View Poll Results: How do you feel about the new RECARO seats UA is installing?
Voters: 491. You may not vote on this poll
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Update on our Airbus Reconfigurations (Seats, Entertainment, Channel 9, etc.)
#646
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,233
I can guarantee there is a compelling logistical reason power is not installed concurrently with the new seats. If there wasn't, you'd be implying United is doing this to intentionally frustrate customers.
It would be helpful if everyone realized some processes are slow because they are extremely complicated, not because United (or another company) is trying to drive customers away.
It would be helpful if everyone realized some processes are slow because they are extremely complicated, not because United (or another company) is trying to drive customers away.
#647
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
Posts: 12,390
Moderator note.
The thread topic is Airbus reconfigurations (Seats, Entertainment, Channel 9). Recent off-topic posts have been deleted.
There are beyond a few other threads to discuss how UA compares in the airline industry generally, or whether UA management deems elites over-entitiled. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.
There are beyond a few other threads to discuss how UA compares in the airline industry generally, or whether UA management deems elites over-entitiled. Thanks, Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.
#648
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: UA-1K, AA-Gold, H GP-LIfeTime Diamond
Posts: 802
I had my first agonizing experience with these new seats. Holy crap are they awful. short arm rests, and lower too, seat cushion like plywood... Wow. Just Wow.
I am shocked at how horrible a BWI-IAH flight in 21F was. Cannot imagine being on a TCON.
Now i have to pay attention to avoid the 'upgraded' A319/320 packages as well as the regionals.
I am shocked at how horrible a BWI-IAH flight in 21F was. Cannot imagine being on a TCON.
Now i have to pay attention to avoid the 'upgraded' A319/320 packages as well as the regionals.
Just did a red eye TCON, thinking flying a new plane until FA told me just new seats. I didn't find the power source and there was no pillow or blanket either.
One of FA actually encouraged me to write in and complaint. He had been doing so much apologizing to the flyers on these poor decisions made in the office.
One plus to lack of entertainment, I didn't have to see Jeff before my flight.
#649
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
While I obviously have no idea if the general public think the seats are as bad as everyone on here says, but if it were true, I wonder whether the situation can be reversed before UA adds them to another few hundred aircraft. You'd like to think that someone has the ability to say stop, let's re-address this.
#650
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
While I obviously have no idea if the general public think the seats are as bad as everyone on here says, but if it were true, I wonder whether the situation can be reversed before UA adds them to another few hundred aircraft. You'd like to think that someone has the ability to say stop, let's re-address this.
#651
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,233
While I obviously have no idea if the general public think the seats are as bad as everyone on here says, but if it were true, I wonder whether the situation can be reversed before UA adds them to another few hundred aircraft. You'd like to think that someone has the ability to say stop, let's re-address this.
#652
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
I do get it, I am aware of the reason, but despite what many say, it is not the United mantra to go out and piss off all customers no matter what to make more money. There may be other seats that can accomplish the same goal and be more comfortable. The other thing to keep in mind is that the seats soften over time, and will almost certainly improve with wear. I flew them on LH and found them fine. It was however only a 4hr flight, not a 6hr, but it was fine
#653
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 5,814
Maybe they can just retrofit with better padding...
This looks promising: http://www.supracor.com/products/spe...ting/aircraft/
This looks promising: http://www.supracor.com/products/spe...ting/aircraft/
#654
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: HH Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 252
I just flew back on a non-converted A319 and those seats have definitely seen better days. Interestingly though the plane did have Wi-Fi installed, which I thought was being done with the seat conversions. I thought the pricing was fair for the length of the flight - $3.99 ORD-DCA. Hope to see wi-fi more throughout the fleet.
#655
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I just flew back on a non-converted A319 and those seats have definitely seen better days. Interestingly though the plane did have Wi-Fi installed, which I thought was being done with the seat conversions. I thought the pricing was fair for the length of the flight - $3.99 ORD-DCA. Hope to see wi-fi more throughout the fleet.
#656
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,256
Just flew back on an "upgraded" A320 (SFO-PHL). I was in F though. Seats seemed the same (with the lack of IFE). I was in the last row of F and there was a pretty large gap behind the seat to the bulkhead. They could have easily given each row another inch or so. Anyways, the captain actually came out to the F cabin (vs from the cockpit) to make is welcome announcement. He actually said that CH9 would be available for us to listen to. Then he looked around at our confused faces and amended his announcement with "if you can find somewhere to plug in". Then he explained that we would be able to stream CH9 and IFE via WIFI and it was "very cool".
Ofcourse, although WIFI was available, there was no streaming. $15 for the flight. Ofcourse with no power plugs, my laptop only lasted for half the flight.
The thing is that even if they eventually get CH9 working on WIFI, since I must use my personal electronics to listen, I won't be able to listen during takeoff or landing. The most interesting parts I like to hear.
Ofcourse, although WIFI was available, there was no streaming. $15 for the flight. Ofcourse with no power plugs, my laptop only lasted for half the flight.
The thing is that even if they eventually get CH9 working on WIFI, since I must use my personal electronics to listen, I won't be able to listen during takeoff or landing. The most interesting parts I like to hear.
#657
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,898
Just flew back on an "upgraded" A320 (SFO-PHL). I was in F though. Seats seemed the same (with the lack of IFE). I was in the last row of F and there was a pretty large gap behind the seat to the bulkhead. They could have easily given each row another inch or so. Anyways, the captain actually came out to the F cabin (vs from the cockpit) to make is welcome announcement. He actually said that CH9 would be available for us to listen to. Then he looked around at our confused faces and amended his announcement with "if you can find somewhere to plug in". Then he explained that we would be able to stream CH9 and IFE via WIFI and it was "very cool".
Ofcourse, although WIFI was available, there was no streaming. $15 for the flight. Ofcourse with no power plugs, my laptop only lasted for half the flight.
The thing is that even if they eventually get CH9 working on WIFI, since I must use my personal electronics to listen, I won't be able to listen during takeoff or landing. The most interesting parts I like to hear.
Ofcourse, although WIFI was available, there was no streaming. $15 for the flight. Ofcourse with no power plugs, my laptop only lasted for half the flight.
The thing is that even if they eventually get CH9 working on WIFI, since I must use my personal electronics to listen, I won't be able to listen during takeoff or landing. The most interesting parts I like to hear.
#658
Suspended
Join Date: May 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,961
I would expect that it's only a matter of months before those rules are dramatically relaxed. They really don't make sense and everyone knows it. The final FAA study group report is due in September and action should occur fairly soon after that.
#659
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,256
I think the only change was to add power but I guess that hasnt happened yet. There seemed to be a larger gap than usual between the back of the last F seat and the bulkhead so they may have moved the seats (or the bulkhead). Maybe they left a larger gap so the seat wouldnt recline into people's coats.
#660
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Colorado
Programs: United MM (formerly 1K), Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 551
Of course that strategy only works if they are able to get people to sit in the extra seats.