Tag Archives for united airlines.
Three years ago United Airlines launched ‘agent on demand’ where customers would reach local agents, rather than a call center, when contacting customer service via their mobile device – scan a QR code at a hub, and chat by voice or video to deal with rebooking and other issues. This is a great feature, especially for the average passenger. It helps get real help faster, and utilizes agents efficiently.
It isn’t great for everyone, though.
United Airlines has over 700 new aircraft on order, even excluding 45 Airbus A350s that until recent Boeing production issues were expected never to materialize. If demand develops to support that sort of growth (though many aircraft on order will allow the airline to replace existing planes) they are going to need more places to send them. And one gap is certainly the Southeastern United States.
United Airlines’ Super Bowl ad with Kyle Chandler promotes “No Change Fees,” but is misleading about basic economy and how long you can use your travel credits when you cancel a trip. However the broader industry shift to dropping change fees on most fares has meant ticket changes that would have cost customers $10 billion to make.
United is the only airline that restricts full-sized carry on bags on basic economy fares. American and Delta offer better value that United on their cheapest tickets. And of course Southwest Airlines doesn’t have basic economy, and includes two checked bags at no extra charge on all tickets.
United flight 35 from San Francisco to Osaka returned to San Francisco on Friday after dumping fuel. The aircraft was unable to make two way voice communication with air traffic control or with the airline’s dispatch.
The pilots of the aircraft communicated via text only.
United Airlines’ CEO pressured for a leadership change at Boeing amidst concerns over the Boeing 737 MAX 10, and the airline has said that they’ve removed their massive order for the planes from their fleet plans. Airbus is attempting to capture the order by offering to buy back delivery slots from current customers.
United Airlines is cracking down on flight attendants glued to their phones, ignoring customers, and they’re threatening to fire anyone ignoring their duties in this way.
The FAA halted expanded production of new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft today, but also will be ungrounding the 737 MAX 9.
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) is going after United Airlines online after a United agent refused to allow Congressman Crenshaw’s wife and her mother travel with their dog. The agent reportedly grabbed at the dog, even after his wife agreed to simply fly Southwest instead. Crenshaw says that the agent wanted to photograph the dog as part of getting them banned from the airline. His wife is taking their child away from the incident and the agent grabs at the dog.
The internet is gong crazy to discover United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby in drag, trying to link it to his efforts at pilot recruitment from diverse communities.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
