UA in the 60"s had Men only flights between Ewr and Ord. on Caravelle's 2X2 seats Big steaks on all flights free booze and they handed out cigars.

snuggs28 wrote:

fun2fly wrote:

snuggs28 wrote:

2887 is not getting the Polaris Mod. Only getting Heavy Check with NGS Mod for now.
2888 is only Polaris Mod with Heavy Check.
2796 Polaris Mod and first Airplane to be retrofitted with Premium Economy.

How soon will they circle back to the 3 units w/o Prem Economy to eliminate the odd fleet? Up front or at the end?

Looks like August this year for both 2786 and 2888. 777-3 units start PP (Prem Economy) in August also.
777 GE CO Birds Start Polaris and PP Oct 2018
787's start Polaris and PP Aug 2019

Do you happen to know what the new 77W seat count will be once PE is added?

763 - 46J22W99Y
772 - 50J24W202Y
773 - 60J24W266Y

39M:
N67501 sked delivery flight 2689/23Apr BFI-HOU for - First 39M delivery.

764:
N76055 exited MCO 2781/22Apr

calpsafltskeds wrote:

39M:
N67501 sked delivery flight 2689/23Apr BFI-HOU for - First 39M delivery.

764:
N76055 exited MCO 2781/22Apr

Great to hear the MAX being nearly delivered to UA!

A bit more info on Premium Economy rollout from the earnings call.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... 19-447851/
"United Airlines plans to launch its new premium economy class in early 2019, as it dribbles out details on the new product.

Sales of Premium Plus, the Chicago-based carrier's name for the product, will begin in the fourth quarter or in early 2019, for a first quarter 2019 launch, said Andrew Nocella, chief commercial officer of United, during an earnings call on 18 April.

However, the physical seats will begin to appear on aircraft this summer and will likely be sold as United's extra-legroom economy plus product initially, he adds.

The carrier plans to have both its Polaris business seats and premium economy on all of its widebody aircraft by the end of 2020, says Nocella. It aims to introduce a retrofitted aircraft with both products, on average, every 10 days through the period."

nikeson13 wrote:

A bit more info on Premium Economy rollout from the earnings call.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/artic ... 19-447851/
"United Airlines plans to launch its new premium economy class in early 2019, as it dribbles out details on the new product.

Sales of Premium Plus, the Chicago-based carrier's name for the product, will begin in the fourth quarter or in early 2019, for a first quarter 2019 launch, said Andrew Nocella, chief commercial officer of United, during an earnings call on 18 April.

However, the physical seats will begin to appear on aircraft this summer and will likely be sold as United's extra-legroom economy plus product initially, he adds.

The carrier plans to have both its Polaris business seats and premium economy on all of its widebody aircraft by the end of 2020, says Nocella. It aims to introduce a retrofitted aircraft with both products, on average, every 10 days through the period."

Ironically, while that seems fast, if they do in fact want it completed by 2020, it would have to be faster than every 10 days. There are about 980 days between now and the end of 2020. Divided by 10, that would be only 98 planes and they have about double that to retrofit, or deliver new with both.

We don't know what else besides the extra space will come with Premium Plus, but I expect it is going to be several extra soft products, like premium dining, alcohol, etc. That is a long time to have the seats on planes before you sell them as the new product. As UA already has seat by seat dynamic pricing for Y+, I bet the prices for these seats will be similar to what they will be after officially offered, just without the upgraded soft products. I'll still pay for it, all I want is more space. The food and booze is just icing on the cake.

So, to be sure, that means Polaris seats, the new Premium Economy seats on the current 788 & 789 fleets by 2020?

VC10er wrote:

So, to be sure, that means Polaris seats, the new Premium Economy seats on the current 788 & 789 fleets by 2020?

That's the goal, I'm sure. They've got their work cut out. It'll be telling to me how many aircraft they're able to mod next winter, because the next two winters are their best opportunities to really make some headway.

Thanks! Are there any other images of the seat other than the one that went out with the announcement? Headrests look magenta or some dark pink color?

6684 767-3CB 101 (HA) 684 (UA) 33466 N684UA 0890 Arrive 7/18
N588HA
6685 767-3CB 102 (HA) 685 (UA) 33467 N685UA 0894 Arrive 10/18
N590HA
6686 767-3CB 103 (HA) 686 (UA) 33468 N686UA 0898 Arrive 0/18
N592HA

calpsafltskeds wrote:

39M:
N67501 sked delivery flight 2689/23Apr BFI-HOU for - First 39M delivery.

Don’t know why but flight UA2689 first showed rolling delay for several hours, then cancelled for ‘operational reasons’. I presume the delivery actually took place and UA now has ownership of the aircraft, but’s it’s still at BFI.

fun2fly wrote:

763 - 46J22W99Y
772 - 50J24W202Y
773 - 60J24W266Y

Does anyone think we’ll see P+ on the HD 772s? While the role of the HD 772s is clearly hub-hub/hub-leisure market people movers these aircraft frequently operate flights in excess of 8hrs. With the added legroom and added soft product features one would posit that UA could sell these seats on the longer flights.

77H

Slightly off topic, does anyone know how much research and rigor are put into these seats aside from size and weight? Like, how many humans are put in them for 18 flights, etc and get to a minimum comfort check?
I know this is done with more expensive J and F seats, but did any designers of a slimline seat actually ever gauge how comfortable (or uncomfortable) these seats can be?
I find anything over 3 hours in a slimline torture- do these new W seat designs meet a much higher standard with real human butts and backs?

73G:
N25705 looks to swap with n23721 and go into slimline mod tomorrow (last ,mainline 737NG for slimlines)
N23721 sked to exit MCO 2800/24Apr with slimlines

79M:
N67501, UA took delivery in BFI, Induction flight to HOU cxld.

764:
N76065 entered MCO 2789/24Apr
N77066 en route HNL/HKG for crew rest 2820/23Apr EWR-HNL

Good riddance to the Qs. Last time I was on one, an old lady in a wheelchair on the ground passed us.

iahcsr wrote:

calpsafltskeds wrote:

39M:
N67501 sked delivery flight 2689/23Apr BFI-HOU for - First 39M delivery.

Don’t know why but flight UA2689 first showed rolling delay for several hours, then cancelled for ‘operational reasons’. I presume the delivery actually took place and UA now has ownership of the aircraft, but’s it’s still at BFI.

Rescheduled for this morning at 810 pst...

I was FINALLY on a 737-700 (I assume that’s the G?) and it had the new F seat. It was it awesome condition inside even though it didn’t have the new bulkhead design...that said, a novice would probably think they were on a new airplane.
It made me wonder if canceling that huge offer of discounted 737G’s was a good idea or not. It definitely smaller inside but when renovated looked very nice. (Still, I prefer the UA Airbus) - Although very excited to fly the MAX.

7501 is enroute to HOU. ETA 1356

VC10er wrote:

It made me wonder if canceling that huge offer of discounted 737G’s was a good idea or not. It definitely smaller inside but when renovated looked very nice. (Still, I prefer the UA Airbus) - Although very excited to fly the MAX.

It wasn't canceled; converted to 737 MAX variants plus 4 737-800s (already delivered). Current orders are for 60 737 MAX9 (1 on property), 100 737 MAX10.

UA has about 36 used A319/320 on order that will be coming on property between 2018 and 2020.

Right codc10, I totally forgot they were converted- senior moment.

I am thrilled that United is going to breath new life into these used Airbus A319/320s. I don’t know if it’s real or just perception, but the Airbus A319/20 seem to cruise smoother than a 737 (although very slightly) and I like the new interiors...a very classy tailored look.
Thanks

Cmac787 wrote:

7501 is enroute to HOU. ETA 1356

Just landed... wonder what the issue was yesterday (flitfo listed the ongoing delay as ‘refueling’)
N37502 had C1 yesterday. Two more are to deliver this month and three more are off the FAL. Last four for the year will follow later.

VC10er wrote:

Right codc10, I totally forgot they were converted- senior moment.

I am thrilled that United is going to breath new life into these used Airbus A319/320s. I don’t know if it’s real or just perception, but the Airbus A319/20 seem to cruise smoother than a 737 (although very slightly) and I like the new interiors...a very classy tailored look.
Thanks

F might be great, but don't forget about how the Y seats are even worse than what's on the 73s...

I, Like VC10er, am excited about the used busses.....Very versatile aircraft, great plane for moving a city pair from RJ to mainline.

ordpark wrote:

I, Like VC10er, am excited about the used busses.....Very versatile aircraft, great plane for moving a city pair from RJ to mainline.

I’m fairly certain there will be more than 20 coming from U2. A lot more than that will be needed to justify the major expense of supporting the new engine type.

iahcsr wrote:

ordpark wrote:

I, Like VC10er, am excited about the used busses.....Very versatile aircraft, great plane for moving a city pair from RJ to mainline.

I’m fairly certain there will be more than 20 coming from U2. A lot more than that will be needed to justify the major expense of supporting the new engine type.

Unofficially the number is 40-60, but they'll be announced over time. Wall Street would have a collective heart attack if United announced orders for 60 used 319s, even over a 3-5 year horizon!

not sure why UA's Y product has dropped so much below Y products on DL's A319/320 and B737's. It is just another reason why DL is for a US carrier a premium airline

gsg013 wrote:

not sure why UA's Y product has dropped so much below Y products on DL's A319/320 and B737's. It is just another reason why DL is for a US carrier a premium airline

Don't know what you mean by that. On nearly every comparable mission, UA and DL's Y product – hard and soft – is identical or so-similar-as-makes-no-difference.

codc10 wrote:

iahcsr wrote:

ordpark wrote:

I, Like VC10er, am excited about the used busses.....Very versatile aircraft, great plane for moving a city pair from RJ to mainline.

I’m fairly certain there will be more than 20 coming from U2. A lot more than that will be needed to justify the major expense of supporting the new engine type.

Unofficially the number is 40-60, but they'll be announced over time. Wall Street would have a collective heart attack if United announced orders for 60 used 319s, even over a 3-5 year horizon!

U2 shows to have 80+ of the type ... so......

It’s true that I don’t know the difference between Y seats on the 737 vs the Airbuses (although the color is different on some, grey, right?) Any/all Y seats I try to avoid if I can. I will pay if it’s within $200 or try and upgrade - on flights over 3 hours. Call me a snob, but after a job I held for 24 years that required 200,000+ flying miles a year and my age; I made a decision to avoid economy once and for all. It is absolutely shocking to me how bad Economy has become since I was young. I’m not rich, it’s just where I choose to splurge.

adamblang wrote:

gsg013 wrote:

not sure why UA's Y product has dropped so much below Y products on DL's A319/320 and B737's. It is just another reason why DL is for a US carrier a premium airline

Don't know what you mean by that. On nearly every comparable mission, UA and DL's Y product – hard and soft – is identical or so-similar-as-makes-no-difference.

DL has much better Y product first off the seats are more comfortable from a padding perspective. 2nd UA has gone with no IFE what so ever on these domestic birds. The DL AVOD makes the Y class experience far superior to same plane on UA.

gsg013 wrote:

adamblang wrote:

gsg013 wrote:

not sure why UA's Y product has dropped so much below Y products on DL's A319/320 and B737's. It is just another reason why DL is for a US carrier a premium airline

Don't know what you mean by that. On nearly every comparable mission, UA and DL's Y product – hard and soft – is identical or so-similar-as-makes-no-difference.

DL has much better Y product first off the seats are more comfortable from a padding perspective. 2nd UA has gone with no IFE what so ever on these domestic birds. The DL AVOD makes the Y class experience far superior to same plane on UA.

Good for you. Feel free not to fly on us then.....

gsg013 wrote:

adamblang wrote:

gsg013 wrote:

not sure why UA's Y product has dropped so much below Y products on DL's A319/320 and B737's. It is just another reason why DL is for a US carrier a premium airline

Don't know what you mean by that. On nearly every comparable mission, UA and DL's Y product – hard and soft – is identical or so-similar-as-makes-no-difference.

DL has much better Y product first off the seats are more comfortable from a padding perspective. 2nd UA has gone with no IFE what so ever on these domestic birds. The DL AVOD makes the Y class experience far superior to same plane on UA.

DL is largely using the same BE Pinnacle seats as UAL has on its 737s and retrofit 753s. The Meridian seats coming in on the 737MAX review well.

UAL has IFE on all mainline and 70/76-seat aircraft. It might not be an embedded system, but there are entertainment options available. So "no IFE what so ever" is patently false.

If the IFE argument was between UA and B6 I'd completely agree with the folks who say removing the screens is a bad idea because the B6 service is "free." The reality is UA charged customers extra for the Direct TV so in that regard I feel the new streaming system is far superior. UA has a decent selection of free media available on the new system and while having to use a tablet/phone/laptop might be a bit of an adjustment for some the world is rapidly moving to a mobile device-centric mindset so I think UA will ultimately be ahead of the curve here.

gsg013 wrote:

adamblang wrote:

gsg013 wrote:

DL has much better Y product first off the seats are more comfortable from a padding perspective. 2nd UA has gone with no IFE what so ever on these domestic birds. The DL AVOD makes the Y class experience far superior to same plane on UA.

717/MD-80/MD-90 right off the top of my head that don't have AVOD. If you went with the free messaging with wifi then I would agree with you on that however bad comparison when it comes with the IFE.

AviationAddict wrote:

If the IFE argument was between UA and B6 I'd completely agree with the folks who say removing the screens is a bad idea because the B6 service is "free." The reality is UA charged customers extra for the Direct TV so in that regard I feel the new streaming system is far superior. UA has a decent selection of free media available on the new system and while having to use a tablet/phone/laptop might be a bit of an adjustment for some the world is rapidly moving to a mobile device-centric mindset so I think UA will ultimately be ahead of the curve here.

All aircraft with the direct TVs are getting PDE. Quite a few of them have both direct tv and PDE now.

IIRC N37502, Max #2, is set for delivery 26Apr. Hopefully things will go a bit more smoothly than 7501. Wonder if it will also go to HOU or one of the more traditional induction locations?

Didn't see this posted yet, or at least in here. TPG has cabin views of the UA MAX 9:

https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/united-737-max-tour/

New F seat, no bulkhead wall between F and Y, and new Y seats. The article says the space-saving lav isn't as bad as AA's, though it looks pretty bad to me in those pictures.

[quote="intotheair"]Didn't see this posted yet, or at least in here. TPG has cabin views of the UA MAX 9:

https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/united-737-max-tour/

New F seat, no bulkhead wall between F and Y, and new Y seats. The article says the space-saving lav isn't as bad as AA's, though it looks pretty bad to me in those pictures.

[img]https://i2.wp.com/thepointsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/P4192303.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024px&ssl=1[/img]

[img]https://i1.wp.com/thepointsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/P4192342.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024px&ssl=1[/img]

[img]https://i1.wp.com/thepointsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/P4192417.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024px&ssl=1[/img][/quote]
It appears one can at least turn around in it...

intotheair wrote:

Didn't see this posted yet, or at least in here. TPG has cabin views of the UA MAX 9:

https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/united-737-max-tour/

New F seat, no bulkhead wall between F and Y, and new Y seats. The article says the space-saving lav isn't as bad as AA's, though it looks pretty bad to me in those pictures.

The lav and passenger space in general should be much better UAs MAX 9 than on AAs MAX 8s. UAs aircraft is 9 feet longer than AAs but only seats 7 more passengers.

So no bulkhead wall between F and Y were the reason UA could add 2 more rows of Y+ on that side (6-9 more Y+ than previous config with the same total seats). The other side has a lavatory anyway on 739.

iahcsr wrote:

IIRC N37502, Max #2, is set for delivery 26Apr. Hopefully things will go a bit more smoothly than 7501. Wonder if it will also go to HOU or one of the more traditional induction locations?

Aircraft will also head to HOU.
https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n37502

HeeseokKoo wrote:

So no bulkhead wall between F and Y were the reason UA could add 2 more rows of Y+ on that side (6-9 more Y+ than previous config with the same total seats). The other side has a lavatory anyway on 739.

Should also allow for a full recline in 5EF, too.

Send it back to the factory. It's missing seatback screens.

FlightLevel360 wrote:

Send it back to the factory. It's missing seatback screens.

You are going to be sorely disappointed with all the MAXes at AA, WN and AS then as well.

It does have a streaming video system, power ports, tablet holders and a next generation WiFi system...that should be enough to keep anyone entertained.

United1 wrote:

FlightLevel360 wrote:

Send it back to the factory. It's missing seatback screens.

You are going to be sorely disappointed with all the MAXes at AA, WN and AS then as well.

It does have a streaming video system, power ports, tablet holders and a next generation WiFi system...that should be enough to keep anyone entertained.

Lol, I was just joking a bit

On the serious side, I have been incredibly disappointed with the switch to personal streaming entertainment. It makes the airline seem ridiculously cheap (see SIA vs. Scoot/SilkAir) and provides an inconvenience to many passengers, especially large families. While I do agree that many seatback IFE systems are "overpriced" for airlines, there's gotta be a cheaper solution without having to force passengers to use their own devices. Specifically I'm thinking of GOGO vision touch.

U.S. airlines are the most profitable in the world. Why do they need to continue making the passenger experience miserable?

They didn't get to be the most profitable in the world by offering product that didn't cover its costs.

FlightLevel360 wrote:

United1 wrote:

FlightLevel360 wrote:

Send it back to the factory. It's missing seatback screens.

You are going to be sorely disappointed with all the MAXes at AA, WN and AS then as well.

It does have a streaming video system, power ports, tablet holders and a next generation WiFi system...that should be enough to keep anyone entertained.

Lol, I was just joking a bit

On the serious side, I have been incredibly disappointed with the switch to personal streaming entertainment. It makes the airline seem ridiculously cheap (see SIA vs. Scoot/SilkAir) and provides an inconvenience to many passengers, especially large families. While I do agree that many seatback IFE systems are "overpriced" for airlines, there's gotta be a cheaper solution without having to force passengers to use their own devices. Specifically I'm thinking of GOGO vision touch.

U.S. airlines are the most profitable in the world. Why do they need to continue making the passenger experience miserable?

Well in essence you have UA (and AA for that matter) adopting a hybrid approach. UA offers AVOD on long haul flights (like SIA) and streaming video on domestic/shorter hops (like Scoot/SilkAir.) It seems to be a good balance for UA and UAs streaming system is not GoGo vision and works really really well.

The hard product on UA, AA, DL, WN and AS is better than it has been in decades...yes the airlines are the most profitable they ever have been and some of that money is finding its way back into the travel experience.

FlightLevel360 wrote:

Lol, I was just joking a bit

On the serious side, I have been incredibly disappointed with the switch to personal streaming entertainment. It makes the airline seem ridiculously cheap (see SIA vs. Scoot/SilkAir) and provides an inconvenience to many passengers, especially large families. While I do agree that many seatback IFE systems are "overpriced" for airlines, there's gotta be a cheaper solution without having to force passengers to use their own devices. Specifically I'm thinking of GOGO vision touch.

U.S. airlines are the most profitable in the world. Why do they need to continue making the passenger experience miserable?

I would have agreed with you when the decision was made to push PDE over seatback IFE/AVOD, but my opinion has changed over time. Having Live TV is nice, but when it's a paid feature in Y, it's basically irrelevant for at least half of passengers. It's rare to see passengers these days who don't fly with tablets, or smartphones at the very least, to take advantage of PDE — a free service with much greater selection. It's easier for many people to use a Netflix-like service on a device they know, rather than try to use an IFE system they may be unfamiliar with and may be more annoying to navigate.

Fortunately the future will bring more Y seats with tablet/smartphone holders on the seatback, which make the ergonomics of watching your own device far better. My only gripe is that given the switch to PDE, I believe that every seat should have its own power port. Not just in Y+, not just two for each row of three...if people are expected to bring their own devices, there should be guaranteed access to a power port.

That said, the mix of PDE on the domestic fleet and AVOD + PDE on international routes is one that I think serves passengers well. Provided AVOD will continue to be offered on long haul aircraft, I support the moves they've made, apart from the power outlet availability.

United1 wrote:

FlightLevel360 wrote:

Send it back to the factory. It's missing seatback screens.

You are going to be sorely disappointed with all the MAXes at AA, WN and AS then as well.

It does have a streaming video system, power ports, tablet holders and a next generation WiFi system...that should be enough to keep anyone entertained.

Though I work for United's subsidary, UGE, as a Deaf Employee and Passenger who has to fly United for work all the time, it's frustrating not having CC and Subtitles on the PDE Movies and TV's via the Wifi Selection.

AA has it on theirs, any chance I wonder of UA expanding that option? I know they announced improvement to the entertainment system but I was lead to believe that it was only on the seatback TV's...

Alex