US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - New Headsets, Earpieces in F Class transcons

Has anyone noticed the new (blue-green) earpiece headsets in F Class. A dramatic improvement over the crappy headsets that you clip on your ears and still can't hear anything.

I can hear the IFE far far better than ever before, BUT US still seems a little stingy on the IFE. Why not let you listen even on the short-haul flights? Gate to Gate audio (at least) is a really cool benefit on UA.

Also, does anyone know what they have in coach? I have not had the pleasure of sitting in coach on a transcon for a while.

I flew PHL-SFO last week in F and returned on the redeye on Saturday in F. No new headsets -- only the same clip on type. On the redeye return there were no headphones and no movie shown. The audio was on though. I never travel without my Sony Noise Cancelling earbuds -- they make a huge difference.

I had them on my LAX-PHL flight on July 1st. At first I thought they were what America West uses because of their color, but apparently they do not use them. They are indeed a vast improvement over the individual ear ones, but I have been bringing a pair of US headsets that were used before the ear pieces, which were good. Now I only need to bring 1 headset for both the plane and my walkman!

Dukeman, they stopped showing movies on the red-eye in January 03.

Dukeman, they stopped showing movies on the red-eye in January 03.


That shows you how long it's been since I've been on a redeye!

They were giving them out on coach class on the PIT-SAN route. I hate them. They kept falling out of my ear :(

I use my own, but the ones handed out last night PIT-LAX didn't look any different at a casual glance.

Sat PHL-SFO had the same old headsets as ever. I came back on the red eye and didn't even get up front. It was my first flight in coach this year and wasn't much fun. At least I had 9C on the 321 or I might have cried.

I had them on my LAX-PHL flight on July 1st. At first I thought they were what America West uses because of their color, but apparently they do not use them.

Dukeman, they stopped showing movies on the red-eye in January 03.


HP's headsets are just a normal black color.

[QUOTE=NeoOfTheCRS]

I can hear the IFE far far better than ever before, BUT US still seems a little stingy on the IFE. Why not let you listen even on the short-haul flights? Gate to Gate audio (at least) is a really cool benefit on UA.

Just back from SAN with 21 year old son. 320 SAN-PIT flight okay with movie and IFE, but he was disappointed no IFE(Music) PIT-PHL. He even asked. Claimed too short a flight for IFE. Even if doesn't US sell the headsets, how difficult to turn it on for those that come prepared. It certainly points up a generation gap with US. My son expected it and thought he was doing something wrong when it didn't work! :confused:

[QUOTE=NeoOfTheCRS]

I can hear the IFE far far better than ever before, BUT US still seems a little stingy on the IFE. Why not let you listen even on the short-haul flights? Gate to Gate audio (at least) is a really cool benefit on UA.

Just back from SAN with 21 year old son. 320 SAN-PIT flight okay with movie and IFE, but he was disappointed no IFE(Music) PIT-PHL. He even asked. Claimed too short a flight for IFE. Even if doesn't US sell the headsets, how difficult to turn it on for those that come prepared. It certainly points up a generation gap with US. My son expected it and thought he was doing something wrong when it didn't work! :confused:


This leads me to another question: Does it really cost US that much money to provide the IFE? I mean, just turning on the Music on the plane can't even be a cost to US, or is it? Even if there is a cost involved, the headset sales would offset this cost . . . or am I thinking too logically? ;)

The license fees US pays for the music are tied to the number of flights on which the music will be playing, so, yes, there is a cost to US to providing IFE on shorter flights. (That's not to say that US isn't being penny-wise and pound-foolish.)

HP's headsets are just a normal black color.

Right, but one pronged...individual black earspieces.

As long as they don't bring back the original headsets where that metal fits over one's hair, I'm content. Those original headsets were murder if you have gel, pomade, wax or anything else in your hair. (Yes, I'm serious. Some of you hate the plastic cups, which I think is ridiculous. Well, I hate the original headsets, which I'm sure most will think is ridiculous given my reason.)