UA 896 - Reliability of SIN-HKG-ORD?
Aug 3, 2015, 6:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: MP - 1K, Hyatt - Platt, SPG - Gold
Posts: 336
UA 896 - Reliability of SIN-HKG-ORD?
Question for those in the know:
I need to go to Singapore for a meeting, but need to be back two days later. The meeting would be on the Thursday, and I need to be back in ORD on the Friday.
Given all the issues that UA has had, can anyone share their advice as to whether I should take UA 896 or try to book another flight? I know the issues have bee mostly domestic (IRROPS, etc), and that international seems to be more reliable, however, I can't be back on Saturday... need to be back on Friday.
(Its sad that it has come to this - I can no longer rely on UA).
I need to go to Singapore for a meeting, but need to be back two days later. The meeting would be on the Thursday, and I need to be back in ORD on the Friday.
Given all the issues that UA has had, can anyone share their advice as to whether I should take UA 896 or try to book another flight? I know the issues have bee mostly domestic (IRROPS, etc), and that international seems to be more reliable, however, I can't be back on Saturday... need to be back on Friday.
(Its sad that it has come to this - I can no longer rely on UA).
Aug 3, 2015, 6:46 am
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,315
Question for those in the know:
I need to go to Singapore for a meeting, but need to be back two days later. The meeting would be on the Thursday, and I need to be back in ORD on the Friday.
Given all the issues that UA has had, can anyone share their advice as to whether I should take UA 896 or try to book another flight? I know the issues have bee mostly domestic (IRROPS, etc), and that international seems to be more reliable, however, I can't be back on Saturday... need to be back on Friday.
(Its sad that it has come to this - I can no longer rely on UA).
I need to go to Singapore for a meeting, but need to be back two days later. The meeting would be on the Thursday, and I need to be back in ORD on the Friday.
Given all the issues that UA has had, can anyone share their advice as to whether I should take UA 896 or try to book another flight? I know the issues have bee mostly domestic (IRROPS, etc), and that international seems to be more reliable, however, I can't be back on Saturday... need to be back on Friday.
(Its sad that it has come to this - I can no longer rely on UA).
Aug 3, 2015, 6:56 am
#3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
The Pacific operation is more reliable despite all the troubles for international flights originating from EWR this summer. SIN-HKG-ORD is on the same aircraft. There is little chance that you would miss a connection. Happy travels.
Aug 3, 2015, 7:53 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
I feel your pain - and I would book NH - they have a flight leaving SIN at 550 to NRT and then you can take the NH flight to ORD from there. It's also their new business staggered product on both flights now - all aisle access - and to me it's a significantly better hard and soft product on NH now compared to UA.
Well the aircraft is only one part of the equation. The other part is the crew and unless things have changed the pilots work some crazy pattern so if there are irrops within their schedule it could impact SIN-HKG or HKG-ORD. From what I heard the pilots work ORD-HKG-SIN-NRT-SIN-HKG-ORD over a 10 day span. I believe this is not the only trip where the pilots work these "W" trips. I believe some flight attendants do similar routings, though not necessarily for UA 895/896.
Aug 3, 2015, 8:14 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SRQ, PDX
Programs: UA 1 MM, AA, DL
Posts: 930
No ocean and no UA AC is immune to UA's shameful international reliability. There are several other threads on FT with lots of sad details.
Why would anyone fly UA to ORD for a two-day meeting when there are so many other nice, reliable choices?
Why would anyone fly UA to ORD for a two-day meeting when there are so many other nice, reliable choices?
Last edited by artvandalay; Aug 3, 2015 at 1:22 pm Reason: ORD not SIN
Aug 3, 2015, 8:41 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 343
still, i wouldn't bank on UA for that route with a tight turnaround.
Aug 3, 2015, 9:00 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 363
We are assuming that the OP will be flying in C.
I feel your pain - and I would book NH - they have a flight leaving SIN at 550 to NRT and then you can take the NH flight to ORD from there. It's also their new business staggered product on both flights now - all aisle access - and to me it's a significantly better hard and soft product on NH now compared to UA.
Foods and beverages wise, NH sure gets UA beat with attentive service, and hard liquors are free also.
Aug 3, 2015, 9:09 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,315
But still - if priority number 1 is making it back - and priority number 2 is not worrying priority number 1, then IMO NH > UA every day....
Aug 3, 2015, 9:23 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: MP - 1K, Hyatt - Platt, SPG - Gold
Posts: 336
Thanks all for the advice - unfortunately, the point is mute. UA was far cheaper than NH so my corp travel department forced me to take UA. Oh well, I love playing the lottery!!!
Aug 3, 2015, 9:31 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,315
I fly this route monthly (on it next week as well) and I am a bit surprised as I can always find a routing at nearly identical pricing (I will admit it's always business class fares so Y may be different). Do you mind sharing the dates / booking classes - maybe we can find you a better deal and if not - sorry and watch the flights closely so you can be prepared to call UA and recommend another booking to get you back - BEFORE the actual trouble begins....
Aug 3, 2015, 9:40 am
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
Aug 3, 2015, 9:40 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5280 feet
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 674
I fly this route monthly (on it next week as well) and I am a bit surprised as I can always find a routing at nearly identical pricing (I will admit it's always business class fares so Y may be different). Do you mind sharing the dates / booking classes - maybe we can find you a better deal and if not - sorry and watch the flights closely so you can be prepared to call UA and recommend another booking to get you back - BEFORE the actual trouble begins....
Aug 3, 2015, 9:49 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,454
I fly this route monthly (on it next week as well) and I am a bit surprised as I can always find a routing at nearly identical pricing (I will admit it's always business class fares so Y may be different). Do you mind sharing the dates / booking classes - maybe we can find you a better deal and if not - sorry and watch the flights closely so you can be prepared to call UA and recommend another booking to get you back - BEFORE the actual trouble begins....