Inaugural/early 787 flights FT meet-up thread
Sep 8, 2012, 11:37 pm
#31
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
OK! I will be on UA1146 (IAH-EWR) on 11/4. Sitting in 1A. 
A same-day turn EWR-IAH-EWR on Sunday would have cost ~$1,500 or something crazy, so I'm taking a positioning flight to IAH on 11/3.
Saturday night stay = price down to $300. Minus $100 e-cert = $200.
I will use a Marriott Cat 1-4 free night cert in IAH. Never thought this thing would come in so handy!
Anyone FTers want to pre-party in Houston on the night of 11/3?
A same-day turn EWR-IAH-EWR on Sunday would have cost ~$1,500 or something crazy, so I'm taking a positioning flight to IAH on 11/3.
Saturday night stay = price down to $300. Minus $100 e-cert = $200.
I will use a Marriott Cat 1-4 free night cert in IAH. Never thought this thing would come in so handy!
Anyone FTers want to pre-party in Houston on the night of 11/3?
Sep 9, 2012, 7:31 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CLE
Programs: UA,WN,AA,DL, B6
Posts: 4,168
Aircraft Sub Questions
What happens for some reason if you booked one of these first 787 flights
for some reason they have to sub another aircraft for the 787, will they let you cancel and rebook or even a refund without a change fee. Is this a valid reason for waiving the fee. I have seen this happen before and it has gone either way.
for some reason they have to sub another aircraft for the 787, will they let you cancel and rebook or even a refund without a change fee. Is this a valid reason for waiving the fee. I have seen this happen before and it has gone either way.
Sep 9, 2012, 8:13 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 966
Staying on topic (sort of)
United has confirmed that channel 9 will not be active on the 787 flights in November.
Good question, but it is always safe to have a refundable ticket incase they don't. I hope they would as many are flying these flights just to be in the 787.
United has confirmed that channel 9 will not be active on the 787 flights in November.
What happens for some reason if you booked one of these first 787 flights
for some reason they have to sub another aircraft for the 787, will they let you cancel and rebook or even a refund without a change fee. Is this a valid reason for waiving the fee. I have seen this happen before and it has gone either way.
for some reason they have to sub another aircraft for the 787, will they let you cancel and rebook or even a refund without a change fee. Is this a valid reason for waiving the fee. I have seen this happen before and it has gone either way.
Sep 9, 2012, 9:15 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Sep 9, 2012, 9:22 am
#35
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 966
Sep 9, 2012, 9:58 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
Programs: TK ELPL (*G), AS 100K (OWE), BA Gold (OWE), Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 7,763
Sep 10, 2012, 12:49 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: PHX
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, Marriott PP/LPE, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10
Sep 10, 2012, 1:18 pm
#38
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Sep 13, 2012, 10:51 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: UA Pleb, HH Gold, PWP General Secretary
Posts: 23,199
The seats and the IFE package were ordered years ago. UA isn't just going to throw out those systems just to add channel 9.
Sep 13, 2012, 11:35 am
#43
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Similarly, is it impossible to integrate Channel 9 into CO's entertainment system the way it is intergrated into UA's entertainment system on the new configs, without throwing out the entire seat and everything?
If you have to throw out the entire seat, video screen, and everything, then I can see why UA would not want to do it. But if the software can be reprogrammed, or IFE details for not-yet-built planes can be modified, then "they already ordered the seats and IFE" sounds like an excuse offered in place of other, actual reason(s).
From what I recall (and I could be wrong) when the Koito fiasco broke, CO changed their not-yet-delivered 737s to use Recaro seats, with different IFE (i.e., no IFE). They did not have to cancel their existing 737 orders and/or throw out the airframes upon delivery, and place a brand new order for 737s specifying the right seats, in order to change the seating and IFE.
Last edited by EsquireFlyer; Sep 13, 2012 at 11:42 am
Sep 13, 2012, 1:10 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: UA Pleb, HH Gold, PWP General Secretary
Posts: 23,199
Is it not possible to change an order for 50+ planes' worth of seats and IFE that you placed years in advance? Do you have to take delivery of the exact specifications you ordered and completely throw it out, or is it possible to make modifications since it has not yet even been built?
Similarly, is it impossible to integrate Channel 9 into CO's entertainment system the way it is intergrated into UA's entertainment system on the new configs, without throwing out the entire seat and everything?
If you have to throw out the entire seat, video screen, and everything, then I can see why UA would not want to do it. But if the software can be reprogrammed, or IFE details for not-yet-built planes can be modified, then "they already ordered the seats and IFE" sounds like an excuse offered in place of other, actual reason(s).
From what I recall (and I could be wrong) when the Koito fiasco broke, CO changed their not-yet-delivered 737s to use Recaro seats, with different IFE (i.e., no IFE). They did not have to cancel their existing 737 orders and/or throw out the airframes upon delivery, and place a brand new order for 737s specifying the right seats, in order to change the seating and IFE.
Similarly, is it impossible to integrate Channel 9 into CO's entertainment system the way it is intergrated into UA's entertainment system on the new configs, without throwing out the entire seat and everything?
If you have to throw out the entire seat, video screen, and everything, then I can see why UA would not want to do it. But if the software can be reprogrammed, or IFE details for not-yet-built planes can be modified, then "they already ordered the seats and IFE" sounds like an excuse offered in place of other, actual reason(s).
From what I recall (and I could be wrong) when the Koito fiasco broke, CO changed their not-yet-delivered 737s to use Recaro seats, with different IFE (i.e., no IFE). They did not have to cancel their existing 737 orders and/or throw out the airframes upon delivery, and place a brand new order for 737s specifying the right seats, in order to change the seating and IFE.
The seats and the IFE units have been sitting in a warehouse for a couple of years now. They are already bought and paid for. Not to mention a new IFE system will have go through the FAA certification process. If the only thing that needed to be done was reload the software then all of the CO IFE units would have channel nine. However, since that is not the case, some physical changes to each aircraft have to happen. Again, this means recertifing the new configuration. Either way it is time and money UA doesn't want to spend. They want the plane in the air.
I am sure when UA decides to replace en-mass the IFE on the 75/6/7/8 channel nine will be added.
Sep 13, 2012, 8:04 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Tha OC
Programs: Outgrew all status except AA: Plat for life (the program's); Costco: Ex Plat
Posts: 654
The 'kat and his SO booked the last two windows in F LAX-IAH.
Hope we can see past the big engine.
All the other F windows are taken, mostly singles.
Could that be . . FT'er plane geeks? (Like me?)
Arrives past 11 PM, guessing too late to visit the IAH lounge.
But we'll do the LAX one fo sho.
Any recos on a 4-star Houston hotel to Priceline for 1 night?
Doesn't have to be near airport as we're driving.
Just want something really nice with a little price.
Let's hope they don't run out of champagne.
Hope we can see past the big engine.
All the other F windows are taken, mostly singles.
Could that be . . FT'er plane geeks? (Like me?)
Arrives past 11 PM, guessing too late to visit the IAH lounge.
But we'll do the LAX one fo sho.
Any recos on a 4-star Houston hotel to Priceline for 1 night?
Doesn't have to be near airport as we're driving.
Just want something really nice with a little price.
Let's hope they don't run out of champagne.