The title says it all. I'm a UA PremEx, flying PHL-LAX. Choice of UA and US, 15 minutes apart. Dinner flight (UA 99 vs US 11). Need time/space to eat and work, sleep not on the agenda.

Thoughts? thanks!

The title says it all. I'm a UA PremEx, flying PHL-LAX. Choice of UA and US, 15 minutes apart. Dinner flight (UA 99 vs US 11). Need time/space to eat and work, sleep not on the agenda.

Thoughts? thanks!

Hate to say it, but methinks you'd be far better off on UA if you can confirm F in advance. I find the food to be significantly superior on UA -- US's domestic F product is slipping to all time lows.

So sorry. :(

The only other comment would be this: I much prefer the 321 to the 319 b/c I like the feel of a much larger F cabin -- it feels much nicer to me for some reason. I don't like the little 12 seat, 3 row F cabins....... From that standpoint, I think you'd like the 321 aircraft better.

If you are looking for premium amenities and good airline food, UA is your airline.

However, if you are looking for a more comfortable seat, more working space and guranteed laptop power, US is the best choice.

I like the amenities on UA, don't get me wrong. However, I think that the US F cabin is more productive and you don't have a cramped cabin with people reclining (as much) into your space.

Not that this has anything to do with the OP's post, but the comparison of US first to others brought this to mind. I recently was on an AA flight from RDU - DFW in F and yes I was served a drink in actual GLASS (its stuff that is slightly harder than plastic for those US people reading this) However, I was extremely dissappointed by the comfort and size of the AA seats. I feel that the US cabin space is much more conducive to comfort and workability. The AA food compared to US food fairly equally in my mind, lets be honest no matter the airline your on airplane food stinks and has always stunk.

If I am not mistaken, the A319 of UA only has 8 in F, only 2 rows, not 3. That should make upgrading more difficult, especially on a long transcon. If comfort is more important, then try US which has 26 up front..

On the other hand, UA has E+.

lets be honest no matter the airline your on airplane food stinks and has always stunk.

I completely disagree. In fact, as much as NWA gets practically no attention from ANYONE, they can boast some substantial F meals these days. Yes, I enjoyed a Salade Nicose with smoked Tuna Steak alongside last week on a flight from DTW..... UAL still puts out a very decent meal, esp on transcons. Several courses on china. CO continues to offer respectable meals on flights over 3.5hrs.

US's transcon F food has, indeed, stunk now for months. My last flight from SFO (dinner) was as bad as I've seen -- the FA's were apologetic and the pax were not pleased. More than half returned nearly full trays. FAs were passing out comment cards....... Unacceptable.

Do tell. What was so bad about it? Spoiled? Overcooked? Its been pretty lousy since the glassware went away. But dinner is usually their best meal.

My last flight from SFO (dinner) was as bad as I've seen -- the FA's were apologetic and the pax were not pleased. More than half returned nearly full trays. FAs were passing out comment cards....... Unacceptable.

For me, F on the US 321 is much more comfortable. Food is like most other airlines (if you are expecting 5 star cuisine you will be disappointed), but acceptable. The cabin is roomy & very comfortable. The 319 is nice too, but much smaller and feels more crowded.

Service on US is generally very good despite the lack of some of the amenities that UA has.

If I am not mistaken, the A319 of UA only has 8 in F, only 2 rows, not 3. That should make upgrading more difficult, especially on a long transcon. If comfort is more important, then try US which has 26 up front..

On the other hand, UA has E+.

You are NOT mistaken. UA 319 has 2 rows of 4; UA 320 has 3 rows of 4; totals of 8 & 12 respectively.

If I am not mistaken, the A319 of UA only has 8 in F, only 2 rows, not 3. That should make upgrading more difficult, especially on a long transcon. If comfort is more important, then try US which has 26 up front..

On the other hand, UA has E+.

Art,

You're right--two rows of FC on the UA319. And you're right--US321 is much more roomy and better for doing work.

I'm sorry but despite my loyalty to US I can't imagine a reason to pick US over UA unless you are a US preferred and up for a free upgrade. Coach seats on US 321 might be a smidge bigger than UA 319 but any elite get's 4 more inches in Econ Plus on UA. A massive difference. The headrest on UA is far more comfortable than the US seat. In first, while the US first class cabin is spacious, there is hardly anymore pitch or width and UA has a fancy first class headrest that is far better than the US first class seat. UA food, glassware is substantialy better. With F8 vs F26, service will almost inevitably be better. If you are a UA premier with no upgrades, willing to buy them on US, you may have better luck with US because of F26 but if you are definitly going to be in coach - definitly pick UA. If you are confirming first with miles or anything - pick UA.

The question was about F Class not coach. :confused:

If you wanted to get work done you might select the US F Class cabin. Available and working UA Empower ports are a 1 in 20 chance.

The "fancy" headrest is really comfortable especially when a UA FA comes and jams it down on your shoulders. Then I spend the rest of the flight slouched forward. :rolleyes:

You clearly have not had anyone fully recline into you in UA F Class (especially on the 757). You are pinned to your seat while you count the hairs on the recliner's head.

I'm sorry but despite my loyalty to US I can't imagine a reason to pick US over UA unless you are a US preferred and up for a free upgrade. Coach seats on US 321 might be a smidge bigger than UA 319 but any elite get's 4 more inches in Econ Plus on UA. A massive difference. The headrest on UA is far more comfortable than the US seat. In first, while the US first class cabin is spacious, there is hardly anymore pitch or width and UA has a fancy first class headrest that is far better than the US first class seat. UA food, glassware is substantialy better. With F8 vs F26, service will almost inevitably be better. If you are a UA premier with no upgrades, willing to buy them on US, you may have better luck with US because of F26 but if you are definitly going to be in coach - definitly pick UA. If you are confirming first with miles or anything - pick UA.

I hate those headrests on the UA F seats. I could never get them adjusted properly. The US 321 seats are much better - simple, yet comfortable. I've taken some UA flights in F between LAX/SFO and ORD and haven't been impressed by the meal service. US serves a nicer meal except for the lack of glassware and metal cutlery. :)

It really is up to you, but in general, I think United offers a better first class product. Consider this:

US Airways - First Class on A321

26 seats
1 flight attendant (sometimes two but most of the time there is just one FA)
38'' seat pitch
Comfortable leather seats
Tiny blanket and small pillow
Basic 3-course meal:
Salad
Entree (choice of two)
Dessert (usually some kind of cheap cheesecake)


United Airlines - First Class on A319

8 seats
1 flight attendant (usually a domestic Purser)
38'' seat pitch (row 1 has limited legroom)
Standard UnitedFirst domestic seats with adjustable headrest
Good blanket and small pillow
Enhanced 4-course meal


I have been avoiding transcon A321 flights on US Airways b/c US Airways has been assigning only 1 FA to First, which makes F feel like an Economy Plus product.

It really is up to you, but in general, I think United offers a better first class product. Consider this:

US Airways - First Class on A321

26 seats
1 flight attendant (sometimes two but most of the time there is just one FA)
38'' seat pitch
Comfortable leather seats
Tiny blanket and small pillow
Basic 3-course meal:
Salad
Entree (choice of two)
Dessert (usually some kind of cheap cheesecake)


United Airlines - First Class on A319

8 seats
1 flight attendant (usually a domestic Purser)
38'' seat pitch (row 1 has limited legroom)
Standard UnitedFirst domestic seats with adjustable headrest
Good blanket and small pillow
Enhanced 4-course meal


I have been avoiding transcon A321 flights on US Airways b/c US Airways has been assigning only 1 FA to First, which makes F feel like an Economy Plus product.

With all due respect to the poster, I'm on PHL-SFO at least once a month with some PHL-LAX and PHL-SAN thrown in now and again. I fly only in First Class on transcons.

That said, I have never seen only one FA in FC, most especially during the meal service. Typically one FA remains in the galley during the entire service mixing drinks and preparing trays while the 2nd FA works in the cabin. Sometimes at the end when it's just clean up time, you may see the galley FA come out.

Granted, for the remainder of the flight, the galley FA goes to coach and one FA is left to service the cabin for the balance of the time in the air.

I make CP entirely on miles (don't even have enough segments for US2) and mainly on transcons.

As for the orginal intent of the thread, I find the US Airbus cabin and personnel to be superior. UA food meal service--including glassware--is far superior (quality, choices, etc). However, all seats on US Airbus have empower. Even in FC on UA Airbus it's a crapshoot if you get power. That alone drives me to US--I count on transcons to get a lot of grad school work done.

Hi EnvoyBoy,

I'm sorry but I'm very certain of what I previously stated. In fact, US Airways has a rule for FAs stating that only 1 FA is to be assigned to the First Class cabin of the A321. However, the same rule also mentions that when there is a hot meal service (which as you know US Airways only serves on transcon breakfast and dinner flights), then another FA might assist while the meal is served, but after that, he(s) is to go back to Coach. Of course, lately, US Airways has being getting worse and worse in Coach (just like all other US airlines), so maybe on many of your flights one of the FAs who was supposed to be working in Coach has decided to help in First Class instead. Knowing how discontent US FAs have been lately, this wouldn't surprise me. After all, US FAs on transcon flights don't have to do much in Coach since they only have to serve beverages and sell cold meals.

Perhaps you have noticed that on US A321 transcon lunch flights, which no longer have hot meals, there is only 1 FA in First Class. Either way, if I were to give you the benefit of the doubt, 2 FA's for 26 pax yields a pax/crew ratio of 1:13 compared to 1 FA for 8 pax yielding a ratio of 1:8, to me, that by itself makes a difference.

Yes, I agree about the US A321 F seats with power to charge your laptop being superior over UnitedFirst's domestic seats, but other than that, US Airways does not offer a competitive transcon first class product. Compare United's new premium service or even AA's regular transcon service (say Miami to LAX in F) and US Airways falls way behind.

The OP seemed to want to get some work done not spend the evening chatting up the FA or having a steady stream of drinks delivered.

Once the meal service is complete one FA is more than enough for either an F8 or an F26 cabin.

If you need to get work done and laptop power is important then a USAirways Airbus is the best choice in the sky. It's a pity that marketing doesn't do more with that.

And of course the odds of upgrading on an F26 aircraft (or F12 for that matter) are obviously way better than those on an F8.

I also strongly agree with the earlier post regarding NWA's inflight meals. They quietly kick butt. NWA just needs to add empower ports...

With all due respect to the poster, I'm on PHL-SFO at least once a month with some PHL-LAX and PHL-SAN thrown in now and again. I fly only in First Class on transcons.

That said, I have never seen only one FA in FC, most especially during the meal service. Typically one FA remains in the galley during the entire service mixing drinks and preparing trays while the 2nd FA works in the cabin. Sometimes at the end when it's just clean up time, you may see the galley FA come out.

Granted, for the remainder of the flight, the galley FA goes to coach and one FA is left to service the cabin for the balance of the time in the air.

I make CP entirely on miles (don't even have enough segments for US2) and mainly on transcons.

As for the orginal intent of the thread, I find the US Airbus cabin and personnel to be superior. UA food meal service--including glassware--is far superior (quality, choices, etc). However, all seats on US Airbus have empower. Even in FC on UA Airbus it's a crapshoot if you get power. That alone drives me to US--I count on transcons to get a lot of grad school work done.

EnvoyBoy, thanks for your input on this topic. Its been so long since I've flown US transcon. I think your are correct, the cabin environment and plethora of F seats avail for UG make US the logical choice. Yes, I agree that food on UA is generally better and they use glass/china I find the limited F seats to be a stronger negative. I flew UA F twice last week on 3+ hour flights and rate it quite nice. I like the US F seat better than the UA F seat.

I"m gonna have to book a US transcon soon so I can experience first hand. Just don't have any desire to flight the hassels of travel these days unless its short hops for mandatory business meetings.

You about done with Grad School right? You won't know what to do with yourself on US Transcons once schools done, lol.

FWIW, I ended up on the US 321 (flight 11, PHL-LAX). It was part of a disastrous few days that might best be called "PHear of PHLying through PHL".

See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382295&page=2

for the details...but I didn't even get the chance to take the UA flight, since my connection at PHL was 70 minutes late to the gate when I only had 75 minutes; I cancelled my UA F seat while I was still on the ground at AVP.

You about done with Grad School right? You won't know what to do with yourself on US Transcons once schools done, lol.

May 15, 2006, but who's counting?!?! Thanks for asking. Merry Christmas!

Does the US 321 bulkhead offer more or less room than the other F seats?

Does the US 321 bulkhead offer more or less room than the other F seats?

Definitely less. There are no cutouts. A tall person will not be comfortable there on a long flight.