David Palmieri
David Palmieri

Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.

Name: David Palmieri (LinkedIn)

Occupation: President & CEO @Aquila Inc.

Hometown: Freehold, NJ

College: Seton Hall

College major: Business

Website: ataquila.com

Twitter: @DavidMPalmieri

Facebook: David Palmieri

Instagram: davidmpalmieri

Short bio: Renowned for his intuitive innovative business skills and strategy, Palmieri has taken over the helm of numerous start-ups and transformed them into high revenue market leaders. As former Vice President of Lufthansa Systems Americas, he holds extensive knowledge of both the Airline side of the business, as well as the Vendor side as he lead Lufthansa Systems into the BPO business in the Americas. He has worked with organizations such as Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa German Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, Emirates Airlines, British Airways, United Airlines, Air France, US Airways, Air Canada, South West, JFK International Airport, JetBlue, SITA, Audi, British Midland, Span Air, and Bristol International Airport, PAL, IATA, Cendant, Continental Airlines, TravelPort, Amadeus, and many others.

Palmieri’s previous experience includes Aumtech Inc. the leader in IVR technologies and M2p one of the leading Travel and Transportation consulting firms, served as Senior Vice President of Global sales. He has also reengineered and created more personalized online interactions for multiple industries including: flyQ (travel industry); medQ (medical industry); driveQ (auto industry); buyQ (home-retail industry); helpQ (help-desk industry); and netQ (human-resources industry); all under the miQ umbrella.

Palmieri holds memberships in the “Wings Club,” the “Aero Club,” the Wireless Airport Association, and IATA (International Aviation Transportation Association). He is often quoted in media and is a sought after expert speaker on E-Commerce, Aviation and Systems Management in the international speaking circuit, including 17 speaking engagements in nine countries. David is an acting participant on analyst calls for BWG Strategy LLC several times per quarter. For the past seven years, Palmieri has served as a planning committee member of Ohio State University’s Aviation and Aeronautics annual symposium.

How often do you fly? Several times per month and over 220K mile per year.

How many countries have you been to? 106

How many continents have you been to? 6

Earliest travel memory: I could not even HAHAHA

Favorite American city: Scottsdale, Arizona.

Favorite international city: Venice, Italy.

Least favorite country: El Salvador.

I have no desire to go to: Iraq.

Friendliest people in the world: Italy.

Country with the meanest immigration officers: China.

Favorite airline: United.

Favorite aircraft type: 777.

Aisle or window: Aisle.

Favorite airport lounge: Emirates first class lounge Dubai.

Favorite U.S. airport: I don’t like any of them.

Favorite international airport: Don’t have one.

Favorite hotel: Shangri-La Manila.

Favorite cruise line: Royal Caribbean.

Favorite travel credit card: United Presidential Plus MC.

Favorite island: Don’t have one.

Favorite beach: Don’t have one.

Favorite National Park: Grand Canyon National park.

Favorite fancy restaurant: Prime 112 Miami.

Favorite hole-in-the-wall: DiPietro, Bologna Italy.

Favorite bar: Don’t have one.

Favorite fruit: Don’t have one.

Favorite food: Italian.

Least favorite food: Don’t have one, I LOVE ALL food!!

Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Bloody Mary.

Favorite travel movie(s): Miracle On Ice, Rudy.

Favorite travel show(s): Modern Family and Dr Ken.

Favorite travel book(s): Don’t have one.

Right now I am reading: The news LOL!!!

Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Plane Business Banter. TNooz and Chinese Travel news.

Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! I don’t really have one.

5 things you bring on a plane: Water, snack, noise-cancelling headphones, luggage, and backpack.

What do you always seem to forget? To be honest, I really don’t.

What do you like least about travel? Airports.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Cologne.

Favorite travel app(s): United mobile app, Hilton mobile app, Yelp, Flight Update Pro, Currency Converter.

Most embarrassing travel moment: I can’t think of one.

I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Bora Bora.

Worst travel moment: My trip to Auckland for eight hours and a two-hour meeting with Air NZ.

What’s your dream destination? Bora Bora.

Favorite travel charity: Don’t have one.

Best travel tip: Always do research before leaving, know your place, know the laws, and always know where the US Embassy is.

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