United will add a second daily service between San Francisco and Hong Kong starting this autumn. But the new service comes at the expense of United’s Hong Kong – Guam service. Second Daily Service From San Francisco to Hong Kong Effective October 26, 2019 Currently, United’s Hong Kong flight leaves SFO around lunchtime and arrives […]
Plane Spotting At SFO With My Son
I’ve written before about plane spotting with my son Augustine at LAX. Recently, we had the chance to do it again at SFO. This was after our flight from Zurich…a flight that little Augustine struggled with. But thankfully he was able to unleash his pent-up energy in a deserted wing of the United Polaris Lounge. […]
Award Space Galore On Special 777-300 From Honolulu To Newark
Stuck in Hawaii and looking to get back to the Mainland? Trying to secure an upgrade? Look no further than a special 777-300 from Honolulu to Newark tomorrow morning. Yesterday I wrote about United’s immediate suspension of its Newark to Mumbai route due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The cessation of […]
Attack Of The Italian Ants On United Airlines!
United Airlines was forced to “deep clean” a 767-300 after it was overrun with oversized ants on a flight from Venice. Charlotte Burns, an New York-based editor, live tweeted the entire incident in hilarious fashion: She saw a couple before takeoff but then became engrossed in her book and forgot about them. A flight attendant […]
Premium Economy Best Way to Qualify For Status
Last week I wrote about the need for a status run on United to maintain my 1K status. It’s clear that Premium Economy is the best way to re-qualify on seemingly any US airline. 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, […]
Two Meal Service Updates On United Airlines
United has suspended its “mandatory” express dining service on some late-night flights to Europe and is still testing out free meals in economy class on select Hawaiian flights. In April, United began testing obligatory express dining service on select flights to Europe from Washington Dulles. The appetizer, salad, and main course were served on a […]
Once Again, I Must Status Run on United
Depending on my personal and business trips during the course of a year, I sometimes must fly unnecessary flights simply to retain my status. Again, this year I must status run for United 1K. 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, […]
A Supremely Comfortable Business Class Seat, Even At Eight-Across
I got the rare treat of widebody aircraft on the short flight from Chicago to Los Angeles last Saturday evening. Even though the seat is “woefully” outdated, I still consider it the most comfortable business class seat in the United fleet. United is still running some internationally-configured 777-200s with its “old” eight-across business class, a […]
Review: United Airlines 787-8 Business Class Zurich To San Francisco
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 […]
What Made My Latest United Flight Simply Fabulous
Last Saturday I flew from Zurich to San Francisco on United Airlines in business class with my family. While there were many positive aspects of the flight, the service was so excellent that it overshadowed everything else. I offered a very critical review of United recently from Los Angeles to London. That centered around poor […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Economy Class Los Angeles To London
Not only did I survive my economy class trip from Los Angeles to London on United, but I found it a far better experience than my recent flight from LA to Frankfurt on joint-venture partner Lufthansa. I took a trip to Switzerland and Germany at the end of last week so that my wife would […]
United Airlines Further Disables A Disabled Camera
You need not worry about flight attendants or airline executives surreptitiously recording you while you eat dinner or sleep in your seat…well, at least using IFE cameras. There has been a surprising outpour of fear and anger over the discovery that late-model IFE systems often come with built-in cameras. Many have expressed outrage over such […]
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 CEO Believes New Livery Represents Culmination Of United’s Journey
United CEO Oscar Munoz penned a letter to staff reflecting on the recently unveiled new livery. Two sentences stood out in particular. A flight attendant forwarded me the note below. I am including it in its entirety and then will discuss it below. Dear United family, I hope you’ve already seen and heard the incredible […]
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, […]
First Impressions: United Premium Plus (SFO-FRA)
This week I decided to try out United’s new Premium Plus product for my trip to Frankfurt. As far as premium economy products go, this one is a winner. I was on UA926, United’s retrofitted 777-200 from San Francisco to Frankfurt. The aircraft has United’s latest Polaris Business Class seat as well as three rows […]
Review: United 787 Business Class Munich To San Francisco
It was nice to catch up on sleep aboard an 11-hour flight from Munich to San Francisco in United Polaris Business Class. This was again on a 787-9 in business class, a hard product I have reviewed several times in the past. See here for more details about the seat itself. This review will focus […]
A Better Flight Home On United
After a fairly unremarkable flight from Los Angeles to London last week, I experienced a much better return flight from Munich to San Francisco. Here are a few thoughts on the flight ahead of my full review. 1. Great Service Overall, the service was tremendous on this flight. An older pre-merger United flight attendant worked my […]
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 […]
United Is Pretending This First Class Meal Isn’t A Snack Box?
United Airlines’ first-class food on some flights is a “cheese plate” on where a full meal service was previously available. But it’s rather obvious that this is essentially the same as the snack box sold in economy for less than $10. Why is United pretending that this First Class meal is not just a disassembled […]
