Speaking in Sydney yesterday, United CEO Jeff Smisek touched on a number of areas we’ve been eagerly waiting to hear about: -No Ch 9 (ATC communications) coming to CO aircraft–two expensive -No timeframe on determining the future of three-cabin...
My Favorite Way to Spend a Day Off: Mileage Running on United
As I mentioned on Tuesday, I spent the day gallivanting around the country on United Airlines to celebrate the completion of another semester of law school. No bumps or even skykits, but I did have a great time. I...
The Secret Life of United Pilot William Hamman – Catch Me If You Can!
One of all-time favorite movies is Catch Me If You Can, which retells the true story of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a slick con-artist who assumed the role of a lawyer, doctor, and Pan Am pilot (at different times) without...
Poppie’s Cookies and Scones Coming to United Airlines
United is tinkering with the treats in first class on North America flights and will be introducing cookies and scones from Chicago-based Poppie’s Baking Company on Thursday. The baking company’s chocolate chip cookies will be offered with United’s lunch...
Platinum Upgrade Doldrums on Continental
You would think a last-minute aircraft upgrade from a 757-300 (24 first class seats) with a 767-400 (36 business class seats) would bode well for my Continental upgrade chances on a Wednesday midday flight. But this is Continental we’re...
US Airways’ Offshores Customer Service Department to Little Caesars!
After heralding US Airways for the good service I received regarding a schedule change last week, someone sent me this, from The Consumerist: I booked a business trip for my partner and I to Charleston, SC on a US...
My Last United Mileage Run of the Year
I’ve been looking forward to today for quite some time. Not only can I breathe a sigh of relief now that my exams are over, but today will mark my last "old fashioned" mileage run on United. In June,...
Surprisngly Generous (Unpublished) US Airways Cancellation Policy
About noon yesterday I received a call from US Airways about a schedule change on an upcoming trip for a family member. As it turned out, it was actually an equipment change–an A319 had been downgraded to an E-190....
Lifetime Status Program Coming to US Airways
After years of being the only legacy carrier in the United States not to offer additional perks to their million-miler fliers, US Airways has finally announced their intent to recognize that monumental threshold. The benefits won’t be great–you’ll only get...
The Winning United Airlines’ Retro Livery Is…
Last month, I blogged about United asking their flight attendants to choose a vintage livery to commemorate UA’s upcoming 85th anniversary. Among the choices were varying designs used by United from the 1930s through the 1980s. The votes have been tallied and...
Buck Howdy Pokes Fun at the TSA
The last few days have been quite taxing for me. Four exams last week and another one tomorrow have zapped my energy and left me with little time to blog–as I am sure you’ve picked up on. But I...
Up to 25% Off Air Canada Flights (originating from Canada)
Save an extra 25% off Air Canada Tango Plus fares (mid-range economy fares) for travel to Asia, the Caribbean, and Mexico from Canada. Book by tomorrow night (12/12) at aircanda.com using promo code FXMZXN71. Travel must be completed by June...
Oneworld Alliance Relocates Headquarters to New York City
Oneworld, the global airline group featuring airlines including American, British Airways, JAL, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific, is moving from Vancouver to New York next summer. The new headquarters will be in the low-rent district of Manhattan, on 2 Park Avenue. Former...
Court Orders Air India To Rehire Flight Attendant Fired For Being Too Fat
I generally avoid stories about weight because it is a sensitive topic that isn’t worth getting people worked up over (unlike the TSA…), but I do want to update you on an ongoing legal battle in India which has finally...
Joint Venture May Be Key To Wooing LATAM Into Star Alliance
The push for metal neutrality continues! During an airline conference in Houston today, United CEO Jeff Smisek announced that United Airlines is interested in forming a trans-border joint venture with Air Canada and a joint venture with an airline or...
Ads Coming to United Airlines’ Tray Tables?
Copying US Airways is generally not a good thing. Like the beleaguered stepsister of Star Alliance, United has begun placing advertisements on tray tables, so far only for their Chase Visa credit card and to highlight some of their destinations. While...
Three Reasons Why Airfare Will Be Higher Next Year
David Grossman, writer of the Business Traveler column for USA Today, offers three reasons why airfare will continue to rise in the near future. Capacity cuts and rising demand Prolonged period of higher oil prices Changing business model for...
$40 Off United Airlines Domestic Flight via Student Universe (travel by 12/18)
Student Universe, an online travel agency for students and educators, is offering $40 off a United Airlines domestic itinerary of your choice. To use Student Universe, you simply need a .edu e-mail address, but there are no other strings attached–you can...
787 Delay Prompts United to Postpone Launch of Houston-Auckland Service
Back in May, Continental announced plans to begin non-stop service between Houston and Auckland in November 2011 on one their newly-delivered 787-8 aircraft. But if you’ve been reading the news lately, you know that Boeing has, well, run into...
Dogs Gone Wild: US Airways Edition
A US Airways flight from Newark to Phoenix was diverted to Pittsburgh yesterday after a dog got loose in the cabin and promptly bit a passenger and a flight attendant. The stupid dog owner was supposed to keep "Bowser"...
