Genius or cowardice? That’s my quandary as United CEO Oscar Munoz continues to defend employees over the dragging incident in April. If you recall, Dr. David Dao was dragged off a flight from Chicago to Louisville after he refused...
Blame Alaska Airlines for Latest Singapore Devaluation?
Alaska Airlines and Singapore Airlines (SIA) are now partners. Is it just a coincidence that Singapore devalued earnings on United Airlines flights…without notice? I give the Singapore Airlines’ KrisFlyer loyalty program a mixed review. If you want to fly...
Bid for a Seat on the Final United 747 Flight
United Airlines is auctioning off two seats on its final 747-400 flight. This is not a dollar auction, but a MileagePlus auction. The package includes domestic transport to San Francisco on 11/06/17, a hotel room, two economy class seats...
Wow! A Secret Way to Book a Seat on the Sold Out Final United 747 Flight!
UPDATE: That was fast. This deal appears gone, but read below to find out what to do if it resurfaces. When United announced its final 747 flight on November 07, 2017 would be a re-creation of its very first 747 flight from...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: September 24, 2017
After a few weeks at home, I’ll be traveling again at the end of the week. Leaving home is always bittersweet. When you get used to your daily routine, especially with your family, it is particularly difficult to leave....
How United Airlines Will Empower Gate Agents with More Discretion
The Dao incident was a life-changing event at United. While the airline may not have been hurt financially by the unforced error, it is causing a change in culture. CEO Oscar Munoz has just spent three weeks in various...
Did You Catch These Four Inside Jokes in the New United Safety Video?
A new edition of the United Airlines safety video is out, highlighting once again United’s global route network. While not as humorous as past versions, the new video does contain a few inside jokes or “Easter eggs” that frequent...
I Love the New United Airlines Safety Video
United Airlines has just unveiled its latest safety video, Safety is Global III, a well-done safety video that is light on humor but nicely showcases United’s international route map. Here’s the video– The video takes place in locales around...
Booked! Last United 747 Flight
When I saw the news yesterday that United Airlines would retire its 747 with a special Hawaiian-themed celebration to recreate its first flight, I resolved to be part of the flight…no matter the cost. I braced myself for the...
Final United Boeing 747 Flight Will be SFO-HNL on November 07, 2017
After 47 years, United Airlines is retiring the Boeing 747 from its fleet. The final international flight will be on October 29, 2017 from Seoul to San Francisco. Today, United announced the final domestic flight: San Francisco to Honolulu...
How to Stopover in Iceland Using United Miles
Earlier this week, United announced it would begin service to Iceland starting next May. The new route creates a great opportunity for an Iceland stopover on your way to Europe or back if using United miles. Last year, United...
Richard Quest Explores United Polaris
United Airlines and CNN’s Richard Quest have been working for three years on the latest edition of Business Traveler. The program tracks United’s Polaris Business Class from its birth to takeoff. I think this three-part video is 24 minutes...
Beware of the Basic Economy “Gate Service Fee”
Delta Basic Economy fares permit a larger carry-on bag, so the focus of this story is on American Airlines and United. If you think you can slip by undetected with you rollerboard, be prepared to pay up and lose...
United DID NOT Bump 77-Year-Old Woman, Strand Her Overnight
With a leadoff like this, I don’t blame you for jumping to a conclusion that United is simply hopeless… A 77-year-old woman who uses a wheelchair was left alone and stranded at a gate at Newark airport for 12 hours...
United Airlines Adds New Service to Iceland, Portugal, Scotland and Switzerland
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby suggested his airline would re-focus on domestic service, but that has not led to any slowdown in international expansion. Quite the contrary, United is using its fuel-efficient fleet to expand to new destinations around...
What is the Difference Between United Polaris First and Polaris Business?
Although United is gradually phasing out its international first class product, 777-2oos featuring an eight-seat first class section could conceivably be operating for the next three years as United gradually retrofits its fleet. What is the difference between Polaris...
United Status Challenge: My First Flight
I was surprised and delighted to see that contrary to stated status match levels, I was granted a status challenge from American Airlines Executive Platinum status to 1K. After reading comments from our readers, I decided to take the...
First United 767-300 with Polaris Seats Takes Flight
Last month I wrote about the completion of United’s first 767-300 retrofit. Last night, the reconfigured aircraft took its first flight, from Newark to London. > Read More: Revealed: United 767 Polaris Cabin Layout There was some controversy that the...
How to Check In Hands-Free for Your Next United Airlines Flight
You can now check-in for your United Airlines domestic flights without even lifting a finger or tapping a key. Just ask Alexa… I bought an Amazon Echo when it first came out…and have never opened it. I liked it...
New Houston to Sydney Flight on United Airlines — Too Long?
United Airlines is launching new service from Houston to Sydney, Australia, an ultra-longhaul route that showcases new markets made possible by the 787-9. The new route will be daily and begins on January 18, 2018. Tickets are already on...
