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...
Review: United Club London Heathrow (My Favorite United Club)
The United Club in London Heathrow is my favorite United Club in the network and a great place to work or eat prior to your flight. This lounge does get crowded in the morning, just like the nearby Air...
Mystery Surrounding New Boeing 787-9 Order from United Airlines
United Airlines announced it will purchase 29 new aircraft, including 25 Embraer E-175 and four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. But there is mystery surrounding the 787-9 order. First, the Embraer E-175s are among the most spacious and comfortable regional jets. These aircraft...
Live and Let’s Fly Weekend Digest: July 15, 2018
As the weeks fly by, I hope you are having a wonderful summer. It has been a quiet week in the world of aviation. But over the last week, we’ve seen an Air China pilot endanger the lives of...
The Best Fish I’ve Ever Had On An Airplane
Call me adventurous (or stupid), but I will often order fish on an airplane. This week’s Meal of the Week looks back to the best fish I’ve ever had on a commercial flight. I don’t kid myself that fish...
“Horny” Pilot Allegedly Molests Woman On United Flight
A woman is suing United Airlines for failing to protect her from a “horny” pilot who allegedly molested her on a 13-hour flight. Anne Dowling was flying in business class on United from Hong Kong to San Francisco in...
