UA looks at IAD-Riyadh & moves from DXB to DWC
Oct 30, 2013, 11:58 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,958
From what I heard from a few people (and read here in trip reports), SV's service is quite good (maybe even a bit better than UA), and they're Skyteam, so there are mileage opportunities to be had there as well.
Oct 30, 2013, 12:37 pm
#33
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Manchester, NH
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, National Exec Elite, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, AMTRAK
Posts: 513
As someone who needs to fly to RUH on business, I would very much welcome UA on IAD-RUH instead of having to connect in FRA on LH.
Oct 30, 2013, 12:59 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
As someone who goes to the KSA twice a year as well, I do NOT welcome this. I've heard horror stories of spending hours and hours in the immigration line trying to enter the country by air and discrimination of obvious Westerners. I'll stick to BAH with its two minute immigration and come via the causeway.
Oct 30, 2013, 1:17 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Den
Programs: AA EXP, HGP Diamond, UA PP
Posts: 27
UAL Service to RUH?
The United sales VPs think its a good idea but wait till Jim Compton has a look at the numbers. This proposed flight, if it ever goes, won't last for long because the yield won't work even on a 787. Visas are difficult to get and oh wait, they only issue a business visa. KSA does not even issue tourist visas. United couldn't make their Moscow route work due to visa difficulties. A Russian visa while difficult is nothing like trying to get into KSA. I don't see this happening.
I'd rather fly Qatar or Emirates and connect to Riyadh with some real service anyway.
I'd rather fly Qatar or Emirates and connect to Riyadh with some real service anyway.
Oct 30, 2013, 1:22 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Costa Rica
Programs: UA 1K, Priority Platinum, Marriot Gold, Delta Platinum
Posts: 308
Really?
As someone who goes to the KSA twice a year as well, I do NOT welcome this. I've heard horror stories of spending hours and hours in the immigration line trying to enter the country by air and discrimination of obvious Westerners. I'll stick to BAH with its two minute immigration and come via the causeway.
As someone who goes to the KSA twice a year as well, I do NOT welcome this. I've heard horror stories of spending hours and hours in the immigration line trying to enter the country by air and discrimination of obvious Westerners. I'll stick to BAH with its two minute immigration and come via the causeway.
Oct 30, 2013, 2:18 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NYC/SFO
Programs: AA/AS/UA; Bonvoy
Posts: 282
As someone who goes to the KSA twice a year as well, I do NOT welcome this. I've heard horror stories of spending hours and hours in the immigration line trying to enter the country by air and discrimination of obvious Westerners. I'll stick to BAH with its two minute immigration and come via the causeway.
Oct 30, 2013, 2:28 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
Not being permitted to drive is just one of the ways women are oppressed in Saudi Arabia. Women aren't even allowed to * work * except in tightly controlled circumstances. And of course, everything is segregated -- restaurants, schools, etc.
I am told that a Saudi woman's ID card has her * husband's * picture on it!
I am told that a Saudi woman's ID card has her * husband's * picture on it!
While of course this is all incredibly backwards and instigated by morons - it isn't about punishing women. They genuinely believe this is what is best for them (and many women there believe this as well). That's religion for you.
Oct 30, 2013, 2:46 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
That's interesting. But aren't they supposed to get rest after such a long flight? I can imagine that the off-duty crew will sleep in the mini-cabin on the top of those B777, but taking flights itself is already tiring, right?
Oct 30, 2013, 2:53 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
Day 1
Crew A flies from IAD to KWI
Crew B flies from KWI to BAH and back to KWI
Crew C flight from BAH to IAD
Day 2
Crew A becomes Crew B
Crew B becomes Crew C
Day 3
The Crew B from Day 2 becomes the Crew C for Day 3
Same thing worked when they did the Lagos/Accura run.
Oct 30, 2013, 3:53 pm
#41
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 227
As for as DWA, United would have to be fools to permanently move over there which they are not doing. DWA is in the middle of no where are far from most of the people in Dubai area, the hotels, and financial district of Dubai. Also has poor transportation options compared to DXB.
Really?
As someone who goes to the KSA twice a year as well, I do NOT welcome this. I've heard horror stories of spending hours and hours in the immigration line trying to enter the country by air and discrimination of obvious Westerners. I'll stick to BAH with its two minute immigration and come via the causeway.
As someone who goes to the KSA twice a year as well, I do NOT welcome this. I've heard horror stories of spending hours and hours in the immigration line trying to enter the country by air and discrimination of obvious Westerners. I'll stick to BAH with its two minute immigration and come via the causeway.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:33 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
Sorry. I wasn't clear.
Day 1
Crew A flies from IAD to KWI
Crew B flies from KWI to BAH and back to KWI
Crew C flight from BAH to IAD
Day 2
Crew A becomes Crew B
Crew B becomes Crew C
Day 3
The Crew B from Day 2 becomes the Crew C for Day 3
Same thing worked when they did the Lagos/Accura run.
Day 1
Crew A flies from IAD to KWI
Crew B flies from KWI to BAH and back to KWI
Crew C flight from BAH to IAD
Day 2
Crew A becomes Crew B
Crew B becomes Crew C
Day 3
The Crew B from Day 2 becomes the Crew C for Day 3
Same thing worked when they did the Lagos/Accura run.
Oct 30, 2013, 4:53 pm
#43
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: DAL
Programs: UA 1K AA EXP
Posts: 632
I can't tell if your being sarcastic cause it took me a minute to figure that out lol.
Last edited by CO777DAL; Oct 30, 2013 at 6:25 pm
Oct 30, 2013, 5:02 pm
#44
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PEK, AUS, WAS, HKG
Programs: CX Gold
Posts: 1,123
Oct 30, 2013, 5:33 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DCA ZWU
Programs: AGR WOH
Posts: 1,785