San Francisco to Los Angeles nonstop? Please, I’m flying via Sydney, Australia. Hello from 30,000 feet over the Pacific Ocean. If you read my recent 1K dilemma post, you’ll know that I wavered (and frankly agonized) over whether to...
My Urgent United 1K Dilemma

Here we are the end of the year and I have a quick decision to make concerning United MileagePlus: push for top-tier 1K status in 2020 or settle for Platinum status. One of my commanding officers in the U.S....
United Airlines Extends 737 MAX Cancellations Until June 4, 2020

With a software solution elusive and regulatory approval uncertain, United Airlines extended cancellation for the 737 MAX by more than six months. The troubled Boeing aircraft is now out of the scheduled until June 4, 2020. In a note...
Review: United Airlines 787-10 Economy Class

I’ve flown United’s new Boeing 787-10 in business class, but how is it in economy class? Sometimes I will decline and upgrade even when it is is available. My supply of upgrade instruments is not unlimited and I made...
How Does United’s New Service To Dublin Impact 787 Base In Chicago?

United Airlines will launch new service between San Francisco and Dublin in 2020 using a 787. Will this new service impact the 787 build-up at Chicago O’Hare? United’s New San Francisco – Dublin Service United Airlines will launch year-around...
President Trump’s Unintended Ode To United Airlines

US President Donald Trump may have meant one thing, but his select use of capitalization has led to a rather funny alternate interpretation of a recent tweet. Whether on Twitter or in letters to Nancy Pelosi, Tump often creates...
United Airlines Wages War On Christmas? Hardly.

Reading some headlines you might think United Airlines is waging a war on Christmas. That’s not really the case. A number of blogs have talked about United “banning” holiday attire. That’s not the case at all. On the contrary,...
United Airlines Adds Two New Washington Dulles Routes

United Airlines is continuing its expansion at Washington Dulles with two new routes next summer, further growing its mid-Atlantic hub. In 2020, United will add service to Bangor, Maine (BGR) and Madison, Wisconsin (MSN). Service to Madison is effective...
United’s Bifurcated Approach To Aircraft Seating

Just what is a “Scott Kirby Retrofit”? Is that configuring a 767-300 with a staggering number of business class seats or squeezing more passengers onto a 787-8? My friend Gary from View from the Wing wrote a story yesterday...
Lost AirPods But Amazing Service On United

I lost one of my Apple AirPods on my United flight from Chicago to Los Angeles, but could not have been more impressed by the help I received in searching for it. It almost made the loss worthwhile. My...
Eek: Woman Stung By Scorpion On United Airlines Flight

A scorpion onboard a United Airlines flight to Atlanta stung a woman multiple times before being captured by flight attendants. The incident occurred onboard UA1554 from San Francisco to Atlanta last Thursday morning. A woman reported that while in...
Unlike Matthew, United’s CEO Change Makes Me Reconsider Loyalty

United announced this week that CEO, Oscar Munoz, would step down with United President, Scott Kirby, taking over May 1st, 2020. Changes like these don’t affect flyers often but I’m reconsidering my loyalty to United. If you are considering...
The Case For, Against Airline Loyalty

Following unwanted management changes at United and unrequited management changes at American, I am re-examining my airline loyalty. Here are the arguments for and against holding loyalty status. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit...
Generous Compensation At United Airlines…For Outgoing And Incoming CEO

Oscar Munoz is leaving his CEO position not only with high accolades, but a higher salary. Meanwhile, incoming CEO Scott Kirby has a very big incentive to push United’s stock price higher. Late yesterday afternoon, United made a pair...
United CEO Oscar Munoz Reflects Upon His Departure

Yesterday, United announced that Oscar Munoz would be stepping aside as CEO in 2020 to become of Executive Chairman. Scott Kirby, United’s current President, will fill the role. Scott Kirby Will Replace Oscar Munoz As United CEO In 2020...
Editorial: Scott Kirby, New United CEO, Has Earned My Respect

He’s called the heartless bean counter, the tone-deaf numbers man who fails the basic empathy test. But I’d caution all of us to stop attacking incoming United CEO Scott Kirby before he even starts. News of Kirby’s promotion was...
What United Airlines Told Employees About Leadership Change

What is United telling employees about the leadership shakeup that will pivot Scott Kirby to the position of CEO next May? Earlier today I wrote about the upcoming leadership change at United. In 2020, Oscar Munoz will step down...
Analysis: United Orders 50 Airbus A321XLRs, Defers A350-900 Order

Airbus has scored another victory with a large A321XLR order from United Airlines. United will also defer its A350-900 order until at least 2027. United Orders 50 Airbus A321XLR To Replace Boeing 757s For years, United has sought a...
Thanksgiving Letter from United CEO

In his annual Thanksgiving letter to United Airlines employees, CEO Oscar Munoz admonishes his employees to offer better service while thanking them for the great year. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S., I hope all...
United Scales Back Hong Kong And Australia Service

Adjusting to weaker demand, United Airlines is trimming service to both Hong Kong and Melbourne, Australia. United’s Hong Kong Reductions With civil unrest leading to weaker demand, United already cut back service to Hong Kong earlier this year. Chicago...