Consolidated "I've Flown on UA's 787" Thread (Reports, Experiences, Etc.)
Nov 30, 2012, 2:36 pm
#181
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Indeed. The lower fuel burn is huge to an airline. If the fuel savings help airlines stay profitable and avoid more consolidation, that's a good thing.
I didn't get anything special out of my UA 787 flights other than discomfort in the tight economy seats. Fact is, the 787 was designed for 8 seats across in economy, and any airline that packs in 9 seats across will be uncomfortably tight. It seems that's the trend, so now that I can say I have sampled Boeing's new plane, I'll seek out more comfortable aircraft.
Maybe all the Dreamliner hype we've heard for years built unrealistic expectations that can't be met. However, I did enjoy my ANA 787 flight in May...8 seats per row in economy.
I didn't get anything special out of my UA 787 flights other than discomfort in the tight economy seats. Fact is, the 787 was designed for 8 seats across in economy, and any airline that packs in 9 seats across will be uncomfortably tight. It seems that's the trend, so now that I can say I have sampled Boeing's new plane, I'll seek out more comfortable aircraft.
Maybe all the Dreamliner hype we've heard for years built unrealistic expectations that can't be met. However, I did enjoy my ANA 787 flight in May...8 seats per row in economy.
Nov 30, 2012, 5:09 pm
#182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: UA Gold, 1 MM
Posts: 11,632
I just booked a flight for mid January that includes the 787 ORD-IAH segment. I'm considering using miles to U/G (I'm actually flying BOS-ORD-IAH-XXX) and I could also U/G the non-787 segments as well. My concern is that there could be plane swaps between now and when my flight is scheduled, so it might not be a good investment using miles. How have the experiences been for complimentary Premier upgrades on the ORD-IAH segment? The F cabin looks wide open right now but we're still 6 weeks away. I'm Plat flying on a T fare.
Dec 2, 2012, 9:33 pm
#183
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
OK, I know that I should know this, but are they providing pillows in BF on the 787's, or are pillows totally gone for all domestic service? Got a redeye this weekend and want to know if it is BYOP 
Dec 2, 2012, 9:36 pm
#184
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
Dec 2, 2012, 9:38 pm
#185
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
Dec 2, 2012, 9:42 pm
#186
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,450
As an aside, I picked up a few hints from some people in Chicago that the UA way of provisioning international pillows/blankets in premium cabins and regular pillows/blankets in Y on domestic widebody flights is a practice that will likely continue at the merged carrier... it hasn't come to the CO side yet for logistical reasons (mostly deciding what to do w/r/t to the internationally-configured 752 fleet) but if the rumors are to be believed, then ^!
Dec 2, 2012, 10:51 pm
#187
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: UA-1K MM+, HH Gold, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 290
I've flown on the 787 twice (IAH-LAX-IAH) and there were large pillows and blankets in the BusinessFirst cabin. I don't personally use either, but the folks around me were very pleased.
Dec 2, 2012, 11:20 pm
#188
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum; United 1MM, 1K
Posts: 81
yep. Econo seats are econo seats. (although interesting about the 8 vs 9).
I've done 2 Economy Plus windows, 1 Economy Plus Aisle (where i usually fly) and one BF isle.
The window seats were a bit tight but not much worse then expected. The aisle seat was fine. I wouldn't want to be on a middle seat, but who ever does? I really can't imaging being in the middle for a 14 hour flight on one of these... I would simply find another way to get to where I'm going.
However, I think the huge overhead storage is a major benefit for everyone on the airplane. I was on full flights all four times and not once did the overheads come close to filling. That makes for happier passengers and faster boarding times. That's all good in my book.
Two flights were in family trips and I had my two teenage sons in the very back. Both are taller than I but not as wide. They had no problems in the middle/window. They had some fun trying to synch the video playback on both seat backs.
Of the four flights, the most turbulent time on three of them was on the ground while taxing. The fourth flight we did have some light chop... at least it was light chop in the 787... I bet it would have been rougher in any other aircraft. Figures this happened when I wasn't on the window... I would have enjoyed seeing how the wings flexed in those conditions.
Oh, and on a final note... the Bathrooms ROCK! Thank you Boeing for bringing airline sanitation into the 90s! (but what's with the ashtrays inside and outside the bathrooms?)
I've done 2 Economy Plus windows, 1 Economy Plus Aisle (where i usually fly) and one BF isle.
The window seats were a bit tight but not much worse then expected. The aisle seat was fine. I wouldn't want to be on a middle seat, but who ever does? I really can't imaging being in the middle for a 14 hour flight on one of these... I would simply find another way to get to where I'm going.
However, I think the huge overhead storage is a major benefit for everyone on the airplane. I was on full flights all four times and not once did the overheads come close to filling. That makes for happier passengers and faster boarding times. That's all good in my book.
Two flights were in family trips and I had my two teenage sons in the very back. Both are taller than I but not as wide.
They had no problems in the middle/window. They had some fun trying to synch the video playback on both seat backs.Of the four flights, the most turbulent time on three of them was on the ground while taxing. The fourth flight we did have some light chop... at least it was light chop in the 787... I bet it would have been rougher in any other aircraft. Figures this happened when I wasn't on the window... I would have enjoyed seeing how the wings flexed in those conditions.
Oh, and on a final note... the Bathrooms ROCK! Thank you Boeing for bringing airline sanitation into the 90s! (but what's with the ashtrays inside and outside the bathrooms?)
Dec 2, 2012, 11:26 pm
#189
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So Cal
Programs: UA Gold/0.744MM, WN AL, Hyatt Diamond, MR Scum, Hertz PC, National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 5,561
http://milevalue.com/united-airlines-787-trip-report/
Dec 2, 2012, 11:32 pm
#190
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: Marriott LT Platinum; United 1MM, 1K
Posts: 81
Dec 3, 2012, 12:28 am
#191
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AMEX Platinum, Global Entry, Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 1,594
Dec 5, 2012, 6:39 am
#193
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Premier Platinum (and falling fast)
Posts: 566
I flew on N26906 yesterday (flight UA1106 IAH-SFO) and was indeed disappointed by the lack of Channel 9. This is a new aircraft with a new IFE system - is the lack of Channel 9 due to the fact it is effectively an sCO operated plane? Do we need to await a new pilots' contract to see Ch9 show up on these planes or is a different issue?
Overall a positive flight experience - can't say it was a 'game changer' from a Y passenger perspective (E+), but can't wait to try out the BF cabin if my upgrades ever clear (or if I find someone with deep enough pockets to pay for it)!
Overall a positive flight experience - can't say it was a 'game changer' from a Y passenger perspective (E+), but can't wait to try out the BF cabin if my upgrades ever clear (or if I find someone with deep enough pockets to pay for it)!
Dec 10, 2012, 11:38 am
#194
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
Just finished editing the video I made on my UA 787 trip from LAX-IAH on Nov 16. Lots of closeups and details about the aircraft. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737t6EwxxMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737t6EwxxMw
Dec 10, 2012, 7:19 pm
#195
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 20
Just finished editing the video I made on my UA 787 trip from LAX-IAH on Nov 16. Lots of closeups and details about the aircraft. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737t6EwxxMw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=737t6EwxxMw
Very nice video!