Perhaps I am hopelessly naive, but I was not at all disturbed by the recent controversy over a passenger sitting in the cockpit on a recent United Airlines charter flight. In fact, I think it’s time to let kids...
Editorial: United MileagePlus Is On A Destructive Course

The latest round of devaluations to United MileagePlus redemptions seriously jeopardizes the program’s value and undermines the very premise of a loyalty program. It’s too early to say whether United Airlines will get away from it, but it is...
United MileagePlus Devalues Business Class Awards Outside USA

Bad news for United MileagePlus members, with last week’s devaluation of premium cabin awards now spreading to regions wholly outside the USA. Business class awards are now absurdly more expensive and some economy class awards are more expensive too....
I Just Had One Of My Best United Airlines Flights Ever…

I’ve got to hand it to the crew of UA892, my flight from Seoul to San Francisco in Polaris Business Class. It was one of the best United flights I have ever flown. My Truly Great Flight On United...
Knackered Brit Must Pay United Airlines $20,000 For Bad Behavior Onboard

It’s nice to see passengers held accountable for their poor behavior onboard when they get drunk and make a scene. One British man has been ordered to pay United Airlines over $20,000 in restitution for his drunk and disorderly...
United Airlines Captain Retires With Dignity

After 32 years with United Airlines, Captain Mark Hardcastle just piloted his last commercial flight…a fitting send-off to a remarkable man. United Airlines Captain Mark Hardcastle Retires Denver-based Captain Mark Hardcastle spent 32 years flying for United Airlines, retiring...
Massive Devaluation: United Airlines Raises First Class Redemption Costs On ANA, Lufthansa

Bad news for United MileagePlus travelers: United Airlines drastically raised redemption prices for first class travel on partners like ANA and Lufthansa, a massive devaluation. I’m updating this post with United’s statement concerning the price hike. United MileagePlus First...
United Airlines Offers More Insight On “Polaris Plus” Product

After asking MileagePlus members about their interest in an upgraded “Polaris Plus” seat, United Airlines has offered additional details about what such a product might look like onboard. United Airlines Offers More Details On “Polaris Plus” On April 17,...
What Cranky Flier Misses In United Airlines Pacific Load Factor Analysis

One of my favorite industry blogs is Cranky Flier, written by Brett Snyder. We both live in Los Angeles and I have benefited from his perspective for years. But I think he missed a big issue in his recent...
“Service” Dogs In Silk Pajamas Enjoy Their Own United Airlines Polaris Business Class Seat

A pair of dogs lounging in silk pajamas in their own Polaris Business Class seat on United Airlines leaves me wondering how far we are willing to go to coddle dog lovers in what appears to be a blight...
United Airlines Captain Fumes About Rowdy Kids Treating Plane Like A “School Bus”

A United Airlines captain was heard communicating with the company on whether to divert a flight because of a trio of raucous school groups onboard who were climbing over seats like a “school bus” and not respecting flight attendants....
No, United Clubs Are Not Awful…

A serious contention that United Clubs are “awful” suggests to me both a failure to regularly visit United Clubs and a shortsighted historical perspective on United Airlines’ network of airport lounges. Counterpoint: United Clubs Are Not Awful At All…In...
United Airlines Restores Multi-Course Service In Polaris Business Class

It’s official. After numerous trials, United Airlines is finally bringing back multi-course meal service in Polaris Business Class, a move that will more closely align its service flow with that of Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Three-Course Service...
United Airlines Sends Subtle Warning To Boeing, Pratt & Whitney After Surprisingly Resilient Quarter

United Airlines just reported a Q1 loss in 2024, but still posted surprisingly resilient numbers considering both the Boeing and maintenance dramas that have hit the airline hard. While United trying to break its dependence on Boeing is not...
United Airlines Evacuates Crews From Tel Aviv

With the security situation in Israel unclear, United Airlines and Air Canada have suspended service and evacuated crews from Tel Aviv. After Iran Attack, United Airlines, Air Canada Evacuated Crews From Tel Aviv Last month, United Airlines resumed nonstop...
Man Thrown Off American Airlines Flight For Holding Saudi Arabia Flag

A professional boxing star claims he was thrown off an American Airlines flight after a woman complained about the Saudi Arabia flag he was carrying and the captain agreed with her. This is egregious if the events onboard unfolded...
Review: United Airlines 767-300ER Business Class London – Chicago

I already offered my take on this flight, but want to lay out a few more details about what to expect onboard a United Airlines 767-300ER in business class. It also turns out my pre-flight delay was an omen...
Foolhardy Woman Solicits United Airlines First Class Passengers For “Rich Husband” As Flight Attendant And Captain Look On

A foolhardy woman was permitted to solicit the first class cabin of her United Airlines flight in search of a “rich husband” as a flight attendant and the captain looked on with a big grin. While doubtlessly a joke,...
United Airlines Considering Polaris Plus Cabin With “Press For Champagne” Button

An interesting thread on FlyerTalk discusses a recent survey sent to select Mileage Plus members suggesting that United Airlines is considering a more premium product within its Polaris Business Class cabin. Polaris Plus: Will United Airlines Introduce More Premium...
I Received The Global Services Treatment On United Airlines…And I Loved It

A flight delay and extremely tight connection in San Francisco led to the Global Services treatment for this United Premier 1K flyer. I’ve got to hand it to United Airlines and its Twitter team…you really impressed my wife, and...