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 […]
A Pilot’s Review Of Lufthansa First Class
121pilot, a commercial airline pilot in the United States who has offered his insights and analysis on a number of topics on Live and Let’s Fly recently traveled with his brother and father on a very special trip to Scotland. He asked me if I would be interested in a trip report and I quickly […]
Review: United Airlines 767-400ER Business Class
My recent flight from Barcelona to Washington Dulles onboard a 767-400 was business as usual on United Airlines. I write about United Airlines often, but I’ve never flown the 767-400ER in the forward cabin before, so figured I’d offer a brief review of my flight. I arrived at the gate as boarding was set to […]
First Impressions Of United 787-10 Dreamliner Polaris Class
I recently had the chance to finally fly United’s 787-10 Dreamliner. Here’s my initial thoughts about this brand new aircraft. I was flying from Newark to Los Angeles and after a long economy class flight (due to strong headwinds) from Milan to Newark, I was quite happy to step onboard this flight. Business class on […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Polaris Dining: The Sad New State Of Affairs
Just how important is meal presentation in offering a premium business class product? United Airlines is betting that it simply doesn’t matter. At least that’s the only explanation I can come up with for its choice to begin pre-plating entrees so that it can cut one flight attendant position from many international flights. I’ve written […]
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 […]
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 Stays Consistent: 787-9 LAX-LHR (Mini-Review)
On Thursday evening I flew from Los Angeles to London on United in business class. The experience was virtually unchanged from similar flights last year and the year before. Consistency is a good thing when done right. United has got the basics of business class down very well and I’m happy to report a smooth […]
My First Impressions Of LAX United Polaris Lounge
Last night I flew United in Polaris Business Class from Los Angeles to London and finally had the chance to check out the recently-opened Polaris lounge at LAX. In fact, I made a day out of it… The new premium lounge occupies the real estate of the former International First Class Lounge (which later became […]
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 […]
Review: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – London (LHR)
I may have just found my new favorite business class lounge. The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is a superb business class lounge and even with high expectations I walked away impressed. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 right above the AA Admiral’s Club. If you are arriving at Heathrow via car and flying Upper Class, […]
Use Miles For A Sneak Peek At LAX Polaris Lounge
United’s fifth Polaris Lounge opens at Los Angeles International Airport on January 12, 2019. But through a special sale to MileagePlus members, you can enter the day before. As with past lounges, United is offering a special preview to United MileagePlus members the day before the official opening. On January 11th you can visit in […]
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 […]
