United Airlines will return to New York Kennedy (JFK) in 2021, five years after abandoning the airport in a move it came to quickly regret. The return of premium transcontinental service between JFK and the West Coast is a boon for local traffic and intercontinental Star Alliance connections. United Airlines Will Return To JFK Returning […]
United Airlines Reopens More Airport Lounges, Slashes Price Of One-Time Passes
Ahead of the holidays, United Airlines will reopen four additional airport lounges. It will also discount the price of one-time club passes. United Airlines Reopens More Airport Lounges In late March, United Airlines shuttered most of its United Club lounges and all of its Polaris lounges for longhaul business class travelers. For months, United has […]
United Airlines + Amtrak End Partnership
United Airlines and Amtrak will end a decades-long partnership, eliminating reciprocal lounge access and what historically has been a convenient way to earn miles when traveling on Amtrak. Amtrak + United Wind Down Partnership Stretching back two decades, Amtrak and Continental Airlines (and later United after the merger) partnered to provide reciprocal mileage earnings and […]
Oscar Munoz’s Legacy At United Airlines
Earlier this week, Oscar Munoz stepped down as CEO of United Airlines, after nearly five years on the job. How should we evaluate his legacy? My friend Gary at View from the Wing called the Oscar Munoz legacy disappointing. His focus, however, was not so much on Munoz himself, but his critical decision in 2016 […]
United Airlines Prepares To Officially Enter The Kirby Era
On May 20, 2020 United President Scott Kirby will officially become the new Chief Executive Officer. How will consumers, employees, and shareholders react? Kirby: Hope Is Not A Strategy In several pieces over the last two months I have highlighted Kirby’s contrarian approach to COVID-19. While every major airline has acknowledged that it will emerge […]
Trip Report: Flying United During COVID-19 Epidemic
Reader Mark, a family friend, travelled on United earlier this week. He shared with me with this report, which is interesting on so many levels about what it was like to travel across the country during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic. I’m a worker in the medical industry. While life has slowed to a […]
United Airlines Closes Additional United Clubs
3/20/20 Update United will close five more clubs; two effective today and three on Saturday: Now closed: Raleigh-Durham – RDU – United Club London Heathrow – LHR – Arrivals Lounge Tomorrow (3/21), the following three lounges will close: Mexico City – MEX – United Club Guam – GUM – United Club Tokyo – NRT – […]
United’s Doomsday Strategy May Lead To Kirby Kutbacks…
Earlier today I wrote about United’s aggressive steps to combat an unprecedented drop in demand and revenue. But what might some of these measures mean for customers? Are Kirby Kutbacks Coming? Incoming United CEO Scott Kirby has been a shrewd operator throughout his career at America West, US Airways, American Airlines, and now United. He’s […]
United Airlines Tries To Make Kosher Food Tasty
United Airlines is improving its kosher menus with new choices of food and drink on Tel Aviv flights. A Kosher Meal Problem I have many clients at Award Expert who keep Kosher, meaning I frequently order Kosher meals on flights. Usually, however, it goes something like this: “Order me a fruit plate! Only order a […]
Booked! Turkish Airlines A321neo + 787-9 Business Class
I spent the weekend in Germany and decided I will return to California in a different way than my usual United Polaris or Lufthansa First Class. This time, I’m trying two new products on Turkish Airlines. Turkish Airlines Last-Minute Award Space It seems that Turkish rarely (if ever) opens up last-minute award space to Los […]
Did Star Alliance Kowtow To United Airlines On New Lounge Access Restrictions? Why It Doesn’t Matter
Star Alliance is only as strong as its members. Nevertheless, stealth lounge access changes further sharpen the argument that alliances are losing relevance. I’m not sure what you think of when you think of Star Alliance (or oneworld or SkyTeam for that matter). Do you picture an office that makes decisions on behalf of its […]
Why I Made Spirit Airlines my American Express Platinum Preferred Airline
American Express Platinum cardholders receive a $200 annual credit applied to offset fees charged by airlines. Almost no one chooses Spirit, here’s why I did. 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. United […]
Vintage Review: United Airlines 757-200 First Class Los Angeles To Chicago
This week we are taking a walk down memory lane with a vintage first class trip report. I’m sharing photos and brief commentary from a trip I took in the final days of 2010 and first days of 2011 that included many first class flights from five Star Alliance carriers. As we enter a new […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Sydney To Los Angeles + Lounge Hopping In SYD
After a fairly mediocre flight to Sydney, my return flight was a far better overall experience, even with an inferior seat. After arriving in Sydney from San Francisco a bit late, I had two hours before my “connection” back to Los Angeles. I used the time to make a “coffee” run between three lounges. I’ll […]
British Airways Faces A Lounge Challenge In London Heathrow
As part of its New Years resolutions for 2020, British Airways announced it will “refresh” its lounges in London Heathrow. That presents quite a challenge to a lounge network that is already overburdened with guests. My family and I flew from London to Frankfurt earlier this week out of Heathrow T5 on British Airways. Since […]
My Top 10 Lounges In 2019
As 2019 draws to a close, it is time for my annual “Top 10” series. Here, I’ll look back on the 10 best airport lounges I visited in 2019. Note, this is my “top 10” list, but only my “top 10” list of lounges I visited this year. 10. American Express Centurion Lounge – Philadelphia […]
Review: United 777-300ER Business Class San Francisco To Sydney
Here’s a rundown of the first half of my whirlwind journey to Sydney, Australia in United Business Class in order to achieve 1K status for 2020…and of course for a proper cup of coffee. I’ve outlined the reason for the trip here, so will jump right to the flights. I proceeded directly from a Christmas […]
Review: United Airlines 787-10 Economy Class
I’ve flown United’s new Boeing 787-10 in business class, but how is it in economy class? Sometimes I will decline and upgrade even when it is is available. My supply of upgrade instruments is not unlimited and I made the choice to remain behind the curtain on my flight from Newark to Frankfurt. First, the […]
United Airlines Adds Two New Washington Dulles Routes
United Airlines is continuing its expansion at Washington Dulles with two new routes next summer, further growing its mid-Atlantic hub. In 2020, United will add service to Bangor, Maine (BGR) and Madison, Wisconsin (MSN). Service to Madison is effective May 8th while service to Bangor is effective June 4th. The Bangor route, 601 miles, will […]
United’s Bifurcated Approach To Aircraft Seating
Just what is a “Scott Kirby Retrofit”? Is that configuring a 767-300 with a staggering number of business class seats or squeezing more passengers onto a 787-8? My friend Gary from View from the Wing wrote a story yesterday entitled, “Leaked Seat Maps Show United’s 787s Are Getting A Scott Kirby Retrofit.” Working off seat […]
