As it turned out, my flight from Newark to Los Angeles on Friday went out almost full, but the oversold first class cabin problem resolved itself and I did not have to fight for a seat. Nevertheless, in many...
Confirmed in First Class but No Seat Assignment
Thanks to shrewd planning and a watchful eye, I’ve dodged landmines and avoided most calamities in the post-merger world of United Airlines. Others have not fared so well. Will today be my day of reckoning? I’m flying from Newark...
This is the United Airlines That I Love
I had a great weekend in Chicago. I’m in Philadelphia or Los Angeles, my brother is in San Francisco, and we do not get to see a lot of each other anymore, but we both made time to meet...
A Perfectly Good Transcon Redeye…in COACH
I was very critical of United Airlines yesterday, arguing that the carrier’s business model and frankly its persona from the top down would make wining back lucrative business customers much more difficult than CEO Jeff Smisek envisions. I stand...
Why United Airlines Will Have Trouble Winning Back Business Travelers
United Airlines announced a new push today to win back business travelers who have been leaving the carrier in droves for the competition. United will have to do more than plead to get these corporate accounts back– Is it...
Splitting a Record Is Always Possible
In booking award tickets on a daily basis, I often encounter situations in which I must split a record before ticketing. Put simply, say there are two people on an award reservation and they want to use their own...
Frankfurt to Washington Dulles in United Airlines Business Class
After enduring a long and sleepless ride over the Atlantic in economy class, I was prepared to stay in Frankfurt until I was able to secure a seat in United business class going back to Washington. Flying standby meant...
Escaping the Cold – Back to California
The last couple days have been cold, and I mean cold. As a California native who has spent a handful of winters on the East Coast (and Germany), I honestly cannot recall weather this cold before. It was 13ºF...
American Airlines’ New Livery Looks Familiar!
American Airlines rolled out a new logo and aircraft livery today. No one asked me for my opinion, but I’ll weigh in just the same. First, you know I prefer the status quo when it comes to many things,...
No Solution When a Trip Falls Apart
Sometimes even the most diligent planning and scrupulous attention to detail cannot save an ill-fated trip from self-destruction. Take this recent lurid account of mitchmu regarding a United ticket from San Francisco to Panama City via Houston. Keep in...
United Airlines First Class San Francisco to New York JFK
Note what is not in the title—p.s.—the “premium service” designation given to the Los Angeles/San Francisco-New York Kennedy routes in 2005 by United in an effort to distinguish itself from American Airlines (and later Delta Air Lines and Virgin...
United Airlines Global First Lounge at SFO – Tour + Pictures
When I arrived in SFO, without even thinking it has become so rote, I headed right for the domestic United Club. Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks and looked down at my boarding pass. It did say “first class”...
First Class Downgrade = First Class Upgrade on United
When does a first class downgrade equal a first class upgrade? Read on to find out. Sunday, I was scheduled to fly from Burbank to New York JFK via San Francisco. “Premium Service” transcon flights feature three-cabins of service...
The Perfect End to a LAX Mileage Run
I mentioned last week that I had to take a last-minute year-end mileage run from LA to Boston on December 30th in order to secure the 5K miles necessary to push me over the 150K EQM mark. The trip...
Great Fares to Istanbul on Turkish, Delta and United Airlines (under $400!)
Quite frankly, I have no idea how Turkish Airlines makes any money. The carrier constantly runs fares sales to destinations around the world, including to a number of U.S. cities, at price levels that bely rationality and prevailing market...
Non-Rev Adventures on United Airlines, Part III
If you missed it, Part I and Part II New York was fine. We did about half of what I wanted to accomplish, but my friend did find a new pair of UGG boots for about 40% less than...
Non-Rev Adventures on United Airlines, Part II
Check out Part I here. Decisions, decisions. New York via Chicago or a non-stop flight to Washington and skip New York? I had a room booked for two nights at the Millenium Hilton that could not be cancelled, but...
The Painful Yearend Mileage Run
I truly was looking forward to a week at home between the holidays. No travel, just catching up on a number of projects I have neglected, including Live and Let’s Fly. Then I noticed I ended the year with...
Do You Pilfer from Airline Lounges?
On my way back to Philadelphia Sunday afternoon, I noticed a man with a large plastic bag walking toward the food in the United Club at LAX. With some amusement, I watched him stuff about 20 packaged cheese slices...
Protecting Your Upgrade on United Airlines
Tomorrow is a big day and I could really use a flat bed tonight to fly across the country. The problem: United’s international-config 757s have only 16 seats in BusinessFirst and 153 in economy class, a bad ratio for...
