There is, but nothing from people who were on 950/999, which I think is what the OP is asking for - how UA treated people, etc. I'm guessing that some from the earlier flight that landed just after 7am must have still been in the airport immigration/baggage or going to the Metro. I'm also like to hear some UA specific reports.

 

I have a connecting flight on 3/27 operated by SN (Brussels Air). While SN is allowing free changes (change fee, fare class diff), UA would not let me change without even waiving the change fee! Every other airline in the world is allowing free changes at least through 3/28, but UA is only 3/24. Almost all other options through UA are now very high fares and will probably sell out.

Thanks again UA for being consistent.

 

And just after I posted, UA extended the waiver, but now as feared no direct flights left.

 

FWIW - United has updated the waiver to include flights up to 3/31 on their website.

Since that does still not cover my flights in early April I just called the 1K desk to see if they would extend that waiver for me to also cover my flights in early April - which was done without any questions.

Agent was very empathic about the situation and handled everything from changing my three reservations (someone at BRU on the outbound on sunday separated the one reservation I originally had) to assigning new E+ seats on the new longhaul to FRA. Availability was no issue - booked K-class was not available any more, so United forced availability on that class for all six in my party,

This is a situation where I value my 1K status most - when things go south and you need support most, United agrees that five is an even number.

Greetings - Dirk

 

A friend of mine who is a GS agent shared this on FB from another employee about Oscar:

"The new CEO of my airline-employer personally contacted crewmembers laying over in Brussels today to check on their welfare and to lend moral support in these vexing times. By so doing, he distinguished himself in the eyes of those who matter most. His caring actions are aligned with his rhetoric.

Even now, at the twilight of my own career, what a comfort it is to know that the "human factor" is back in play.

The investments we make in each other are the ones that truly matter most."

 

Cannot imagine a better return on investment for an hour of Oscar's time, today. There will be huge leverage beyond just this crew. Kudos, Oscar!

 

Exactly. It is amazing how few executives get this.

 

This. Way to go, Oscar.

 

Just to close the loop.

Called UA Friday morning (Berlin time). Agent was helpful (and supportive) in finding alternatives. It doesn't seem that UNITED is opening award space necessarily, but they are combining existing saver and standard inventory to get folks on their way.

Original Itinerary (3/30)
BRU-ORD-ROC (I/I)
BRU-ORD-LAX (I/I)

New Itinerary (3/27)
TXL-EWR-ROC (I/HN)
TXL-EWR-LAX (I/ZN)

Apparently there are approved alternate airports and TXL is not one of them. Since we were already in TXL and our travel to BRU on SN was affected, the agent had no problem getting it approved by the supervisor.

Hope this info helps. Safe travels.

 

United has extended the waiver once more to April 18th and also canceled flights to BRU through April 4th, making flights to FRA in that timeframe a rare commodity...I feel lucky that I have already changed my flights a few days ago as now all flights to FRA on my travel-dates are booked solid...

Greetings - Dirk

 

The BRU airport has released a statement in terms of its reopening, saying it is operationally ready but still has no set restart date. Most important in that statement is the available capacity, however:

Source

Given this number (20% of previous capacity) I do not see any UA-flight to BRU anytime soon, or even any longhaul flight at all, given the EU-traffic that is very important to the decision-makers. I guess it is time to give UA a call for my next trip ex-Bru in the fall to see if I can change that to a FRA departure...I do not see the extra EWR flight that UA had announced (UA44/45) will actually take off given the drop in demand and the restrictions in capacity at BRU...

Greetings - Dirk

 

What do people think of the capacity being improved by the end of the summer? I have EWR-BRU on UA and BRU-LIS on SN (016 stock) booked on separate PNRs for end of August / beginning of September...should I proactively be speaking to UA about changing this now, even though there is no waiver for that period?

 

Look for an announcement regarding BRU service soon. Which may include the suspension of the 2nd EWR - BRU frequency and downgauging the current EWR - BRU to either a 2 cabin 763 or 75B depending on how bookings are.

 

I have an overnight connection in late May, TK IST-BRU connecting to UA BRU-ORD. Any idea on if I should be looking to rebook? The UA segment is in GF, so I'd like to maintain a premium cabin, hence not wanting to wait until the last minute.

 

Is it safe to assume that if the 2nd frequency of EWR-BRU gets axed, it will be the later-scheduled flight (i.e. the one that is an sCO 752)?

If they do downgauge, I hope they go to a 763...will prefer the 2-abreast on the edges.