Comments on: Lots of UA changes (none of which are good)…. the marathon to the bottom has begun

By: Gregg Marshall

Gregg Marshall — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:11:28 +0000

As I 1K, Million Mile flyer on United, I have to say I’m concerned for them. On the shuttle to the airport (for my fourth delayed flight in a row, all in the 3 hour delay range), a group of us were talking and the low cost carriers like Alaska and Jet Blue were getting the good reviews. The legacy carriers were all “stay away from them.”

By: lucky

lucky — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:22:55 +0000

Heh, sounds like it has the potential to be a great reality show.

By: Aerojunkie

Aerojunkie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:01:38 +0000

The irony of it all: it’s seems UA will “fee” itself to death. Is the UA behemoth beginning its death throes? If somehow Tilton and his cronie are overthrown, will there be enough time or $$ left for new management to save the airline. Stayed tuned, folks!

By: The Flying Critic

The Flying Critic — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:08:42 +0000

Ted’s Revenge (or how United is making a HUGE mistake)…

An upcoming major announcement by United leaked yesterday. It comes from a flight attendant newsletter and details some major changes to United’s on-board meal services. You might think of it as the return of Ted. Or at least Ted’s Revenge. No more h…

By: lucky

lucky — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:23:23 +0000

Geoff, that’s a good question. I would have thought the same problem would have come up when UA started charging for booze, since the Germany booking a “full service” airline like Lufthansa sure expect free booze, regardless of whether or not it’s an LH codeshare.

I don’t think LH will be happy about this at all, so it wouldn’t surprise me if we see LH get a lot more involved with CO once they join Star and a lot less involved with UA, although I’m not entirely convinced that the change will stick with UA….

As for booze on TPAC flights, I’ve been hearing stuff…. I would expect it gone soon as well.

By: UA enters death spiral? » Geoff Arnold

UA enters death spiral? » Geoff Arnold — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:55:34 +0000

[...] If you have miles accumulated in United’s Mileage Plus program, now’s the time to use them up – preferably on Star Alliance partner flights. Because you won’t want to be flying United from now on…. [...]

By: Geoff Arnold

Geoff Arnold — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:46:21 +0000

Oops “meal” service, not “mean” service. (Though perhaps that would be a good name for United’s offering.)

By: Geoff Arnold

Geoff Arnold — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:42:36 +0000

I’m curious what this will do to code shares and Star Alliance relationships. For example, Lufthansa is still offering full (multiple) mean service with free booze on its flights to the US. Will they really be happy with having the Lufthansa brand associated with travel at United’s sub-minimum service level?

The only United long-haul that I will still fly is trans-Pacific, because it would be suicidal for them to try these kinds of cutbacks in those markets. Wouldn’t it? Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider.

By: tommy777

tommy777 — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:25:52 +0000

When you think that UA has hit rock bottom, they still top themselves with this.

With all due respect, oil prices are falling and UA has increased prices for flights substantially, so that ol’ fuel prices excuse is starting to get old now.

By: Benny

Benny — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:04:10 +0000

Lucky- I thought UA would never do this. Now they are starting to be like US. UA has been a leader of USA airlines for so long and it will be sad to see them take such a fall. I have always flown them and will continue to but I would have to agree that if you are going to introduce a product (PS) and call it premium, keep it that way. I do not see any difference now between PS and IAD-LAX on the 777. I will never pay $9 for BOB and will never buy food on an TATL flight when it should be free.I would not go out of my way to fly PS. Now once i hit 1K insted of going for the extra SWUs. When I need to get to the west coast I will fly Virgin America.

What needs to be done to get rid of Tilton?? I agree UA needs a change of Management. Good thing I can fly CO next year and make eilite status.

UA has gone rock bottom.