The flight itself was near-flawless. The service excellent. But there was one thing that annoyed me about my first class flight on Air France: another passenger in the cabin.
Let me start by saying that this is a first world among first world problems. Nevertheless, it annoyed me, so let’s discuss it and see if it would have annoyed you too. Maybe I’m just totally out of line.
I booked my ticket a couple weeks in advance and noticed that there appeared to be one other passenger in the cabin, who had chosen the other window seat. But on the day of travel, that passenger cancelled and I was left with the cabin to myself (F3).
I still did not not expect the cabin to go with just me, so that is not the issue.
While checking in, I noticed a non-rev passenger checking in with her companion. She could have been a Delta flight attendant, though that is just a guess. She appeared to be standing by for a first class seat and wanted to get her companion, who was seated in business class, an upgrade to first class.
So far, so good, right? I have nothing against non-revs in premium cabins, as long as they are well-behaved. Most of the time, it is not even clear who is a non-revenue versus a paying passenger. I just happened to hear them check-in…
Interestingly, Air France seems to not only allow non-rev passengers into first class, but offers them the same superior ground service as other passengers. They dined next to me in the Qantas Lounge at LAX, were also escorted to the plane, and were picked up by separate car and taken to the La Premiere lounge in Paris. Or maybe that was just the companion’s benefit and the non-rev was his guest…
The Incident
Here’s what annoyed me. I was seated in 1L and the non-rev plus companion were seated in 1A and 1E. That meant the seat across the aisle from me, 1F, was left open.
Now again, let’s be clear. I had no “claim” on that seat.
But after a few minutes onboard, the non-rev ordered her companion to take seat 1F, explicitly stating that she wanted to sit in 1B and sleep in 1A.
This is what annoyed me. I may not have even used the open seat across the aisle from me, but it was nice to have the privacy and not hear their conversation. Instead, there was more traffic in the aisle while the non-rev (or whoever the lady was) enjoyed two seats instead of one.
In the end, I just dismissed it and thoroughly enjoyed my flight. The couple were mostly quiet after takeoff and slept through breakfast prior to landing.
CONCLUSION
There were two parties in the first class cabin. It would have been nice to have one seat separating the two parties. I viewed the non-rev’s action as presumptuous, since they may have been assigned those seats in the first place precisely to separate us.
But whatever. I still greatly enjoyed the near-flawless flight. And I guess the powdered cappuccino should have annoyed me more, though I expecting that and just avoided ordering it…
Does anyone know if Air France-Delta-KLM employees can standby for Air France first class on a regular basis?
Well it could have been worse. I was in La Premiere and had a sort of african king next to me who had his entourage in BC. Every 3 minutes or so he waved his finger, his troops would storm out of BC to open the overhead bin and give the guy what he thought he urgently needed. This went on more or less the whole flight, except for the part where he slept with his overhead light shining right in my face.
It sounds like this guy has something against Non-Revs. If he didn’t have a claim to the seat and they weren’t do anything else but talking and then they slept what exactly is the issue. What a selfish individual.
They should have stayed in their assigned seats. Selfish, entitled people to claim two seats in any class, but especially first class.
This is the first time I have ever read a story like this and read each comment carefully. I am a 31 year veteran of flying. I have flown many of the airlines that no longer exist. Pan-Am, TWA, Western, Eastern and a few others. I have also had frequent flyer accounts with Delta, AA, UAL, TWA, and Pan Am and Northwest Orient. I have flown First Class many times and Y/C quite iften as a non-rev working for AA at first and Continental as well as their catering subsidiaries. Back in those days, there was respect and courtesy. Shirts and ties were required for us non revs. My final word on all of this Matthew is, I have not flown the mega miles you have, however the days of courtesy and honor and decency and respect are gone. Unfortunately you may see more of this in the future. Those 2 Non-Revs on that flight may not supposed to have been there. But they were. It may happen again and again. I could go on and on and on. I have not flown in 12 years, however before this long drought, I logged more than 70000 miles in 31 years between non-rev and revenue. I have bought Y/C and First Class tickets and all the perks that went with it. With billions of passengers taking to the air nowadays, the problems just may get worse. I read a lot of airline news everyday from you and the TPG. I keep up with the aircraft out there. I am going to be 62 this year and I am going to start flying again. There are stories I can tell you but it does not come close to what the airline experience is today. Good Luck Matthew. I will follow your posts.
Thanks for your comment!
I understand your concerns and your comments. I would have made my displeasure known to the Purser lead cabin staff. It was unthoughtful if the non-rev pax. But when non-rev gets upgrades this how they behave. I see this constantly in my travels as well. Today, traveling with the general public as commerical air travelers leaves a lot to be desired. No manners, decorum, or common courtesy of thoughtfulness. That is exactly why when I travel if I get to use the company jet with other executives, I am delighted. Commercial air travel in First or Business one must suffer fools.
A Delta non-rev allowed in First Class, on an Air France aircraft? Air France employees are not allowed in First Class, on Air France Aircraft, unless it is the CEO. Something doesn’t seem right. BTW, I am an Air France employee.
Who was it then? Some English-speaking woman from Orange County who my escort told me was a standby/non-rev, confirming what I overheard at check-in.
Didn’t seem like an Air France employee, which is why I suggested Delta.
Matthew, I’m checking with some of my colleagues in France, and the US. Back in the day the Captain’s wife, and high ranking company officials, could fly in “P” class. Even if they were upgraded by the crew, which must be approved by the Captain, we were told to be extremely discreet about our employer. Would never dream about doing all of the seat swapping. Also, no gate agent catered extra first class for any non-revs. Possible they might have been a crew member’s family, but even then, they would sit down, and act like good first class passengers.
even if it was the captain’s wife or imagine someone from a crew member’s family, and even if the captain had said ok for the First class, the no-revs could not have access to the lounge first is in the first car service on the ground, it’s impossible to see that
I flew AA (LHR>DFW) FC last October. A lady in FC was very vocal about her deceased husband being an AA pilot for many years and that she had free flights, FC upgrades and other perks. My take was that my ticket was somewhat supporting her flying enjoyment!
That’s annoying.
Matthew, I just now spoke with a friend of mine who works in flight for Air France.
The person said, “Absolutely no non-revs in P Class. Upgrading a non-rev to P Class, even after the door has closed, would be grounds for firing. Non-revs can only travel in Y, Premium economy, and Business class”. I have forwarded your link to this person, and it will then be forwarded to Air France. On behalf of my friend, in in flight, and myself, we apologize that your flight experience was not 100% excellent. Thank you for flying Air France, and the fantastic trip review. Have a Happy New Year.
Thanks David. I would be very curious to know who it actually was. I can provide a decscription to you via email if necessary.
The last time we flew Air France First Class, I observed two persons in civilian clothes (whom I presume were non-revs) enter and remain in the crew rest area during the flight. (All First Class seats were taken).
Are you ratting someone out who did not affect you whatsoever? Wow, that’s very unclassy
People are dying of starvation in many of those 120 countries you claim to have been. You are fortunate to have opportunities to fly in royal comfort. Most of the flying public can afford only coach. I have never met you, but my impression is that you are spoiled and quite pretentious. How about flying coach one time and consider making a donation to your favorite charity other than your own.
Brian, did you read my second paragraph? It began:
“Let me start by saying that this is a first world among first world problems.”
This blog is meant to be a break from reality plus a tool to show you how to fly in luxury for the price of coach.
But I flew coach to London the week before and wrote about it here:
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2018/12/18/british-airways-economy-class-review/
People pay a lot of money for first class or business class and they deserve what they pay for. Not only do they subsidize those economy seats but they provide a lot of jobs for people who would otherwise starve. Personal chef, landscaper, yacht and luxury motor home builder, deck crew, private pilots, live in nanny, butler, private security, driver, interior designer, personal shopper, couture dress maker, high end shops, business class seat makers, custom furniture makers, luxury car makers, luxury watch makers, suit makers, high end tailors, personal trainers and a whole bunch of other positions and shops and businesses wouldn’t exist without people who are well off. Yeah there would be low paying jobs as cashiers, shelf stokers and waiters but all of the above positions which do pay well (some over 100k a year) wouldn’t exist. The well off are responsible for a middle class.
Say thank you to him and go **** yourself if you have a problem with good economics and people who contribute positively to society.
“Not only do they subsidize those economy seats”
What are you smoking ? Typically, Economy class revenue pays for the flight operating costs where as Business class revenue adds to the profits.
Hello Matthew. I just need the flight number, and date of departure. Thanks.
AF69
LAX-CDG
22 December
Would also appreciate if you can find out the full name of the FA who worked the first class cabin. He was amazing and I want to properly recognize him.
Good evening Matthew. Please email me at the email I gave to submit my reply. I think I will be able to give closure to this incident.
Did you ever find out who this was/why they were upgraded to First with David’s help? Are you able to share the full details of what ended up happening here. After reading the comments I’m very curious.
Air France would probably frown on that situation as it deteriorated a paying customer’s experience, but I’d be willing to bet that her boarding pass did not have first class on it and so there is no record of it happening. It is common for crews to upgrade other crews flying standby after the door closes and then treat them like royalty.
Another possibility was that she and her friend were commuting on a ticket (sometimes not confirmed, hence her standby ticket) that could be upgraded Y to J knowing that she could talk them into the Y to F upgrade as the cabin was open. Either way it still impacted your travel experience which should not happen
This was official. I didn’t see their boarding passes, but they were in the first class lounges in LAX and CDG and enjoyed the full ground service.
I’m betting that they paid for their First Class tickets with miles instead of actual currency. The one time in my life I have flown International First Class, I paid with miles. But at least I dressed and acted like I belonged there.
Could be. I’m curious to find out.
Are we able to find out who this was and what the final story ended up being? I’m very curious to find out what happened here and who it was/why they were upgraded to First.
@ Matthew — Nothing a little flatulence can’t fix.
I would be astounded if a Delta flight attendant was upgraded to first class on Air France; an airline that is stingy about upgrades period.
For 30 years I was a flight attendant, the last 10 years with Northwest and I took frequent advantage of interline travel agreements to travel the world durijng my time-off. The list of airlines on which I was able, as a NWA employee, to obtain discounted travel was very extensive; virtually every major carrier in the world – and many small airlines as well. The individually negotiated interline agreements were listed on the Northwest Employee Travel website and clearly stated that non-rev leisure travel was for Economy Class ONLY. Management had the ability to travel in some airlines’ front cabins, but flight attendants absolutely did not, and I was never once upgraded to Business or First unless Economy was full and the passenger service agent at the gate took pity on me.
As I own a house in France, I frequently traveled back and forth across the Atlantic on Air France. I was known to many of the AF passenger service agents and even though they were always extremely friendly to me I was never accommodated in any cabin other than Economy.
Once, on a sold-out Air France flight from Athens to Paris I was allowed to occupy a flight attendant jumpseat because the aircraft was an A-320 (which Northwest also operated) and I was qualified on that aircraft type and licensed to operate the emergency exits. The Greek gate agent asked permission from the flight’s captain and he allowed me to sit on the jumpseat.
I suspect, Matthew, there was more to the story of that non-rev on your Air France flight…
Forgot to mention that I’m flying Air France tomorrow evening from Montreal to Paris and on to Johannesburg. Booked in Business Class, maybe I should ask if I can stand-by for First!
Might as well ask for it! Enjoy your trip.
@Kenneth AF planes flying out of YUL don’t have F. You’re booked as high as you can go! To my knowledge YUL only sees one F cabin, in the form of Swiss.
Delta non rev on AF La premier ???
If that was possible, I would have flown it a few dozen times by now.
Hello Matthew. It is absolutely forbidden to upgrade Delta, Air France or any other company in first class on the ground or in flight. it’s even impossible to do it through the company’s software. It is also impossible to use the facilities such as the lounge and to use the first class services on the ground even for an Air France employee. The instructions in house are very strict. even knowing someone, it seems almost impossible that an employee can even get on the plane in his conditions. the protocol is so strict for first class that it’s impossible. After I know to have already lived several times that certain customer, very good customer, and very accustomed to travel on the same line, can sympathize with the ground teams, by dint of always making the same flight and to see always the same teams. Americans are sometimes very friendly. but frankly, and I can assure you that an employee will never be able to end up in a Première cabin aboard Air France if there is moreover a passenger paying or outclassed on board. If you want more information don’t hesitate
Maybe a member of AF upper management? I suspect there was one in the cabin on my LAX-CDG flight, too. She seemed known to the crew, anyway. At least she was very nice – seemed to realize I was a poseur doing a once-in-a-lifetime thing and offered to take my photo on my seat 🙂
You could have declared that you will be sitting in 1A and disrupt their plans.
Like I said, I didn’t have a right to the open seat…it just struck me as unfortunate, whether they were non-revs or not.
I wish I had your problems..
this piece could only come from you.
Half clickbait half something to write..
It’s really something that boardingarea themselfes have not figured out that you the one here taking the extra seat for articles that actually have a meaning..
You should rather start storytelling than in any way write about aviation ..
I hope finally someone sees this .. sad story ..
Working for another alliance with joint business partners over the Atlantic. My best guess is senior management or flying on company business for the employee. The other person’s situation I could only guess. There is no way a typical non-rev from another carrier would be offered an upgrade on AF to J, let alone F.
I come from the Lufthansa side, as a former Star Aliiance worker, in which employees where offered a once-yearly seat in F on a standby basis.
Very bizarre… but you are right to be annoyed I think. In a 4 across cabin and 3 people in a 2 and a 1 it makes perfect sense, for privacy, and companionship reasons for the open seat to be one of the middles.
At least it was in first that this came up rather than economy. If you are a 3 in a section of 4 and the couple takes seats 1 and 3 in wouldnt be impressed.
I’ve been an airline crew member myself for over 11 years and have non-reved and zed fared on many global airlines, some upgraded me and some didn’t. I never gave it an extra thought as I consider the travel benefits and the ability to ZED as “holy”. As someone mentioned- when I was upgraded, indeed it was behind closed doors and last to board.
My explanation to your story- perhaps they were full fare who used there miles and money to upgrade a confirmed reservation? I admit, even as a crew member, I stash miles through credit cards and once every few years I treat myself and my significant other to a “confirmed” ticket on another airline in a “premium cabin” long haul flight using miles or cash+miles. I would still have my easy-to-recognize crew bag and luggage (although I make sure to remove all tags).
They were not full fare. At check-in the lady was fighting with check-in staff because she had her standby ticket to Paris and confirmed ticket from Paris to Zurich but could not check her bag through. They told her their system would not allow it and she would need to deal with her bag in Paris.
Presumably they could have been revenue pax but still in standby – eg if they had been offloaded from a previous flight?
But the flight was F3 (three of four first class seats for sale) earlier that day.
You sound like a royal pain in the butt Matthew. You are who flight attendants complain about.
Really? I was an angel onboard.
I thought that non-revs typically aren’t allowed lounge access, ground services, etc…not least because they are on standby and don’t actually have a confirmed seat, but also because the non-rev agreement prohibits using the lounge. At least this was what a United non-rev told me last time in a TATL J flight.
United non-revs used to be able to fly First Class on United, but only up to business class on a handful of other carriers. Until last year, non-revs cleared into business class could also use Polaris Lounges. Now they can just use United Clubs.
My God…the horror. The travesty! How you so bravely endured the non-rev scum to breathe the same air. Tell us, did you immediately upon landing have a driver take you to hospital to have a blood transfusion? I will pray for your entitled douchebaggery at once and hope for a full recovery.
Also, let’s find the African king and have him drawn and quartered.
Vanessa, are you the passenger in 1E and 1A?
Are you sure they didn’t have business class tickets and did a paid upgrade to La Premiere at check-in?
Unlikely, because of the conversation I overheard at check-in and the conversation I had with my escort to the plane.
Seat looks nice but is it really that much better than LH first other than curtains? Or comparable to Singapore suites or Emirates apartments (or first). Nice soft finishes and good ground experience making the difference?
Speaking of annoying passengers I got questioned by the guy behind me at the etihad first class lounge how I managed to get in “only being an American platinum”
Ermmm, because I’m flying on first class?
It’s not. It’s a great seat and a great product, but very much like QR and LH in first class.
Didn’t you say there was a curtain? The curtain was not thick enough?
Matthew sounds like a spoiled brat
Why didn’t you move to an empty row if there were only 3 of you in the first class cabin?
There’s just one row of four seats. There would not have been an additional row to move to.
Those of you attacking Matthew are the spoiled brats. He was very reasonable and clearly qualified this as a first world problem.
Furthermore if these were actually non-revs their behavior was unacceptable.
Matthew last year my wife and I flew an Air France 380 from CDG to IAD as non-revs. I had brought some snacks for the crew (flight and inflight) as a thanks for the ride and when I gave the Captain our offering he huddled with the number 1 trying to upgrade us. First had only one seat occupied and he clearly wanted to upgrade us but with business full he was apologetic that the best he could do was premium economy. Naturally we were just happy to have a ride but if even the Captain of the flight can’t make an upgrade once the door closes I doubt they were actually non-revs.
I’m not disputing your story just providing some additional context.
First world problem indeed! And one wonders why there’s so much disdain towards Westerners throughout the world.
Maybe I will double the contribution I made to a charity this morning thats providing clean water to those leds fortunate in the third world.
Heck I might even start having conversations with the cab drivers I am fortunate enough to have drive me home from the airport when I arrive (economy, of course) from a trip I have saved up to take.
Talk about misplaced privilege. Beyond nauseating!
The title of the article was “The only that annoyed me in Air France First Class…” did you expect to find a problem other than one from the first world based on the title? Congratulations on the contribution to charity you made, if this makes you double it and gets clean water to those in the third world, you have all of our deepest gratitude.
Please, please, please tell us more of your first world problems.
Air France does not seem to care about passengers being annoying and socializing in the aisles.
Matthew, I’m always surprised and annoyed by people who read you and Lucky and the other luxury travel blogs and call you names when you make observations about “first world” flaws in the service or products. People – if you’re looking for a blog about flying as cheaply as possible in the main cabin, there are other sites to go to. Matthew and his colleagues are primarily focused on front cabin experiences; both how to snag these for the best possible combinations of miles and cash AND what makes the journey special. Frankly if I could afford to spend the money on first class, I would want a flawless experience too. And if I were using a gigantic great pile o’ miles that I had legitimately earned through travel and purchases (the way I have made my very few trips in long haul BC and – twice only – FC) to book or upgrade, I would also want to know not only what the pitfalls were, but whether, for instance, my Star Alliance points were better spent on TATL with LOT or LH, and if a lounge is involved, who has the nicest one. Furthermore these blogs are a form of *entertainment* people – I will never be able to fly FC on AF or in a Qatar QSuite but I for one love reading these descriptions for the fun of it. I don’t need political statements from the bitter and resentful – trust me, I’ve spent my share of nights in airplane seats so tight and narrow I was afraid to exhale for 10 hours with 4 working toilets for 300 people, and I don’t need a blog to tell me about that. So lighten up already with the hating and if you find Matthew so spoilt and offensive go read something else and leave us avgeeks to our fantasies. I’m going to keep dreaming of being chauffeured across the tarmac to my plane in a luxury sedan.
I’m kind of shocked that they served paddlefish roe in AF Premiere. That is a lot more puzzling to me than this non-rev situation. Why bother with the illusion of serving caviar in first if it’s a cheap knockoff? Doesn’t make sense because France farms some really wonderful sturgeon caviar.
@Peter@Matthew: I, too, noticed the paddlefish caviar. Is this now the standard in First Class? Do any airlines still serve real (i.e, sturgeon) caviar? Thanks,
I was flying back and forth from SEA – BKK on United when they flew that route. I was trying to burn mileage so did a First Class return every two weeks. The cabin was always packed with non rev. One flight was a retired captain who chose business over sitting in first with his family and after take off I realized he made a smart choice. Why are the airlines letting non rev in first rather than moving elite members to first and putting the non rev in business?? After all the elites are paying the bills.
Why the vitriol for this take? Kind of obnoxious for these passengers to take 3/4 of the cabin for their own… if it was me, it would have been a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and so I might have been a tad less diplomatic
This may well be my once-in-a-lifetime trip in Air France fist class. I hope not!
What stuck me… communication. Or lack of it… in old good days passengers were talking to each other. You could easily solve this as being paying passenger. It’s called class, Matthew. I’m usually of different approach. In t-shirt and comfortable trousers I’m suspecting more comfort bed in 11h than anything else. Obviously (as my family usually flights in same class) extra fun is when attendants lecture my son about Champaign being served only to BC or FC(he is 28 but looks much younger lol). Hope to meet you one day. I’m frequent on AF. You can have something to write about, I will have all laugh in the world. Believe me, you still can have fun in BC or FC. Have you ever heard “travel with the smile” phrase ?
It’s true. I said nothing to the passengers. I was annoyed when the seat switch was made and just kept to myself.
Mathew, I’m with you on this. There weren’t revenue customers in biz class who could have been upgraded? I found an NRSA boarding card in the seat pocket of a DL biz class trans-atlantic flight, and I’m not impressed. Same question: “no revenue pax that could have been upgraded?!?”
To be clear, I have no issues with non-revs in first class: it is a great benfit of working for an airline and you can bet I would take full advantage if I was an airline employee.
But the whole seat shuffle just struck me as rude.
Is there a reason, besides misogyny, you assume this non-rev female is a flight attendant?
She just looked like someone I recently flew with. She may well have been an Executive VP, but she wasn’t French or Dutch.
Hello, fellow avgeek
I actually completely get it, Matthew. This would have annoyed me a lot more than it probably should have, but I would have felt almost like I was part of someone else’s party. That’s not the feeling you want.
If they were indeed non-revs or employees of any kind, it’s inexcusable they made you have a less-than-perfect experience. I’d take an annoying *paying* customer over an “I own it all here” type non-rev.
Matthew… I really support you on your review and the case… I have been upgraded to First only once in LH ORD-FRA and I was in J… Probably J class was full..who knows… We were only four in the 747-8 cabin and mine was 1K but 1A was emty as the door closed…but I asked to the crew if it was able to move to 1A…they immediately accepted and offered to keep the 1K as my bed…it was the best experience ever….
However, I never been silence where there is rudeness or bad behaviors in J or PE… Or any class… AC used to have PE accessible to Y passengers if there were empty seats… After the first meal service they kept the curtains open and passengers from Y moved to PE and no one said anything…well not me… I request to the crew to remove those passengers, they didn’t… I sent letters to AC asking for respect for those whom are paying triple than economy…the situation was ongoing for several months because I had many flights on pE in AC and saw the same BS until this people hear from me… They just moved without any permission to sleep better…anyway…First world or Middle world life… Boundaries must be respected and if you are upgraded you must shown a great ful attitude not entitlement or arrogancy.
I would have said “excuse me, but I actually wanted to have this seat as my bed”.
Just curious – what if they were rev pax?
*would that have changed your perspective on the circumstance?
Once when I flew to Paris from Chicago aboard United the light over my seat would go on and off, randomly. Which annoyed those around me more than it did me, though I was not happy with it either.
So I asked to have it fixed. “Impossible!”
Other passengers around me were thinking I was ‘playing’ with the light and were giving me the old hairy eyeball!
“Can’t we just take the bulb out?”
It was, naturally, “Impossible!”
This went on and on, so i asked someone else to just remove the bulb from the socket. “IMPOSSIBLE!”
At some point the purser was called to the back. To the nearly very back of the plane, were this was going on. We spoke and I told her the problem with the light. We talked about how traveling is often a real adventure, even now, as I told her I had been in a recent hotel fire in Lisbon– no fire alarm, no bell, no one yelling ‘FIRE’, no one in the garden below banging on a pot to roust people! Fun times!!! And I had just gotten a postcard from the hotel owner asking if i was OK as they hadn’t heard from me!!! Nor had I paid my bill! (I tend to not pay people when they almost kill me. But that is another issue.)
“Can’t we just tape a meal cover or some aluminium foil over the light?” “No, that isn’t possible, either!!”
So I sat there with a folded newspaper on my head to try to sleep, with the overhead light still flashing on and off, randomly! The old newspaper on my head trick didn’t really work so well. But what else could I do?
After a bit the purser came back and told me to get my things together and she walked me to my new window seat– in first class! We matched up the aisle, actually, going through curtain after curtain to my new space. As I looked back several people were leaning into the aisle to see what was going on! Why was I taken up front? Why???
But it was lovely! She even brought me an ice cream Sunday, as there were no more meals available by that point. But I do remember that early morning arrival at CDG! I couldn’t keep from smiling ear to ear. And I gave that purser a big hug as I left. I can still see her lovely face as I write this, 7 or so years later!
And so that is my story of how I flew to Paris, 1st class, on United, for about $450US!
I sometimes fly 1st class domestically, but usually not internationally. I just can’t justify the cost. I would rather buy something meaningful as a reminder of my time where ever I am rather than spend money on some transitory pleasure(?) in an airplane!
But many THANKS! again, to my fellow travel enthusiast, my United purser!