I tend to avoid inaugural flights because you often get special service and special meals onboard, making the review somewhat unique, but much less valuable. Rather than fly United Airlines’ new San Francisco – Manila route on its first day of operation, I flew it on the second day in Polaris business class on the […]
Introduction: The Long Way To Germany On United, Thai, SAS, Lufthansa
My family recently took an autumn trip to Germany since it appears unlikely we will be able to get away for the holidays this year. I decided to use the opportunity to leave a couple days early and take a longer route to Germany, giving me the chance to try two new routes, one on […]
United Airlines Adds San Francisco – Barcelona Service
United Airlines will fly nonstop from San Francisco to Barcelona next summer as part of its plan to offer 30% more seats to Spain in 2024 versus 2023. New San Francisco – Barcelona Nonstop Service On United Airlines United will launch daily service from San Francisco (SFO) to Barcelona (BCN) starting on May 23, 2024 […]
Introduction: A 24-Hour Trip To Australia On Qantas
I recently flew 15 hours from Los Angeles to Sydney only to turn around a day later and fly home. Blame complications at home plus an elusive first class award on Qantas for such a short trip Down Under. But I hope it makes for an interesting trip report… 1-Day Trip To Australia On Qantas […]
Kirby: United Airlines Is A “Three-Year-Old Startup Embedded In A 98-Year-Old Airline”
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby was in Houston yesterday voicing a recurring theme, asserting that United is a “three-year-old startup embedded in a 98-year-old airline.” What does he mean and is he correct? United Airlines, The 2020 “Startup” Carrier Speaking to both members of the media and local Houston officials and later to employees, Kirby […]
United Airlines Must Upgrade Premium Transcontinental Meals. Now.
Earlier this week I wrote about how Andrew Nocella, the Chief Commercial Officer at United Airlines, has taken a hands-on approach to improving in-flight meal service at United. While I commend the progress he has made, he needs to direct immediate attention to premium transcontinental flights. This is about three years overdue… Premium Transcontinental Meals […]
United Airlines Promises More Meal Service Improvements
“I do think if you fly United today the food experience is dramatically better than where it was a year ago.” -Andrew Nocella, Chief Commercial Officer at United Airlines I would wholeheartedly agree. But the work is not done. How United Airlines Plans Continued Onboard Meal Service Improvements Speaking at the Skift forum in Dallas, […]
Booked! An A380 Australia Trip On Qantas
My tree issue at home has prompted a lot of trip cancellations, but I was not about to let first class award space on Qantas go, even if that meant the briefest of trips to Australia. Booked: A Round-Trip To Qantas On Australia On Airbus A380 For eight months, my wife Heidi and I planned […]
United Airlines Reminds Flight Attendants That Loyalty Is A Lifetime Endeavor
“A college student flying Basic Economy today may become a loyal MileagePlus member flying Polaris in the future.” So says John Slater, the Vice President of Inflight Services at United Airlines. As United takes delivery of new aircraft and expands it global network, it is again reminding flight attendants that their kind words and attentive […]
Review: United Airlines 777-200 Business Class [2023]
I slept quite well on my redeye flight on United Airlines in 777-200 business class from San Francisco to Newark. The bottom line on a United redeye is that you can expect a solid rest. United Airlines 777-200 Business Class Review (SFO-EWR) United Airlines often runs three 777 redeyes each night from San Francisco to […]
Why United Airlines Is Profitable And Budget Carriers Are Losing Money
United Airlines held its Q3 earnings call yesterday in which various executives offered statements about United’s performance and fielded questions from analysts. I found the discussion over why United Airlines’ domestic yields are trending in the opposite direction of budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier the most interesting part of the discussion. The growth of […]
United Airlines Shuffles Boarding Process
In an effort to reduce boarding time, United Airlines is changing the boarding process beginning later this month, reverting to a previous approach it hopes will reduce boarding time by two minutes. United Airlines Revises Boarding Process, Returns To WILMA Internal metrics have revealed that, on average, it takes a United flight two minutes longer […]
First Look: United Club Newark C74 Reopens After Renovation
United Airlines has opened its refurbished C74 club in Newark, thus completing its EWR lounge project with three new lounges in the last 18 months. Let’s explore the details of the new lounge. United Club C74 Newark Open Once Again After closing for refurbishment in May 2022, United has reopened its Untied Club at C74 […]
Review: United Airlines 757-200 Business Class
Over the summer, I took a trip to the East Coast and flew home on a United Airlines 757-200 in business class from Newark to Los Angeles. These 757 workhorses are certainly aging, but the flight was very good in terms of service. United Airlines 757-200 Review – Business Class (EWR-LAX) I reviewed this exact […]
Woman Pilfers Plates, Glasses, Headphones, Blanket From Business Class
I understand the video below is probably meant to be a joke, but I’ve seen so much of this sort of thing over the years that I have to wonder whether it really is so far-fetched to watch a passenger steal plates, glasses, headphones, blankets, and just about anything else that might fit in a […]
American Airlines-Hyatt Status Challenge Perfectly Timed
In either a strategic masterstroke or an incredible coincidence, American Airlines and Hyatt Hotels reciprocal status challenge is perfectly timed, and even better for me personally. 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. […]
What United Airlines Is Doing With Leftover Sunday Riley Products
United Airlines is transitioning away from Sunday Riley as its onboard skincare partner and will use its venerable “Halfway To Hawaii” game as a way to eliminate the remaining product inventory. United Airlines “Halfway To Hawaii” Game Now Features Sunday Riley Prizes United Airlines plays a “Halfway to Hawaii” game. Shortly after leveling off on […]
United Airlines Must Not Let Cabin Interiors Deteriorate…
A single picture may just be anecdotal, but United Airlines must not let its cabin interiors deteriorate even with “United Next” retrofits planned. Aircraft Interiors Must Be Maintained Ahead Of Retrofits At United Airlines View From The Wing shares the following tweet: That’s simply unacceptable – I think we can all agree. Sure, maybe taping […]
United Airlines 767-300 Causes Ground Stop At Chicago O’Hare
A United Airlines 767-300 bound for Zurich caused a temporary ground stop in Chicago O’Hare Sunday afternoon after encountering a mechanical issue just before takeoff. UA3, A 767-300 From Chicago – Zurich Causes Ground Stop At O’Hare Airport UA3, operated by a Boeing 767-300 (registration number N672UA), pushed back from the gate, taxied to the […]
Introduction: My Summer Family Holiday To Europe On Star Alliance
Welcome to my next trip report series, which will recount my summer family holiday to Europe earlier this month, with transatlantic crossings on Star Alliance. Summer 2023 Europe Trip Report Until we can move to Germany on a more semi-permanent basis (not full-time, but part-time), I think it is vital that we continue to make […]
