In other airline, hotel and travel industry news this week… United Airlines has signed with Next IT to create a virtual assistant on United.com, similar to Continental’s “Ask Alex.” “Next IT will provide a natural, or every-day, language solution to create an exceptional customer experience for travelers using the website.” If you’re unfamiliar with “Ask…
Monthly Archives
Monthly Archives for November 2011.
My chat with United Airlines’ Onboard Product team on Twitter this week
United Airlines hosted another “Plane Chat†series this week on Twitter where they bring in a few people from one of their work groups to answer questions related to that department’s function. Previous chats were with reservations agents, pilots and the aircraft scheduling department. This week, the Onboard Product team was featured and I was…
R.I.P. United Airlines Mileage Plus numbers, OnePass numbers prevail
I’m saddened by the confirmation today that United Airlines will use OnePass numbers, but understand since Continental’s reservations system, SHARES, is winning out in the merger. I’ve had my 001## ### ### number emblazoned in my brain since 1988. It will live on, though, on my very sturdy bag tags United used to mail out…
Preferred airline seats a hoax? Debunking a mainstream media article
The great thing about BoardingArea bloggers, if I can toot our respective horns, is that we’re true road warriors with intricate knowledge of the airline, hotel and travel industry. We post our hearts out with often highly specific details about our travel experiences all in the desire to impart wisdom to other travelers. Then there’s…
United Airlines offering double redeemable miles to Tokyo through 1/31/12
United Airlines and Continental are offering double redeemable miles for flights to Tokyo’s Narita Airport between (now) November 7, 2011 and January 31, 2012. The offer is limited to residents of the U.S. and Japan and is valid for itineraries including the UA or CO nonstops to Narita from Newark, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco…
Vintage Airline Seat Map: Cathay Pacific Boeing 747-300 (1989)
The colorful Cathay Pacific seat maps reader Will sent me have become favorites in my collection. Here’s Cathay’s Boeing 747-300 from 1989 for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. It seated a total of 422 passengers split between First Class, Marco Polo Business Class and Economy Class. 29 seats were found in the nose…
Scavenger hunt bonus miles from American Airlines are now available
Back in September, American Airlines launched a Facebook contest whereby you went on a “scavenger hunt†by viewing the carrier’s new commercials and answering a few questions. Top prizes included 200,000 AAdvantage miles and one-year of free WiFi access. Just by watching and answering the questions they promised a token 100 miles per commercial and…
Sea-Tac Airport embarking on $100 million overhaul: Greater need for “Airport of the Future”
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about to begin a major realignment that will purportedly cost the airport and airlines upwards of $100 million during the next two-years. It will basically uproot and relocate every carrier’s current terminal lobby locations and gate areas. The dynamic nature of the airline industry, with new entrants, consolidations and defunct carriers,…
Amenity Kit Review: American Airlines Premium First & Business Class (Fall 2011)
American Airlines recently upgraded their onboard amenities for international Business and First Class passengers. In addition to updated blankets and duvets, First Class customers also now receive a quilted bed topper, slippers and pajamas. Both Business and First passengers receive the same amenity kit – newly redesigned featuring the legendary Eames Dot Pattern – which…
Amazing video of a Cathay Pacific A330 hovering over land
Here’s an absolutely spectacular video showing a Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 performing its “slow flight” capabilities. Part of any pilot’s flight training requires mastery of this maneuver – the point at which an aircraft remains ever so slightly above stall speed and is still able to fly. It’s normally done at very high altitudes to…