Last night a friend alerted me via e-mail that something fishy was going on with Continental flights between Seattle and Newark. While CO usually limits connections to one or two at most (and those connections are usually restricted to...
Lufthansa Awards Now Bookable Online from United
United’s website is suddenly evolving at a rapid pace. Just a day after allowing the online redemption of electronic certificates for Continental flights, you can now book award tickets on Lufthansa flights online using your United miles. As you...
United E-Certs Now Valid on Continental Flights!
Although United has cut back on compensation, recently halving the amount offered for service issues on domestic flights, they remain the most generous legacy carrier in the United States when it comes to making amends. I anticipate that will change...
Transfer Miles Freely and Enjoy Elite Status on Both Continental and United
Nick sums up today’s announcement that United and Continental miles can be freely transferred between accounts and elites can enjoy status with both airlines perfectly–I have only my own two cents to add. Word came this morning from Scott O’Leary,...
Should United Start Taking Meal Orders from Front-to-Back like Continental?
A raucous debate is going on right now on amongst frequent flyers regarding how meal orders should be taken in premium cabins of the combined United/Continental. Currently, Continental takes meal orders from front-to-back on all flights, regardless of fare...
Continental Eliminates Free Snacks in Economy Class
If you are a big fan of pretzels or biscoff cookies while flying on Continental Airlines, you better bring your own. On Tuesday, the carrier eliminated these free treats on all routes that do not feature BusinessFirst seating. Among the...
Don’t Mail VDB Vouchers to United for Ticketing
I type this as I wait on hold, now entering the second hour of Rhapsody in Blue, as United tries to ticket a reservation that should have been issued weeks ago. Some background: when you take a domestic bump...
United Embraces Functionality Over Creativity in New Ad Campaign
Details are emerging about the future ad campaign of the new United/Continental. Just as we said goodbye to the tulip earlier today, we can also say goodbye to United’s iconic abstract advertising campaign: Chicago-based United’s new campaign, the first...
United Phases Out the Tulip
While Damian already pointed out changes to the United Airlines’ website that popped up today, I must briefly add my euology for the United tulip, now formally phased out of United’s brand book. Thankfully, the new look to united.com hasn’t...
First United 747 with New Livery Enters Service
Fresh out of the paint shop, United’s first repainted 747-400, N127UA, is heading for San Francisco then on to Incheon tomorrow morning on Flight 893 at 11:05a. Photo by: Jon Ostrower The new livery is starting to grow on...
Economy Plus Survives the United/Continental Merger
The news is over a day old now and Damian has already nicely highlighted United’s decision to retain and expand Economy Plus across the Continental fleet. I just want to add my two cents. With Delta’s announcement of a “premium” economy product (again,...
Enhancements to United’s Mileage Plus Award Booking Tool
Just days after loosening up award routing rules, United has now made booking an award online a little easier–at least in theory. New features rolled out this week on United’s Mileage Plus website include the ability to book: Mixed...
One Potential Downside to United’s New Routing Rules for Star Alliance Awards
Last week I blogged about generous changes to United’s award chart including the ability to schedule in both an open-jaw and a stopover (previously only one was allowed on a r/t ticket) and the ability to surpass the MPM...
United Grounds Boeing 757-200 Fleet
If you were scheduled to fly on a United Boeing 757 yesterday afternoon or evening, you likely encountered a delay or cancellation. In a move reminiscent of American Airlines’ grounding of their entire MD-80 fleet when found to be...
Man Attempts to Bypass TSA Via Baggage Carousel
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I bring you the following story. The title may indicate sinister motives, but once again we have another tale of a love struck youth unable to bear the thought of being away from the girl that he loved....
United Loosens Routing Rules for Star Alliance Awards
IslandSkies, a UA employee who is active on Flyertalk, posted the following details about changes to United Airlines’ Star Alliance award rules coming on 15 Februrary: Steps to Validate Routing for One Award: *Outbound and return routings must be...
Delta Air Lines Introduces Premium International Economy Comfort Class
Delta Air Lines has made good on its promise to roll out an enhanced economy class product with details emerging today about a new "Economy Comfort" section coming to Delta international flights this summer. Benefits will include: Complimentary alcoholic beverages [beer, wine, and...
Delta Agents Going Back to Charm School
It takes only one bad experience, one delayed flight, or one rude gate agent to permanently mar the reputation of an airline in the eyes of a disgruntled traveler. I suppose that is true for just about anything–take my short time...
A Ride on the S-Bahn with a Frankfurt-Based United First Officer
My commute to work each day includes a 10-minute train ride between Frankfurt’s central railway station and the airport. Usually it’s a dull affair–thankfully my iPhone keeps me occupied–but my ride home this evening was a little more interesting....
New 12-Hour Mandatory Hold Rule on United Mileage Plus Star Alliance Award Bookings?
Some on Flyertalk are reporting that United reservation agents are quoting a new 12-hour mandatory hold rule when booking a Star Alliance award. But United, an airline I love to call consistently inconsistent, doesn’t seem to be strictly enforcing...
