First impressions matter greatly in any context, including on a flight. My flight to London on United this week had a very disappointing start. I’ve resolved in 2019 to resist being offended. Thus, I’m not (or at least trying not...
United Employees Awarded Bonus Despite Poor Performance
United Airlines will award its employees a quarterly bonus even through performance goals were not met. I’ve written extensively about the employee bonus drama at United. Bonuses are now tied to performance results versus other carriers rather than simply...
Two Years Later, Dr. David Dao Discusses Dragging Debacle
It was two years ago that Dr. David Dao was dragged off a United flight for failing to give up his seat. Now he has resurfaced, recounting the incident in a surprisingly conciliatory tone. Let’s not forget that Dao...
United May Replace 757s With A321XLR
In the coming years, United plans to replace its aging fleet of Boeing 757 and 767 aircraft. Now United is floating the Airbus A321XLR as a potential replacement. Speaking to employees in a video that was seen by Flight...
My Thoughts On United MileagePlus Changes
I’ve written extensively about the changes coming to the United MileagePlus program this November. Now it’s time to share my opinion about them. Let’s start with the positive. In some cases, awards will become cheaper than ever before. The...
United, Delta Dynamic Awards Hurt Loyal But Infrequent Flyers Most
This week, United joined the ranks of Delta in removing their award chart and switching to dynamically (variably) priced award redemptions. While in some cases consumers may benefit from the change, infrequent but loyal flyers are hurt the most....
United Can’t Get The Upsell Right
United Airlines offers several upsell options when they sell airline tickets to passengers. Despite logging in with total access to my customer profile, they continue to fail at the upsell. Why? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a...
My Conversation With Luc Bondar, Head Of United MileagePlus
Yesterday, I reported that United would make a number of changes to its MileagePlus program in November. I had a chance to speak with Luc Bondar, United’s Vice President of Loyalty and head of the MileagePlus program. We spoke...
Huge Changes To United MileagePlus Coming On November 15, 2019
United Airlines is making big changes to the MileagePlus program this November. I just got off the phone with Luc Bondar, United’s Vice President of Loyalty and head of the MileagePlus program: we spoke for 35 minutes. I’ll have...
United Flight Diverts To Dallas After Cockpit Screens Malfunction
A United Express flight bound for Houston diverted to Dallas after two pivotal cockpit screens shut down without warning and could not be restored. United flight 4390, a CRJ-200 operated by Express Jet, departed from Knoxville, Tennessee on time...
United Airlines Suspends Service To New Delhi
Citing the continued closure of Pakistani airspace and strong seasonal winds, United Airlines will suspend its service to New Delhi for two weeks. A flight attendant shared a note she just received: Due to seasonal winds and the continued...
A Final Moving Tribute To A Deceased United Pilot
The United Airlines family again bonded together to give a proper sendoff to a pilot who died far too young. Last month I wrote about United Airlines’ moving tribute to Captian Sean Archuleta, who died in the Atlas Flight 3591 crash...
United Actually Is Reducing Meal Service In Polaris During April “Trial”
An update on the mandatory business class express dining on late-evening flights from Washington Dulles. As it turns out, some items have been cut from the menu. Last week I wrote about United’s trial of express meal service for each...
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery
We’re going to have to wait a bit longer to see what United’s new livery actually looks like. Earlier today I presented four renderings that appeared on the website of a San Francisco design firm that represented United Airlines...
Simple Words Will Make Or Break United’s New Express Meal Service
It’s not about the product, it’s about how you sell it. That’s my admonition to United Airlines today. Last week I wrote about United’s decision to trial mandatory “express” meal service on late-night flights to Europe from Washington Dulles. Rather...
United Airlines Partners With Sunday Riley For New Amenity Kits
So long Cowshed, hello Sunday Riley. United has unveiled new amenity kits and a partnership with a niche American beauty brand. Later this month, United will roll out new amenity kits in Polaris (business class), Premium Plus (premium economy),...
Final Four: Pick The Next United Airlines Livery
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery Perhaps deliberately, perhaps accidentally, it does appear we now have a very good idea of the next-generation United livery will resemble. Yesterday I wrote about a quartet of livery designs that suddenly appeared...
Is This What United’s New Livery Looks Like? (Pictures)
UPDATE: United Denies Link To Leaked Livery United is set to unveil an “evolution” to its livery later this month, but we may already have a very good clue as to what the new design will resemble. While it...
A Tribute To A Wonderful United Club Agent
Chris Orr, a longtime United Club agent in Denver, retires on Wednesday. Her consistently superior customer service…and public service…over the years serve as a remarkable testimony to her character. Orr began donating blood in 1976. Since then, she has...
Flying United Airlines This Weekend? How To Make Some Money On The Side…
If you’re flying on United Airlines this weekend in longhaul business class, you’re in for a special treat. And I’m not necessarily talking about the seat or food or service. Instead, I’m talking about an extra amenity United will offer...
