United Express ERJ145 Exit Row

Exit rows are the first class of Southwest Airlines and 50 seat regional jets. The ERJ-145 has a ton of leg room in row 12 and is my favorite 50 seat jet. It feels much more spacious than the CRJ-200, it's main competitor.  You can really notice the difference, especially on longer flights.

Exit Row 12 on United Express ERJ-145

United Express ERJ Going to Chicago

United Airlines 787 Dreamliner Spotted at Denver

I spotted United's new 787 Dreamliner at DEN last night. It looks slick and a little like a 767. The cockpit windows and nose section really stand out and there were quite a few people stopping to take a look.

United Airlines' New 787

United Airlines' 787 Wingspan Looks Huge

Time to Start Planning 2013 Adventures

Now that I made 1K for 2012, I am able to relax about status (SPG stays #24 and #25 are booked, so I’m safe).  It feels great not to worry.  The problem is 2013 is just around the corner and my business travel won’t get me close to 1K in 2013.  I’m looking for cheap United flights early in 2013 to get a status head start and maybe find some cheap deals to new places.

Sunset at Denver Airport on United 737

Denver isn’t the cheapest airport and there isn’t a close alternative (COS is 2 hours drive, but the fares aren’t great there either).  There are a few flights to Oslo or Stockholm for about 6.5c per mile flown.  Not bad, but not great.  I haven’t been to either city, so I’m tempted to book.  The price is a little high for just the miles and the fare has a two night stay required.  I wouldn’t mind a short vacation, but I’d rather go when it’s warm and there is sunlight.

US Airways Jet in New York

Domestic flights aren’t any cheaper from Denver; I’m looking at 8c a mile.  There are some cheap transcon flights (BOS-SNA for 4.5c / mi), but I’d need to reposition to a coast and that’s not cost effective unless I fly a few round trips.  There aren’t any cheap day trips out there, so very frustrating.  I guess I’ll go back to ITA Matrix and search some more.

United Shop Discount Code

The United Shop is offering 10% off purchases November 26th with promo code UNITEDCYBER12.

US Airways A320 First Class to PHX

Work let me book first class!  This was a first for me.  My corporate travel policy, like most, requires booking the lowest available fare.  For a last minute late night trip from DEN to IND, the discounted first class ticket (A fare class) was cheaper than the full fare coach ticket (Y fare class).  Flying first from DEN to PHX fit the policy.  I have never paid to fly first and was excited to see what US Airways had to offer.

US Airways Airbus First Class Seat - Does Not Recline

As it happens, all they offer on evening flights is Shock Top beer, Cape Cod chips, friendly service, and a seat that does not recline.  The broken seat isn’t a standard offering, but the cabin was full and I couldn’t change seats.  I emailed US Airways and they said they would alert maintenance.  No real (coupon, discount voucher, drink ticket, etc.) apology was offered.  Bummer.

US Airways first class meal review here.

Holiday Travel Tips

Thanksgiving and the holiday season is a popular travel time for infrequent travelers and families (amateurs), so things might not run as smoothly as normal.  Here are a few tips to help with holiday travel:

• Allow Extra Time for Everything – It’s amateur hour.  People will be traveling heavy, with families, and with different mindsets.  Lines will be longer, people will be confused, walking slowly, and be totally absorbed with their situation and oblivious to those around them (this happens every day, but is worse around the holidays).  Strollers will be everywhere.  Give yourself extra time to deal with these impediments and they’ll bother you less.
• Relax – Stay calm.  It’s possible the people in front of you in line haven’t flown since the TSA banned liquids/shoes/common sense at airports.  Becoming angry will not improve the situation.  See step #1.
• Ear Plugs – They really work.  The plane and airport will be full of loud kids that are poorly supervised.  You can’t make children behave, but you can block out their loud antics.
• Exit Rows are Kid Free – No one under 15 is allowed in an exit row.
• Be Nice to Airline Staff – A smile goes a long way to making everyone’s travels better.
• Try Flying at Off Peak Times – I doubt a family will book a red eye or flight before 8am if they can avoid it.  Flying on the holiday is usually less busy and cheaper than the days right around it too.  

Happy Travels!

Airbus A350XWB - Go Buy One

Airbus has a new website out promoting the A350 XWB.  The first one is being assembled and flight testing should start next year.  It looks like a great jet to fly and United has some early orders placed.  I'm excited.

A319 - A Smaller Sibling of the A350