We still don’t have official confirmation that Economy Plus will remain on the post-merger United, but at an aviation summit in New Orleans yesterday, United’s vice president of operations planning and international operations, Cindy Szadokierski provided this glimmer of hope:...
Hypoglycemic United FA Picks and Eats Warm Nuts as She Serves Them
Have you ever had a FA sample your food–in front of you? From Flyertalk: I was on a [United Airlines’] mid-con 757 on row 3 in F. As the FA was bringing out the warm nuts, She was picking...
United/Continental Add 19 New Routes
Now merged with Continental, United announced on Thursday that it would add a total of 19 new routes from seven of its eight mainland hubs in 2011. Here’s the list: Chicago O’Hare: No new routes. Cleveland: Cincinnati. Denver: Amarillo,...
Special Meals on United Redeyes
If you’ve got a redeye flight coming up in United First, do yourself a favor: avoid the sandwich and order yourself a special meal. Since UA enhanced their meal service earlier this year, gone is the fruit and cheese...
Rumor: United will Introduce One-Way Star Alliance Awards on November 1st
According to this thread on FT, multiple United Airlines’ reservations agents have shared that one-way Star Alliance awards will be available for booking at the end of the month. Not taking their word for it, I called UA reservations...
Contrasting United and Lufthansa: Accommodation vs. Competence
I’m back from my short trip to Frankfurt and I want to share the results of a little experiment I conducted yesterday and today with the good folks at Lufthansa. Bottom line: they all play by the rules. Whether this is a virtue or...
Southwest Slips to Cellar in On-Time Arrival Performance
United has again captured the on-time arrival award for the month of September (88.9% of flights arrived on time), with US Airways (86.6%) and Continental (85.6%) close behind. Surprisingly, at least on first glance, Southwest Airlines finished last (75.8%) among major...
Genuine Upgrade Reciprocity Between United and Continental Finally Arrives
Two weeks into the merger, Coninental and United have finally officially made available reciprocal ugprades and other seating benefits to their elite members. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits: Continental What is it? Comparable to United Elite upgrades Automatic upgrades...
Pictures from UA Open House / Fleet Week at SFO
As promised, here are my pictures from Sunday’s Family Day Open House at SFO. I want to again thank Frank Dean for graciously extending me an invitation to the event and for all the folks at UA who made...
Why I’m Optimistic about Jeff Smisek Leading United Airlines
I missed United Airlines’ new President and CEO Jeff Smisek by about ten minutes at the Family Day event at SFO on Sunday, but I was impressed to hear that he spent time mingling with the crowd after delivering...
Hey 1Ks–Take Advantage of Confirmed Same-Day Changes!
I made another rookie error yesterday. Learn from my mistake. First a bit of background. Yesterday was United’s Open House and Family Day in San Francisco and I decided to attend at the last minute (a few days before the event). That...
Chase Mileage Plus Visa Offer: 20% Off Your Next United Saver Award
Just so there is no misunderstanding, it looks like this offer is targeted. I have not received the e-mail and am going off this FT thread. Nevertheless, I feel this deal is worth passing on and it certainly will not hurt...
Off to United Family Day Open House in San Francisco!
Sadly, no bumps or even an upgrade for me this morning as I prepare to board my UA flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco, but I am looking forward to hanging out with United and Continental employees as well...
XII: Outstanding Service on United from IAD-LAS-SFO-LAX
2010 SOUTH AMERICA TRIP REPORT I: Introduction II: Los Angeles to Washington Dulles via Denver in United First III: Washington to Buenos Aires in United Airlines Business Class IV: Business Class (Cama) Bus Service from Buenos Aires to Iguazu...
United to Offer Pre-Ordered Brunch on Premium Service (p.s.) Flights
I saw this story a couple days ago, but Gray beat me to it and sums up my thoughts nicely–and with a good dose of humor. On Wednesday, United announced a new dining option for economy class passengers on...
New Continental Airlines iPhone/iPad App
Continental (or should I say United?) Airlines has released an iPhone/iPad app that incorporates the best features of CO’s mobile website into a single app with a snazzy interface. Key features of the app include: Flight booking including Reward...
XI: Buenos Aires to Washington, DC in United Economy
2010 SOUTH AMERICA TRIP REPORT I: Introduction II: Los Angeles to Washington Dulles via Denver in United First III: Washington to Buenos Aires in United Airlines Business Class IV: Business Class (Cama) Bus Service from Buenos Aires to Iguazu...
Free Food in Domestic Economy Ends on Tuesday for Continental Flyers, but the BOB Menu Doesn’t Look Bad…
Back in March, Continental announced it would be eliminating free snacks/meals in economy class on most domestic flights. The day of reckoning has finally arrived. Starting on 12 October, a buy-on-board menu will replace the free meal service and...
New United Safety Video with Jeff Smisek + Cebu Pacific Emulates Air New Zealand
Can you imagine Glen Tilton, United’s former CEO who repeatedly sparred with front-line employees during his tenure at UA, being featured in every onboard safety video? Never. To many, it would be like rubbing salt in a wound. But...
Introducing the World’s Largest Airline: United Airlines
Today marks the official union between Continental and United. Rather than attempt to wax eloquent about what this means for us and express more reservations that “things will never be the same,” I want to raise...