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, […]
United Airlines Counts Up Accomplishments
United Airlines presented its first quarter results today, which are quite healthy. But do the numbers and many accomplishments tell the whole picture? I’m not going to breakdown the numbers, but it was a strong quarter. Q1 is traditionally the slow quarter for United, but it reported excellent numbers across the board. Instead, let’s focus […]
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 […]
United Airlines Partners With Sunday Riley For New Amenity Kits
So long Cowshed, hello Sunday Riley. United has unveiled new amenity kits and a partnership with a niche American beauty brand. Later this month, United will roll out new amenity kits in Polaris (business class), Premium Plus (premium economy), and in premium transcontinental service (between SFO/LAX-EWR and SFO-BOS). These amenity kits will feature skin products […]
United Will Trial New Express Dining Service Concept In Business Class
United will trial express dining service for all Polaris Business Class passengers on late-evening transatlantic departures from Washington Dulles next month. I’ve written about the problem of late-evening departures to Europe before. Eastbound transatlantic flights from the East Coast are short enough already, with flights to Dublin or London often clocking in at less than six hours in […]
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 […]
United Reports Healthy 2018 Earnings, Rosy Outlook For 2019
United reported healthy fourth quarter earnings and an optimistic outlook on 2019, sending shares soaring in after hours trading. Let’s do the numbers first. Feel free to skip over this portion if you want to find out what these numbers means. Fourth-quarter net income of $462 million, diluted earnings per share of $1.70, pre-tax earnings […]
Dining Menu At United Polaris LAX Lounge
The new United Airlines Polaris Lounge at LAX offers an a la carte menu in addition to an elaborate buffet. Here’s a look at the menu. First, note that all food and drink is complimentary in this lounge. Tipping is not expected. We’re talking about California of course, so I’m not sure it would be actually […]
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 […]
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 […]
I’d Like Airlines To Offer MORE Service In Business Class
My friend Ben from One Mile At A Time wrote a story earlier this week entitled, I’d Like Airlines To Offer LESS Service In Business Class. I offer a friendly rebuttal here. His focus is on shorter overnight flights from the East Coast to Europe, where he rightly notes that an extended dinner service after […]
My Prediction For United’s “Historic” New Route Announcement
United Airlines’ CEO Oscar Munoz will make a “historic” route announcement today. I have 10 predictions for potential new routes. According to an insider on airliners.net, United will make a historic route announcement today at 11:00AM CT. United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz will host a media conference call to discuss an historic package of new […]
United Airlines Will Invest Millions More At Washington Dulles
United Airlines will invest at least $34 million at Washington Dulles International Airport to expand the C-Concourse and construct a new Polaris Lounge. In a “public-private” partnership, United will front the bill to add an extension to Terminal C in order to house a new Polars Lounge. In exchange, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) will […]
American Airlines Adds Premium Service Between Los Angeles & Boston, With A Catch
American Airlines is introducing premium transcontinental service between Los Angeles and Boston onboard its signature A321Ts. But there’s a catch… Starting on April 02, 2019 American Airlines will operate two flights daily between Los Angeles and Boston utilizing the A321T. Flights will depart from Los Angeles in the morning and late night (redeye) and from […]
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 […]