Market analysts broadly agree that airline stock is a poor long-term investment. Robert Crandall, American Airline’s former CEO said of his airline, “It’s a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.” (BTW, you might...
Comparing Dinner on Alaska, Continental, Delta, United, and US Airways
With the exception of American Airlines, I have been fortunate enough to fly in the forward cabins on each of America’s legacy carriers. While seat comfort, service, route network, and most importantly mileage program will likely be more determinate...
Too Fat to Fly? Dealing with Passengers of Size
photo credit to Flightglobal.com Discussing overweight passengers is like discussing politics or religion around the Thanksgiving dinner table with family: generally not a good idea. When I saw the picture above, though, I felt compelled to address the issue....
Mother Smothers Baby while Breastfeeding on a United 777 from Kuwait to Washington
Unlike my last mother-baby story (mother and newborn get free flights for life on AirAsia after mother gives birth onboard), this story does not have a happy ending: A baby girl died when her mum fell asleep as she...
A Recap of My Thanksgiving Travel on United – Yes, I scored another $600 bump
I mentioned last week that I had a row with a Service Director at SFO on Wednesday. I had just arrived from San Diego (surly and argumentative SEA-based FA’s on the flight) and had a tight connection down to...
Easy Bump or Illusory Hope? Gauging my Chances for a VDB Opportunity on United Today
I am scheduled to fly from Ontario, CA (ONT)-SFO-ORD-PHL later today and am hoping that I will get the opportunity to give up my seat on one of the flights. Unfortunately, it looks like my best shot is ONT-SFO...
Giving Thanks for United Airlines
I had a mediocre day of cross-country travel yesterday that included a run-in and heated exchange with a UA Service Director at SFO. I am going to save the details for a post next week, but UA has some...
Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana, Bogota to Lima on Avianca
Day 0: Introduction: My quest for Machu Picchu and why I chose Mexicana + Avianca + LAN Peru Day 1: Los Angeles to Bogota via Mexico City on Mexicana + Bogota to Lima on Avianca Day 2: Lima to...
United Airlines to Order Up to 150 New Jets Including A350s or 787s
The Chicago Tribune reports that United is close to finalizing a deal with either Airbus or Boeing to augment its long-haul fleet. UA plans to place a firm order for 25 jets with an option for up to 75...
United Pulls $550 Ontario-Tampa First Class Fare
I sadly announce this evening that United has pulled the "fare of fares" between Ontario and Tampa. For over a year, travelers have been able to book a round trip First Class (A) fare between these cities for only...
Reciprocal Upgrades Coming for United and Continental Elites and UA to Keep Regional Upgrades for 1Ks
Great news today for top-tier United flyers. First, 1K members will continue to earn confirmed regional upgrades. Details here: 1K® members will continue to earn Regional Upgrades Sometimes no change is good news. After our last announcement, we heard...
Almost Another $600 Bump on United Airlines from San Francisco to Chicago
Yesterday evening I flew from Burbank to Philadelphia via San Francisco and Chicago and almost got another $600 bump at SFO. I got to the gate in San Francisco and peered up at United’s EasyInfo screen in the gate...
Denied Exit Row on Avianca Airlines
Ironically, Avianca really impressed me yesterday when they refused to seat me in the exit row on my flight from Lima to Bogota. During check-in with Latin airlines, I can usually use my *very* limited Spanish to state my name, where I...
Drinking and Flying on Both Sides of the Flight Deck
With another arrest of a "drunk" pilot, this time a United Captain on a flight from LHR bound for ORD, should passengers be worried about their safety in the skies? The LA Times featured an interesting discussion of pilot...
Riding in the "Non-Rev" (First Class) Cabin on UA 947
After getting some work done at TPA, I boarded my flight back to IAD, this time a 757. First Class was only about 80% full and although the purser said this was a “completely full” (don’t you love the...
Bumps and Upgrades: A Great Day of Flying
I will be leaving for South America from Los Angeles Monday morning and needed to get from Philadelphia to Los Angeles this weekend. Naturally, I wasn’t going to fly PHL-LAX! Last night I was scheduled to fly from PHL-IAD-TPA...
UPDATE: United Kicks Man Out of First Class for Wearing a Jogging Suit
It appears that the gate agent who denied Mr. Alvarez a First Class upgrade believed Alvarez was a non-rev, was dealing with another customer during the interaction, and is a non-native English speaker. From Robin Urbanksi, United’s spokesperson: We...
United Kicks Man Out of First Class for Wearing a Jogging Suit
Stories pop up all the time about gate agents making up their own rules or selectively enforcing others. This story takes the cake though: apparently a man’s upgrade cleared at the gate for his IAD-BDL flight on United (Express), but...
$40 Surcharge if You’re Flying Home for Thanksgiving or Christmas
Delta, American, United, and US Airways have recently added $20 o/w surcharges for flights during peak holiday travel this year. I have not bought my tickets to LAX yet for Christmas, so this is disappointing news. At the same...
United Returns Hot Meals to Domestic Business Class
About a year ago United eliminated hot meals from domestic Business Class (except on premium service routes between JFK and LAX/SFO), even on 5+ hour transcon flights. The rationale was to reduce costs and attempt to distinguish First Class...
