• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  United Airlines  >  Princess Diana Of United Airlines
United Airlines

Princess Diana Of United Airlines

Matthew Klint Posted onSeptember 27, 2022September 26, 2022 33 Comments

Yesterday I offered a review of my United Airlines flight from Honolulu to Chicago in business class. Today, I want to focus on the amazing flight attendant, Diana Kaina, who took such great care of me on the flight.

Princess Diana Of The Friendly Skies, An Amazing Flight Attendant On United Airlines

When people lament about the “older” flight attendants in the USA, I shake my head. Not only is age just a number, but some of the very best flight attendants in the world have been flying with U.S. carriers since before many of us were even born.

Take Diana Kaina, who took care of me and others on the starboard side of the 777-300ER rear business class cabin on my flight from Honolulu to Chicago. She has been with United Airlines since 1968! 

But over 50 years later, she continues to offer personalized, warm, caring, and attentive service. 

After boarding, she came over and introduced herself, offering me the pre-departure beverage of my choice. Later on, she took my meal order, addressing me as “Mr. Klint” (and from that point on in the flight). She thanked me for my 1K status and said to let her know if there was anything she could do to make my flight more enjoyable.

During dinner service, she checked up on me no less than three times (and every seat was taken in business class) to make sure my glass was full. When I finished dinner, she promptly cleared my tray away.

I went to sleep and woke up six hours later in a dark cabin. Even so, within moments Diana noticed I was awake, came over, wished me a good morning, then offered me a cup of coffee and breakfast.

She always had a smile on her face (even behind her mask, I could tell) and a spring in her step.

I call her Princess Diana because for so many years she worked on the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747, which United once used for its Hawaiian service.

United’s Honolulu-based flight attendants are some of the best in the system and it was such a joy to interact with such a special lady who has seen so much over the last five decades and yet continues to offer the highest standard of service.

CONCLUSION

I was so thankful to get to fly from Honolulu to Chicago with Diana. What an amazing woman who continues to offer the level of personalized service that can compete with the best airlines in the world. United is in the hiring mode and for the first time in my life, I’m seeing many flight attendants younger than me. May Diana be an inspiration for them all!

Previous Article New Airline Consumer Protections Proposed By DOT – Helpful Or Harmful?
Next Article Best Credit Card For Amazon Purchases

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Color Blind Pilot Sues United Airlines For Firing Him

    March 20, 2023
  • United Airlines Japanese Meal

    Japanese Meal In United Airlines Business Class

    March 18, 2023
  • Catering Improvements Move Forward On United Airlines, Despite Quarterly Loss

    March 16, 2023

33 Comments

  1. Brian T. Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 1:02 pm

    Thanks for this, Matthew. Great of you to recognize an employee providing great service, and a career’s worth, at that. I agree with you about the Honolulu-based crewmembers. I’ve found they are among the warmest and friendliest.

    I hope you have a chance to run into her again!

    • Brian T. Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 6:38 pm

      “I went to sleep and woke up six hours later in a dark cabin. Even so, within moments Diana noticed I was awake, came over, wished me a good morning, then offered me a cup of coffee and breakfast.”

      Plot twist: She was watching you sleep the entire time!!!

  2. Maryland Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    Impressive career. So many changes in the industry. Perhaps it’s the motherly attitude that so recently missed in air travel. Hopefully nobody would dare sass or heaven forbid punch nana! Hat’s off to Diana!

  3. Aaron Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    “I’m seeing many flight attendants younger than me. May Diana be an inspiration for them all!”

    What UA should be doing is checking out trip reports people make and notice who the good FAs are, and have them and others like Diana start training the next batch of FAs.

  4. Gravelly Point Guy Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 1:23 pm

    Don’t forget Pamela “Pam” Corbin and Marjorie Bailey. Both hidden gems in the UA FA family. Both ladies are EWR based as well!!

  5. Airfarer Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 1:31 pm

    Some years ago UA had a base in BKK, was a while ago so I think it was BKK. Now they were all universally great. I guess in a reduction in force they all got the chop.

    • William Alford Reply
      September 28, 2022 at 3:41 pm

      I believe you’re thinking if the SIN base they had for 15 years. It ended in September 2001.

  6. Tom Nelson Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 2:13 pm

    Kudos to you Matt for recognizing Diana and the great service she provided.

  7. Mark Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 3:10 pm

    She’s maintaining a level and class of service from a “golden age” of air travel long since abandoned as airlines struggle to juggle the numbers…….

  8. Joseph Story Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    Your comparison is kind of weird. Princess Diana was a royal who devoted her life to service and great causes. You are happy because someone gave you service that they receive a salary for. That read to much into it. Life isn’t like Downton Abbey.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      I call her Princess Diana because she is United royalty.

      • 'elua Bruns Reply
        September 28, 2022 at 12:31 am

        Mahalo nui Matthew for taking the time recognize our good friend and flying partner.
        Your words are deeply appreciated,
        ‘elua Bruns
        Retired HNL Domicile Flight Attendant

  9. GT Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 4:02 pm

    Truth. Since the mid 90’s UAL hired and let go a large number of f/a that were immature, had no service oriented job history, had no work ethics, had personal problems, and had another agenda to the training received as a f/a. Some of these ppl remain with their bad habits. UAL trainors back then had most of these same qualities so it was a doomed class of crew from the get go. U AL is just now getting the type of crew onboard these days, as evident by comments. Unfortunately problems start at the top and until that is solved,…….

  10. JoeMart Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 4:39 pm

    It’s very touching how you eulogized D. Very few professionals take the time to observe the hard work of front line staff and provide some form of recognition. This essay reminded me the one you wrote for Julie.

  11. MikeyInOregon Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 4:50 pm

    Not taking anything away from Diana but I can’t help but think that your 1K status affords you special treatment over the others.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 4:54 pm

      I watched her be kind to everyone around me. I cannot imagine we were all 1Ks or UGS.

  12. DEE Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    She needs to train the new FA’s as theyare missing a lot!!!

    • AF Reply
      November 20, 2022 at 8:45 am

      It’s difficult to train what hasn’t been taught at home. Then, only if you can peel the phone from their hands. I would say it is a 50/50 ratio of new hires that give back into the job the dedication and level of service that this job requires. Like all companies airlines struggle to find good quality candidates.

  13. Dave D Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    Why not just ask her for a pic instead of taking shady side pics of her? I’m sure as “royalty” she’d oblige you!

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 8:04 pm

      I don’t tell people I am a blogger or going to write about them. It spoils the impartiality of the review.

  14. Mrs C. Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    How come I don’t see LALF articles on Google anymore? Great article btw! Nice to see age and experience celebrated.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 8:03 pm

      I wish I knew!

  15. Raymond Brunyanszki Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 8:37 pm

    While I have never met Diana, and I am sure she is nice, but to suggest that American flight attendants ever belonged to the best is the world shows a total lack of knowledge and likely experience on board of European , middle eastern or Asian airlines. But through the eyes of an American I understand that lack of polished service, lack flight safety knowledge, lack of delicately prepared dishes with excellent wine pairings and lack pro active and polite service is all compensated as long as there is a Sunday ice cream service cart available.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 11:50 pm

      No, I take great exception to your ignorant and utterly imbecilic comment.

      If you read this blog, you’ll know I have flown the finest first class products from around the world – you name it, I’ve flown it. I’ve also visited 141 countries and have certainly been amazed by service on many carriers and from many cultures. That makes it all the more noteworthy that I commend Diana.

      You’re an injudicious fool. Also, it’s spelled ice cream “sundae” and this flight did not have one.

      • Aaron Reply
        September 29, 2022 at 11:39 am

        Aren’t all fools injudicious?

  16. Suzie Whattley Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 9:01 pm

    Did every passenger on the starboard side receive the same level of personalized attention or just the famous travel blogger?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 11:52 pm

      Famous, lol.

      Everyone did.

  17. Jason Cummins Sarjazey Reply
    September 28, 2022 at 1:35 am

    So cute!

  18. trust77 Reply
    September 28, 2022 at 3:48 am

    Yes I’ve flown with Diana as well when the HNL inflight base was handling the HNL-GUM-HNL route from 2011 through 2017. She served as both a purser, and a flight attendant and I agree with your observations about her. In fact, I became very familiar with a number of the HNL based flight attendants for the six years that they were assigned to this route and can only report very very good things about each and every one of them. They all have/had 40+ years of seniority and this base is one base where seniority only means they are extremely appreciative and focused on how best to serve their customers – I was never once disappointed with their customer service. I’m glad to see Ms. Diana is still flying and wish her and her HNL based colleagues many more wonderful years in the friendly skies.

  19. Roman Reply
    September 28, 2022 at 3:38 pm

    What a wonderful compliment! It’s very nice of you to acknowledge the sterling service of Diana and people like her. I have also had the pleasure of being taken care of on United by such caring staff members on all classes (F, J, Y). Some travelers may not know that such flight attendants were not only American, but they comprised many nationalities, too. After the closure of its bases overseas, many loyal and dedicated foreign crew and ground staff were unceremoniously let go by the company. Imagine that with little warning, your dreams are shattered with the closure of your domicile. Such a heartbreaking way to end one’s career … just to be a small footnote in the grand scheme of things. God bless them and many thanks for their exceptional service through the years!

  20. healoha Reply
    September 29, 2022 at 5:13 am

    Agreed. HNL based are the best in the system on United. Then i’d say SFO after them. It’s a small (but growing) base and I know many of them by now, and they truly are such a family. I wonder who is doing the GUM run now? I never flew there but they used to complain about the layovers ha.

  21. PM1 Reply
    September 29, 2022 at 12:37 pm

    Thanks for recognizing Diana Matthew! As a fellow 1K, I have seen both amazing FAs (regardless of age) and rude/demeaning/incompetent FAs during my travels on United the past dozen years. Diana seems to represent the best of the former and I wish her many more years of success!

  22. Asa George Reply
    September 29, 2022 at 3:25 pm

    Flying UAL cross country in first class years ago,the very kind FA noticed I wasn’t having any alcohol while others heartily imbibed.I explained I was driving home after the flight.Just prior to landing she presented me with a bottle of champagne elegantly wrapped in a cloth napkin.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Avianca 787-8 Business Class Review
    Review: Avianca 787-8 Business Class March 20, 2023
  • Color Blind Pilot Sues United Airlines For Firing Him March 20, 2023
  • Ryanair Twitter
    Ryanair Savagely Trolls Passenger On Twitter March 20, 2023
  • hyatt all-inclusive hyatt zilara rose hall
    Hyatt Acquisition Provides Hints About All-Inclusive Future March 19, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines unaccompanied Minor Predator
    American Airlines Flight Attendant Freaks Out After Man Offers His First Class Seat To Child February 25, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) February 21, 2023
  • Bankman-Fried Alaska Airlines
    Poor Sam Bankman-Fried “Downgrades” From American Airlines Business Class To Alaska Airlines First Class February 20, 2023
  • There’s A Pilot In My Seat! February 21, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.