A mother traveling on United Airlines to Boston was forced to hold her two year old on her lap even after purchasing a ticket for him when his seat was given away to a standby passenger. In the United States,...
Here’s Why United’s Award Booking Rules are Just Stupid

I run Award Expert, a boutique travel consulting agency that specializes in the effective use of miles and points. Consequently, my team and I are well-acquainted with the nuances of every loyalty program worth talking about. Not surprisingly, we deal with United...
Cool New United Airlines Museum Exhibit at SFO

If you’re flying through Terminal 3 of San Francisco International (SFO) in the coming months, factor in an extra 15 minutes to check out an amazing United Airlines museum-quality exhibit. The SFO Museum rotates collections twice per year in the long hallway...
United CEO Reflects on Independence Day

Happy Independence Day to my readers in the USA. United CEO Oscar Munoz sent the following note to UA workers this morning. Thanks to a FA friend for sharing it with me: Dear United Family, This Fourth of July, our...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 2, 2017

Greetings from over the Atlantic on a rare overnight westbound flight. The week took an unexpected turn as I found myself on a very quick jaunt to Germany and Jordan. More details on that trip are coming. In the...
Emergency Landing at Denver as United Aircraft Catches Flames

Scary moments today as the left engine of a United Express aircraft caught fire, forcing an emergency landing and hasty evacuation. United 5869, enroute from Aspen to Denver, encountered fire upon descent. The SkyWest-operated Bombardier CRJ-700 was met by fire officials upon...
The One United Award I’m Booking Before Devaluation

Earlier today I analyzed the upcoming United MileagePlus devaluation coming in November. I noted that awards originating outside the USA are going up in price, but did not go into detail. I’ll go into detail now on one particular...
Why I’m THANKFUL for Latest United Mileage Plus Devaluation

I hate all devaluations. But United’s latest devaluation could have been much worse. Much worse. Let’s review what will change on November 01, 2017. For over a year now I have been predicting another United MileagePlus devaluation. While both...
United Airlines Wins Lawsuit Against untied.com

For the last two decades, a Canadian professor has collected complaints against United Airlines and posted them to his website, untied.com. Now a Canadian Federal Court has ruled that his website violates United’s trademarks and copyright. Jeremy Cooperstock, founder...
Traumatic: Baby Hospitalized After Overheating on United Flight

In a story that hits quite close to home for me, a mother claims she nearly lost her four-month-old son after sitting in a hot cabin on a delayed United Express flight. His whole body flashed red and his...
More Promising Changes to United Onboard Dining Menu Next Month

It’s not just pizza that is coming to United Airlines next month. The airline will also introduce additional buy-on-board items that refresh its Bistro on Board menu. New items include: Protein Bowl Breakfast Flatbread Thai Style Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich Refreshed...
United’s New Taxi Ad Campaign: Newark is Closer

Keep an eye out for yellow cabs in New York City with electronic timers on them: it is part of United’s new ad campaign. United Airlines wants to “dispel the myth” that a ride to JFK is quicker than a ride...
Here’s What the UNO Pizza on United Looks Like

United Airlines is introducing UNO Pizza to its onboard menu next month. The big question: will it be good and how will United keep it from being soggy? Pizza, like hamburgers, tends to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s simple comfort food that...
The Most Addictive Airline Meal

When you’re loyal to one airline, you tend to the run into the same meal often. Sometimes that is a curse, sometimes that is a blessing. In the case of United Airlines, the cheeseburger continues to be a blessing....
Nine Passengers in Hospital After Severe Turbulence on United Flight

I’ve been on some very rough flights over the years, but never the sort of horror story flights where passengers end up hospitalized. Nine passengers and one crew member were not so fortunate after severe turbulence on a flight to...
Father’s Day Note from United CEO Oscar Munoz

A friend forwarded me a Father’s Day greeting sent from United CEO Oscar Munoz to all employees today– Dear United family, Our parents are our first and most important teachers we ever have in life. The example they set...
Sky High: My Stoned, Stinky Seatmate

Have you ever encountered a seatmate who is high as a kite? I did on a United flight in California (of course) yesterday. I’ll say this, which I hope you can appreciate. First, I am agnostic about pot legalization:...
Livid Over a Stupid Airline Meal

Repeat after me: it’s just an airline meal. It’s just an airline meal. I wish stuff like this did not bother me… I flew from Minneapolis to LA earlier this week on United. The flight was operated by a...
Latest Lawsuit Could Cost United More than Dao Incident

Earlier today I wrote about a horrific incident that happened in Houston where a United agent shoved a 71-year old man, knocking him to the ground unconscious while other employees just stood around and watched. Here’s my legal analysis: the senior...
United Agent Shoves Senior Citizen, Knocking Him Unconscious

Disgusting surveillance video from 2015 has surfaced, showing a United Airlines agent in Houston shoving a 71-year-old man to the ground. I’ll note at the outset that the agent has been fired by United and faced felony charges. Now the...