United Airlines President Scott Kirby has pledged a greater emphasis on the quality of the passenger experience after many years of shunning such a viewpoint. But what makes for a quality experience? Speaking at the Morgan Stanley 7th Annual Laguna Conference, Kirby said that “more and more” United must be “competing on quality instead of […]
United’s Most Valuable Route And JFK Dilemma
United Airlines is determined to steer customers from JFK to Newark for lucrative transatlantic flights. But how? In continuing to unpack the conversation between United President Scott Kirby and Newark employees, exclusively obtained by Live and Let’s Fly, talk shifted to the New York market. Kirby begins by pointing out an interesting stat: 83% of […]
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 […]
One Year Later: How Is United Polaris Lounge Holding Up At SFO?
Between flights last weekend, I had 2.5 hours in United’s SFO Polaris Lounge. How is it holding up one year later? I’ve reviewed this lounge twice already…once during a media preview and again as a passenger. The lounge is spacious and comfortable, with amenities including a sit-down restaurant, buffet, sleeping rooms, showers, and private restrooms. […]
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, […]
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 […]
Review: A Bittersweet 787-9 Flight To London In United Polaris
I flew to London on United earlier this week. Here’s a brief review of the flight. There was a number of flights I was considering for this trip. One was to fly via San Francisco and Frankfurt so I could try United’s new Premium Plus (premium economy) seat. But why add the extra stop and […]
United Actually Is Reducing Meal Service In Polaris During April “Trial”
An update on the mandatory business class express dining on late-evening flights from Washington Dulles. As it turns out, some items have been cut from the menu. Last week I wrote about United’s trial of express meal service for each passenger during the month of April in order to maximize sleep onboard. Initially, I was told […]
United Airlines Partners With Sunday Riley For New Amenity Kits
So long Cowshed, hello Sunday Riley. United has unveiled new amenity kits and a partnership with a niche American beauty brand. Later this month, United will roll out new amenity kits in Polaris (business class), Premium Plus (premium economy), and in premium transcontinental service (between SFO/LAX-EWR and SFO-BOS). These amenity kits will feature skin products […]
United Will Trial New Express Dining Service Concept In Business Class
United will trial express dining service for all Polaris Business Class passengers on late-evening transatlantic departures from Washington Dulles next month. I’ve written about the problem of late-evening departures to Europe before. Eastbound transatlantic flights from the East Coast are short enough already, with flights to Dublin or London often clocking in at less than six hours in […]
Breakfast In LAX Oneworld Lounge
For those who love a liquid breakfast, I can’t think of a better lounge than the oneworld lounge at LAX. Two words: coffee and juice. If you know me, you know I’m obsessed about that for breakfast. And while there are other lounges like the nearby Qantas First Class Lounge and United Polaris Lounge in […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Business Class Los Angeles To London
My flight from Los Angeles to London on United was a comfortable, consistent, and frankly boring. That’s a good thing on a flight you just want to sleep on. I reviewed this very flight two years ago and not much has changed. The menu looks a bit different and there’s a new amenity kit, but […]
Mystery Solved: Should You Tip In Premium Airline Lounges?
The question of whether to tip in airline lounges is a difficult question, especially in more premium ones like AA’s Flagship Dining Rooms or United’s Polaris Lounges. I personally hate tipping…I view it as a dirty stain on American culture. It has become such an entitlement that even a 15% tip for mediocre service is […]
The Rude Canadian In LAX Polaris Lounge
How would you handle a rude passenger in the confined space of an airline lounge? First, an explanation on the title. I try hard not to ever generalize in a negative way, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with positive generalizations when not done in a patronizing manner. And in this case, my […]
United Reports Healthy 2018 Earnings, Rosy Outlook For 2019
United reported healthy fourth quarter earnings and an optimistic outlook on 2019, sending shares soaring in after hours trading. Let’s do the numbers first. Feel free to skip over this portion if you want to find out what these numbers means. Fourth-quarter net income of $462 million, diluted earnings per share of $1.70, pre-tax earnings […]
Dining Menu At United Polaris LAX Lounge
The new United Airlines Polaris Lounge at LAX offers an a la carte menu in addition to an elaborate buffet. Here’s a look at the menu. First, note that all food and drink is complimentary in this lounge. Tipping is not expected. We’re talking about California of course, so I’m not sure it would be actually […]
Pictures: Beautiful New United Polaris Lounge At LAX
United Airlines has unveiled its beautiful new Polaris Lounge in Los Angeles. The pictures suggest it was worth the wait! Before we get to the pictures, here’s some key facts about the new lounge: More than 12,000 square feet 140 seats, with a variety of seating areas for productivity, privacy and dining 272 power outlets […]
United Announces Opening Date For LAX Polaris Lounge
United Airlines has just confirmed with me that the Polaris Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will officially open on Saturday, January 12th, 2019. We’ve been waiting for months (years really) for this lounge to open, but the end is now in sight. United’s official Polaris Lounge tracker has also now been updated. In […]
