View Poll Results: How do you feel about the new RECARO seats UA is installing?
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Jun 3, 2017, 1:01 pm
Update on our Airbus Reconfigurations (Seats, Entertainment, Channel 9, etc.)
May 9, 2013, 7:34 pm
#47
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May 9, 2013, 7:40 pm
#48
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The lack of non-wifi entertainment (and what appears to be a path to no free AV) is a downer. (as is the loss of CH9) Believe or not a significant portion of the traveling public does not have wi-fi AV device.
110VAC, new bins, wifi (for internet access) ^^
new seats -- need to wait and see
110VAC, new bins, wifi (for internet access) ^^
new seats -- need to wait and see
So with that bring said, thanks for the update but imho, more seats in the same confined space is not good no matter how you look at it
May 9, 2013, 7:45 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Flew Airbus A320 Reconfigured (Seats, Entertainment, Channel 9, etc.)
I flew on 4/23 sjc-iah the new reconfig A320 apparently just finished minus the Wifi-streaming video (was not ready for installation -- so I relied on my iPad).
The inside cabin look and felt spanking new, with deeper overhead bins and soft blue hue cabin lighting (vs white fluorescent).
I was upgraded and the seats felt very comfortable with firm cushion back and tush support. Cannot comment on coach class seating (knee) comfort.
Just like the old days. Maybe they are just putting minimal investment that will get the most gain out of these A319/A320s until the new 737Max planes get here? Take out the IFE equipment and replace with Wifi = save weight. Replace seats = save weight and add pax capacity. Also, the OHB expansion looks (atleast to me) that the cover was just replaced not the bins themselves.
Last edited by npei; May 9, 2013 at 9:19 pm
May 9, 2013, 8:01 pm
#51
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May 9, 2013, 8:03 pm
#52
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Then there would only be 36 people on the upgrade waitlist! 
DL has bigger F cabins. If DL continues their current trajectory, I would imagine that UA may at some point decide that larger F cabins is something they need to compete.
I doubt this will happen in the next couple of years though.
DL has bigger F cabins. If DL continues their current trajectory, I would imagine that UA may at some point decide that larger F cabins is something they need to compete.
I doubt this will happen in the next couple of years though.
May 9, 2013, 8:07 pm
#53
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Hi Everyone,
As part of our continuing investment in our onboard product, we’re making a number of upgrades to the interiors of our Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. We recently began a new phase of installations, so I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you some additional and consolidated information on the future of this fleet.
Our Airbuses will be getting a pretty substantial refresh, including:
As you know, we’ve already begun installing the larger overhead bins and Wi-Fi on many of these aircraft. And within the next week, the first Airbus with new seats will go into service. We’re looking at getting streaming capability up and running later this year, with 110v power installations starting in 2014.
New seats
The new seats are manufactured by RECARO, and you may recognize the specific model from several European carriers, who feature it on many of their mainline narrow-body aircraft. However, because we fly our Airbuses over longer stage lengths than the typical intra-Europe segment, our version of the seat will have several upgraded comfort features over the base model. These include multi-directional headrests, added lumbar support, and a different seat bottom cushion with more padding and multiple layers of soft memory foam. The literature seat pocket has been moved higher, which facilitates the above increase in knee space, and there’s a new amenity pocket specifically for personal items.
As reported here and elsewhere, the new seats will allow us to increase the capacity of these aircraft, but without compromising personal space. Although all Airbuses will see an extra row in United Economy, we will also expand the Economy Plus cabin on all A319s and many A320s (the non-ex-Ted aircraft).
Entertainment
Along with Wi-Fi, the addition of on-demand streaming video will become the standard for our Airbus fleet. As a result, when these aircraft go in to have the new seats installed, the traditional audio/video system with dropdown monitors will be removed. However, these aircraft won’t “go dark”—Wi-Fi will be available on all aircraft that have the new seats. In any case, like Wi-Fi the streaming product will eventually have pricing attached to it, although we do plan to offer a limited range of complimentary content until we finalize these plans.
Channel 9
Finally, I wanted to touch on a topic I know many of you (and I!) hold dear—Channel 9. For the moment, the move to Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment also means that live air traffic control will no longer be available in the “Channel 9” format. However, we are actively exploring options to bring Channel 9 to Wi-Fi equipped aircraft. Moreover, we remain committed to this product across much of the rest of our fleet, including all international long-haul and p.s. aircraft featuring on-demand entertainment.
Look out for more information, including comparison diagrams and an article on the United Hub, once the first reconfigured aircraft goes into service. Still, I wanted to make sure you heard the consolidated story here first.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager – Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
As part of our continuing investment in our onboard product, we’re making a number of upgrades to the interiors of our Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. We recently began a new phase of installations, so I wanted to take this opportunity to provide you some additional and consolidated information on the future of this fleet.
Our Airbuses will be getting a pretty substantial refresh, including:
- New seats in United Economy and Economy Plus, which will result in an additional half-inch of headroom an almost a full inch of additional knee space on standard seats
- 110v power outlets in United First and United Economy Plus
- New, larger overhead bins
- Wi-Fi throughout
- On-demand streaming video for Wi-Fi-enabled devices
New seats
The new seats are manufactured by RECARO, and you may recognize the specific model from several European carriers, who feature it on many of their mainline narrow-body aircraft. However, because we fly our Airbuses over longer stage lengths than the typical intra-Europe segment, our version of the seat will have several upgraded comfort features over the base model. These include multi-directional headrests, added lumbar support, and a different seat bottom cushion with more padding and multiple layers of soft memory foam. The literature seat pocket has been moved higher, which facilitates the above increase in knee space, and there’s a new amenity pocket specifically for personal items.
As reported here and elsewhere, the new seats will allow us to increase the capacity of these aircraft, but without compromising personal space. Although all Airbuses will see an extra row in United Economy, we will also expand the Economy Plus cabin on all A319s and many A320s (the non-ex-Ted aircraft).
Entertainment
Along with Wi-Fi, the addition of on-demand streaming video will become the standard for our Airbus fleet. As a result, when these aircraft go in to have the new seats installed, the traditional audio/video system with dropdown monitors will be removed. However, these aircraft won’t “go dark”—Wi-Fi will be available on all aircraft that have the new seats. In any case, like Wi-Fi the streaming product will eventually have pricing attached to it, although we do plan to offer a limited range of complimentary content until we finalize these plans.
Channel 9
Finally, I wanted to touch on a topic I know many of you (and I!) hold dear—Channel 9. For the moment, the move to Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment also means that live air traffic control will no longer be available in the “Channel 9” format. However, we are actively exploring options to bring Channel 9 to Wi-Fi equipped aircraft. Moreover, we remain committed to this product across much of the rest of our fleet, including all international long-haul and p.s. aircraft featuring on-demand entertainment.
Look out for more information, including comparison diagrams and an article on the United Hub, once the first reconfigured aircraft goes into service. Still, I wanted to make sure you heard the consolidated story here first.
Aaron Goldberg
Sr. Manager – Customer Experience Planning
United Airlines
Sounds like the same seats AS is already installing.
May 9, 2013, 8:13 pm
#54
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Looks like I was wrong about the LCD's staying.
The WiFi is nice though -- and I have an iPad/iPhone, so I don't care about the "free in-flight movie."
Hmm, live safety demonstrations on the other hand...
The WiFi is nice though -- and I have an iPad/iPhone, so I don't care about the "free in-flight movie."
Hmm, live safety demonstrations on the other hand...
May 9, 2013, 8:17 pm
#55
Join Date: Feb 2009
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I'm really surprised nobody has commented on this statement yet:
So let me get this straight: WiFi and streaming-only IFE will be available soon, but power won't be available, and then only in F and E+, until starting sometime in 2014?
In the meanwhile:
* Thinner seats, but theoretically better padding to make them less-uncomfortable than what we've already experienced on LH, AF and WN?
* Loss of all free video IFE in all cabins
* Loss of audio in all cabins, including Channel 9
* WiFi (+1) on the Airbii, but a de-facto requirement to purchase WiFi if you want any entertainment at all?
The cherry on this sundae is that the flights where IFE really matters are the 4-5 hour flights where the Airbus operates, eg ORD-SAN. And those will be the flights where WiFi is priced the most expensively, and personal devices are least likely to survive sustained use w/o external power.
So, we can pay you the highest unit price available, to buy a service to get any IFE whatsoever, with a high probability that if we DO use it for most of the flight, our device will die before landing because there's no power until sometime in 2014?
Good plan.
In the meanwhile:
* Thinner seats, but theoretically better padding to make them less-uncomfortable than what we've already experienced on LH, AF and WN?
* Loss of all free video IFE in all cabins
* Loss of audio in all cabins, including Channel 9
* WiFi (+1) on the Airbii, but a de-facto requirement to purchase WiFi if you want any entertainment at all?
The cherry on this sundae is that the flights where IFE really matters are the 4-5 hour flights where the Airbus operates, eg ORD-SAN. And those will be the flights where WiFi is priced the most expensively, and personal devices are least likely to survive sustained use w/o external power.
So, we can pay you the highest unit price available, to buy a service to get any IFE whatsoever, with a high probability that if we DO use it for most of the flight, our device will die before landing because there's no power until sometime in 2014?
Good plan.
May 9, 2013, 8:26 pm
#56
Join Date: May 2005
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Finally, I wanted to touch on a topic I know many of you (and I!) hold dear—Channel 9. For the moment, the move to Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment also means that live air traffic control will no longer be available in the “Channel 9” format. However, we are actively exploring options to bring Channel 9 to Wi-Fi equipped aircraft. Moreover, we remain committed to this product across much of the rest of our fleet, including all international long-haul and p.s. aircraft featuring on-demand entertainment.
The 737-900's are being delivered with nothing, no entertainment at all. People are watching new planes get delivered with zero, while being told that "oh we are adding this or that". By the time you get around to getting everything on every plane, it's going to be obsolete again, and extremely fragmented replacements will begin again.
Can't you just put the 319 in, change the bin, add the wifi, add the streaming, change the seat, and then bring it back out. Then that plane is 100% done. Doing it over 6 trips over several years obviously takes longer, obviously costs more, and annoys everyone.
Rant Over
May 9, 2013, 8:26 pm
#57
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Posts: 8,634
I flew on 4/23 sjc-iah the new reconfig A321, apparently just finished minus the Wifi-streaming video (was not ready for installation -- so I relied on my iPad).
The inside cabin look and felt spanking new, with deeper overhead bins and soft blue hue cabin lighting (vs white fluorescent).
I was upgraded and the seats felt very comfortable with firm cushion back and tush support. Cannot comment on coach class seating (knee) comfort.
The inside cabin look and felt spanking new, with deeper overhead bins and soft blue hue cabin lighting (vs white fluorescent).
I was upgraded and the seats felt very comfortable with firm cushion back and tush support. Cannot comment on coach class seating (knee) comfort.
May 9, 2013, 8:30 pm
#58
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New seats (more specifically an extra row, just like WN did) is likely what tipped it.
May 9, 2013, 8:30 pm
#59
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Sounds like United is getting more like US...
We dont have power anywhere.
We dont have IFE (they ripped that out to save weight)
We do have WIFI.
Its really not that bad. Everyone has devices that will last the duration of a transcon these days. If not, I dont know what kind of laptops youre buying.
At least our seats are super comfortable.
We dont have power anywhere.
We dont have IFE (they ripped that out to save weight)
We do have WIFI.
Its really not that bad. Everyone has devices that will last the duration of a transcon these days. If not, I dont know what kind of laptops youre buying.
At least our seats are super comfortable.
May 9, 2013, 8:32 pm
#60
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