United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - Difference Between Biz and First on a 777-200

Trying to decide whether to cash in the miles for a Business or First ticket IAH-HNL. Saw that it's a 777-200 with three class service. Are the business seats lie flat or is that just first? Trying to decide if first is worth it or not.

Any help would be appreciated!

In first class, yes, you should have a flat bed seat.

In business, it depends. If it is the OLD configuration, you won't have a lie flat seat. If it is the NEW configuration, you will. Looks like 34 out of 46 are the new configuration.

You cannot rely on the seating chart as United regularly swaps one 777 for another close to departure time. If you booked because the seating chart said you were getting the lie flat seat and they substitute the old non-flat one, there is no consideration, no compensation, no nothing. I believe this conversion started in 2008 and was supposed to be done by 2009, but it's still not close to completion.

Thanks for the response. I couldn't tell from the website which configuration it was. I ended up booking business for HNL-IAH for May 2013. I had been checking the site daily for saver availability in First but up until now it had only shown two classes of service and then tonight 3 classes opened up.

Thanks for the response. I couldn't tell from the website which configuration it was. I ended up booking business for HNL-IAH for May 2013. I had been checking the site daily for saver availability in First but up until now it had only shown two classes of service and then tonight 3 classes opened up.

Picking a random date in May shows an old config PMUA 777 (Seatguru: http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_Boeing_777-200_1.php). The business class seats are recliners.

In contrast, a new config 777 (seatguru http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/United_Airlines/United_Airlines_Boeing_777-200_2_New.php), business class is 8 across and features lie-flat seats.

Interesting that it's a 3-cabin 777, when internally we were told it's going 2-cabin domestic sUA configuration. Oh well be nice for the IAH - HNL travelers.

Interesting that it's a 3-cabin 777, when internally we were told it's going 2-cabin domestic sUA configuration. Oh well be nice for the IAH - HNL travelers.

that's what I remember you posting too.

the PMUA Intl 777's (sorry if im using the wrong terminology) start IAH-HNL in November of this year.

so many changes into and out of HNL!

In first class, yes, you should have a flat bed seat.

In business, it depends. If it is the OLD configuration, you won't have a lie flat seat. If it is the NEW configuration, you will. Looks like 34 out of 46 are the new configuration.

You cannot rely on the seating chart as United regularly swaps one 777 for another close to departure time. If you booked because the seating chart said you were getting the lie flat seat and they substitute the old non-flat one, there is no consideration, no compensation, no nothing. I believe this conversion started in 2008 and was supposed to be done by 2009, but it's still not close to completion.

Actually I recieved an apology email with the link to the appreciate site to pick a form of compensation 15k miles, 350 ecert, 20% off systemwide because they switched from a new config to an old config. This was done on 8/15 bah-iad and 8/16 ord-gru-gig. Thus 2 flights that were changed but I was compensated.

Actually I recieved an apology email with the link to the appreciate site to pick a form of compensation 15k miles, 350 ecert, 20% off systemwide because they switched from a new config to an old config. This was done on 8/15 bah-iad and 8/16 ord-gru-gig. Thus 2 flights that were changed but I was compensated.

Same thing happened to Mrs. qfrodo and I back on July 12 for IAD-GRU-GIG.

that's what I remember you posting too.

the PMUA Intl 777's (sorry if im using the wrong terminology) start IAH-HNL in November of this year.

so many changes into and out of HNL!

So, does this mean that even though I booked the old configuration for May 2013, there's a decent possibility we could get the new config instead?

FlyerChrisK, thanks very much for the clarification. If you couln't tell, I'm a little wet behind the ears when it comes to this but at least I know now what to look for:).

Interesting that it's a 3-cabin 777, when internally we were told it's going 2-cabin domestic sUA configuration. Oh well be nice for the IAH - HNL travelers.

Could just be a placeholder for now, right? Kind of like the placeholder flights to HKG/NRT they had Xmas week which they just cancelled, displacing a few thousand pax.

I'm betting it is a placeholder and it changes to a 2-cabin 772. But it definitely is showing as 3-cabin right now:
http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg862/scaled.php?tn=0&server=862&filename=ewfpn.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

I am tentatively flying UA880 NRT-HNL in late January 2013, in business class. On United, seatmap shows a 777-200 with BusinessFirst seats from Rows 8-15, just like the image in Post #11 above.

I realize this is several months away, but is it reasonable to assume these will be non-lie-flat old business class seats?

Thanks!

If you booked because the seating chart said you were getting the lie flat seat and they substitute the old non-flat one, there is no consideration, no compensation, no nothing. I believe this conversion started in 2008 and was supposed to be done by 2009, but it's still not close to completion.

I have also received compensation for this particular airplane swap (LHR-IAD in May 2012).

I am tentatively flying UA880 NRT-HNL in late January 2013, in business class. On United, seatmap shows a 777-200 with BusinessFirst seats from Rows 8-15, just like the image in Post #11 above.

I realize this is several months away, but is it reasonable to assume these will be non-lie-flat old business class seats?

Thanks!

The configuration shown in post #11 is the old configuration. In the new configuration, business starts with row 6.

The swap has happened to me on a few occasions as well. Same experience re compensation. However, most recently it happened on IAD-MUC this past July but was flying economy with the fam, so didn't even remember to call and complain...
I would upgrade if possible...

The swap has happened to me on a few occasions as well. Same experience re compensation. However, most recently it happened on IAD-MUC this past July but was flying economy with the fam, so didn't even remember to call and complain...
I would upgrade if possible...

I originally was on an award in 76H's from IAH-HNL-IAH for mid-Jan in Business (Fare Class I). When the A/C changed to the 772 seating plan shown by sbm12 in Post 11, I used an additional 20K to upgrade into First (Fare Class O). I would assume that if a downgrade occurs, those 20K would be redeposited.

I am tentatively flying UA880 NRT-HNL in late January 2013, in business class. On United, seatmap shows a 777-200 with BusinessFirst seats from Rows 8-15, just like the image in Post #11 above.

I realize this is several months away, but is it reasonable to assume these will be non-lie-flat old business class seats?

Thanks!

I've been on this flight about a dozen times this year and they've all been the new lie-flat seats in biz. Since about April, it's always been the reconfigured 747 as well. My guess is that it'll switch from the current config.

I am tentatively flying UA880 NRT-HNL in late January 2013, in business class. On United, seatmap shows a 777-200 with BusinessFirst seats from Rows 8-15, just like the image in Post #11 above.

I realize this is several months away, but is it reasonable to assume these will be non-lie-flat old business class seats?

Thanks!

I answered own my question by:
1) Going to planefinder.net and finding the aircraft registrations for past UA880 flights (eg. N791UA for 11/11/2012).
2) Searching for the aircraft registration on United Fleet Website: https://sites.google.com/site/unitedfleetsite/

It seems like some recent NRT-HNL flights still had the old 777-200 configuration, unfortunately, which probably means there's a decent chance of having no lie-flat business class. I've never flown on this route, so hopefully there'll be an equipment swap.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I'm trying to book a NYC-IAH-HNL r/t and was hoping to RPU up to biz, however, still wondering whether the seat map for the 777-200 is still a placeholder or whether it's now accurate. Would love a lie-flat, but would rather not gamble with a last-minute substitution (which of course, can always happen...). Looking for Aug. 2013 dates and the seat maps are the same regardless of whether I'm looking next week, next month, or next August.

So, are there a sufficient amount of data points out there to tell me I should definitely buy the tix in hopes of a biz lie-flat? Argh :confused: Thanks for any insight, FT!

I'm betting it is a placeholder and it changes to a 2-cabin 772. But it definitely is showing as 3-cabin right now:
http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg862/scaled.php?tn=0&server=862&filename=ewfpn.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I'm trying to book a NYC-IAH-HNL r/t and was hoping to RPU up to biz, however, still wondering whether the seat map for the 777-200 is still a placeholder or whether it's now accurate. Would love a lie-flat, but would rather not gamble with a last-minute substitution (which of course, can always happen...). Looking for Aug. 2013 dates and the seat maps are the same regardless of whether I'm looking next week, next month, or next August.

So, are there a sufficient amount of data points out there to tell me I should definitely buy the tix in hopes of a biz lie-flat? Argh :confused: Thanks for any insight, FT!

That's a 3-cabin but not flat beds. And that is what you should expect on that route. Getting a flat bed on the 772 is highly unlikely. By August there is a decent chance the "new" configuration will be in place. So back to 2-cabin but still no flat beds.

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I'm trying to book a NYC-IAH-HNL r/t and was hoping to RPU up to biz, however, still wondering whether the seat map for the 777-200 is still a placeholder or whether it's now accurate. Would love a lie-flat, but would rather not gamble with a last-minute substitution (which of course, can always happen...). Looking for Aug. 2013 dates and the seat maps are the same regardless of whether I'm looking next week, next month, or next August.

So, are there a sufficient amount of data points out there to tell me I should definitely buy the tix in hopes of a biz lie-flat? Argh :confused: Thanks for any insight, FT!

You would probably have a better chance at a lie-flat by sticking with the UA15/14 combo (EWR-HNL-EWR) by RPUing into the pointy end of a non-Mike 764.

Mahalo, sbm12 and Jerseyslime! I wanted to have my cake and eat it, too (more pqm miles + lie-flats via IAH), but yeah, I guess I value comfort over miles. EWR-HNL-EWR it is.

That's a 3-cabin but not flat beds. And that is what you should expect on that route. Getting a flat bed on the 772 is highly unlikely. By August there is a decent chance the "new" configuration will be in place. So back to 2-cabin but still no flat beds.

You would probably have a better chance at a lie-flat by sticking with the UA15/14 combo (EWR-HNL-EWR) by RPUing into the pointy end of a non-Mike 764.

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Sorry to resurrect this old thread, but I'm trying to book a NYC-IAH-HNL r/t and was hoping to RPU up to biz, however, still wondering whether the seat map for the 777-200 is still a placeholder or whether it's now accurate. Would love a lie-flat, but would rather not gamble with a last-minute substitution (which of course, can always happen...). Looking for Aug. 2013 dates and the seat maps are the same regardless of whether I'm looking next week, next month, or next August.

So, are there a sufficient amount of data points out there to tell me I should definitely buy the tix in hopes of a biz lie-flat? Argh :confused: Thanks for any insight, FT!

You would probably have a better chance at a lie-flat by sticking with the UA15/14 combo (EWR-HNL-EWR) by RPUing into the pointy end of a non-Mike 764.

Non-Mikes swapping into 14/15 are as rare as flats swapping into iahhnl.

Did a mileage run late October. Couldn't even get 14, went though IAD and then Miked it, at least in the standalone middle. Coming back, hnliah was swapped to a 764 (I think, had 39 flat) on a captain's final flight. Old 762 back to EWR, but there were 2 lay flats regularly on that route, just not with R.

Thus, the opportunity in going completely lay flat exists in going through iah, in my opinion.

The 76H (a/k/a "Mikes" above) will be more likely to swap to a flat bed config than the 772s. The 76s are all getting converted eventually to that configuration and there may be some time where they have that config and before the 772s with the new "islands" config come online.

hi, am looking at a flight that i know will be the old 777's. can use mileage for it at a saver award. it says it is a flat bed seat but what is the IFE system like. it's a long flight and i dont know whether i want to waste miles for it. thanks

GF is 1-2-1. AVOD is pmUA and is IMHO better than the pmCO AVOD, but both are sufficient. Good enough movie selections for 1 or 2 vids before I knock off to sleep. The flat bed is very comfortable - same one as in 767 and 747 GF.

...am looking at a flight that i know will be the old 777's. ....when is the flight and what is the cities?
Old style 777s are nearly all converted and likely will be gone in a few months.

The old 777 F suite is lie-flat, though it does not have all of the conveniences that you would get on the new, IPTE suite.

It looks just like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2569/3828954616_cef7e4a032.jpg

IFE is a set of tapes that you load into the video system. An emPower port is provided at the seat.

GF is 1-2-1. AVOD is pmUA and is IMHO better than the pmCO AVOD, but both are sufficient. Good enough movie selections for 1 or 2 vids before I knock off to sleep. The flat bed is very comfortable - same one as in 767 and 747 GF.

The old 777s don't have true AVOD in F.

GF is 1-2-1. AVOD is pmUA and is IMHO better than the pmCO AVOD, but both are sufficient. Good enough movie selections for 1 or 2 vids before I knock off to sleep. The flat bed is very comfortable - same one as in 767 and 747 GF.
If the OP is talking about the old non-IPTE 777s that are still floating around, then this is incorrect. (These are recognizable because they have 3 rows of GF, and BF is in a 2-3-2 configuration.) On these planes, IFE in GF is 9 channels of looping video, along with a selection of tapes for your personal video player which the cabin crew will offer during the flight. The seat itself is completely lie-flat and comfortable for sleeping, but the lack of on-demand video makes for a pretty sad experience if you're relying on United for your in-flight entertainment.

You should be aware that on a 3-cabin 777, you won't know the configuration for sure until about 24 hours before departure as they tend to swap with little to no warning. If I'm counting the fleet tracking doc right, though, this configuration only exists on 5 of the 46 3-class 777s in service, so it's going away quickly.

The old 777s don't have true AVOD in F.

What are you trying to imply with the word "true" there? Is Audio and Video On Demand offered?

What are you trying to imply with the word "true" there? Is Audio and Video On Demand offered?

If you consider the FA offering you a video tape when you want to watch a movie, then yes, I suppose AVOD is offered....

True AVOD would be an integrated unit, such as the on-demand IFE units in the IPTE suites.

Mahalo, sbm12 and Jerseyslime! I wanted to have my cake and eat it, too (more pqm miles + lie-flats via IAH), but yeah, I guess I value comfort over miles. EWR-HNL-EWR it is.

I just flew the UA 15 EWR-HNL and it was much much more comfortable then flying HNL SFO(P.S)-JFK

The first class seats (businessfirst) are very comfortable, the entertainment is plentifull, decent food and by the time you get to HNL you will be well rested. The flight goes by very fast!

when is the flight and what is the cities?
Old style 777s are nearly all converted and likely will be gone in a few months.

it is a flight net-sea-nrt on the 21 and 30th this month. when i booked the flight back in october 2012 using miles and gpu it was the new planes, now its
the old 777. so i just want to make sure its a true flat bed and would like to know what the ife is like. there were some notes with alot of abbreviations, that i am just not sure what they meant.

any info, appreciated

it is a flight net-sea-nrt on the 21 and 30th this month. ....this is the most likely route for the old config and given the close in dates there is still a reasonable chance for old config.

as others have mention, the seat is good and the IFE is a bit old school (tapes).

I just did both configurations this week on flights DEN-HNL! [apparently only for a short period of time, during high season].

On the way from Hawaii, there's literally no difference in service between both First and Business Cabins. Seats are almost identical as well (though not as cramped in First).

On the return, I got the old configurations, Business class are Recliners (but comfortable enough). First is flat bed, like in the new configuration.

There was no choice of meals in Business! We were just assigned the Chicken to everyone without asking!

From what I could see, most of the flights this season are schedule in the old configuration and the new substitutes the old a few days...

Both flights were looking for volunteers (but not needed them at the end).

I just did both configurations this week on flights DEN-HNL! [apparently only for a short period of time, during high season].

On the way from Hawaii, there's literally no difference in service between both First and Business Cabins. Seats are almost identical as well (though not as cramped in First).

On the return, I got the old configurations, Business class are Recliners (but comfortable enough). First is flat bed, like in the new configuration.

There was no choice of meals in Business! We were just assigned the Chicken to everyone without asking!

From what I could see, most of the flights this season are schedule in the old configuration and the new substitutes the old a few days...

Both flights were looking for volunteers (but not needed them at the end).

sounds like the same service when this aircraft was flying HNL-IAH. Although in United First you probably get two choices vs. no choice in United Business. At least I was offered two choices both ways (HNL-IAH; IAH-HNL) in United First. Do you have an idea of which FA base is staffing the HNL-DEN flights? For example, HNL-IAH on sUA777 aircraft was staffed by UA Dulles Inflight Teams