united airlines

Tag Archives for united airlines.

Breakdown: Woman Can’t Face the Idea of Four Hours in a United Coach Middle Seat

by Gary Leff

people on plane
Jan 27 2019

Every single day an inner battle boils in the skies, just below the service, threatening to bubble over.

A passenger videotaped a woman melting down after boarding her United flight. She said she had four hours ahead of her in a middle seat. She declares “I can’t do this.” She complains also about the size of the two passengers on either side of her. She says she’s small in comparison (she isn’t), “I eat salad.”

But that’s not what makes this story absolutely perfect. There’s an Easter egg in the video.

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What’s Worse Than Flying United to Hong Kong? Sitting on United Over 16 Hours and Going Nowhere

by Gary Leff

airplane cabin
Jan 20 2019

United’s Newark – Hong Kong flight diverted to Goose Bay on Saturday for a medical emergency and that’s when things went bad.

The plane went mechanical and passengers had to stay on the aircraft overnight because there were no customs agents available. They were running out of food, and the cabin started getting cold. It was basically the plot of the 1993 film Alive.

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United Temporarily Unable to Book Award Space on 3 Star Alliance Airlines

by Gary Leff

thai airlines
Jan 19 2019

Several blogs have reported that United Airlines is currently unable to book award space on Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. In fact it goes beyond that to include TAP Air Portugal as well.

They are able to book the space sometimes — but when space gets cancelled out by a partner they’ve got a real problem on their hands. It makes sense to stop making these bookings until they can get the problem fixed, recognizing this is a huge inconvenience to members (especially those trying to change close-in travel plans).

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United’s Plan to Put New Business Class Seats in 787s Which Fly Their Longest Routes

by Gary Leff

airline seat with teddy bear
Jan 16 2019

United made a splash introducing its new business class product two and a half years ago.

Boeing 787-9s though operate United’s longest haul flights, so it’s appalling they have the airline’s old business class product — the same old seats running San Franciso – Newark fly San Francisco – Singapore. They were delivered with old seats, and to date United had not even announced a plan to ever put new seats in them.

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Inside United’s Secretive ‘Global Services’ Status — and the Level Even Beyond That

by Gary Leff

Jan 13 2019

United, like many airlines, has long had special programs for high revenue customers. Their primary offering is Global Services. It was a relaunch of the airline’s old VIP program.

The status is invitation only, except that United 4 million milers are granted lifetime Global Services status. In general flying over 100,000 miles and spending at least 30 cents per mile on United tickets is required. The benefits you receive as a Global Services member are impressive.

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Leaked United Airlines Confidential Corporate Sales Stats (Someone’s in Deep Trouble)

by Gary Leff

airline cabin
Jan 13 2019

Apple is by far United’s biggest corporate account. They spend $150 million with the airline. Focusing on California-specific accounts the biggest are Facebook, Roche, and Google which spend ‘over $34 million’ and then Deloitte, McKinsey, PwC, Cisco, Oracle and Applied Materials in the $12 million to $17 million range.

Apple’s spending on San Francisco – Shanghai though is shocking, even accounting for all of the manufacturing done in China — one quarter of total company spend, 50 business class seats a day. That’s presumably 25 business seats in each direction.

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