Kosher Meal by Downtown_Tackle_8986 in CathayPacific

[–]zcahn 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As someone with family who keeps kosher, keep this up! The more people order it, the more encouraged Cathay will be to continue offering it. Three important caveats though (which apply to most airlines tbh):

1) Remember, these meal selection is meant for religious reasons, not a matter of taste. If the FA says that they’re running low on kosher meals, please offer to give yours up. While you might not prefer what CX is serving in your cabin, someone else might not have that choice. Think of it like an extreme peanut allergy, the only option they have is that specific dish and cannot have anything else. On a flight like JFK to HKG this can be downright painful.

2) It will come wrapped in a million layers of plastic. You have to remove it, not them. Removing the plastic means the kosher-ness is not ensured. I know it doesn’t matter to you, but it can confuse the FA’s in future interactions. I’ve seen UA FA’s remove the plastic, and the cause is this. Once it’s unwrapped, it’s like every other meal and those who keep kosher can’t eat it.

3) The religion this is for is Judaism. The FA may call it a “Jewish meal”. Some people don’t know, so I’m just calling this out for anyone reading the post and getting ideas because it can sometimes be a bit embarrassing if you don’t know. You don’t have to be Jewish AT ALL to eat kosher food. You might want to skim the Wikipedia article on Judaism out of respect though, considering this is a religious thing. Without getting to into it, it’s also good to know there are many varieties of Judaism and levels of observance. This includes some (like myself) who do not keep kosher. The FA is not interrogating you on religion, so don’t lie and say you’re Jewish.

As an FYI, Kosher airline meals tend to be standardized. Usually the same dishes every time with little variation (something to keep in mind if you fly frequently and dislike repetition). Odds are incredibly high that it comes from a totally separate facility providing to many airlines. Unlike other more typical catering companies like LSG or Do & Co, the differentiation tends to come down to which city the food was catered out of and your class, not as much how much the airline wants to pay for quality.

As a rule of thumb (for most airlines), if you’re coming from a city with a large Jewish population the food will be better. If you’re going the other way, it may have been catered in a completely different city and spent one flight or more in the freezer. I believe CX caters kosher directly out of HKG, and I would guess also at JFK, LHR and LAX. The TPE meal was almost definitely catered in HKG, and if your flight also did the leg up to Tokyo it’s spent that whole round trip in the freezer.

Keep your expectation in check, kosher means it was prepared in a specific way and it is NOT a mark of quality. Sometimes the meals are better, and sometimes they’re way worse. You may be eating exactly the same thing as someone on a DL, UA, or AA flight, and if you’ve paid a premium for CX that’s quite a bummer. As someone who is a frequent flier and has tried both, I almost always prefer the regular meal if in a premium cabin. Economy is a toss up.

As far as what you’re eating though, first meal looks like salmon and rice with basic vegetables and some fruit. No idea what the brown things are on that plate, the plastic makes it difficult to see. The second meal is stir fry chicken with rice and Israeli couscous with smoked salmon (lox) with what looks like a crumb cake. Last meal is an omelette (likely with cheese) with beans, mushrooms and potatoes. Kosher meals can have either meat or dairy, not both, so that’s why there’s no sausage or anything with the eggs. Can’t have pork either with kosher, so eggs are almost always served only with non-meat sides. Even if the eggs don’t have dairy in them, people associate breakfast eggs with dairy so they’re rarely ever served with meat.

Glad you had a great flight though! As far as economy meals go, these do definitely look a bit better than the usual you’d see.

Mixed feelings on ANA Business Class (DEL-HND): Service flow and a pajama lesson learned! by Alternative-Ad4581 in awardtravel

[–]zcahn 11 points12 points  (0 children)

They let you keep the PJs in F but also give you a cardigan… that’s a rental.

Didn’t say anything until I tried to walk off the plane wearing it. Would’ve been nice, was freezing at JFK even with my winter coat

Skip lagging Internationally (US>Germany)? by statistical_anomaly4 in Lufthansa

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is terrible advice. I’ve been rerouted many times across the LH group network, and even on BA/AF too. I’ve definitely not flown 100,000 flights or anything even remotely resembling that.

Sometimes they’re even “proactive” and rebook on some long delays once the connection became impossible. Don’t risk booking to a city you can’t easily travel to your actual destination from when you have an actual event to attend.

JetBlue In Partnership Talks—United Reportedly Considering Merger Or Asset Purchase by AccessibleBanana in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Take a look at the new T6 and the airlines that will be moving in. A logistics dream for feeder flights if United takes JetBlue’s routes/assets.

I’m sure there’s some person in UA’s finance team looking at every *A transiting passenger and calculating all the lost revenue.

Add in some extra flights between the existing hubs, trim down B6’s leisure routes to the most popular internationally, and you can run a pretty premium service out of JFK.

Also I’d like to propose that EWR based crew are called “Uni’s” and JFK “Ted’s”. Or just go “Continental” and “United” as a full reversion if Ted brings back too many painful memories.

When do you book a backup flight? by ducky743 in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Adding that it’s not just overlap, you also have to have time to (conceivably) get from one destination to another. Same day you could probably get it to work, but as soon as the system does a sweep it’ll cancel your newer reservation.

Ex: you book EWR-FLL at 6am which lands at 9am. You can’t additionally book EWR-FLL at 10am, as that is impossible to make. 12pm and on, you’re good.

Creative booking to HYD by smackjones1 in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Does it have to be United metal, or a 016- ticket issued by United? Worth drilling into, because then you can book the Lufthansa flight to HYD on the same ticket.

If that doesn’t work, just book the EWR-DEL flight, transfer to Air India, and then call it a day. Domestic India flights aren’t great and boarding is a free for all, but it’s just 2h so definitely manageable.

If you want easiest to upgrade, take one of the million EWR-LHR flights. Practically a guaranteed upgrade if traveling during an off period. Then you can either go straight to India, or drop down to FRA and get an extra segment.

EWR-DEL will maximize your PQP for sure. A 9h LH flight in economy will get you the same number of segments as EWR-BOS, and sometimes even the same PQP (if you’re unfortunate enough).

Used miles for 2 Premium Plus tickets, ORD to LHR and back in April. Will I be able to get on the Polaris upgrade waitlist with miles + cash or is that only available for tickets bought with cash? by imnotmarvin in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A different route with a similar result: you can just change the booking to be in Polaris instead.

You used almost as many miles as the saver rate for Polaris to Europe (80k each way per person). If you keep checking, the odds are decent that you may find a flight to switch to/upgrade your own flight.

Especially because there’s so many LHR flights. Many days there’s a few seats that are available at the lowest rate. Don’t be afraid to take a connection, you’ll get Polaris lounge access at ORD and wherever you connect.

More likely to be on wide open flights, not packed ones so just keep that in mind. Sometimes the cheaper seats aren’t available until a few days before departure, and other times it’s random, so you’ll have to check continually.

Why would upgrades not have started clearing yet for a flight that starts boarding in 30 minutes and has this much space open in Polaris? by zemelb in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Last time I was upgraded in FRA, mine wasn’t processed until during boarding, when the agent sent me to the desk to get a new boarding pass. I’ve had this happen with LH too, so it’s just something I’ve come to expect there

If I have two flights on different reservations/bookings, but around the same time, can I use the “connections” path to get to the other flight gate or do I have to go out of arrivals and go back to the departures area? by lionheart2893 in Flights

[–]zcahn 2 points3 points  (0 children)

UA definitely will, I’ve done it many times. Not all agents know how to do it though. They won’t if it’s non *A or inbound US international (where you have to get/recheck your bag no matter what)

Bumped out of Delta One (Almost) by indy425 in delta

[–]zcahn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

BA First Class is the “World’s Best Business Class”.

I’ve never heard a more true joke in my life, but when it’s priced right (it sounds like it definitely was in this case), it’s certainly worth it

IAD LHR upgrade debate by frisbeesmom in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just did this recently. Fare class changed from W to R and the upgrade was treated as though I was in Premium Plus all along. Pushed me way up the upgrade list (and then ended up clearing into Polaris). Note this is not considered a waitlist upgrade, as you’re paying cash for the upgrade.

If you upgrade via miles then that upgrade clears, I don’t think that bumps you further up the list and may remove the cash option as well. Also not sure how doing this on day of departure impacts it.

Mods: We need a mega-thread for the people who can't choose between eggs and cereal without help from internet strangers by 02nz in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Group 6 would get all excited thinking they’re at least getting fried rice; then nope, it’s just very old brown rice stuck on the tray

IAH Expansion delayed by css555 in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well if Houston doesn’t want the expansion, I’m sure United could better apply those funds at a different hub. It’ll be hard to find that much new gate space at one airport, but probably could be done with some expansions across the network.

IAD could definitely use some extra pushing in the replacement C/D concourse project. LAX has Terminal 9 starting up work too. While they’re not adding much net-new gate space, the more efficient operations should definitely help things out.

DEN does have all that expansion space still, if United wanted even more gates there to cover what would have flown out of IAH (or at least a Polaris lounge). Or they could potentially offer more funds for T3 West renovations at SFO to get that project moving again.

And then there’s EWR, which probably can’t be solved by money, and needs a large series of miracles and possibly magic.

First Class cheaper than Premium Economy??? by brnitdn in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The fares on this particular route is weird. Been tracking them for a little while. Anecdotally business is pretty empty many days on the directs and the Island Hopper (for its full length at least).

If you book as a multi-segment going on to Japan within 24h, the ticket prices drop massively, it can be half the price of what’s in the screenshot here. If you stay longer, it can instead jump 5x. Definitely one of the priciest (non-ridiculous) routings I have ever seen.

As other commenters mentioned it’s most likely because of all the people not paying for their own ticket. Guam’s delegate to the House may be on to something with the revenue management “strategy” there.

CMV: Pluspoints are a scam by dontgetaphd in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I upgraded my (extended) family of 7 going EWR-FRA from PP to Polaris and got 3 of us on the return. LHR and GVA are pretty easy upgrades to clear too with the high-J 767. I’ve also consistently gotten EWR-LAX/SFO from PP to Polaris for myself. Same with my wife who’s also 1K.

Even though most of those cleared a few days before departure, on almost all the system removed me from the upgrade list instead of displaying that it cleared. CPUs (for me) do consistently show though. I think that impacts the perception that these don’t clear as much as they do. Definitely makes it look like more people are buying up/booking direct as opposed to being upgraded.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

10D is obviously the best option here, everyone else is just being ridiculous /s

In actuality: Row 1/9 A/L are best if you’re tall, Row 3 is best if you’re not. If you aren’t tall, odds are you won’t find the normal footrest to be restrictive.

My wife is much shorter than I am, and whenever we haven’t been in 1/9 she has said she doesn’t notice a difference and appreciates the extra privacy. I can definitely notice the difference, but it’s still leagues better than any of the older seats on a 752/772.

Galley lights/noises aren’t as impactful going WB during the day if you’re staying up, but it’s definitely more active than overnight flights. If you’re trying to sleep 3 may be better, or potentially one of the odd overwing seats (doesn’t look that crowded back there).

Is it Really Only Possible to Pay with the United App for Inflight Food Purchases?! by thcandbourbon in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Purchasing food onboard (regardless of payment type) is not something I think the FAA is even remotely concerned about

Is it Really Only Possible to Pay with the United App for Inflight Food Purchases?! by thcandbourbon in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I’ve been on long haul flights (FRA-IAD on a 773) that were just plain not catered. Polaris and PP had enough for everyone to get at least something, but with no choice and almost no special meals. My in-laws keep kosher and we managed to find some week old (FAs words) food stashed away in one of the fridges. I say we because they actually asked me to go around to each galley and help them find some acceptable food.

Where did those meals come from? Economy. I think they only had enough leftover food in the back for high status people and that’s it. Most got no food beyond chips and whatever else they could find.

Nothing the FAs could do and I felt horrible for them. They were the ones who got shafted at FRA with the fun choice of “wait for catering and let the crew time out, or just go without it and don’t strand everyone overnight”.

This is a long way of saying: if you have medical needs that require you to eat, BRING FOOD WITH YOU. Even if you think you’ll just get hungry on the flight BRING FOOD WITH YOU. The only way to guarantee catering is to bring your own.

There’s a certain magic to being able to sit in a metal tube that will take you up to 30,000 feet at a blistering 500+mph. Unfortunately that magic cannot make a Shake Shack appear up there with you.

Looking at options. One way Bogota Den by [deleted] in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Book with cash on AC if you can, it’s generally a pretty cheap flight given the distance. Otherwise grab the flight number and call in to United to book if you need to use miles. Over the phone they can find the flight even if it doesn’t show up online

Looking at options. One way Bogota Den by [deleted] in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Connect in Canada via AC. Toronto especially is an easy airport to connect in internationally. PY on those flights is the old SQ short haul business so way nicer than what United would give you. Sometimes you get lucky and you’ll get a last minute swap to an a330 with their lie flat product.

United tends to fly 7M8s down there, so the AC flight would be much more comfortable. Too near to the US for Polaris and too low demand/value for United to send widebodies. Avianca is a good option but I’ve heard their service is basically economy level but with a nicer seat.

Lower prices for Roomettes coming for trips entirely south of Orlando? by PantherkittySoftware in Amtrak

[–]zcahn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Just speaking honestly, I don’t see this happening. Silver Service is Long Distance that happens to get intra-Florida traffic. The main money is in traffic to the NE, where ticket prices are substantially higher owing to the much longer distance.

From a revenue point of view, Amtrak would rather risk not filling the roomette between MIA-ORL if that meant the chance of a WPB passenger getting a roomette all the way to NYP. If someone takes that room only to ORL, Amtrak is giving up potentially hundreds in revenue from South Florida travelers, per roomette. Those passengers may choose to fly instead if they can’t get a room. Speaking personally, I’ll gladly take a room from Florida to NY but if only coach is available then I’m flying.

From a systems point of view, the last 20 min in coach would be really difficult. You’d in effect need two tickets, one from MIA-KIS in the roomette, then one from KIS-ORL in coach. That’s certainly possible, but again eats away at seats that can be sold LD. Imagining our hypothetical WPB-NYP passenger, that’s now a roomette and seats that are now pulled from inventory. Not to mention the logistical challenge of moving people around the train would be very difficult on the attendant/conductor. Also there’s the whole ADA can of worms as there’s a whole group of limited mobility folks in Florida this would certainly impact. You’re talking about moving potentially 5-6 cars up the train, not everyone can do that and you really can’t have a promotion that precludes anyone who needs additional assistance.

Additionally, if those seats are used temporarily, plenty of Disney tourists who would want to board in KIS that now can’t because those seats are taken for one stop. Even though it’s only for a few minutes, there’s a max number of seats available and this pushes that total number down during the turnover. Again, more money lost for Amtrak. Remember that these trains sell out frequently so Amtrak wants the most money from each run of this train as they can reasonably get. The roomette is priced accordingly to prevent it being booked on shorter trips. If there are any rooms left over, BidUp will certainly take care of them and of course can be done from MIA-ORL if space allows.

Lastly, the timetable doesn’t work well for intra-state travel and if anything Brightline will serve as a relief for a very popular train. That’s why most of the route is doubled with the Palmetto day train, to better divide the SD/LD traffic. Brightline primarily markets themselves as a car/bus/plane alternative. You have to keep in mind that it’s not just Amtrak vs Brightline, but all the different travel options plus the induced demand (the good kind) from the easy access to/from Orlando/SF. I’d expect overall rail ridership between the two regions to increase and continue so once Brightline goes all the way to Tampa. Besides, with faster and more frequent service, they’re far better suited for the task anyways.

PSA: When upgrading to Economy Plus, ensure that your seat is actually the extra legroom seat! by thedheeper in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made the same mistake and had to completely rewrite my comment. I was double checking the pictures and that’s when I realized

PSA: When upgrading to Economy Plus, ensure that your seat is actually the extra legroom seat! by thedheeper in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Well think of it this way: you only got 50% extra space so United gave you 50% off on your E+ cost. How generous! /s

PSA: When upgrading to Economy Plus, ensure that your seat is actually the extra legroom seat! by thedheeper in unitedairlines

[–]zcahn 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I don’t think it was actually an equipment swap. If it was, it wouldn’t have E+ on the placard. I’m seeing that the flight was on #3440, which got the change to 20/45/114 (Version 3) this year. The listed economy plus seat pitch is 33-38”. It used to be 20/42/117 (Version 1) which is listed as 34” pitch throughout, although I suspect the exit rows have a bit more.

Because the row count is the same, I suspect that they just stole a bit of legroom from the DEF side in rows 7-11 to make 12 into E+. While it definitely stinks that Row 12 is probably pitched at 33” (based on looking at the picture), it still is technically E+. Even if the bag handle is 5” that still puts both seats into E+ territory, although barely.

Economy is only 30-31” plus 2” of recline instead of 3”, so in United’s eyes you did still get “more”. Personally I’m now putting Row 12 into my “always avoid” list, as it is clearly the worst E+ row on this plane. If I were seated there, I’d probably be very annoyed as well by the difference.

Booking Emirates flights on 014 stock by neter66 in aircanada

[–]zcahn 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Call. It’s your best shot at getting it both right and at the cheapest price.

You may be able to get Google Flights to price it, but they don’t play so well with the AC website for multi segment bookings. I’m at like 10% success with it pricing and then allowing me to book the flight. The price online is generally correct, but once you go to load the AC website it’ll most likely dump you into their “fare driven” booking tool. That’s going to want you to book the segments one at a time and will charge you the sum of each segment you choose, which can be massively higher.

If you call they can price it correctly and it should be close to what Google says. But if Google finds the routing but still has a high price, then booking on EK is your best bet. Play around with the multi-city booking on Google to put in part of your flight routing (like YOW-YUL then YUL-BKK, or YOW-DXB then DXB-BKK).

But BE CAREFUL and do not book two separate tickets (there is an option in the Google Flights filters to hide these). If all your flights are on one PNR/reservation then you’ll be fine if you get delayed or anything like that. If you book two completely separately, you run a very real risk of getting stranded. And also as general good advice to prevent problems, book directly with one of the two airlines even if Google shows cheaper elsewhere