It’s BYOD time on United Airlines flights soon: Any passenger with their own laptop or an Apple mobile device will be able to watch free inflight streaming TV and movies. Because in a Bring Your Own Device scenario, United doesn’t have to bother with those seatback or overhead screens. [More]
united airlines
Why You Should Ask For A Refund If The Wi-Fi Doesn’t Work On Your Next United Flight
By 3.12.14
You’re sitting pretty, surfing away on the World Wide Web at 35,000 feet when the wireless Internet on your United flight stops working. And a few minutes later, it’s still not working. But even if the service for the entire plane is out for a while, United crew members won’t make a plane-wide announcement about it, so you’re on your own to ask for a refund. [More]
United Airlines Will Now Send You Back To Check Your Oversized Carry-On At The Ticket Counter
By 3.4.14
We all see you trying to shove that ginormous rolling suitcase you call a “carry-on” into the overhead bin, and apparently United Airlines has noticed, too. The airline says that while it’s not changing its carry-on size policy, it’s issuing a gentle reminder that oversized bags will cost you extra, by way of a trip back to the ticket counter to check that sucker for $25. [More]
United’s Reservation System Wreaking Havoc At Airports Today
By 2.18.14
In a scene reminiscent of two embarrassing 2012 incidents, United Airlines is doing a lot of apologizing today after a problem with its reservation system has resulted in long lines at airports around the country. [More]
Severe Turbulence Injures Five People On United Flight
By 2.18.14
Most of the time, turbulence is just an uncomfortable, if not almost inevitable part of flying. But then there are the times when turbulence is downright terrifying and a real danger. Three flight attendants and five passengers on a United Airlines flight yesterday from Denver to Billings, Mont. were injured when the plane hit turbulence so severe, people were tossed from their seats. [More]
United Airlines Realizes It’s 2014, Ditches Styrofoam Coffee Cups
By 2.5.14
First of all yes, dear readers, Styrofoam is a trademarked name for insulation and what we really mean when we use the lowercase word is “extruded polystyrene.” Moving on: Joining the rest of the 21st century in an aim to “go green,” United Airlines says it will stop using styrofoam coffee cups in its lounges and on flights. [More]
United Airlines Cuts Cleveland As A Hub After Losing Millions There In Recent Years
By 2.3.14
Cleveland is likely reeling today with the news that United Airlines is ditching the city as a hub, cutting about 60% its departing flights from the city starting in April. The downsizing is a result of United losing tens of millions of dollars in the city in recent years, executives said in a letter to employees today. [More]
Hotwire Forgets To Tell Passenger Her Flight Was Changed Three Months Earlier
By 1.21.14
When you book an airline ticket through a service like Hotwire, you’d expect that either the airline or the booking site will notify you when something important — like a flight being changed or cancelled — happens, especially when that change is made months before takeoff. But a couple in Virginia had their travel plans twisted around when Hotwire failed to let them know that their flight no longer exists. [More]
Former Senate Majority Leader Takes His United Airlines Hatred Public
By 1.17.14
Here’s a reminder that the airlines hate us all, no matter how wealthy you are or what positions of power you may have held. [More]
United Airlines Now Only Accepting Unaccompanied Minors On Non-Stop Flights
By 12.19.13
If you are planning on sending your kid on a solo trip to visit her grandparents in the new year, the L.A. Times reports that as of Dec. 5 the nation’s largest airline (for the moment) no longer accepts unaccompanied minors on flights that involve connections. So if that trek to and from GrandpaLand isn’t a nonstop flight, you’ll need to look for another airline for your whippersnapper. [via L.A. Times] [More]
Amazon, Best Buy, United Airlines Make Consumer Reports’ Naughty List
By 11.26.13
While the bearded guy at the North Pole is making his list and checking it twice before he heads out to deliver toys and/or coal on Dec. 24/25, our pals at Consumer Reports have already decided who they think deserves a shiny black hunk of anthracite in their stockings. [More]
United Leaves Dog Bleeding & Sick, Won’t Pay Vet Bill Unless Passenger Agrees To Hush Up
By 11.22.13
So the airline mistreats your beloved pet and you end up with thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses to keep the dog alive. Eventually the airline agrees to cover those vet bills, but only if you agree to not say anything publicly about what happened. What do you do? [More]
United Strands My Wife All Day In Newark, Shrugs
By 11.15.13
Look, it’s not United Airlines’ problem. Yes, they canceled the second leg of Neil’s wife’s flight, the part that was to bring her from Newark to Rochester, N.Y. They put her on a plane from Newark to Rochester. I mean, yeah, the plane didn’t take off until 10 P.M. and arrived too late for her to get a rental car or for anyone she knew to pick her up. Isn’t flying her to Newark enough? [More]
Impact Of US Airways/American Airlines Merger Will Depend On Who Gets Leftovers From Wedding
By 11.14.13
The path for US Airways and American Airlines to merge their businesses has been cleared and several smaller airlines like JetBlue and Spirit will benefit from the sale of the merged carriers’ excess takeoff and landing slots at airports around the country. But will that be enough to balance out the fact that we are now down to a handful of major national airlines? [More]
Expedia, United Blame Each Other For $200 Change Fee For Passenger Stuck In LAX During Shootout
By 11.8.13
The recent tragic shootings at Los Angeles International put parts of one of the world’s largest airports on lockdown for several hours, resulting in rescheduled and canceled flights for many travelers. Given the extenuating and unique circumstances, one would think that airlines and hotels would have some level of understanding and not hit people with huge fees, and yet… [More]
Southwest Is Only Major Airline Still Barring Gate-To-Gate Use Of Electronic Devices
By 11.7.13
When the FAA announced last week that it would finally give airlines the authority to allow passengers the use of certain portable electronic devices during takeoff and landing, it said it could take several months for airlines to go through the process of vetting their planes to demonstrate the jets can safely handle radio interference. But in the short time since, every major airline except Southwest now has flights with gate-to-gate use of PEDs. [More]
Sony Sues United Airlines For Polluting The In-Flight Air With Copyrighted Music
By 10.24.13
Have you been on a United Airlines flight and soothed your nerves by listening to a Britney Spears or Michael Jackson provided by the plane’s in-flight system? According to a new lawsuit from Sony Music, that music was being played without permission. [More]
United Quietly Cuts Free Checked Bags For Elite Star Alliance Fliers
By 10.23.13
Once upon a time, travelers with frequent flyer status outside of the the airline’s own Mileage Plus program had wonderful bag-checking privileges on United Air Lines. Star Alliance Gold members could check up to three seventy-pound bags for free, and silver members could check one. Now, Gold members can check only one fifty pound bag, and silver members can’t check anything without paying. [More]
