Hello from LA. I’m back from Hawaii after a wonderful, albeit brief, getaway with my wife. In terms of top news for the week, we’ve now learned more about the new Marriott-SPG loyalty program. It looks good (for the...
Leaked Seat Map for New United Airlines 787-10
United Airlines will take delivery of its first Boeing 787-10 later this year. The aircraft will be the first in the United fleet to feature a new premium economy product. United has 14 firm orders for the 787-10 and...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 15, 2018
Greetings from Los Angeles. It is good to be home after two nearly weeks in Europe. I had a fabulous trip (hope you have been enjoy the Italy road trip report), but there is no place like home…especially after...
Visit the New United Polaris Lounge in SFO for 2,500 Miles!
United Airlines is running a great promo to introduce flyers to its new Polaris Lounge in San Francisco. For just 2,500 you can experience the new lounge on April 27, 2018. 2,500 miles gets you a two-hour visit with...
Aviation Officer Who Dragged Dao is Suing United Airlines and City of Chicago
A disgruntled ex-aviation officer who was terminated for dragging David Dao off an aircraft is suing the City of Chicago and United Airlines. It has now been a year since the Dao incident. Most have moved on, but ex-Chicago...
Next United Polaris Lounge Opens April 30th at SFO
United Airlines’ next Polaris lounge will open on April 30, 2018 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The two-level, 28,000-square-foot lounge will include an a la carte dining area, buffet, sleeping/rest area, showers, and of course ample seating and...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 08, 2018
Buona sera from Milano. I’m in the midst of a fast-paced business trip through Italy. I’ll provide some detail on it in the days ahead…it will not be a typical trip report. It was a fairly light week of...
Perspective: Why More Dogs Die on United
We know that more dogs die United Airlines than any other U.S. airline. But there’s more to the story. United is pushing back. The stats are alarming. 506,994 animals flew on a U.S. airline last year. 24 died. 18 of...
Express Dining on United Airlines
United offers express dining on long-haul flights in Polaris class for those who wish to dine quickly and maximize sleep. That’s the subject of this week’s Meal of the Week. I took advantage of it on a trip last...
A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant
United Airlines has created a video which recounts a “typical” day in the life of four FAs. It is highly choreographed, but I still enjoyed watching it. As much as we passengers love to complain, it has been a...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: April 01, 2018
Happy Easter and Happy Passover. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful day spent with family and friends and trust you have as well. I’m looking forward to a very “Matthew” like trip coming up this week. Details on that on Tuesday....
Five Airlines Awarded New Flights to Havana
Earlier this month I wrote about the battle for Havana slots. Like a game of musical chairs, demand outstripped supply and it was up to the U.S. Department of Transportation to divvy out the slots. Yesterday, the U.S. Department...
The Encouraging Tenure Of United’s CEO, Oscar Munoz
My friend Ben at One Mile at a Time wrote a thoughtful but critical piece on the tenure of United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz. While normally spot-on in his analysis, I view the matter differently. I’m not going to...
Large Dog On My United Flight Given Her Own Row…
The key to getting a row of your own? Apparently bringing your dog onboard… Yesterday afternoon I flew from Los Angeles to Washington Dulles on United. It was an afternoon flight and was pleasantly filled, but not packed. In...
United Polaris Cutbacks Coming Soon…
Under the guise of maximizing sleep for business class passengers, United Airlines is cutting back service in its Polaris Business Class product. In a memo to flight attendants, United outlines changes to United Polaris coming on May 01, 2018....
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: March 25, 2018
Spring began in Los Angeles this week with one more rainstorm, a fitting end to a rather meager winter. I’m still here, further extending my record of time in the last decade I have not stepped onto an airplane....
How I Would Spend a $10K United Voucher
How would use a $10,000 United Airlines voucher? Yesterday, I wrote about Allison Preiss, who received a $10,000 United voucher after she was bumped from an oversold Washington Dulles (IAD) to Austin (AUS) flight. Many asked her on Twitter: how...
$10,000 Voucher for United Airlines Bump!
Back in the day, I thought a $600 for a bump was a job well done. But how about $10,000?! The Northeast storm earlier this week led to thousands of flights cancellations, including most United flight in/out of New...
United Loses $1.5MN in Lawsuit Over FAs Who Watched iPads During Flight
How did firing two FAs for “not doing their jobs” become a civil rights lawsuit in which United Airlines stands to lose $1.5MN? Ruben Lee and Jeanne Stroup had been United flight attendants for over 35 years. But in...
Surprise: United Suspends PetSafe Program New Bookings…
Although hardly a surprise, United Airlines has suspended new reservations under its PetSafe program until May 01, 2018. If you visit United’s PetSafe website, you’ll be met with the following language: Effective immediately, we are not accepting any new...
