ThreeA4Me

Does anyone know when the new biz on UA LAX-SYD go into effect?

kenn0223

What are you taking about?

The aircraft switched from a 747 to a 777 a week or two ago but the seat type is exactly the same. A 787-900 starts LAX-MEL this fall but it is the same type of seats that are on the current 787-800. Both are several years old, to the best of my knowledge, UA has not announced any changes to their business class seating.

malgudi

Not any time soon ... as they've been around since 2008 or so

danhunterpost

Is there new J class plans for any route at this time? Haven't heard anything about this...??

kenn0223

No

WineCountryUA

All the longhaul aircraft (sCO & sUA) have been updated to the lieflat business seats --- 100%.

A next generation seat is not likely for a long time.

transportprof

Perhaps a useful evolution on this thread would be to hear reports of new *experience* with biz travel on the 777s to SYD?

Initial reports referred to confused service, aisles crowded with carts and lack of luggage storage space, which doesn't surprise me if the flight attendants who regularly work this route and were used to the 747 are now adapting to the 777s.

kenn0223

Interesting? I haven't heard any of this from colleagues who have recently flown. The 777 is essentially the same layout as the 747 minus the upper deck and an one less Y seat in the middle section of economy. I wouldn't think there would be huge adjusting for the FAs. Furthermore, while there are some FAs who routinely bid the SYD routes and are senior enough to get them, IIRC the majority of the FAs also do other international routes and are certainly familiar with the 777.

rosesplus

Nearly every 777 flight from SYD has left at least 30 minutes delayed with C totally full. Menzies look to be having real difficulty getting these flights out on time.

debracey

Just flew this yesterday. The crews are coming over from the 747 (I fly the route a lot, and recognize most of them.) Huge improvement over the 747 in all respects except perhaps:

• Slightly smaller J seats (only just). Stop complaining about it though, it's a great seat.
• Luggage storage (747 old style bins could hold a lot)
• New mid-flight snack option (no veggie option, seriously Smisek, come on. This is not specific to the 777 though)
• Not enough lavs in Y
• Not enough lavs in Y (seriously, it is a problem)

The luggage problem could easily be corrected if UA would enforce the carry-on policy. My flight was delayed coming out of SYD (due to late connection from MEL) but made it into LAX on time. This has nothing to do with the aircraft though, and is due to poor planning in UA operations.

UA ops needs to come down hard on SYD to get things running better. Previously they could blame the 747 MX failures, now they can only blame the ops. You should be able to turn and burn a 777 much faster than they do (e.g., they only use 1 door, they should police carry ons.)

But the NZ club at SYD is not to be outdone and I look forward to visiting it again.

sannmann

Mix up with AA, perhaps?

Link: http://boardingarea.com/onemileatati...ss-class-seat/

FlyinHawaiian

Nice suggestion; let's give it a try.

I'll also offer an open invitation for anyone to start a wikipost for this thread as well.

Thanks,

FlyinHawaiian, Co-Moderator
United MileagePlus Forum

Air Houston

Regarding the thread title... as indicated in post 2, the 787 will be used starting later this year for service LAX-Melbourne, but isn't scheduled to be used for service to Sydney.

halls120

my first flight on a reconfigured 777 in Y was BKK-NRT. I couldn't believe they went from 6 to 4 lavs in Y. While AA also has 4 on their 772, AC, DL, AF have 5 lavs, and BA still has 6.

Cheap, cheap, cheap.

FlyinHawaiian

Fair enough; we'll narrow this down to just 777 service to SYD and consider starting the LAX-MEL thread at that time.

Thanks!