EWR-SFO 3 class service?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 227
EWR-SFO 3 class service?
Anyone else notice recent 3 class service on the EWR-SFO leg; not all flights, but certainly some? Not accustomed to this so just wanted to see if this was an indication of things to come or just a fluke.
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: UA PP, AA, DL, BA, CX, SPG, HHonors
Posts: 2,002
Does UA sell it as 2-class or 3-class domestically ? Since it's not classed as p.s., is it UDU-eligible (although i'd imagine people go out of their way to apply instrument/miles for that flight) ?
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Given UA is dropping F from p.s. (a domestic market that actually can support 3 cabins), it is not an indication of things to come. UA would rather have the plane flying than sitting on the ground somewhere between international turns.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA-1K
Posts: 308
Have you noticed it only EWR-SFO or the other direction as well? Do you recall the flight #? I would happily rearrange my schedule when I fly SFO-EWR-SFO for this.
#6
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
I am on this flight in C in two weeks. I'll report back if nobody reports by then.
I suspect, the service will be 100% identical. The only difference is the seat.
Also, the 3-class on this route is temporary and it will be replaced with one of the reconfigured ghetto birds by the end of the month.
I am showing the international configuration flying on the following flights:
UA465 SFO-EWR
Dep: 7:40am Arr: 4:16pm
UA550 EWR-SFO
Dep: 2:30pm Arr: 5:51pm
I suspect, the service will be 100% identical. The only difference is the seat.
Also, the 3-class on this route is temporary and it will be replaced with one of the reconfigured ghetto birds by the end of the month.
UA465 SFO-EWR
Dep: 7:40am Arr: 4:16pm
UA550 EWR-SFO
Dep: 2:30pm Arr: 5:51pm
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 13, 2012 at 11:56 am Reason: merge
#7
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Sydney, NSW Australia
Posts: 895
(The aeroplane from Sydney arrives at LAX ~10.00 next departs after 22.00)
Over a decade ago UAL did actually fly a turn LAX-DEN-LAX with a 747-400 - it seems an achievable turn regarding sufficient time and traffic between two hubs.
I have read Qantas are now nursing their remaining 747-400 aeroplanes (in particular the six ER versions) so as to keep the total number of cycles on them relatively low hopefully extending their life expectancy over time.
#8
Ambassador: Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: BWI
Posts: 7,390
Why then does UA leave a 747 unused for just over 12 hours at LAX?
(The aeroplane from Sydney arrives at LAX ~10.00 next departs after 22.00)
Over a decade ago UAL did actually fly a turn LAX-DEN-LAX with a 747-400 - it seems an achievable turn regarding sufficient time and traffic between two hubs.
(The aeroplane from Sydney arrives at LAX ~10.00 next departs after 22.00)
Over a decade ago UAL did actually fly a turn LAX-DEN-LAX with a 747-400 - it seems an achievable turn regarding sufficient time and traffic between two hubs.
There are many factors that favors having more individual flights per day on a route rather than bigger planes with less frequencies.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,419
For a few summers some time ago, UA actually flew LAX-IAD-LAX on a 744. The flight was back at LAX around 8h00 pm and then the plane got ready for the SYD flight.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 227
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also just experienced the 767-300 new config. Business first seating from toronto to ORD to SFO. Was great to have lie flats on a 4 hour flight. not sure that will continue? anyone know?
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
When UA had its MIA hub for S American flights (best hub in the system), the had 3 class 777's & 767's flying MIA-SFO/LAX/ORD/IAD every day. At the same time (mid to late 90's) UA had 1 747 a day HNL-LAX. Of course, this was back when UA was a real airline competing w other real airlines as opposed to today where the competition is greyhound
#12
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,309
What are you talking about?
They did have those flights from MIA. And they all lost money. Never made a dime, sorry. That's not smart business. What would you say United is now? I don't understand your post. Flying 3 cabin airplanes domestically is a money losing proposition on most routes for most airlines. UA only did it back then for utilization flying to prop up an unprofitable hub. They found better and more profitable uses for those planes (added Asia/Europe flying, Dulles- South America), which is what a real airline does. Real airlines dont just fly big planes for fun or show, which is what your are implying they should do.
When UA had its MIA hub for S American flights (best hub in the system), the had 3 class 777's & 767's flying MIA-SFO/LAX/ORD/IAD every day. At the same time (mid to late 90's) UA had 1 747 a day HNL-LAX. Of course, this was back when UA was a real airline competing w other real airlines as opposed to today where the competition is greyhound
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 17, 2012 at 5:16 am Reason: fix html
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,408
Why then does UA leave a 747 unused for just over 12 hours at LAX?
(The aeroplane from Sydney arrives at LAX ~10.00 next departs after 22.00)
Over a decade ago UAL did actually fly a turn LAX-DEN-LAX with a 747-400 - it seems an achievable turn regarding sufficient time and traffic between two hubs.
I have read Qantas are now nursing their remaining 747-400 aeroplanes (in particular the six ER versions) so as to keep the total number of cycles on them relatively low hopefully extending their life expectancy over time.
(The aeroplane from Sydney arrives at LAX ~10.00 next departs after 22.00)
Over a decade ago UAL did actually fly a turn LAX-DEN-LAX with a 747-400 - it seems an achievable turn regarding sufficient time and traffic between two hubs.
I have read Qantas are now nursing their remaining 747-400 aeroplanes (in particular the six ER versions) so as to keep the total number of cycles on them relatively low hopefully extending their life expectancy over time.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: YVR SFO
Programs: UA G
Posts: 4,866
When UA had its MIA hub for S American flights (best hub in the system), the had 3 class 777's & 767's flying MIA-SFO/LAX/ORD/IAD every day. At the same time (mid to late 90's) UA had 1 747 a day HNL-LAX. Of course, this was back when UA was a real airline competing w other real airlines as opposed to today where the competition is greyhound
I, for one, am happy to have affordable airfare at the expense of some minor cuts to service.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern California, GVA, SIN, LHR, BRU, CDG
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Posts: 1,182
I can top that...I remember flying in F from SEA to LAX via SFO on a 747-400 upstairs and having two full multi-course international meals served to me on the flights...on the SFO-LAX segment, they even broke out the caviar! Oh, how have times changed!
Last edited by 1KPath; Aug 17, 2012 at 11:47 am