United Airlines will not retire 15 of its 757-200s as planned, as it examines viable replacements for the workhorse jet. The plan was to retire the remaining pre-merger United fleet of 757-200s later this year, all of which are configured with...
United Mainline Returns to Fresno, CA
United Airlines is returning to Fresno, California with a curious new route. United will run mainline a 737-800 on the 158-mile journey between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT). Starting on August 15, 2017, a late-night...
Review: Los Angeles to London in United 787-9 Polaris Business
I’ve asked my six-month-old son Augustine to offer his thoughts on his very first flight, from LA to London on United Airlines in Polaris Business Class. The day of the big trip finally arrived. Mama and Papa had been looking...
Around the World in a 737? My Next Adventure!
Is it possible to travel around the entire globe exclusively on 737s? YES! And I am already working on my next big adventure. Here’s how it will look– Los Angeles to Honolulu – United 737 Honolulu to Guam on...
Why I Love the Upper Deck on United’s 747
From the first time I flew on a United 747-400 in business class in 2004 to now, I always make it a point to sit upstairs. But now I have a whole new reason. I’ve been on four United...
United Airlines Closing 787 Base in Houston, Moving it to Washington Dulles
United Airlines is closing its 787 base in Houston and moving it to Washington Dulles. Starting with the Winter 2017 schedule (begins on 29 October 2017), United will operate the Dreamliner to: Beijing London Heathrow Paris Charles de Gaulle...
Review: LOT 787 Business Class Chicago to Warsaw
LOT Polish Airlines used to have a business class so outdated it felt like flying on Ukraine International Airlines. But its longhaul fleet upgrade to 787-8 aircraft ushered in lie-flat seats and improved service levels. With low fuel surcharges and good...
Introduction: Star Alliance Business Class Adventure in Europe and Asia
I promised I would rotate between old and new trip reports as I clear the backlog of previously written reports that were never published on UPGRD. Even so, I am selectively omitting certain portions of this report because some...
Great Flight on United Airlines 787-9 Business Class
I don’t want to be known as the United Airlines fanboy, but I turned lemons into lemonade earlier this week and had a great flight to London on United’s new 787-9. Thanks to a mechanical delay out of Burbank,...
Emirates A380 Wake Turbulence Flips Over Private Jet!
Wake turbulence from an Emirates A380 traveling from Dubai to Sydney flipped over a private jet, forcing an emergency landing in Muscat and rendering the aircraft scrap metal. Back in the days of “Channel 9” (ATC communications) on United Airlines, I’d...
Airbus Considers New “A380-Plus”
The A380 program has not been a resounding success for Airbus. On the contrary, sales have stalled and the wisdom of creating such a large aircraft is often questioned. But Airbus is digging in. In an attempt to save...
Review: China Airlines A350 Business Class Amsterdam to Taipei
China Airlines’ A350-900 in business class was every bit as impressive as I hoped it would be. Great service, great food, and a great seat made for a great flight. I had started in Los Angeles the previous morning, with a...
Review: San Francisco to Amsterdam in KLM 787-9 World Business Class
Flying KLM for the first time was already a treat, but flying on KLM’s 787-9 in business class turned me into the child eagerly waiting for Christmas morning. KLM World Business Class Flight Preview Email After checking in online,...
First Look at Air France 787-9 Dreamliner
Air France is now in possession of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Taking delivery last month, the carrier is currently utilizing the aircraft on its Cairo route but plans to “showcase” it on the busy Paris – London line this spring before...
Introduction: Adventures on SkyTeam
I’ve flown most Star Alliance and oneworld carriers, but very few on SkyTeam. When Garuda Indonesia offered 90%-off first class award redemptions, I sensed an opportunity not only to try SkyTeam’s premier first class product, but also sample additional...
Emirates Swanky New A380 Bar (Pictures + Video)
Profits may be plunging as oil prices remain low and the competition catches up, but Emirates made a U-turn today in its cost-cutting direction with the announcement of a newly redesigned bar onboard its Airbus A380 aircraft. Color me...
Wow! Great Flight on China Airlines A350 Business Class
Hello from Taipei. Fresh off a 12.5hr flight from AMS-TPE in China Airlines’ new A350-900 Business Class, I am pleased to report another great in-flight experience. China Airlines’ A350 is beautiful on the inside and out– The business class...
KLM 787 Dreamliner World Business Impresses
I just stepped off my first ever KLM flight and found it to be a great overall experience. The full SFO-AMS flight review will be published next week, but for now some initial impressions: KLM’s 787-9 Dreamliner features comfortable...
My Awesome Routing to Jakarta for Garuda First Class
I’m enroute to Jakarta for the long-awaited 90%-off first class award redemption on Garuda Indonesia. Although I am very excited to try Gardua First Class, I must admit my routing to Jakarta is giving it a run for the...
Review: Houston to Lagos in United Airlines 787 Business
I flew United’s 787-8 for the first time from Houston to Los Angeles just weeks after it was introduced in 2012, but almost two years passed before I had the chance to fly it again, this time from Houston to...
