United Airlines getting downright silly with their “Travel Options”

by Scott Carmichael on

Look, I understand that the airlines are in a pretty bad shape. But United Airlines is taking things a little too far.

The Chicago based airline started offering “a la carte” options to their flights last year. What started with basic upgrades to First/Business, has now morphed into a ridiculous array of nickel-and-diming.

Their newest tactic to squeeze that last bit of cash out of you is called “Premier Line”. This add-on starts at $25 (each way) and allows you to use the same check-in line, security line and boarding group that United offers its lower tier elite fliers.

This is insulting to two groups of people; those that actually flew the airline enough to earn status the hard way, and those that spent their money expecting some decent service from the airline. Sure; nobody is forcing you to add any of these options, but I can’t help feel that the airline should be paying more attention to increasing service for everyone, not just those willing to pay more for it.

I’m honestly not sure where this madness will end. Every time I fly United, I expect to see a coin operated door to enter the bathroom or the captain asking for donations to pay the fuel truck driver.

United Airlines Pilot Arrested at Heathrow on Suspicion of Being Drunk

by Josh Lew on

A 44-year-old United Airlines pilot was arrested at London Heathrow this morning on suspicion of being drunk. The man’s name has not yet been released. He was arrested under Britain’s transportation safety laws, which include a strict limit on the alcohol levels of pilots.

United made a statement about the arrest:

“United Airlines’ alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have absolutely no tolerance for abuse or violation of this well-established policy. Safety is our No. 1 priority and the pilot has been removed from service while we are co-operating with authorities and conducting a full investigation.”

The man was scheduled to act as first officer on a United flight from Heathrow to San Francisco. He was arrested as the plane sat at the gate in Terminal One. He was bailed out of Heathrow’s police station soon after his arrest but will have to return on January 16th of next year to face an inquiry.

Amercian Airlines considering an “à la carte” price plan

by Scott Carmichael on

Blah. That pretty much sums up my reaction to a plan by American Airlines to introduce an à la carte package of services on their flights. Dan Garton, the VP of marketing for AA recently discussed the idea during an interview with MSNBC.

What this means to us travelers is that the base price of the flight involves nothing more than the airline committing to getting you from A to B. Anything else, including checked luggage, food or even assigned seating, will be an extra fee.

This à la carte concept is like your cable company; $20 gets you the most basic package of channels, if you want anything decent, you’ll have to pay up.

The concept of unbundled services is not new, several major carriers already do this, and it has proven to be quite successful for them. United Airlines started removing free services several years ago, and currently makes $700 million a year in fees alone.
What started as the removal of basic things like headphones and warm food, has evolved into a major new source of revenue for airlines. When you book a ticket with United, you are presented with the option to pay for Economy Plus and even the option to pay for double miles. With just a little effort, United can add an additional $200 to your ticket price, especially if you are checking bags.

The big question is where the madness will end. We’ve already lost free blankets and pillows on some carriers, and others have started charging for all beverages.

And while I agree that airlines need to do what they can to stay in business, converting themselves into budget carriers is not always going to be the best way to go. This nickel-and-diming would not be so bad, if the airlines were charging for new amenities, but at the end of the day, it’s just the same stuff they have offered for years.

My advise, is to do what you can to make some kind of frequent flier status on the airline. Most of them have provisions in place that waive many fees for their “elite” members, including those on the lowest tier.

Next time you book a flight, consider trying to stay loyal to one airline, do some homework on the airline bonus programs, and try to generate enough miles to get that silver card.

Gadling TAKE FIVE: Week of September 6-12

by Jamie Rhein on

There were some rather unusual stories floating around this week–the kind of odd stories that makes one wonder. Consider these:

  • There is a naked hiker in Germany who is going to continue with his naked hiking.
  • There was a fist fight on a plane that caused it to divert.
  • You can buy a car for 10 million dollars and shave your head to make money from Air New Zealand.
  • American Airlines is facing a lawsuit for losing a dead woman’s body.
  • A man who trespassed on Amtrak property is suing Amtrak for a really, really, really stupid reason, and O’Hare is the best worst airport, according to Josh.
  • In Spain, Abha braved hail stones that looked like they beaned a bird on her patio, Matthew told us about Sumo wrestlers suffering from too much pot smoking, and Jeffrey wondered who can be sued for the false story about United Airlines bankruptcy. United Airlines is not bankrupt.
  • If you are looking for a travel deal, in case you missed this one, Grant told us about dirt cheap cruises to places like the Bahamas. It’s a little odd to be thinking about a cruise when Ike is barrelling down on the Gulf Coast, but Grant said, don’t let a hurricane stop you–unless you are going to Texas.

Okay, that’s more than five, but, like I said, this has been an unusual week. It was definitely a good one for the first episode of a new season of Bizarre Foods.

If you are in Texas, Haiti, Louisiana or anywhere else battling out much, much, much wind and water, here is hoping you are being taken care of and have found safety.

United Airlines – It’s time to make a really weird commercial (oh, and fly too)

by Scott Carmichael on

Sure, the quality and merits of a TV commercial are a really personal thing, and I’m sure some people reading my article will disagree with my opinion, but this new ad for United Airlines has to be one of the worst airline commercials I have ever seen. It’s Little Mermaid meets Yellow Submarine.

The message United is trying to deliver is that their new international premium cabins with flat sleeper seats are awesome, and that it is time to fly. The message they are actually delivering is that their planes fly really low, and that they apparently know of a top secret island ruled by crab people and tuba playing whales.

Also, am I the only one that is really really tired of Rhapsody in Blue? It’s one thing to take a great American masterpiece and use it for a couple of commercials, it’s another to play it till you want to punch yourself in the face. But like I said; it’s a personal thing, so don’t mind me.

And of course, when they say “flying will never be the same again”, they mean it has finally become a competitive product, and is now potentially on-par with other Transatlantic carriers like Virgin Atlantic and British Airways, who have been offering flat seats in Business Class and First Class for years.