I’ve asked my two-year-old son Augustine to offer his thoughts on our recent 787-8 flight from Zurich to San Francisco on United Airlines in Polaris Business Class. Last time Daddy asked me write up a trip report was after my very first flight from Los Angeles to London, also on a United Dreamliner. I was […]
One Year Later: How Is United Polaris Lounge Holding Up At SFO?
Between flights last weekend, I had 2.5 hours in United’s SFO Polaris Lounge. How is it holding up one year later? I’ve reviewed this lounge twice already…once during a media preview and again as a passenger. The lounge is spacious and comfortable, with amenities including a sit-down restaurant, buffet, sleeping rooms, showers, and private restrooms. […]
Review: United Airlines 777-200 Premium Plus San Francisco To Frankfurt
My 11-hour flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt aboard United’s new premium economy (“Premium Plus”) product was quite comfortable, though no replacement for business class. MileagePlus members can upgrade to either (or both) Premium Plus or Polaris Business Class with a single Global Premier Upgrade (GPU). While using one to fly premium economy felt a […]
United Battles Barefoot Lounge Bandit And Onboard Shaving Stupidity
We are quick to complain about airlines, but tonight I pity United Airlines for having to deal with a dynamic duo of dimwittedness on the ground and in the air. Let’s start on the ground. United offers beautiful Polaris Lounges at five hubs across the United States. These lounges serve up comfortable seating, top-shelf liquor, […]
Review: United Arrivals Lounge London (LHR)
After my flight from Los Angeles to London Heathrow, I checked out United’s Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 2 for a shower and breakfast. I last reviewed this lounge back in 2014 and it really hasn’t changed. Upon entry, a lounge agent not only scanned my boarding pass but spent about a minute rustling through printed […]
Review: A Bittersweet 787-9 Flight To London In United Polaris
I flew to London on United earlier this week. Here’s a brief review of the flight. There was a number of flights I was considering for this trip. One was to fly via San Francisco and Frankfurt so I could try United’s new Premium Plus (premium economy) seat. But why add the extra stop and […]
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 passenger during the month of April in order to maximize sleep onboard. Initially, I was told […]
Breakfast In LAX Oneworld Lounge
For those who love a liquid breakfast, I can’t think of a better lounge than the oneworld lounge at LAX. Two words: coffee and juice. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed about that for breakfast. And while there are other lounges like the nearby Qantas First Class Lounge and United Polaris Lounge in […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Los Angeles To London
My flight from Los Angeles to London on United was a comfortable, consistent, and frankly boring. That’s a good thing on a flight you just want to sleep on. I reviewed this very flight two years ago and not much has changed. The menu looks a bit different and there’s a new amenity kit, but […]
Mystery Solved: Should You Tip In Premium Airline Lounges?
The question of whether to tip in airline lounges is a difficult question, especially in more premium ones like AA’s Flagship Dining Rooms or United’s Polaris Lounges. I personally hate tipping…I view it as a dirty stain on American culture. It has become such an entitlement that even a 15% tip for mediocre service is […]
The Rude Canadian In LAX Polaris Lounge
How would you handle a rude passenger in the confined space of an airline lounge? First, an explanation on the title. I try hard not to ever generalize in a negative way, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with positive generalizations when not done in a patronizing manner. And in this case, my […]
My First Impressions Of LAX United Polaris Lounge
Last night I flew United in Polaris Business Class from Los Angeles to London and finally had the chance to check out the recently-opened Polaris lounge at LAX. In fact, I made a day out of it… The new premium lounge occupies the real estate of the former International First Class Lounge (which later became […]
Pictures: Beautiful New United Polaris Lounge At LAX
United Airlines has unveiled its beautiful new Polaris Lounge in Los Angeles. The pictures suggest it was worth the wait! Before we get to the pictures, here’s some key facts about the new lounge: More than 12,000 square feet 140 seats, with a variety of seating areas for productivity, privacy and dining 272 power outlets […]
Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – London (LHR)
I may have just found my new favorite business class lounge. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is a superb business class lounge and even with high expectations I walked away impressed. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 right above the AA Admiral’s Club. If you are arriving at Heathrow via car and flying Upper Class, […]
My Top 10 Lounges In 2018
As 2018 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 2018. 10. Marco Polo Club – Venice (VCE) I appreciated that this Priority Pass lounge had very good lasagna and coffee…after driving all day it surely hit […]
Use Miles For A Sneak Peek At LAX Polaris Lounge
United’s fifth Polaris Lounge opens at Los Angeles International Airport on January 12, 2019. But through a special sale to MileagePlus members, you can enter the day before. As with past lounges, United is offering a special preview to United MileagePlus members the day before the official opening. On January 11th you can visit in […]
United Announces Opening Date For LAX Polaris Lounge
United Airlines has just confirmed with me that the Polaris Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will officially open on Saturday, January 12th, 2019. We’ve been waiting for months (years really) for this lounge to open, but the end is now in sight. United’s official Polaris Lounge tracker has also now been updated. In […]
Review: United’s “Classified” Restaurant at Newark (Breakfast)
I had a rare connection in Newark and enough time to try United’s exclusive “Classified” restaurant. Was it worth the time and money? If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If you haven’t followed us on Facebook or Instagram, add us today. Location Newark, Terminal C between gates 102 and […]
When Will United’s LAX Polaris Lounge Open?
United’s Polaris Lounge at LAX has still not opened…but it won’t be long. United’s Polaris Lounge at LAX has been delayed by more than a year. Set to open late in 2017, it has yet to open. In fact, the online Polaris Lounge tracker still predicts an opening of Autumn 2018: But December is upon […]
The Death of Airline Lounge “Memberships” Makes American Express Platinum More Attractive
With American, Delta, and United cracking down on how/when “members” can use their lounges, I question whether membership is even the correct term to describe what airlines now offer. Think about it. If you’re a member of a gym, you show up when you want and stay as long as you want. Your membership gives […]