Nov 4th, 2009 at 6:00PM: The United Airlines bad news machine has been working overtime lately - first they were mocked in the "United breaks guitars" video clip, then they screwed up with that same passenger when they lost his luggage.
Today's bad news comes from Dulles airport, where a bald man in a track suit was called to the podium to have his first class upgrade revoked. The reason? He was dressed too casually.
...Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
UnitedAirlines posts
Corporate executive not welcome in the United Airlines first class cabin
Nov 4th, 2009 at 6:00PM: The United Airlines bad news machine has been working overtime lately - first they were mocked in the "United breaks guitars" video clip, then they screwed up with that same passenger when they lost his luggage.
Today's bad news comes from Dulles airport, where a bald man in a track suit was called to the podium to have his first class upgrade revoked. The reason? He was dressed too casually.
...Denver to Singapore (and back) visualized in a five minute time lapse video
Two years in jail for pointing a laser at a plane
Nov 3rd, 2009 at 3:30PM: The "sport" of pointing a laser pointer at a plane is not new - many people have been arrested for the stupid stunt.
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/odd_stuff/Man_Gets_Two_Years_in_Jail_for_Pointing_a_Laser_at_a_Plane'; Last week was a first though - someone caught pointing their laser at two planes was arrested, and sentenced to two and a half years in jail.
His first target was a United ...United just can't win with Canadian singer
Oct 30th, 2009 at 10:00AM: Canadian singer-songwriter Dave Carroll flew United again, and it just didn't work out. Carroll made the headlines when he released a YouTube video explaining his experience with United, which broke his guitar when he changed planes at Chicago's O'Hare airport.
In his first song, Carroll said he wouldn't rule out flying United again, specifically, "To save the world, I probably would ... but that ...Taking a look at new in-flight food with a United Airlines executive chef
Oct 20th, 2009 at 12:00PM:
To many people, airline food has long been nothing more than the age old question of chicken of beef. In recent years, most airlines made some pretty big changes to their food offering. United Airlines was kind enough to invite Gadling to their world headquarters, for a sneak peek behind the scenes of their newest food and beverage lineup.
The highlight of the visit was an executive chef ...United to receive heavy fine for towel stuffed in engine
Oct 19th, 2009 at 10:30AM: US Airways and United Airlines both stand to receive multi-million dollar fines from the FAA for maintenance violations.
US Airways' violations include failing to inspect cargo doors and landing gear on a few plans and for failing to perform routine checks on dozen of others. US Airways responded quickly to the news, saying that the violations stem from the integration of their maintenance ...United to try checked luggage buffet
Oct 6th, 2009 at 4:00PM: Do you always travel with two bags to check? Some people don't travel light, and they know that, in this new world of airline fees, they're going to have to stomach an extra charge as a result. Under a new United Airlines plan, you'll be able to "subscribe" to extra bag privileges. Instead of paying $20 for the first bag checked and $30 for the next one, you can shell out $249, buffet-style, and ...Passenger's bathroom dash causes panic on United flight
Sep 29th, 2009 at 9:30AM: You know when you've just downed your water bottle before reaching airport security? And you didn't have time to use the airport bathroom? And then the plane is delayed on the tarmac?
Yeah, even then...don't use the airplane toilet before takeoff.
One passenger learned the hard way yesterday. United Flight 22 had already left the gate at Los Angeles International Airport, but hadn't taken ...People like to fly during the holidays - and the airlines want to exploit that
Sep 27th, 2009 at 10:30AM: The airfare specialists over at Farecompare.com came across something rather unsettling a couple of days ago. When looking at the fares airlines loaded into the various booking systems, they noticed that American Airlines started adding a $10 fee applied to all flights on the Sunday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 29) and Jan. 2 and 3. Shortly after that, United Airlines pulled the same stunt, followed ...Flying for the rest of the year - fewer seats, higher fares
Sep 13th, 2009 at 2:00PM: As the financial brainiacs of the world slowly start to see some gradual improvement in the global economy, the worlds airlines are pushing through some far reaching changes to their Q4 2009 schedules.
Because the recession hit the airlines so suddenly, none of them were able to make any major cuts to their schedules (these schedules are set in stone in advance).
Overcapacity has meant that ...United Airlines follows the competition - also offering double elite miles
Sep 6th, 2009 at 1:00PM: Several days ago, Grant wrote about a new promotion from American Airlines, offering double elite qualifying miles. It was only a matter of time till the next airline followed - and United Airlines did just that. Between September 3rd and December 15th (which just happens to match the American Airlines dates), you'll earn miles twice as fast on United Airlines. These miles are not redeemable ...United rolls out Travel Options promo with giveaways at three US airports
Sep 3rd, 2009 at 4:00PM: Travelers at the Denver, Washington Dulles and San Francisco Airports got a special surprise today. United Airlines opened its Travel Options by United Spin the Wheel booths at the three hubs, offering flyers the chance to win some pretty cool prizes.
Those who spin the wheel receive freebies for use on future flights, like an upgrade to Economy Plus, Premier Line access at the security ...JetBlue, United jump on Twitter for cheap tix
Aug 4th, 2009 at 3:00PM:
JetBlue and United Airlines are pushing the first taste of cheap fares out on Twitter. They hope to use what USA Today calls the "uber-trendy form of messaging" to push seats on flights that may have vacant seats prior to wheels-up. After deals appear, they don't always stick around long. JetBlue's first "Cheep" (a variation on "tweet") offered a $9 one-way fare from JFK to Nantucket. The model ...The Internet - an airline's best friend, and their biggest enemy
Jul 29th, 2009 at 10:00AM: Not much has had a bigger impact on what happens behind the scenes at airlines than the Internet. Just 15 years ago, a flight involved a trip to a travel agent, a call to the airline or one of their now extinct City Ticketing Offices (CTO). In this article, I'll take a brief look at how the Internet has helped, and harmed the airlines. The Internet as their best friend forever Remotely ...Good move by United Airlines - last minute award redemption fees to be eliminated
Jul 27th, 2009 at 3:30PM: Effective July 30th, United Airlines is removing the fee for Mileage Plus customers trying to book last minute award travel. Several years ago, United Airlines added 2 "last minute booking fees" to award trips; within 21 days, the fee was $75, and 7 days or less would cost $100. Of course, when the fees were introduced, customers were furious, as last minute trips had long been one of the most ...United Airlines pilot kicks flight attendant off flight
Jul 17th, 2009 at 2:00PM: A non-stop United Airlines flight bound for Chicago from Sao Paulo diverted to Miami early Tuesday morning after the captain reportedly argued with a crew member who was not "respecting his authority". (I think there's a Cartman/South Park joke in there somewhere.)
Rather than continue the argument in the air, (which might have prompted the threat, "If you don't behave, I will turn this plane ...United reduces cost of mileage tickets
Jul 16th, 2009 at 3:00PM: Amidst all of the increased fees and reduced services plaguing the airlines these days, it's refreshing to actually see a change that goes the customers' way. Albeit temporarily, United just reduced the number of frequent flyer miles necessary to book a free ticket on the airline. Reductions range from 20. Domestic travel, for example, has been reduced from 25K miles to 20K miles, while a ticket ...United Airlines computer problem delays O'Hare flights
Jul 2nd, 2009 at 11:05AM: United Airlines is currently experiencing some major delays and cancellations at Chicago O'Hare. The computer systems responsible for checking you in, are down and passengers have to be manually processed the old fashioned way. Most delays are between 2 to 3 hours, but many flights are also being canceled because of the glitch. United has issued a travel waiver for tickets issued for travel ...New fees aren't new, but airlines keep trying
Jun 23rd, 2009 at 12:00PM: Cheaper fares are being offset by an array of extra fees, as airlines try to bring in some extra revenue in order to keep planes in the sky. And, to a certain extent, it's working. United Airlines forecasts $1 billion in revenue from these fees this year – accounting for more than 5 percent of its revenue. But, as they try to find new ways to dig into your wallet, fewer and fewer new ideas ...
