United to Bring Back SFO-Anchorage Flights

United Airlines resumes seasonal service between San Francisco (SFO) and Anchorage (ANC) airport this summer. The once-daily flight departs SFO at 3:50PM, arriving ANC at 7:32PM. The return flight departs ANC at 2:15PM, arriving back in the city at 8:01PM. Flights will operate between June 9 and August 30, 2010, utilizing a Boeing 757 aircraft.

Save 20% on United Frequent Flyer Award Redemptions

Monday is the final day to redeem miles at a 20% discount.

For the second time this year, United Airlines is offering customers a 20% discount off award certain award redemptions. This time around, United flights wholly within the continental U.S and between the U.S and Canada are eligible for the discount. For example, a flight between San Francisco and Boston which normally runs 25,000 miles, is available for 20,000 miles during this offer.

Ticketing period runs through October 19th for travel between January 10 and April 30, 2010.

Earn Double Elite-Qualifying Miles or Segments with New United Promo

Quick to respond to yesterday's American Airlines double-elite qualifying miles offer, United Airlines just released a similar promotion. Register to earn either double elite-qualifying miles or segments for travel on United between September 3rd and December 15, 2009. If you are a general member with United (no status), or you are close to achieving the next tier of status with the airline, definitely register for this promotion, as it makes it much easier to reach various elite level thresholds.

A Collection of United Airlines Aircraft Images

Here are a few of my favorite United Airlines/United Express aircraft images I've taken over the years. Although far from an exhaustive gallery of favorites, these six proudly represent the diversity of the United fleet and relatively recent changes to aircraft livery. Enjoy. =)

United Breaks Guitars: Band Takes UA Baggage Complaint to YouTube

Some might call it a taste of sweet revenge, but for musician Dave Carroll, it was a creative way of expressing his disappointment with United Airlines baggage handling, after they smashed his guitar and refused to pick up the $1200 tab to fix it.

Carroll and his band, based in Halifax, NS, were changing planes at Chicago's-O'Hare airport March 31, 2008, when the heard a passenger exclaim, "My God, they're throwing guitars out there," Carroll said. After spending nine months of unsuccessfully reasoning with United Airlines, including with representatives from the United States and India, he finally decided to write a few songs to describe his experience.

Meanwhile, United officials who have seen the video are asking Carroll for permission to use it internally to help change its culture.

United Express To Start San Francisco to Pasco/Tri-Cities Service

Beginning June 4th, United Airlines/United Express will launch nonstop flights between San Francisco and Pasco/Tri-Cities Airport (PSC). Two daily flights will be offered on the route, utilizing a 50-seat, CRJ-200 jet aircraft, as shown below. 

Pasco is a small city located in Southeast Washington. The Tri-Cities region, which includes Pasco, Kennewick and Richland has a combined population of about 250,000 people. 

Schedule:

SFO-PSC  dp 08:54  ar 10:54

                  dp 19:00 ar 21:00

PSC-SFO  dp 06:31 ar 08:27

                  dp 16:35 ar 18:31

San Francisco to Honolulu $252 RT "All In"

Valid for travel through April 7, 2009 - Hawaiian Airlines will get you to Honolulu for just $252 roundtrip, taxes included. United Airlines also dropped fares today to just $261 roundtrip, taxes included - all the way to the islands. Blackout dates apply. Visit travelocity.com and search utilizing the "flexible dates" option. 

United Passengers Injured On Flight to SFO

United Airlines reported today that a seven passengers aboard UA flight 886 were injured with the plane encountered severe turbulence Tuesday morning over the Pacific, while en route to San Francisco. The flight originated from Osaka, Japan. The airline reports none of the injured are considered serious.

United Slashes More Flights From San Jose

Considered yet another setback for South Bay flyers, United Airlines will drop flights from San Jose to Chicago-O'Hare airport effective November 2nd. This comes after the airline recently ended flights between San Jose and Washington-Dulles. Transcontinental flyers using United from the South Bay will now need to connect in either Los Angeles or Denver, both cities which have seen recent reduction in United flights already.

Midweek Round Up Of Airfares

Thanks to a significant drop in the price of crude oil, many airlines recently announced a drop in fuel surcharges. These charges were choking the price of an airline ticket adding $50-$250 to the price of a round trip flight. Delta, American, United, Air France and Virgin Atlantic all announced cuts in fuel surcharges. Other airlines are maintaining the heavy fee citing unpredictable short term charges in the cost of oil.

Now may be the time to capitalize on recent drops in fuel surcharges, and discounts on some routes. Here is a roundup of fares from Wednesday morning. All prices below are round trip and include all taxes and fees. Most travel dates valid through Fall 2008, some longer.

San Francisco to:
Long Beach $118 (JetBlue/B9)
Seattle $149 (Virgin America/VX and Alaska/AS)
San Diego $118 (Virgin America/VX)
San Jose, CR $513 (Continental/CO))
San Juan, PR $304 (U.S Airways/US)

Sacramento to:
Berlin , DE $765 (United/UA and Continental/CO)
Cabo San Lucas $329 (United/UA)

Santa Rosa to:
Las Vegas $179 (Horizon/QX)

Find Cheap Flights from 100+ Sites with One Click.

Engine Trouble Forces Jet Back to SFO

On Friday night, an engine on United flight #158, bound for Chicago, stalled in-flight forcing the plane to operate on the one remaining engine. Shortly thereafter, the pilot turned the plane around and landed about 30 minutes after takeoff. Reports from passengers stated smoke had entered the cabin while in the air. A United press release however asserts the smoke occurred only after the plane safely returned to the gate and engine turned off. No injuries were reported.

United Airlines: 10% Off Your Next International Flight

United has teamed up with Visa to offer customers a 10% discount on their next economy class international flight to Asia, Europe, or South America. Tickets must be purchased by September 30, 2008, for travel between September 9 and November 20, 2008.
Visit lifetakesvisa.com/united to receive your discount.

United Airlines Promo: Double Elite-Status Qualifying Miles

United Airlines just released a promotion offering double elite-qualifying miles for all flights between now and June 15th. This promotion is for those working toward achieving or maintaining elite status with United. These are not miles redeemable for travel.Click here to be directed to the UA promotions website and to register. This promotion matches one American Airlines offered earlier in the month.

United flight from SF to NY makes emergency landing

A United Airlines Boeing 757 plane made an emergency landing earlier today in Omaha, Nebraska. Cockpit instruments from the San Francisco to New York-bound plane indicated a fire in the cargo hold. No one was hurt, and no fire was found. The 63 passengers on board were rerouted on other planes.

United: Double Miles for San Francisco Flyers

Hot off the Press!
United Airlines is offering double mileage plus miles for flights in/out of San Francisco to select California cities (and Las Vegas). Register here, read the t&c, then buy tickets between now and October 5th, travel through November 14th.

This promotion is a clear response to Southwest Airlines double Rapid Reward credits for flying in/out of SFO for nearly same time period (see a few posts down)

Free bonus miles points/miles with United, American, Amtrak & Air Canada
Thanks, View from the Wing Blog

Fill out a short survey and/or sign up to receive emails and earn the bonuses below.
250 free United Airlines miles
250 free American Airlines miles
250 free Amtrak points
1000 free Air Canada miles

These promotions are great because most airlines require some activity (air or partner) within a certain amount of time, otherwise they delete your frequent flyer account. Most airlines recognize these registrations as a qualifying partner activity therefore keeping your account active.