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 […]
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 Even though the seat is “woefully” outdated, I still consider it the most comfortable business class seat in the United fleet.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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Menu Descriptions On United Are Now More Detailed (And Why It Matters)
Earlier this week I flew to London on United Airlines in Polaris (business) class. I noticed a small but meaningful change in the dining menu. Each course now has a more detailed description. I appreciate knowing, for example, what kind of bread will be offered, what kind of cheese is on the plate, and what […]
The Wrong Way To Start A Flight
First impressions matter greatly in any context, including on a flight. My flight to London on United this week had a very disappointing start. I’ve resolved in 2019 to resist being offended. Thus, I’m not (or at least trying not to) directly complain. But I do want to point out what a missed opportunity poor service […]
Simple Words Will Make Or Break United’s New Express Meal Service
It’s not about the product, it’s about how you sell it. That’s my admonition to United Airlines today. Last week I wrote about United’s decision to trial mandatory “express” meal service on late-night flights to Europe from Washington Dulles. Rather than give customers the choice, United will force everyone, if they care to eat, to accept […]
What Meal Service Looks Like In United Premium Plus (Premium Economy)
On March 30, 2019 United Airlines will officially roll out Premium Plus service on 17 longhaul routes, with more to follow as aircraft are retrofitted or new 787-10s are delivered. United’s new premium economy product will greatly resemble domestic first class. United Premium Plus Routes United will initially offer Premium Plus on the following routes: […]
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 […]
Sharing a Business Class Seat
Some passengers book one business class seat or use an upgrade and trade use of the seat, splitting time between coach and business class. Is this right? Fair? Is it wrong? 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. […]
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 […]
United Dramatically Enlarges Business Class Cabin On 767-300
United Airlines will take delivery of its first “premium heavy” 767-300ER later this month, featuring a dramatic increase in business class seats. Last year I wrote a piece entitled Will United Remove Seats From Business Class? after United’s Executive Vice President Andrew Nocella said: We continue to look at the number of premium class seats we have onboard […]
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 […]
My Top 10 Lounges In 2018
As 2018 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 2018. 10. Marco Polo Club – Venice (VCE) I appreciated that this Priority Pass lounge had very good lasagna and coffee…after driving all day it surely hit […]
I Truly Just Made The Most Embarrassing Travel Mistake Of My Life…
I stand before you today, deeply humbled. Let me set the scene and you’ll quickly understand why… Friday evening had been planned for many weeks. It was the night my wife Heidi, son Augustine, and I were traveling to London. Heidi’s sister lives in London and we were going to spend the weekend with her […]
