Although I have traveled all over the world in international first class, I had never tried out United’s first class longhaul product…until last week. UA’s international first class service is often criticized, especially when compared to its competitors, but I...
United International First Class Lounge at Washington Dulles
As I mentioned a few days ago, I somehow wound up in first class on my Washington, DC to Frankfurt United flight last week. An international first class boarding pass granted me access to UA’s International First Class Lounge, located near the...
When it Rains, it Pours…
The storm system that battered the Midwest has finally reached Washington Dulles, precisely at the time my flight to Frankfurt was scheduled to board this evening. Visibility is extremely poor and the rain is coming down so hard I...
United/Continental Strand Me in Washington, DC!
(and without question, I am partially to blame…) Hardened by years of travel as a quasi-road warrior, I thought I was ready for anything. Yesterday proved to be one of my biggest challenges yet. If you are not focused now, you...
Captain Raul Boerner on United
Have any of you ever flown with Captain Raul Boerner? He piloted my Denver to San Francisco United Airlines flight on Friday and was a class act. Prior to departure, he walked out of the flight deck and into...
Consecutive Flights with the Star of United’s Safety Videos
I had the pleasure today of flying on consecutive flights with Charles, one of the stars of United’s safety videos (pictured below). Apparently Charles has a reputation on Flyertalk, and not a great one, so when I walked onto...
United Eliminates Special Meals on Many Routes
United’s standard meal offerings (notwithstanding my overcooked steak last night) have improved quite a bit over the last year. Nevertheless, I still find myself ordering special meals quite often because UA offers very nice Hindu and Moslem meals. Here’s...
Long Weekend in Los Angeles
Even with my little getaway to Eastern Europe last weekend, work has kept me very busy over the last few weeks. This is a good thing, but 10-12 hour days in the office begin to take their toll after...
Award Ticket Fee Changes on United Airlines – You Win Some, You Lose Some
I credited United for taking a step in the right direction when they eliminated close-in "processing fees" for award tickets in 2009. These fees, charged simply for the convenience of booking an award ticket within 21 days of travel,...
Priority Tags for Gate Checked Bags on United?
Reports are surfacing that United Airlines is trying something new at Denver—placing priority tags on gate checked bags for first class and elite flyers. This is a wonderful and cost-efficient idea. I fly, or at least used to fly,...
Man Beaten by Police on United Airlines Flight
A SkyWest CRJ-200 bound for Casper, Wyoming begins boarding in Denver. As departure time nears, a man seated in the exit row refuses to switch off his mobile phone. After repeated requests to turn off his phone, all of...
In the Belly of a Boeing + Other Picts from my UA SFO Tour
United Airlines graciously hosted a group of Flyertalkers at San Francisco International Airport two weeks ago, offering a behind-the-scenes tour that included a peek into UA’s Ops Center, baggage claim system, and a walk around the tarmac. There were...
United Airlines Offers Assistance to Stranded Southwest Passengers
United has sensed a business opportunity and chance to score corporate brownie points in the aftermath of Southwest Airlines’ decision to ground 80 737-300 aircraft. With about 300 Southwest flights canceled today, stranded passengers now have another reasonable option...
A Rundown of My Whirlwind Week of Travel on United/Continental
Re-qualification for 1K status on United is a daunting task while living in Germany. While I do a fair amount of travel within Europe, it is primarily for leisure and on cheap Lufthansa tickets that do not earn miles. When...
How I Scored an Upgrade I Didn’t Deserve
Somehow this didn’t get published last Friday. My apologizes. This morning was a nail-biter in Frankfurt. As I mentioned earlier today, the upgrade on my 747-400 flight to Chicago was still waitlisted and according to my friend at the...
"Terrorists" Force Diversion of a United Flight
Readers of my blog know that I have very little tolerance for irrationality. Such irrationality is often manifested in the actions of the TSA, but sometimes passengers or flight crews are to blame, like when a flight attendant overreacts to...
When Economy Class is more Comfortable than International Business Class
A full recount of my 20,000+ miles of travel over the last week on United and Continental is coming, but tonight I want to briefly share about hitting the jackpot on my Washington Dulles-Frankfurt flight on United Tuesday night....
Guess Who Didn’t Get the Upgrade?
The screenshot below was grabbed four hours prior to departure on Monday. Guess who didn’t get the ugprade? If you gussed me, you guessed correctly. Unfortunately, I still suffer from upgrade phobia and was quite angry when I was offered the...
A First For Me: I Slept Through Meal Service on United
This is not really anything to be proud of, I suppose, but it was a first for me: I slept through a transcon redeye on United last night, consuming no food or drink onboard. While this might be trivial...
Would You Have Spoken Up? Biting My Tounge in the Chicago Red Carpet Club
I find that it is generally a good idea to mind my own business. Sometimes, however, it is quite difficult. Yesterday I entered the United Red Carpet Club in Terminal C at Chicago O’Hare where a Lufthansa Senator flying...
