To sum up the story: a 47 year old man with cerebral palsy who uses a wheelchair to get around was told by US Airways that he was "too disabled to fly alone" on a PBI-MCI flight last month. In a statement issued...
Contrasting United and Lufthansa: Accommodation vs. Competence
I’m back from my short trip to Frankfurt and I want to share the results of a little experiment I conducted yesterday and today with the good folks at Lufthansa. Bottom line: they all play by the rules. Whether this is a virtue or...
There’s a Continental Airlines’ Mechanic in My Seat!
Last night I blogged about my seat assignment on a Newark-Brussels Continental flight that "magically" changed from 17D (an aisle in the second row of economy class with in-seat power) to 35E (a middle seat near the back of the...
Skirmish Over Seat Assignment at EWR
Involving me… I don’t take kindly to being moved from 17D (front of the economy cabin with in-seat power) to 35E (middle seat near the back of the aircraft with no power) with no explanation offered. More importantly, I...
Earn Double Rapid Rewards on Southwest Airlines’ Philadelphia Flights
For all the fun we have ribbing Southwest Airlines, I’m truly a WN fan. That doesn’t mean I’d ever choose them over any of the other airlines that serve Philadelphia (especially when their leisure fares are often the most expensive),...
Southwest Slips to Cellar in On-Time Arrival Performance
United has again captured the on-time arrival award for the month of September (88.9% of flights arrived on time), with US Airways (86.6%) and Continental (85.6%) close behind. Surprisingly, at least on first glance, Southwest Airlines finished last (75.8%) among major...
Genuine Upgrade Reciprocity Between United and Continental Finally Arrives
Two weeks into the merger, Coninental and United have finally officially made available reciprocal ugprades and other seating benefits to their elite members. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits: Continental What is it? Comparable to United Elite upgrades Automatic upgrades...
Live and Let’s Fly: One Year Anniversary
Ha! The year flew by past. Today marks the first anniversary of my blog. I want to take a brief moment to thank all of my readers for your input and support over the last year. I also want to thank...
Pictures from UA Open House / Fleet Week at SFO
As promised, here are my pictures from Sunday’s Family Day Open House at SFO. I want to again thank Frank Dean for graciously extending me an invitation to the event and for all the folks at UA who made...
Why I’m Optimistic about Jeff Smisek Leading United Airlines
I missed United Airlines’ new President and CEO Jeff Smisek by about ten minutes at the Family Day event at SFO on Sunday, but I was impressed to hear that he spent time mingling with the crowd after delivering...
Hey 1Ks–Take Advantage of Confirmed Same-Day Changes!
I made another rookie error yesterday. Learn from my mistake. First a bit of background. Yesterday was United’s Open House and Family Day in San Francisco and I decided to attend at the last minute (a few days before the event). That...
Chase Mileage Plus Visa Offer: 20% Off Your Next United Saver Award
Just so there is no misunderstanding, it looks like this offer is targeted. I have not received the e-mail and am going off this FT thread. Nevertheless, I feel this deal is worth passing on and it certainly will not hurt...
Off to United Family Day Open House in San Francisco!
Sadly, no bumps or even an upgrade for me this morning as I prepare to board my UA flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco, but I am looking forward to hanging out with United and Continental employees as well...
XII: Outstanding Service on United from IAD-LAS-SFO-LAX
2010 SOUTH AMERICA TRIP REPORT I: Introduction II: Los Angeles to Washington Dulles via Denver in United First III: Washington to Buenos Aires in United Airlines Business Class IV: Business Class (Cama) Bus Service from Buenos Aires to Iguazu...
360º View of Concorde Cockpit and Cabin
Have you ever wondered what a Concorde looks like inside? The Museum of Flight in Scotland has a nifty section on their website where you can peer into the cockpit and cabin of a Concorde using 360º imaging technology. For...
United to Offer Pre-Ordered Brunch on Premium Service (p.s.) Flights
I saw this story a couple days ago, but Gray beat me to it and sums up my thoughts nicely–and with a good dose of humor. On Wednesday, United announced a new dining option for economy class passengers on...
New Continental Airlines iPhone/iPad App
Continental (or should I say United?) Airlines has released an iPhone/iPad app that incorporates the best features of CO’s mobile website into a single app with a snazzy interface. Key features of the app include: Flight booking including Reward...
XI: Buenos Aires to Washington, DC in United Economy
2010 SOUTH AMERICA TRIP REPORT I: Introduction II: Los Angeles to Washington Dulles via Denver in United First III: Washington to Buenos Aires in United Airlines Business Class IV: Business Class (Cama) Bus Service from Buenos Aires to Iguazu...
MIT Proposes Next Generation 737 – Increasing Fuel Efficiency by 70%
Although the prototype design appears unconventional based on the way we currently envision commercial aircraft, MIT is serious: the technology exists to substantially decrease fuel consumption while not compensating performance. Take a look at their proposal, at left, for...
What Not to Eat Before You Fly
Continuing on my food theme today, ABC put out a list of items to avoid before flying. No. 1: McDonald’s Extra Value Meal* *They clarified: "Okay, so we’re using Mickey D’s as the embodiment of greasy, artery-clogging fast-food joints typically...
