united airlines

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United Is Paying A Guy To Hold Up A Sign At Hubs Thanking Passengers

by Gary Leff

united plane
Jul 29 2021

Back in the fall of 2003 United had a guy named Ted going around Denver picking up lunch tabs for entire restaurants. You see, Ted was their new low cost carrier ‘within the airline’ that United was launching. Ted was your friend. He was fun. That’s not how Ted turned out, in fact Ted – which shared the last 3 letters of United – was often described as being “the end of United.” And United retired Ted on January 6, 2009. Around the time that United was paying someone to pick up lunch, US Airways decided it needed to respond and so a guy named “Seth” picked up a few lunch tabs in Crystal City near the carrier’s Arlington, Virginia headquarters. Although by that time US Airways’ low cost carrier within a carrier MetroJet was…

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Business Travel Is Returning, And Elite Frequent Flyers Are In The Air Again

by Gary Leff

Jul 21 2021

Business travel seems to be coming back, with airlines generally reporting that it’s returned to about 40% of 2019 levels, heading towards 60% in the current quarter, with two primary drivers that will lead to its further return.

United Airlines reports that while frequent flyers still make up a reduced percentage of travelers overall – they are “7 to 8 points below normal” for even MileagePlus members on a given flight – three quarters of elite members have either flown or booked travel this year. They believe those elites who haven’t are primarily people who fly to international markets that have been closed. United also claims that 84% of MileagePlus members are vaccinated.

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United Express Flight Attendant Forces Passenger To Retrieve Poop-Filled Diaper From Trash

by Gary Leff

united
Jul 11 2021

A doctor and mother, Farah Naz Khan, took a United flight out of Wyoming late in the week that was operated by United’s regional express carrier Mesa.

She was flying first class, and went to the back bathroom to change her baby’s diaper. She used a “scented diaper disposal bag” and placed it into the lavatory trash.

When she returned to her seat, the first class flight attendant “berated [her] for throwing away a poop diaper on the plane” calling it a “biohazard.” He forced her to retrieve the poop-filled diaper. Then, she says, he started harassing her after the flight.

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United Airlines Just Re-Opened Several Clubs, Has A Schedule For Re-Opening More

by Gary Leff

Jul 02 2021

With a big aircraft order and a new commitment to seat back video screens, including retrofitting existing aircraft, United Airlines is trying to capture the mantle of a premium carrier that customers will choose to fly.

However they’ve been slow to re-open their club lounges. Fortunately the airline is feeling the pressure, has started to re-open more of its clubs outside of hubs, and has a plan to re-open more over the summer.

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United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby’s Nose Is Growing On Seat Back Televisions

by Gary Leff

back airplane tv
Jun 29 2021

United Airlines didn’t just announce a major aircraft order today, they pitched a plan to offer a more premium flight experience. A symbol of that plan is to offer seat back entertainment screens to all passengers, not just on new planes but retrofitting the existing fleet as well.

CEO Scott Kirby isn’t just arguing that these are important to passengers. He isn’t just saying that he’s had a change of heart, covering not just United’s opportunities going forward but at his previous airlines that haven’t made similar investments. He is throwing shade at other airlines, saying he’s always been a proponent of seat back entertainment but has been stymied. That’s not even close to true.

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United Airlines Commits To Huge Aircraft Order, Retrofitting Domestic Fleet With Premium Interiors

by Gary Leff

united plane
Jun 29 2021

United has placed an order for 270 narrowbody planes: 200 Boeing 737 MAXs (50 MAX 8s, 150 MAX 10s) and 70 Airbus A321neos. 200 regional jets will be replaced by mainline aircraft. And they’re retrofitting cabins on their existing narrowbody planes with more premium seats, seatback entertainment with bluetooth for headphones, seat power and larger overhead bins. The retrofit is promised to be 66% complete by 2023 and 99% complete by 2025.

Most of this had already leaked, and I reported that it was expected, but it’s still huge news that it’s happening. The airline clearly sees strong travel growth and a return of business travel to normal levels sooner than competitors.

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