I had my first post-SHARES travel experience today on United, and it was not pretty—though it ended well. In what has become a routine for me of late, I was scheduled to fly from Columbia, SC to Philadelphia via...
How Did the United Airlines IT Transition Go For You?
I’ve been dealing with a number of family issues over the last week, so I apologize for the brevity of recent posts and the noticeable gaps between them. Just to warn my six readers, the next couple weeks don’t...
United is Dead, Long Live UNITED
United.com has just been switched off. Continental.com is now off as well. All phones lines this hour connect to a pre-recorded message welcoming customers to the “the new United” but stating that systems are down and agents are unable...
Armageddon for United/Continental Passengers on 03 March?
At 0100 Central Time on Saturday, 03 March, United Airlines will flip the switch, transitioning from its Apollo Reservation System it has used for the last four decades to Continental’s in-house SHARES system. Will the transition be smooth? History...
United’s Post-Merger Flight Status Screens a Step Backwards
As the 03 March 2012 Continental-United integration date moves closer, we are already seeing what the new “United” will look like in some stations. Philadelphia, for example, rolled out the new Continental-esque flight display screens for United flights last...
When it Pays to Have Frequent Flyer Status
I had a tight connection in Washington Dulles that involved a terminal change and actually missed my connecting flight yesterday. All flights to Philadelphia were zeroed out, but I was put on the standby waitlist for the next flight...
United Express Drama and VDBs at Washington Dulles
Last night was quite a spectacle at the United Express gates in Terminal A at Washington Dulles. I’ve found over the years that United chronically overbooks these regional jet flights and have had the good fortune of getting bumped...
United Airlines Sells Waikiki Seaside Hotel
A story about United Airlines selling its dated but centrally-located Waikiki hotel brought to mind a very fond memory that helped solidify my loyalty to United. In 2009, I took advantage of a LAX-HNL-SFO-SYD-SFO-HNL-LAX fare for $ 550. It...
A Perfectly "Blah" Day of Flying on United Airlines
For those who adore being in airplanes, do you ever have those days when you just want to get to your destination and skip the flying? I occasionally do and had one of those days yesterday. I was back...
Reader Question: Should I Buy Up My MileagePlus Status?
Reader Sandy asks: Matthew, I received the following offer from United in my e-mail box. I was about 10K miles short of 1P [Premier Executive] status last year, so I am tempted to take advantage, though it looks expensive....
New United Airlines Routes, Including Washington Dulles to Honolulu
United Airlines recently announced a handful of new summer routes, including new non-stop service from Washington Dulles to Honolulu and service from Denver to Fairbanks, Alaska. Daily Service between Washington/Dulles and Honolulu United will begin daily year-round service between...
A Zone of Twilight Between OnePass and MileagePlus
As Continental OnePass and United MileagePlus work to fully integrate in March, the next month and a half will be tricky for those elites looking to take full advantage of reciprocal benefits but who never linked accounts. Last March,...
United Airlines’ New 767-400 Economy and Business Class Seating
United Airlines released photos on Facebook of the refreshed Continental 767-400 cabin interior, featuring lie-flat seats in business class and Economy Plus. Currently, Continental’s 764s have very narrow seat pitch throughout economy class (though the front half of the...
Another Bump on United Airlines!
I still wonder sometimes why I put myself through such torture, but it always seems to work out in the end… Instead of flying non-stop from Los Angeles to Philadelphia to get back in time for my 2pm class...
Spirit Airlines Bickers Over the Return of All-In Pricing
A refreshing change has hit U.S. airline websites this morning: the return of all-in pricing. Under a new directive by the Department of Transportation, airlines must now display all-in pricing initially and at all junctures of your flight search–not...
Continental Airlines Dissolves Partnership with Virgin Atlantic
Via Friendly Skies, Continental Airlines announced today that their partnership with Virgin Atlantic will abruptly end on 13 February. While the news was not unexpected, it also was not expected to happen so soon. Effective February 13, 2012 we...
Continental Airlines on the Phone vs. Continental Airlines at the Airport
I learned something today: do not bother to call Continental Airlines if you find your flight is delayed and want to re-route. Just go to the airport and sort it out there. Perhaps I just take it for granted,...
As American Airlines Departs, Opportunity for United at Burbank
News that American Airlines will suspend service from Burbank/Bob Hope Airport next month compounds a problem for an airport that continues to lose passengers even as it invests in a pricey infrastructure upgrade that will enhance the parking facilities...
25% Discount on United/Continental Economy Class Award Tickets to Europe and Southern Africa
I wouldn’t call this the sale of century, but if you are planning an economy class award redemption to the lower half of Africa or Europe (not recommended–go in business or first), you can save 20-25% off the published...
United Airlines Confirms Continued Use of "Rhapsody in Blue"
Lap it up as small victory in the “war of influence” (a war over whether Continental or United will emerge as the true post-meger airline), but United confirmed today it will keep “Rhapsody in Blue” as its signature theme...
