I went to bed last night with a flurry of news alerts on my phone that the search for MH370 had been suspended, a polite way of saying cancelled. While this understandable after three years, it represents a colossal failure that I...
Lufthansa and Etihad Merger Won’t Happen. Here’s Why.
Reuters broke news this morning that Etihad is considering up to a 40% stake in Lufthansa with mutual plans for merger under consideration. Stranger things have happened, but I find the merger scenario very unlikely. Why a Lufthansa – Etihad...
United CEO Oscar Munoz Reflects on Dr. King
While I did not intend to write two posts on Martin Luther King Jr. today, a friend just passed on a letter United CEO Oscar Munoz sent to employees concerning Dr. King. I cannot help but to share and comment...
Everything You Need To Know About Basic Economy on United
United Airlines will soon roll out “Basic Economy” fares in select markets that carry important restrictions. Here’s everything you need to know about these new United fares. What is the Difference Between United Economy and United Basic Economy? Let’s focus on the restrictions...
The Death of the English Breakfast on British Airways’ Domestic Flights
Despite decades of cutbacks on British Airways, one thing remained untouchable: a proper English breakfast on UK domestic flights. If it seems odd that a full breakfast would be served to economy class passengers on a one hour flight between...
United Airlines on Display at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC
United Airlines has partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue to provide bedding in its new Polaris business class. This week, the partnership is on full display in the windows of the department store’s flagship Manhattan store. Walk by Saks and you’ll be...
Tasty: Here’s the United Polaris Lounge Menu
United Airlines’ opened its first Polaris Lounge in Chicago O’Hare last month to complement its new Polaris onboard premium product. Today, United introduced full service sit-down dining menus in the ORD Polaris Lounge. For the last month, food has been served...
United Accelerates 747 Retirement to 2017
Last week I wrote about United’s plan to retire its 747-400 fleet by the end of 2018. Today, UA President Scott Kirby announced plans to accelerate the retirement of the fleet by a full year. In a letter to...
Sore Losers: NFL Team Trashes United 767-400
The New York Giants lost their Wild Card Round playoff game to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday…and took out their anger on a United Airlines 767-400. Airlines are happy to lease out their planes and crews if the...
Cancelled: United Cuts Planned Second Daily Flight from LA to London
I knew it was good too be true. United has removed the planned second-daily Los Angeles to London Heathrow flight from its schedule. Set to begin on April 4, 2017, the new service would have doubled premium capacity and added...
United Boots Unaccompanied Minor Off Last Flight of Night
I’d call it a comedy of errors, but there is no comedy in this story. A 13-year old boy traveling alone was booted off a United Express flight from Albany to Washington Dulles due to a weight/balance issue, leaving him stranded....
Heartbreaking: Sisters Thrown Off Flight, Miss Father’s Death
A very sad story out of Orlando, where two middle-aged sisters were deemed a “security risk” and thrown off a flight, prohibiting them from saying goodbye to their father on his deathbed. As their Allegiant Air flight prepared to...
The Travel Infrastructure Problem in the USA
What was the real reason behind yesterday’s U.S. Customs delay that stranded thousands of travelers and left the immigration process at a standstill across U.S. airports? Rampant speculation that Russian hackers or other nefarious actors were responsible has been at the...
United Denies Rumor It Will Cut Hot Food from Lounges
A rumor sprang up on Flyertalk this afternoon that hot food would be cut from the United Clubs in Chicago O’Hare and not expanded to additional airports. United informed me that no such decision has been made. United’s lounge...
Should a Vocal Trump Supporter Have Been Kicked Off My United Flight?
We are (hopefully) just a day away from the end to one of the most bitter presidential contests in U.S. history. As polls and statisticians predict a victory for Hillary Clinton, one die-hard Donald Trump supporter tried to make...
Modobag Introduces World’s First Motorized, Rideable Carry-on Bag
For those of you too lazy to walk but too prideful to use a wheelchair, a company called Modobag has the perfect solution — world’s first motorized, rideable carry-on bag. Here’s the premise: sometimes we are running late or...
Plenty of Award Space on New Austrian Airlines LAX Route
Austrian Airlines will begin service between Vienna and Los Angeles starting next April, adding another Star Alliance destination in the heart of Europe for LA travelers. The new schedule effective April 10, 2017: OS81 Vienna (VIE) to Los Angeles...
American Airlines Adds Service from Dallas to Rome and Amsterdam
American Airlines is adding flights to Rome and Amsterdam from its Dallas-Fort Worth hub, with seasonal service set to begin in May 2017 on both routes. What we know about the new American Airlines DFW to FCO/AMS Flights Boeing...
Can You Use United Miles to Cuba?
On November 29, 2016 United will resume service to Havana, with daily non-stop service from Newark Liberty and weekly service (Saturdays) from Houston. The new flights are already bookable on united.com and prices are very reasonable, with business class...
United Gate Agent Caught Stealing $130K Worth of Passenger Jewelry
He’s no Frank Abagnale, Jr. A United Airlines gate agent in Denver has been charged with felony theft for stealing $130K of jewelry from a passenger’s bag, including a pearl encrusted bracelet and diamond earrings. The passenger was traveling from...
