Since I first started international travel in 2006, every year has been like piecing together a jigsaw puzzle of the globe. Each year I get a little closer to completing the puzzle. But as October draws to a close, I stopped and realized today how different this year has been. I consider visiting new countries […]
Saying Goodbye To United International First Class…
United Airlines has officially retired its international first class product, most recently known as United Polaris First. This post serves as a eulogy for first class on United. When I first started flying United in 2004, the carrier offered “United First Suites” pictured above. These were very competitive at the time, offering plenty of room […]
Special Nonstop San Francisco – Barcelona Service On United Airlines
United Airlines will offer nonstop service between San Francisco and Barcelona next February…but only for two days. Barcelona is hosting the 2019 Mobile World Congress and United will offer these special nonstop flights to cater to the Silicon Valley crowd who . The convention will focus on the latest mobile technology and is expected to draw more […]
United Considers A321LR To Replace 757-200
United is reportedly considering the Airbus A321LR to replace its Boeing 757-200s currently operating a handful of transatlantic routes. Last week I asked if United will remove seats from business class. Most commenters felt I misread comments from United’s Executive Vice President Andrew Nocella and that he actually meant United would add business class seats on […]
United Airlines Launches Impressive New Ad Campaign
United Airlines has debuted an impressive new ad campaign that stays close to the carrier’s roots. A commercial entitled “World Orchestra” juxtaposes musical instruments with unlikely geographic locations, stringing together an impressive rendering of Rhapsody in Blue. For example, an Indian man plays his sitar in front of a New England lighthouse and a Hawaiian couple plays […]
United Changes Fare Class Codes For Premium Cabins And Upgrades
United Airlines quietly updated its fare codes for some premium cabin tickets and upgrades over the weekend. With Polaris First class now just a memory, United has pulled A and F fare classes traditionally used to designate first class. Domestically, United will still call its front-cabin product “United First” but use business class fare codes […]
Will United Remove Seats From Business Class?
Is United planning to remove some business class seats from its longhaul fleet? Yesterday I wrote about United’s healthy third quarter earnings and rosy outlook for the remainder of the year. I finally had a chance to read over the earnings call, where one comment particularly caught my attention. United’s Executive Vice President Andrew Nocella […]
Wow, United Airlines’ CEO Actually Gets It…
United’s Chief Executive Officer Oscar Munoz wants you to love flying United Airlines again. So does every airline CEO, of course, when it comes to their own airline. But Munoz’s new focus on customer service is a step in the right direction. It’s refreshing. But is it just lip service? United just opened a new […]
Editorial: Cut The Complaints About “Inferior” U.S. Airlines
There’s a cliche amongst frequent travelers. It goes something like this: U.S. airlines are woefully behind European and Asian airlines, especially in terms of service. While just my opinion, I’m tired of that trite argument and reject it. Don’t think I am going to defend the lackluster and sometimes hostile service that FAs on U.S. […]
Business Class To Germany: Lufthansa Or United?
Who offers a better business class product between the USA and Germany, Lufthansa or United? I have recently flown both carriers in business class and will do a side-by-side comparison using the following 10 metrics: Ground Services Lounge Seating Bedding Service Food Alcohol IFE +Wi-Fi Amenity Kits Lavatories Ground Services Both United and Lufthansa offer […]
Pictures: Testing Out United’s New Premium Economy
On Sunday evening I flew from Chicago to Frankfurt on United. I happened to fly on a 777-200 that has already been retrofitted to include premium economy seating. On the 777-200, United will add three rows of premium economy in a 2-4-2 configuration. The premium economy seats have not come at the expense of Polaris […]
United Wants Fewer 1Ks, I’ll Oblige
United announced on Friday afternoon that they would increase the spending requirement for their 1K (100,000-mile elite) members from $12,000 per year to $15,000. This is an effort to thin the herd as they have too many top-tier elite flyers. If United wants fewer 1K customers, I will be the first to start them off. […]
United Makes 1K Status More Exclusive, But Less Valuable
Yesterday, United Airlines announced a number of changes for MileagePlus members with elite status. While not all bad news, I’d say the changes are more negative than positive. Let’s analyze each one. Better boarding Effective on September 18, 2018 Premier® 1K® members will be called to board during pre-boarding ahead of Group 1 Premier Gold […]
Review: ANA 777-300ER Business Class Tokyo Haneda – Chicago
As part of my Hong Kong status run, I returned home via Tokyo on ANA in business class. Here is my review of the product and service aboard ANA’s 777-300ER from Haneda to Chicago. 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 […]
Review: ANA Business Class Lounge Tokyo Haneda (HND)
My long journey home from a status run to Hong Kong included flights from Hong Kong to Chicago on ANA via Tokyo Haneda. I had a chance to try the ANA lounge and was impressed with the offering. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. […]
Back To The Future: United’s Latest Boarding Process Is Blast From Past
United Airlines has revamped its boarding process…and the new process looks rather familiar. Here’s the rationale for the change: The feedback from customers and employees was clear: we needed to improve our boarding process. As part of our ongoing efforts to put customers at the center of everything we do, we identified boarding as an […]
Review: ANA 767 Business Class Hong Kong To Tokyo
As part of my Hong Kong status run, I returned home via Tokyo on ANA in business class. Here is my ANA 767 business class review of the product and service. 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 […]
Singapore SilverKris Lounge In Hong Kong Disappoints
During my status run to Hong Kong, I returned to the US on ANA in business class and tried my first Star Alliance lounge in Hong Kong, the Singapore SilverKris Lounge. Despite Singapore’s great reputation, it disappointed. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please click here. Both support LiveAndLetsFly.com. If […]
The Road Warrior Life Is Getting Old
During my status run to Hong Kong, I took stock of all of the traveling I have been doing for both leisure and business. In a moment of clarity at the end of my trip, the toll travel can take became clear. The life of a Road Warrior is not easy, something that became clear […]
Stunning New Turkish Airlines Uniforms + Business Class Suite
Turkish Airlines has unveiled classy new uniforms plus hinted at a new business class suite. The new uniforms will debut later this year and “hark back to a golden age of couture fashion from the 1950’s.” Inspired by many classic elements of Turkish design and culture, the new uniforms incorporate traditional patterns found in artisanal […]
