Greetings--I am booking an award ticket and was confirmed on an IND-CLT-LAX segment in F on US. Other than the first flight taking me out of the way of my end destination (AKL), how do ya'll find first class enroute to the west coast? For those who have experience with both, is there much of a difference between US and UA?

Greetings--I am booking an award ticket and was confirmed on an IND-CLT-LAX segment in F on US. Other than the first flight taking me out of the way of my end destination (AKL), how do ya'll find first class enroute to the west coast? For those who have experience with both, is there much of a difference between US and UA?
I've done US First from PHL to both SFO and LAX, and find the service to be fantastic. I got a full meal on all 4 trans-con flights, and managed to get the A321 on 3 out of 4 segments. The F cabin on the 321 is huge (26 seats), and it just makes it feel roomier than most other narrowbody cabins IMO. The seats are leather, and the flight attendants are very professional; they almost seem pleased to serve you. You won't be disappointed!

I do the CLT-LAX round trip about five times a year and am somewhat satisfied with the service. PanAm330 is right about the 321 cabin; you feel like you're in an entirely different plane.

I usually try to get 6F (I like keeping my eye on people) but in doing so I run the risk of having one of the dinner options picked over. If you want your pick, make sure you sit forward of row 5. Dinner and a movie aren't served on the Eastbound red eye. I'm not sure when the cutoff time is.

The crews are generally better and more chipper than some of the shorter flights but there is still a smattering of a-holes, but just a few.

I haven't flown first class on UA since pre-9/11 so I can't compare.

Greetings--I am booking an award ticket and was confirmed on an IND-CLT-LAX segment in F on US. Other than the first flight taking me out of the way of my end destination (AKL), how do ya'll find first class enroute to the west coast? For those who have experience with both, is there much of a difference between US and UA?

I've done a few transcons the past month and am greatly disappointed at how sad the state of FC on US has come to. Sure, the crews for the most part are fantastic and generally all try to make up in their interactions for the lowsy food/beverages they are given to work with. The meals are awful. I'm tired of chicken/pasta on all transcons.

I understand simplification and the efficiencies that provides the bottom line but as much as I never though I'd give up my CP status to fly another airline across country I'm considering it seriously after several recent flights.

It cannot cost that much to buy a decent bottle of wine. I mean I can get two buck chuck for $4 a bottle on the east cost and $3 on the west coast. I find it hard to believe US cannot do better buying in bulk. More than the bad wine is the lack of menu creativity.

I don't like to complain and generally try to accept the new realities of airline travel but I'm reaching my limit.

If I were you and booking an F award, I'd use my DM on SA and fly UA. A ten fold improvement over US on an F transcon. Trust me. I've done a few UA's to LAX recently and SAN and, heck, Coach (Economy Plus) seems better than US F sans the free booze.

How Do You Find First PHL/CLT-West Coast?


In a word, crappy. US's F is basic in the extreme. Expect competent crews with reasonably comfortable seats and not much more. You won't be miserable, but you won't be delighted by any "extras" that you didn't expect since there are none. US offers a bare bones F product that is significantly overshadowed by both AA's and UA's.

I've done a few transcons the past month and am greatly disappointed at how sad the state of FC on US has come to. Sure, the crews for the most part are fantastic and generally all try to make up in their interactions for the lowsy food/beverages they are given to work with. The meals are awful. I'm tired of chicken/pasta on all transcons.

I understand simplification and the efficiencies that provides the bottom line but as much as I never though I'd give up my CP status to fly another airline across country I'm considering it seriously after several recent flights.

It cannot cost that much to buy a decent bottle of wine. I mean I can get two buck chuck for $4 a bottle on the east cost and $3 on the west coast. I find it hard to believe US cannot do better buying in bulk. More than the bad wine is the lack of menu creativity.

I don't like to complain and generally try to accept the new realities of airline travel but I'm reaching my limit.

If I were you and booking an F award, I'd use my DM on SA and fly UA. A ten fold improvement over US on an F transcon. Trust me. I've done a few UA's to LAX recently and SAN and, heck, Coach (Economy Plus) seems better than US F sans the free booze.

I agree with all of the above. US FC is not what it used to be but it's not bad. That said, I've moved most my transcon business to UA.

US will provide you much better/friendlier service, the beloved snack basket, the roomier 321 and the more comfortable (in my opinion) US seats.

UA will provide a far superior meal service: actual glasses, linens, better food, warm nuts, etc. Meal service will be quicker as UA often runs smaller FC cabins from US hubs--319 and 320's.

Audio/video is a tie in my opinion.

Make your decision based on what's important to you. Nobody can tell you which is the better product except based on what's important to them, not you.

I did SEA-CLT this afternoon. Asked for pasta and got chicken :( . No snack basket :( . It's really just a bigger seat...

Greetings--I am booking an award ticket and was confirmed on an IND-CLT-LAX segment in F on US. Other than the first flight taking me out of the way of my end destination (AKL), how do ya'll find first class enroute to the west coast? For those who have experience with both, is there much of a difference between US and UA?

If you're looking for the Transcontinental non-stop experience on UA, you can't get to SFO or LAX from CLT. You'll need to do US to PHL and UA PHL-LAX or UA PHL-SFO. Otherwise as you probably know, there is a morning UA flight to DEN from IND connecting to both a SFO and an LAX flight - incidentally both of those UA flights are on a 757.

Thank you all for the replies--all good things to keep in mind. I'm not sure what I'll end up doing but am now booked on US, IND-CLT-LAX-AKL...

Regardless, I hope as I'm sure you do, that we'll start to see additions in the F cabin as opposed to the countless eliminations of late.

Recently flew HP for first time transcon via LAS on way out and PHX back.

No matter what you say about US F, it still beats HP F.

On paid F to ANC, I got glasses and a coffee mug (Actually liked to get full cup of coffee), but service on four 4+ hour flights were at best overall lackluster without the professionalism or friendliness I am used to with US FA. The meals were uninspired and lacked any presentation at all.

For example, breakfast back from PHX was three pieces of french toast on an otherwise empty plate with an aluminum foil cup with hot fruit sauce on the side. It is not what one expects in F (garnish or sausage and fresh fruit would have been nice).

Hopefully when they truly merge they will at least follow the US example (sure wish it was UA example) and not further deteriorate F service to HP levels.

I agree with all of the above. US FC is not what it used to be but it's not bad. That said, I've moved most my transcon business to UA.

US will provide you much better/friendlier service, the beloved snack basket, the roomier 321 and the more comfortable (in my opinion) US seats.

UA will provide a far superior meal service: actual glasses, linens, better food, warm nuts, etc. Meal service will be quicker as UA often runs smaller FC cabins from US hubs--319 and 320's.

Audio/video is a tie in my opinion.

Make your decision based on what's important to you. Nobody can tell you which is the better product except based on what's important to them, not you.

As usual, I find myself in agreement with most all of EnvoyBoy's points.

I only beg to differ on the seat comfort. Personally, I think the UA domestic F cloth seats (which have wings and, what I perceive to be, a better recline) are much more comfortable than the US seats which, in my view, are fine for short hops but very uncomfortable to sleep in on transcons. Additionally, I far prefer the more intimate UA F cabin on the A319 (8 seats) and A320 (12 seats) than the 26-F A321 on US.

I agree completely with the characterization of UA's domestic F, however, will add a few caveats: (i) although still among the best in the country, UA's domestic F product has seen some appreciable deterioration in product quality in the past six months; (ii) getting upgraded on a UA F transcon (given the many smaller cabin planes making the runs) is boarderline impossible even for 1K's using confirmed instruments when traveling at peak times and (iii) finding award seats which, I believe, the OP is using, is even harder than scoring the upgrade. So, although UA's domestic F product is definitely nicer than US's, the cost of admission is far higher too.

Hopefully when they truly merge they will at least follow the US example (sure wish it was UA example) and not further deteriorate F service to HP levels.

I couldn't agree more. Taking two giant leaps backwards in their meal service quality to conform to the lackluster HP "non-meal" meal service would be unacceptable.

I only beg to differ on the seat comfort. Personally, I think the UA domestic F cloth seats (which have wings and, what I perceive to be, a better recline) are much more comfortable than the US seats which, in my view, are fine for short hops but very uncomfortable to sleep in on transcons. Additionally, I far prefer the more intimate UA F cabin on the A319 (8 seats) and A320 (12 seats) than the 26-F A321 on US.


That's so interesting to me.

I much, much prefer the US seats, although I don't try to sleep so maybe that's the difference. I find the UA seats harder and I find them more "structured" in their padding, leaving me little room to decide how I want to sit in them. To each their own, as always. Not one to use the wings or much of the recline on UA, I guess I'm more focused on what makes me comfortable to be awake.

As for the cabin, I like the faster service of the smaller UA cabin but prefer the open feel and atmosphere of the larger US 321 cabin. It feels more "real" FC to me. Again, the bigger cabin might be better if you're awake and aware, and the smaller cabin for the ease of sleep.

I agree with all of the above. US FC is not what it used to be but it's not bad. That said, I've moved most my transcon business to UA.

US will provide you much better/friendlier service, the beloved snack basket, the roomier 321 and the more comfortable (in my opinion) US seats.

UA will provide a far superior meal service: actual glasses, linens, better food, warm nuts, etc. Meal service will be quicker as UA often runs smaller FC cabins from US hubs--319 and 320's.

Audio/video is a tie in my opinion.

Make your decision based on what's important to you. Nobody can tell you which is the better product except based on what's important to them, not you.

I agree with Envoy Boy as well. Can't really put my finger on it, but I just found F in UA better. US@ORF mentioned that the wine on US is crap, but to be fair that's not entirely true, I was pleased to see on that same flight at least an honest attempt at something interesting in a South African Pinot Blanc a non-brand name Napa Cab. Sauvingnon. Too bad US doesn't carry Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in Envoy any more.

I do like the wings on the UA F seat, helps you sleep. UA takes better care of the A/C as well- cleaner, the drop-down screens don't flicker & Channel 9 rules. It'll be tough to get a transcon award seat on UA from PHL, though.

Kendall