Overlooked in the big announcement yesterday from United introducing PlusPoints was a re-classification of four routes, which will effectively halve the cost of an upgrade on them. Starting on December 4th, United will move from a system of Global...
United Introduces PlusPoints, A New Upgrade Currency
United Airlines is jettisoning regional and premier upgrades for a new points currency called PlusPoints. Believe it or not, the news is actually quite positive. On December 04, all your regional or global premier upgrades will vanish from your...
United Airlines’ New Focus On Quality
United Airlines President Scott Kirby has pledged a greater emphasis on the quality of the passenger experience after many years of shunning such a viewpoint. But what makes for a quality experience? Speaking at the Morgan Stanley 7th Annual...
Pain, Regret, And An 18-Mile United Flight
When I wrote about the special 18-mile United flight yesterday, I had no idea how much of an emotional roller coaster I was about to embark upon. It was a painful day. But ultimately an instructive one. United Airlines...
An 18-Mile United Mainline Flight Is Flying Today
United Airlines is operating a special flight from Burbank to Los Angeles today, a flight of only 18 miles. With the ongoing runway work at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), United is ferrying one of its Airbus A319s from...
Premium Award Seats Better For Balance Sheets
Airlines are happy to award more miles to customers who spend more money. But they sometimes forget that releasing premium award seats (business and first class) is better for the balance sheet too. If you are considering booking travel or signing up...
United Airlines Strategically Retools Winter Schedule
United Airlines is adjusting its winter longhaul schedule this weekend. The story is not just the upgauges and downgauges, but the strategy behind them and the versatility of the United fleet. First, let’s starts with the changes, which include...
United Airlines Refreshes Mobile Boarding Pass
United Airlines has refreshed its mobile boarding pass, offering more info in a clearer format. With the latest (v4.7) version of the United app, when you look at your boarding pass on your mobile device screen, you will now...
United’s Flawed Analogy But Proper Answer On Self-Upgrades
United Airlines was right and is always right to deny those who want to take open EconomyPlus seats without paying for them. But yes, the car analogy was deeply flawed. A passenger noticed the seven rows in the front...
9/11 Reflections From United Airlines CEO (And From Me)
Today marks a solemn anniversary in American history, a day of tragedy made more tragic by the fear-based response that followed…and continues 18 years later. Nearly two decades later, each trip to the airport remains a reminder of how...
Two Democratic Presidential Candidates. One United Airlines Flight.
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...
