As a lifelong American Airlines customer and frequent Cathay Pacific flyer, United had a long way to go to impress me with their Polaris business class product. They did. Here is another leg in my status run to Hong...
Review: United Polaris Lounge – San Francisco
This year I split my loyalty somewhat between United and American Airlines along with a handful of discount carriers for direct flights. As a result, I needed to make a status run and chose Hong Kong as my destination....
Breakfast Tacos 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. My upgrade...
United Considers Significant Expansion To Washington Dulles Hub
United Airlines is considering up to a 50% increase in its number of flights at Washington Dulles. Speaking at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver, United President Scott Kirby hinted at the expansion: Today we have...
The Economics of Lie-Flat Beds on 737s
United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby announced yesterday that United is exploring lie-flat seating on upcoming 737 MAX 10 deliveries. Speaking at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver, Kirby touted United’s lie-flat domestic flights: It’s been really successful...
The Polyglot Pilot on United
Have you ever encountered an airline pilot who liked to show off his language prowess? I sure did on my last United flight. While flying on Middle East Airlines from Beirut to Frankfurt last Friday, I was impressed that the pilot...
Contest: Win One Million United Miles
United Airlines is giving away 1 million award miles to three travelers who share a particularly compelling photo or video from their travels. Here’s how the #UnitedJourneyContest Works: 1. Select a travel photo or video Do you have a...
United Airlines Updates Brand Image
United Airlines, sometimes subtly, sometimes overtly, is updating its brand design. In a note to employees, United argues “a visual identity that reflects our new spirit as a thoughtful, modern and innovative airline will make us memorable to our...
Has United Surpassed American As #2 U.S. Airline?
An article in Forbes asks if United Airlines has surpassed American Airlines as the #2 airline in the USA. One veteran analyst says YES while one CEO says NO WAY! We can guess the CEO. That would be Doug...
The Airline Meal I Miss The Most
If you’re a frequent flyer, especially on the same routes, you know that legacy carriers are slow to rotate meals. That may be a blessing or may be a curse. That’s also the subject of this week’s Meal of...
Award Space On United’s New Tel Aviv Flight From Washington Dulles
Earlier today, United Airlines announced new non-stop service between Washington Dulles and Tel Aviv. The flight is now available for booking revenue and mileage space. The new service starts on May 22, 2019 and will operate three-times weekly per...
Review: United Club Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
Before my flight to Newark last Saturday I spent about an hour in the Fort Lauderdale United Club. It served its purpose nicely. As you might expect on a Saturday afternoon in Florida, the airport was packed. Thus, the...
Review: United Club Newark (EWR)
United’s only true club in Newark’s Terminal C is overcrowded, but functional. I say only true club, noting that a beautiful Polaris Lounge is now available for longhaul business class passengers. This is an incredible lounge, but not accessible...
United Airlines Cuts Strategic Silicon Valley Flight from Newark
Just a year and a half after entering the market, United Airlines will end daily service between Newark, New Jersey and San Jose, California. The route has not performed as hoped for. In March 2017, I wrote about United’s...
United Teases Premium Service Between Los Angeles And Boston
United is testing out lie-flat beds for a couple months on flights between Los Angeles and Boston. United Airlines operates premium transcontinental service routes between three city pairs: Los Angeles ⇄ Newark San Francisco ⇄ Newark Boston ⇄ San Francisco > Read More: Premium...
Even With New Photo Policy, I Still Would Have Been Kicked Off United Flight
Yesterday, I wrote about United’s loosened new onboard photo policy, which now permits other passengers and FAs to be captured without consent. It’s a positive development and I give United credit for the update. In thinking more about this...
Be Very Afraid: United Airlines Loosens Onboard Photo Policy
Take it from the guy who was thrown off a plane for taking a picture of his seat…there is going to be stiff flight attendant resistance to United’s updated onboard photo policy. And maybe some passenger pushback as well....
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 23, 2018
Greetings from sunny Los Angeles. I’m in a holding pattern this week. I thought I was going to have to leave for Europe tomorrow, but that trip has been postponed. I’m both relieved and disappointed. I never like leaving...
Fond Memories Of United Airlines’ Island Hopper
The latest edition of Big Metal Bird explores United’s historic Island Hopper route between Guam and Honolulu. Three times per week, a United 737-800 takes off from Honolulu just as the sun begins to rise, making five stops enroute...
Dad Ditches Kid In Economy Class To Relax In Business Class
How would you react to finding your seatmate on a 12-hour flight to China is a talkative eight-year-old boy whose father had ditched him to go sit in business class? Flyertalk member steveo posted the following question in the...
