united airlines

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United And American Swap Regional Carriers, Mesa No Longer Able to Maintain American Airlines Flying

by Gary Leff on December 18, 2022

Dec 18 2022

United dropped Air Wisconsin and gained more Mesa. Neither is a great experience, but the trade seems to align with United’s network strategy and American’s cost strategy. The Mesa bankruptcy stalking horse that had been much-discussed likely played a role in the ability for Mesa and American to terminate, since if they didn’t Mesa wouldn’t be able to continue ‘losing $5 million per month’ and therefore American’s ability to insist on either specific performance or penalties wasn’t sustainable indefinitely.

United Places Massive Order Not Just For Boeing 787s, Adds 737 MAXs Too

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2022

Dec 13 2022

United Airlines and Boeing are planning a big announcement today at the airframe manufacturer’s facility in South Carolina. They’ve been expected to announce a huge order for Boeing 787s, which should be line-fit with a new Polaris business class suites with doors.

Ahead of the announcement details of the order have already been released. The Boeing 787 details are correct but they’re ordering MAX aircraft, too.

Act Fast: Wide Open Business Class Saver Award Space To Europe On United This Summer

by Gary Leff on December 11, 2022

Dec 11 2022

On Saturday I wrote about wide open United Airlines award space nearly every day from Los Angeles to London in business class for four or more passengers this spring and summer.

Business class awards to Europe during peak season have been tough. It’s especially hard from the West Coast. And harder still when you’re looking for more than two seats. So this was huge. But it gets even better. There’s amazing United Airlines saver award space on numerous routes to Europe.

Award Deal: West Coast – Europe Business Class For 4+ Passengers From 88,000 Miles Roundtrip

by Gary Leff on December 10, 2022

Dec 10 2022

Business class awards to Europe during peak season have been tough. It’s especially hard from the West Coast. And harder still when you’re looking for more than two seats. Fortunately right now United has 4 or more business class saver awards available flying Los Angeles – London Heathrow nearly every day this spring and summer.

United Will Announce A Boeing 787 Order On Tuesday. They’ll Come With A New Business Class Suite.

by Gary Leff on December 9, 2022

Dec 09 2022

United is holding an event on Tuesday with Boeing at the aircraft manufacturer’s facility in South Carolina. They are expected to announce a major order for Boeing 787 long haul aircraft.

These new planes will come with the same economy and premium economy seats United currently uses on their Boeing 787-10 aircraft, however business class with be a new seat – ‘next generation Polaris’ – which offers suites with doors.

United Airlines Pilots Literally Turn Their Back On Scott Kirby When He Showed Up To Speak With Them

by Gary Leff on December 8, 2022

Dec 08 2022

It wasn’t surprising to see Kirby personally go down to meet picketing pilots during the airline’s board meeting in Houston. And it was a terrible look to see those pilots turn their backs on the CEO. And then for the union to brag about it!

Pollster Frank Luntz Publicly Begs United Airlines For An Upgrade

by Gary Leff on December 7, 2022

Dec 07 2022

Pollster Frank Luntz took to twitter to “shamelessly” beg for an upgrade on United flight 950 from Washington Dulles to Brussels, enroute to a Brussels Airlines connecting flight to Kigali, Rwanda.

Given the timing of his tweet, and that premium cabins show as full after clearing upgrades, it looks like his chances were slim.

Return Of Business Travel Has Plateaued, May Never Return To Pre-Pandemic Levels

by Gary Leff on December 6, 2022

Dec 06 2022

On CNBC this morning United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said he likes that pilot wages are going up, which is really saying he likes pilot shortages, because of what that does to competitors. Low cost carriers can’t hire pilots cheap, eroding their relative cost advantage against United.

He also revealed something interesting about business travel: it’s not continuing its recovery, and specifically that it has “plateaued”.

ALERT: 9+ United Business Class Saver Awards To Asia, Nearly Every Day Starting Late March

by Gary Leff on December 4, 2022

Dec 04 2022

With United Airlines set to resume San Francisco – Hong Kong flights in March, business class saver award availability is wide open. You can book use the space to connect onward in Asia on airlines like Singapore and Thai.

As of this writing at least two business class award seats are available for every day except one March 24, 2023 – October 28, 2023. On most dates there are at least 9 saver awards in business class on the route.

Today Only: United Will Match Miles You Donate To Your Preferred Charity 1:1

by Gary Leff on November 29, 2022

Nov 29 2022

Choose the charity you support, based on groups actually seeking miles (that get deposited into an account for them to redeem real award tickets against), this isn’t a ‘corporate charity program’ it’s something much better than what other loyalty programs offer – the ability for real charities to raise miles from members rather than through a corporate partnership with the airline meant to burnish the airline’s image. Kudos to United for doing this.