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...
JetBlue Will Expand Mint Business Class to Boston
JetBlue announced an expansion of its popular Mint lie-flat business class service to Boston with service starting next year. In March 2016, JetBlue will commence three daily flights between Boston and San Francisco and add Boston – Los Angeles...
United Airlines Leaves JFK, Moves p.s. to Newark
Big news for New York City travelers, as United announced plans to move its premium service (p.s.) flights from JFK to Newark and discontinue service to JFK starting on October 25, 2015. United cuts p.s. because it was not...
FA Who Told Muslim Passenger She Could Not Have Unopened Soda Can for Security Reasons is Sacked
Another week, another drama at United Airlines. This time on a United Airlines Express flight operated by Shuttle America. Let’s review the situation: Tahera Ahmad, Director of Interfaith Engagement at Northwestern University who was also wearing a hijab,...
Aer Lingus to Join oneworld: No Irish Luck for Me!
In January I wrote a piece entitled IAG Group Moves Closer to Aer Lingus Acquisition and speculated that Aer Lingus would rejoin the oneword alliance if the acquisition by British Airways’ parent company IAG was successful. Today, the Irish government announced plans to...
New Beta Edition of United.com Available to All
I have been testing the beta version of the new united.com for over a month now via special invitation but now United has opened its beta site to everyone, with a planned launch date of the “new and improved”...
Recap and Winners of 2015 Freddie Awards
The 2015 Freddie Awards were held at the Delta Flight Museum last night just down the road from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Created in 1988 by Randy Petersen to recognize the world’s best and most innovative frequent travel programs, the awards...
Real Meals Coming to United Express on March 1, 2015
While Delta Air Lines and American Airlines already serve “real” meals onboard their regional jets, United has been a holdout, offering only junk food snack boxes. That changes on 01 March 2015 when United will begin to serve hearty...
Legal Analysis of DOT Decision to Back United on Cancelled Mistake Fares
The U.S. DOT has issued its verdict on United Airlines’ unilateral decision to cancel thousands of cheap first class tickets, ruling that it will not take action against United for failing to honor the fare. Although this ruling comes...
