With domestic travel demand roaring back to 2019 levels, United Airlines is re-opening a handful of airport lounges at both hubs and line stations. The carrier also plans to open even more United Clubs by Labor Day, though Polaris Lounges are unlikely to re-open this year. Which United Clubs Will United Re-Open Next? By the […]
Review: United Airlines 787-8 Polaris Business Class [2021]
In February, I traveled to London on United Airlines to attend a funeral. My outbound journey was via Chicago O’Hare and inbound journey via Washington Dulles. Both flights were on a 787-8, though I had the old configuration on the outbound flight to London Heathrow and new configuration on the inbound flight to Washington Dulles. […]
Review: United Club Newark (EWR)
This lounge is now closed for remodeling. It will re-open in 2023. In the meantime, you can visit the C123 lounge. While not much has structurally changed since my last review of this lounge in 2018, I thought a pandemic update was in order for the United Club in Newark near gate C74. United Club […]
Review: Lufthansa A350 Business Class
I was impressed by both great service and tasty meals on my very first Lufthansa A350 flight. This business class review covers my journey from Los Angeles to Frankfurt with my wife and two children. Lufthansa A350 Business Class Review Booking We booked two tickets with Avianca LifeMiles (63,500 miles each via American Express Membership […]
My Top 10 Airline Lounges In 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on the 10 best airport lounges I visited in 2020. Note, this is my “top 10” list, but only my “top 10” list of lounges I visited this year. 10. British Airways Galleries First Lounge T3 […]
Christmas Eve Breakfast In United Polaris Lounge LAX
I’m looking back fondly this morning on one year ago, when I enjoyed a tasty breakfast in United’s Los Angeles (LAX) Polaris Lounge after a 13-hour flight from Sydney, Australia. Christmas Eve Breakfast @ LAX United Polaris Lounge In what seems so long ago, I embarked on a mileage run December 22-24th last year to […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Newark To Cape Town
This is a review of my March 2020 trip from Newark to Cape Town onboard a United 787-9 in business class. The trip seems so far in the past, but is a reminder of how much the world has changed since spring. That said, this will not be a conventional Live and Let’s Fly review […]
Review: United Club San Francisco (SFO – F Gates)
The United Club at San Francisco International Airport near Gate F11 is near and dear to my heart and remains on the of the last “vintage” United lounges. This review not only showcases the lounge, but will give you an idea of what sort of amenities you can expect during COVID-19. United Club SFO Review […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Polaris Business Class – International Pandemic Edition
Tremendous service and a comfortable seat made up for a reduced serving offering, but I have to admit my flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco greatly exceeded my expectations. This United Airlines Polaris business class review will give you an idea of what to expect during the pandemic on United’s recently retrofitted 787-9. United Airlines […]
United Airlines Reopens More Airport Lounges, Slashes Price Of One-Time Passes
Ahead of the holidays, United Airlines will reopen four additional airport lounges. It will also discount the price of one-time club passes. United Airlines Reopens More Airport Lounges In late March, United Airlines shuttered most of its United Club lounges and all of its Polaris lounges for longhaul business class travelers. For months, United has […]
The Last Supper In The Polaris Lounge…
United has shuttered all of its Polaris lounges, hopefully just on a temporary basis. What are we missing during this time? Dinner In United Polaris Lounge Newark Last week, I enjoyed linner (lunch and dinner in one sitting) in the Newark Polaris Lounge prior to my United flight to Cape Town. It wasn’t deliberate, but […]
Did Star Alliance Kowtow To United Airlines On New Lounge Access Restrictions? Why It Doesn’t Matter
Star Alliance is only as strong as its members. Nevertheless, stealth lounge access changes further sharpen the argument that alliances are losing relevance. I’m not sure what you think of when you think of Star Alliance (or oneworld or SkyTeam for that matter). Do you picture an office that makes decisions on behalf of its […]
Vintage Review: Lufthansa A340-300 First Class Chicago To Munich
This week we are taking a walk down memory lane with a vintage first class trip report. I’m sharing photos and brief commentary from a trip I took in the final days of 2010 and first days of 2011 that included many first class flights from five Star Alliance carriers. As we enter a new […]
Vintage Review: United Airlines 757-200 First Class Los Angeles To Chicago
This week we are taking a walk down memory lane with a vintage first class trip report. I’m sharing photos and brief commentary from a trip I took in the final days of 2010 and first days of 2011 that included many first class flights from five Star Alliance carriers. As we enter a new […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Sydney To Los Angeles + Lounge Hopping In SYD
After a fairly mediocre flight to Sydney, my return flight was a far better overall experience, even with an inferior seat. After arriving in Sydney from San Francisco a bit late, I had two hours before my “connection” back to Los Angeles. I used the time to make a “coffee” run between three lounges. I’ll […]
British Airways Faces A Lounge Challenge In London Heathrow
As part of its New Years resolutions for 2020, British Airways announced it will “refresh” its lounges in London Heathrow. That presents quite a challenge to a lounge network that is already overburdened with guests. My family and I flew from London to Frankfurt earlier this week out of Heathrow T5 on British Airways. Since […]
My Top 10 Lounges In 2019
As 2019 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on the 10 best airport lounges I visited in 2019. Note, this is my “top 10” list, but only my “top 10” list of lounges I visited this year. 10. American Express Centurion Lounge – Philadelphia […]
Review: United 777-300ER Business Class San Francisco To Sydney
Here’s a rundown of the first half of my whirlwind journey to Sydney, Australia in United Business Class in order to achieve 1K status for 2020…and of course for a proper cup of coffee. I’ve outlined the reason for the trip here, so will jump right to the flights. I proceeded directly from a Christmas […]
Review: United Airlines 787-10 Economy Class
I’ve flown United’s new Boeing 787-10 in business class, but how is it in economy class? Sometimes I will decline and upgrade even when it is is available. My supply of upgrade instruments is not unlimited and I made the choice to remain behind the curtain on my flight from Newark to Frankfurt. First, the […]
A Pilot’s Review Of Lufthansa First Class
121pilot, a commercial airline pilot in the United States who has offered his insights and analysis on a number of topics on Live and Let’s Fly recently traveled with his brother and father on a very special trip to Scotland. He asked me if I would be interested in a trip report and I quickly […]