United Airlines Gave Out $100,000 Downgrading Passengers On One Hawaii Flight This Weekend
View From The Wing
United flight 363 from Newark to Honolulu was supposed to be operated by a Boeing 777 on Saturday. The airline swapped the plane for a Boeing 767-300, and that meant fewer business class seats. The airline needed ten volunteers who were willing to downgrade.
Fortunately those passengers didnt even need to go back to coach seats. While United doesnt sell its premium economy cabin on the route, the plane they used offered a Premium Plus cabin. That meant economy plus was like domestic first class with foot rests. Downgrading passengers wouldnt have to suffer the 11 hour 22 minute flight in coach seats.
These ten passengers each received $10,000 in travel voucher compensation for volunteering, or $100,000 total for the one flight. And despite the last minute jockeying, the flight still operated on time.
I've taken that flight and can see why they did it...