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...
Keeping United 1K Status via Honolulu
Maintaining my United 1K Status is very important to me and my family. For the last year, distance flown matters more than just money spent (and segments) which means I have one more true mileage run, this year via...
United CEO Weighs In On U.S. Economy
United CEO Oscar Munoz downplayed fears of a recession, arguing the economy is sound and all signs point toward continued growth. Speaking to Jim Cramer on CNBC’s Mad Money, Munoz was asked if a recession was looming. He quickly...
Exploring United’s Swanky New CRJ-550 “Luxury” Regional Jet
I recently had the chance to explore United’s new Bombardier CRJ-550, a 50-seat jet that is undoubtedly one of the roomiest and most innovate regional jets in the sky. United CRJ-550 Layout United has taken a 76-seat regional jet...
EU Ambassador Bolts From Impeachment Hearing To United Polaris
U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland must have a very good driver after leaving Capitol Hill at 4:00PM and somehow still making his 5:50PM flight to Brussels on United. After providing testimony implicating President Donald Trump, Secretary...
Why Is United Airlines Fighting Philippine Airlines?
As Philippine Airlines ramps up service to Guam, United Airlines is asking U.S. regulators to proceed with caution. Philippine Airlines (PAL) wants to offer PAL Express codeshare flights to Guam, effective March 5, 2020. Although PAL Express is owned...
Popular Tapas Snackbox Quietly Disappears On United
You may have noticed that the much-loved tapas snackboxes have not been available this month on United Airlines. They will return…but it might be awhile. I wrote about the United tapas snackbox when first introduced in 201o and again...
The “Everything” Bun Burger 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. Since we...
United Replaces Close-In Booking Fee…With A New Close-In Booking Fee
For months, United has proudly boasted that it is doing away with the $75 close-in processing fee for awards booked within 21 days of departure. What it did not mention was that that dollar fee for close-in bookings would...
