...
100
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
I wrote this story in 2022 after my wife realized her passport was invalid about 15 days before our honeymoon to Africa. Moral of the story: DO NOT pay a service to get a last-minute passport for you. It's actually easier and cheaper to do yourself. thriftytraveler.com/guides/trave...
thriftytraveler.com
How to Get A Last-Minute Passport: Using the Urgent Travel & Same-Day Passport Service
In a rush and need a last minute passport? Getting a same day passport through Urgent Travel Passport Service is easy and cheaper than the third-party couriers.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 25/01/2025
The Bend, OR community is coming together to buy its resort - Mt. Bachelor. It faces big boy competition from Vail and Alterra. But this movement has legs. I’m rooting for them. I love this place. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/u...
nytimes.com
Devotees of Mt. Bachelor Ski Area Are Working to Take Their Mountain Back
Devotees of Mt. Bachelor are putting together a bid to rescue the ski area — and their way of life — from the titans of the industry.
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
Last-minute flight to Belize for next weekend, Minnesota. Get some sun. You need it. Everyone says so. Another free flight deal courtesy of Thrifty Traveler Premium.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
Me: After years of loyalty, I just want to use my SkyMiles to book a reasonable Delta One fare once in my lifetime. Delta:
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
It may be Dry January for some travelers, but an unprecedented flurry of mistake fares and business class deals already in 2025 makes me think the airlines might be drunk. thriftytraveler.com/deals/flight...
thriftytraveler.com
Mistake Fares, Rare Biz Class Award Space & More: Why Flight Deals are Off to a Crazy Start in 2025
The first few weeks of 2025 have been historically good for travelers looking for a cheap flight – in economy, premium economy, or business class.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
If you were wondering why you didn't get a Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal about this today: This is too last-minute for a Premium deal, so it's yours for free today. And let's be honest, we all needed to at least be in Mazatlan mentally this morning.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
It's -18 in Minnesota this morning. Here's something you can do about it: Fly to Mazatlan, Mexico next weekend (Thurs-Tues). Delta. Nonstop. $441 roundtrip , or $501 in Main Cabin. Eligible for Delta Companion Certificates. 70s and sunny on Mexico's west coast...your call...
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Want to fly to Auckland tonight? $520 RT in Main Cabin from LAX. Tons of last-minute availability to New Zealand. These American planes must be totally empty. www.google.com/travel/fligh...
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
New from me this morning: Massport unanimously approved the new Boston Amex Centurion Lounge. It'll have a bar, a "hearth" fireplace area, and this swanky-looking rooftop patio.
001
Reposted by Gunnar Olson ✈️
thriftytraveler.bsky.social @thriftytraveler.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
It's time to recognize the absolute best and worst from the last 366 days of travel.  Introducing our first annual "First Class and Lavatory Awards" Who gets the upgrade? What belongs in the toilet? 
thriftytraveler.com
The First Class & Lavatory Awards of 2024 Go To...
As the year comes to a close, it's time to recognize the absolute best and worst from the past 365 days. Welcome to the First Class and Lavatory Awards.
001
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
Our best flight deals of the year, ranked. thriftytraveler.com/deals/flight...
thriftytraveler.com
The 10 Craziest Flight Deals We Found in 2024
We found more than 1,200 flight deals for our subscribers in 2024, but these are the 10 flight deals we just can't stop thinking about.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
45 mins of back-breaking shoveling to set up this photo. The 1-3 likes I get on this will make it worth it.
A puck sits on a frozen pond with a pink sky sunset glow behind the trees in the background.
1110
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Last month I reviewed Cathay Pacific Business Class. It was terrific, despite the seat itself lacking amenities of the newer products out there. The lounges were massive, featured made-to-order noodle bars, and you could order a special beer: The Betsy. thriftytraveler.com/reviews/flig...
100
Reposted by Gunnar Olson ✈️
Kyle Potter @kpottermn.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Well well well ... now here's an interesting list of international cities Alaska-Hawaiian COULD eventually fly to from Seattle: -Tokyo & Seoul ✅ -London, Paris & Rome -Bangkok -Manila -Delhi -Ho Chi Minh City (from its investor presentation for its growth plans)
a map from alaska-hawaiian airlines showing potential international destinations
072
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Alaska out with some fun news today about a new premium credit card and new nonstop routes from SEA to Tokyo and Seoul. thriftytraveler.com/news/airline... But this is the funniest thing I found in the presentation: How we feeling about the 2-5-4-5-2 economy seat layout on this bad boy?
Alaska Airlines rendering of a white blended wing jet that is extra wide, has engines on the top, and is flat on the back, along with a seat map of what that aircraft could look like with a hilariously wide cabin featuring a 2-5-4-5-2 economy seating layout.
150
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
A perfect, irreverent explainer of the weirdest story out there right now. theringer.com/2024/12/06/n...
theringer.com
The Fight Was Only the Beginning: A Paul Bissonnette Melee FAQ
The former NHL player was just trying to get a salad when instead he got into a scrap with six men. It turns out, though, that the story was just getting started.
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Winter is here! There are 2 types of Minnesotans: The ones who hate it here and the ones who have winter hobbies. ⛸️: Silver Lake, Excelsior 🎿: Welch Village
Two hockey players on a frozen lake.A ski slope from the perspective of a skier on the chair.A ski base lodge with people skiing by.
050
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Terrible news for Air Canada flyers. Beginning Jan. 3, Basic fares in North America and the Caribbean will no longer include a carry-on. Now $35 per bag. Free seat selection at check-in is also kaput. This is all gross. Our neighbors up north seem determined not to lose the race to the bottom.
110
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
From Sen. Richard Blumenthal's report on airline junk fees. Thanks for reading, Senator!
A Thrifty Traveler story highlighted in red in the footnotes of senate report on airline junk fees on pg. 51.
020
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
This just in: Thrifty Traveler Premium has added Durango, Colorado (DRO) to our list of departure cities. DRO has both American (DFW, PHX) and United (DEN) service. We now search for flight deals from 226 U.S. and Canadian cities! 📍
020
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
Dec. 2: We're calling it .25 inches at the stake overnight in Longfellow, Minneapolis. ❄️
A black snow-measuring stake in front of a white fence in a slightly snowy Minneapolis yard.
030
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
My bucket list never seems to get any shorter.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
January in Brisbane. February in the Bahamas. April in Amsterdam. July in Nantucket. A perfect flight deal for every month of 2025. thriftytraveler.com/deals/flight...
thriftytraveler.com
Where to Travel for Less in 2025: The Best Flight Deals, Month by Month
Stop living in the past! You can already book flights for 11 of the 12 months in 2025, and if you want great deals like these, you should get booking.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
The best sale in skiing starts this AM. Mount Bohemia is a hidden gem on the Upper Peninsula. Biggest terrain in the Midwest, best snow, and pristine vibe. Best of all: Season pass is $109. $99 if you exclude Saturdays. And you have to be a passholder to ski Saturdays at all.
000
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Let's play Best Flight, Worst Flight: Here's the best way we could find to get from San Francisco to Sao Paolo, Brazil for our Thrifty Traveler Premium members. $447 on Delta. And then there's the worst: - 2 consecutive red-eyes on COPA with a 16-hour daytime layover in Panama City 🫠 - $903...
100
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
This is interesting and could be helpful if you're jet lag afflicted, but there's a better way. It's my 2-point plan: 1. The second you get on the plane, just start behaving like it's the time at your destination 2. Caffeine
100
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Going back to Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, and Lake Louise this winter. Went last year for the first time. Revvy & KH are by far the best places I've ever skied. Skiing in B.C. and Albert, Canada is... - Way cheaper (flights, lift tickets, food, & beer) - Way snowier - Way less crowded
Skier underneath his tracks on a snowy Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
010
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Delta added another Austin (AUS) route to its schedule with Jacksonville (JAX) starting in May. After American pulled out of AUS as a focus city, Delta has swooped in with service to Nashville, Panama City, Harlingen, Indy, JAX, Vegas, Midland, Orlando, Memphis, McAllen, Nola, SFO, & Tampa.
A route map of flights on Delta from Austin, Texas to non-Delta hubs.
120
Gunnar Olson ✈️ @gunnarolson.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
This is Wallie. Today he limped around the house like he tore his ACL. Wouldn’t put his paw down. No weight on it whatsoever. Was literally shaking in pain and suffering. Until…that is…until I put his Kirkland sweatshirt on him. He’s totally fine. Unbelievable.
030