Winner! 2 United BusinessFirst tickets to Xian

And we have a winner!

Folks, I have to admit that reading through each and every one of the nearly 300 entries we received for the Xian contest made me feel so proud that we’ve created such a worldly, friendly, creative and eager community with TravelSkills. Thanks to everyone who sent in their thoughtful, original, funny and heartfelt entries.

And while I feel immense pride, I’m also disappointed that we can’t give the award to all contestants. Making the final decision was really tough. But we have a winner!

Dan E is from San Francisco. He works in marketing for the University of San Francisco and travels about once per month. His opening line grabbed our attention: “Everyone ‘loves to travel’ and ‘see the world’; I just love being on a plane. In my wildest dreams, I travel internationally for work in business class once a week. Instead, I have a marketing/story telling role that I absolutely love at a nonprofit here in SF…Whether flying to LA or London, I am consistently fascinated with the customer experience and am ever so aware of the minutiae – from the stitching on the amenity kits to the way the purser greets (or does not greet) each passenger.”

To me, it sounded like Dan would really appreciate the ride in United BusinessFirst, and had an eye for detail that will result in a really good trip report. Congratulations to Dan! You’ll learn more about him and his trip when we publish his trip report later this summer.

(Note: We have a first runner up chosen if for some reason Dan is unable to make this trip by July 8.)

Now, for some fun. As I was reading through the entries, many of them were especially funny or thoughtful, so I thought I’d share a few of the best lines here:

My wife often compares me to a Terra Cotta warrior when she asks me to do chores–old, fragile and immobile! Need to see them in person to see if I the analogy is appropriate. –CC

Because I am articulate and witty with just the right amount of anecdotal hyperbole to keep it entertaining. You want me in that seat – you NEED me in that seat! –MS

Roses are red. United BusinessFirst is Blue. I fly the friendly skies. I can pronounce Xian with a Panda in my arm too! –WAS

My trip report will be the most beautifully written travel piece on this website to date, launching my writing career and bringing fame and fortune not only to myself but also to TravelSkills. Having taken off on the wings of the Dreamliner, my career will then go on to span multiple Pulitzer pieces, finally coming to rest at the last unexplored place on Earth. After all, intangible experiences are what truly make up a life. Allow me to live. –DK

I’m your guy, Chris! Recall we once flew to London together? Okay, probably not, but I do. Watched you work exhaustively at your craft, drinking fine wines, indulging each amenity offered, comfortably nestled. –BB

Soaring over sea

the mighty 787 flies.

Me, you, sleep. At peace.

–VF

My name is Cameron and I am an Aerosexual. I spend hours dreaming and obsessing about airplanes. Plane-spotting, tracking flights online and listening to air traffic control are my idea of an afternoon well spent. –CP

All my adult life, the most luxurious perk I’ve ever afford myself was the extra legroom room in the Exit Row. It would be the chance of a lifetime to experience life on the ‘other’ side of the curtain. –FWG

It often seems that most of the blogs I read or posts on FlyerTalk are written by tall guys. So, instead of an average flying “Joe” wouldn’t you rather have an average and 5’4″ flying “Jen”?

Why are there beds on this plane?! And I get this bed all to myself?! This glass of champagne is free?! I even get a toothbrush?! I must be in a Dream(liner)! –RG

My poor wife (a) has to defend the home front all by herself, and (b) has to listen to my stories and share in the excitement of travel virtually. It simply isn’t fair. So this would be an awesome way to repay my wife for her ‘sailors marriage.’ –MB

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to enter our contest!

If you have any great advice for Dan about travel to China, or what he should be looking for in United BusinessFirst on a B787 Dreamliner, please leave it in the comments below! 

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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