The Boeing 787 is revolutionary in that it has made otherwise financially nonviable routes viable. United announced two new routes today, to be operated on its 787-8 and 797-9 aircraft from San Francisco — Tel Aviv and Auckland. San...
Should Kuwait Airways Be Banned from Flying to the USA?
Kuwait Airways is in some hot water over its policy not to transport Israeli citizens. After the Kuwaiti flag carrier refused to transport to Eldad Gatt, an Israeli citizen, Glatt complained to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Now in...
United Airlines Launches New Website to Engage Customers
United Airlines launched a new website called United Airtime today that invites both customers and employees to provide feedback and promises a level of engagement in which United will respond honestly and candidly to tough questions. Front and center on the...
The Bright Side of the Aeroplan Devaluation
Aeroplan announced changes to its award chart today, effective 15 December 2015. The bad news is that the amazing prices to Europe in business and first class will go up, a tad. The good news is that this round...
No More Gogo All-Day Passes On United And Why That May Be A Good Thing
Beginning on 01 November 2015, the use of a GoGo All-Day Pass will no longer be possible on United Airlines. Sounds horrible right? I think it might be a blessing. United Will Manage In-Flight Wi-Fi Sales Instead of Gogo...
Breaking: AA Flights Grounded Nationwide
AA flights from DFW, ORD, and MIA were briefly grounded this afternoon until 2:15p ET due to an unspecified computer glitch. The problem has now been resolved. On Twitter, AA earlier said- We’re working to resolve technical issues impacting several airports as...
New United Airlines Domestic First Class Seats
Yesterday Travel Skills broke news of a new United Airlines domestic first class seat and today United has made it official with more details. Here’s a look at the new seat: The seat will debut on an Airbus A319...
Who is Oscar Munoz?
Oscar Munoz, 56, was named United Airlines’ new CEO yesterday. Though a Board Member of United Continental Holdings since 2010 and involved in the Continental organization since 2004, I had never heard of him prior to yesterday’s news of...
Analysis: A Letter from United’s New CEO Oscar Munoz
United named Oscar Munoz as CEO today, tapping another insider to head the company. In a letter to employees, Munoz laid out the news and his leadership vision. Here’s my analysis of it. Dear fellow employees: No more “co-workers”?...
The Real Reason United Fired Jeff Smisek
In an unexpected move, United Airlines announced today that CEO Jeff Smisek, along with two top lieutenants were “stepping down” (translation: fired). With record profit on the books and relative harmony between labor and management, what happened? Apparently, New...
United Airlines Closing Honolulu and Detroit Call Centers
Mention “Honolulu Call Center” to any frequent United Airlines flyer and you will see a smile and hear a story about how Team HNL has worked magic or gone the extra mile to save a trip. For United’s valuable...
Flight Attendants and Religious Freedom
As a lawyer who studied free speech extensively in law school, controversies pitting religious liberty and accommodation against employer demands are of particular interest. Two simmering issues surrounding the actions of flight attendants bring this legal tension to our...
The Lufthansa Heist
Catching up on newspapers today, I noticed a WSJ review of a new book by Henry Hill and Daniel Simone entitled The Lufthansa Heist. Intrigued, I read up on it and apparently I need to watch the film Goodfellas… Here’s...
United Cuts First Class to Australia; Will Exclusively Use 787 for LAX International Flights
@airlineroute reports that by Spring of 2016 United Airlines will abandon first class service to Australia and use 787s for all longhaul international routes out of Los Angeles. First Class to Australia on United Airlines Axed from SFO and LAX...
Singapore Airlines, Airbus Working to Bring Back World’s Longest Flight
Singapore Airlines and Airbus are working to restore non-stop service to New York by 2018 with the development of a more fuel efficient A350-900 that would make the route economically viable. Non-stop service from Singapore to Newark halted in 2013,...
United FAs Get iPhone 6s Filled with Info About YOU!
Although I have not seen them in use yet, United Airlines has recently equipped all flight attendants with an iPhone 6 Plus to “deliver an even higher level of flyer-friendly service and will offer our flight attendants simple, one-touch access...
U.S. Reopens Embassy in Havana
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was in Cuba today to officially re-open the American Embassy in Havana, which for years as operated in the same harbor-front building as a diplomatically-downgraded United States Interests Section. This is a must-visit location...
Cameras Now Permitted on White House Tours!
I used to work at the White House and once in a while I would volunteer to conduct weekend East Wing tours — I remember how delighted I was to visit the White House for the first time as...
How Bad is Delta’s Latest SkyMiles Devaluation? Time to Buy Delta Stock!
Delta announced an immediate devaluation of its Skymiles program on the redemption side this week effective for flights on or after 01 June 2016. We are now seeing just how draconian these changes are. Folks, this is a devaluation...
United Airlines To Offer Swanky Cowshed Amenity Kits
United Airlines is teaming up with Cowshed Spa, a division of Soho House, to offer brand new amenity kits in intercontinental premium cabins and United lounges. Beginning Aug. 1, 2015, United will exclusively offer Soho House’s Cowshed skin-care products onboard...
