In what will be a nasty Democratic primary battle which will foreshadow an even nastier Presidential election year, it was nice to see a moment of levity onboard a United Airlines flight. The best way to catch a politician...
Review: United Airlines 767-400ER Business Class
My recent flight from Barcelona to Washington Dulles onboard a 767-400 was business as usual on United Airlines. I write about United Airlines often, but I’ve never flown the 767-400ER in the forward cabin before, so figured I’d offer...
A Double Breakfast Delight On United Airlines
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. Why have...
The Great Biscoff Vs. Stroopwafel Debate
The greatest debate is not Democrats versus Republicans, right versus left or how to handle immigration, climate change, or inequality. Nope, it is Biscoff cookies versus stroopwafels. Which one is the better airline snack? I’m joking of course, but...
A Model Captain On United Airlines
A big shoutout to Captain Jeb Baum on my flight from Burbank to San Francisco last Friday. He modeled perfectly how pilots can quickly defuse anger over unexpected flight delays. Morning fog is common in San Francisco during the...
No Pay Raise, But A Labor Day Message From United CEO
It might not be an unsolicited pay raise like Delta, but United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz shared similar sentiment to his counterpart at Delta in his 2019 Labor Day note to employees. Thanks to several friends at United for...
United’s New BBQ Sausage Link Sandwich: Pass Or Fail?
Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. A smoked beef...
Compassion Or Craziness? United Passengers + Crew Rally Around Autistic Child
Imagine a child who could not sit still on an airplane. He screamed. He flailed. Then he walked into first class and kicked a passenger. Then he sat down in the front galley, blocking emergency egress. Yet instead of...
Your United MileagePlus Miles Will No Longer Expire
Effective immediately, your United MileagePlus miles will no longer expire. That’s it. No strings attached, no minimum activity needed, and no United credit card or other gimmick required. In fact, United will even retroactively reinstate miles for those members...
United Adds Biscoff Cookies To Economy Class Snack Basket!
United is copying American and Delta, but in this case the news good: biscoff cookies will soon be available onboard for free. Stroopwafels, which United introduced onboard in 2017, have become a household name in the USA in part...
United.com Forced Me Into a Hidden-City Ticket
On a recent day trip to Houston (yes, these exist outside of mileage and status runs) United’s website broke their own ticketing rules and forced me into a Hidden-City ticket against my will. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
United Reducing Service To Hong Kong + Buenos Aires
Citing weak demand, United Airlines will suspend two long-standing international routes to Hong Kong and Buenos Aires. This autumn, United will suspend its Chicago to Hong Kong flight, its Newark to Buenos Aires flight, and accelerate the suspension of its...
United Adds Service To Nice, Palermo, And Curacao
United Airlines will add three new international routes from Newark, one from Chicago, and increase existing service from Denver, San Francisco, and Newark on four key routes. Three New Destinations From Newark United will add new service from Newark...
United Hints At New International Routes
United Airlines will announce several new international routes tomorrow. A post on Twitter gives us some clues as to what they might be. A short video posted on Twitter include shots from San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, and New York:...
Should I Reconsider My Hong Kong Status Run?
Not usually one to shy away, especially not from my favorite city in the world, Hong Kong protests have me reconsidering my United status run. Should I? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click...
Would I Have Been Thrown Off United Flight Under New Passenger Removal Policy?
New guidelines for United pilots make it more difficult to throw off a passenger whose conduct is questionable. Would it have saved me from my “photo incident” ejection? I focused on United’s updated alcohol guidelines for pilots yesterday and...
United Widens Pre-Flight Alcohol Ban To Flight Attendants
United Airlines has quietly widened its pre-flight alochol ban to include flight attendants, not just pilots. Earlier this week, I noted that United Airlines is tightening the rules concerning alcohol consumption for its pilots. Up until this week, pilots...
The Dotard Who Wanted It All On My United Flight
It has been a LONG time since I’ve had a bad seatmate, but this one really took the cake… Since I am quick to point out flight attendants who provide poor service, it is only fair that I single...
United’s Pilot Union Offers Cryptic Message On Alcohol Restriction
Does the union representing pilots for United Airlines condemn or support recently announced alcohol restrictions? A cryptic statement makes it difficult to discern. Earlier today, I wrote about United’s new ban on pre-flight alcohol consumption for pilots on duty....
Why Did United Restrict Pilot Alcohol Consumption?
It wasn’t just the bust in Scotland that moved United to ban pilots from drinking alcohol less than 12 hours before a flight. Instead, it was a desire to restore trust from a skeptical public and a recognition that...