As it if weren't nice enough for United's top customers to board first, get all that extra legroom and a real meal on most flights, now there's another really cool perk.
The airline recently began a pilot program at Bush Intercontinental Airport to escort Global Services members (the top United frequent fliers) and select United Global First class customers into a waiting silver Mercedes-Benz SUV or sedan on the tarmac, where they are chauffeur-driven to their connecting flight.
There are few caveats (besides the fact you have to fly a zillion miles to be eligible for this service): It's available only when the incoming flight is delayed for a VIP who might otherwise miss a connection and it can't be requested or reserved. "It is designed to surprise and delight our top customers who may be anxious about missing a connecting flight," the airline said in a news release.
Plus, there are only two Mercedes vehicles, although the program will be expanded if it proves to be popular.
United recently inked a deal with Mercedes to offer incentives of up to $5,000 and bonus mile while purchasing or leasing a new vehicle, in addition to offering the tarmac service.
United is not the first airline to offer such service. Delta began tarmac transfers via Porsche in Atlanta on November 2011.
United Airlines has begun a service with Mercedes to transport top customers to their connecting flights.
Courtesy photo
United Airlines has begun a service with Mercedes to transport top customers to their connecting flights.
Making of a Million: Daytripping with The Nature Conservancy in Texas is free to watch online.
Thanks to a new three-part PBS docuseries, you don't need to go to all of Texas' protected lands and waters to appreciate their breadth. Making of a Million: Daytripping with The Nature Conservancy in Texas follows The Daytripper host Chet Garner from West Texas to the coast, discussing conservation efforts by the conservancy (TNC) along the way.
"Making of a Million" refers to the one million acres in Texas that fall under TNC's protection. The one million figure is a milestone TNC is celebrating with the series, but it's not the full extent of its work; actually, according to the 2025 annual report, its total impact is 1.6 million acres. TNC also works in Africa, Europe, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, and more specific smaller regions within those.
The Daytripping project has been rolled out slowly in 2026, from YouTube previews, to an official release on PBS in April, to an Austin event in May that formally introduced the works. The Contemporary Austin hosted an outdoor screening on behalf of TNC's Board of Trustees, specifically focusing on the episode that explores West Texas.
The 26-minute video shows off striking aerial images of mountains, close ups of plants and wildlife, and even a quick feature of an archeological find. Water, of course, is a big topic in the desert and it's a large topic across the series. Fresh water even has its own dedicated episode.
Although conservation experts are consulted throughout the series, viewers can do more than passively watch other people solve environmental problems. One story, toward the end of the West Texas episode, highlights how a rancher directed researchers to a habitat for an endangered species of fish on his property, simply because he overheard a scientist at a café claim they were extinct.
On a larger and perhaps less direct scale, producing video series like this can kick off similar effects. The more civilians know about conservation efforts in their neck of the woods, the more they might know their place in helping out.
Garner spoke on a panel after the Austin screening with TNC director of land protection Jeff Francell, spatial analyst Jacqueline Ferrato, and director of land protection/stewardship Dan Snodgrass. They discussed the series and the broader conservation topics it connects to.
“This new series really captures the spirit of our efforts and collaborations to protect Texas lands and water,” said Snodgrass in a recap for press. “Chet’s storytelling skills spotlight our partners and projects in a unique, engaging way — we’re excited for more Texans to see why conservation matters and learn how they can get involved.”
“Daytripping with The Nature Conservancy in Texas allowed us to visit some of the most amazing places in Texas and to meet people who are making a real difference for conservation,” said Garner. “Folks will love traveling with us across wildly diverse landscapes and learning the solutions shaping the future of our state’s biggest environmental challenges.”
Viewers can watch the series for free on the Nature Conservancy's website or on YouTube.
