I've flown the United SFO-JFK 762 redeye several times this year in C, and recently flew the AAmerican one (where C seems to be known as J). Quite a difference.

Equipment: The United planes, as often mentioned here, are pretty beat up. However, although the C seats are far inferior to international C, they have greater pitch and recline than domestic F, and I prefer them. Contrary to local opinion, I do not recommend the solo seats in rows 10 and 11 for a redeye; they are great for daylight flights, but the light outside the toilet, and the traffic, make sleeping difficult. Row 5 has no legroom at all, and the flickering light of the movie makes sleep difficult in the first several rows. Also beware that the center overheads of rows 6 and 7 are tiny as the video projector is located there. My preference is for 9C or D.

The American 762s are vastly superior, with clean and modern looking interiors. The C seats are similar to American's International C with excellent legroom and recline and proper legrests, but are rather hard (leather) and narrow (they lack the cutout scoops below the armrests of United's international C seats). They have working powerports. I found them much easier to sleep in than the United seats.

Service: Both redeyes seem to get good crews, but provide very different services. The United service is focused on allowing passengers to sleep. Announcements are kept to a minimum and the lights are dimmed immediately after takeoff. Food is usually a deli sandwich (quite good) and the FAs come around soon after takeoff looking for those who are awake and quietly asking if they want dinner (and drinks). The meal and drinks are then served right away, all on a single tray. The FAs come through pretty often and there's no difficulty getting water or other drinks if you don't sleep. The cabin remains quiet until about 10 minutes from landing, when the FAs distribute orange juice to those who are awake.

The American service is more like C on a regular flight. Warmed nuts, hot towel, hot meal (well, a warmed sandwich). Better wine than United. To my astonishment, they show a movie trailer with the sound blaring over the PA (I guess that's because they charge for headsets in coach and have to let people see what they'll be paying for). The lights go off much later than United, and come on again much earlier, with another hot towel, and drinks served in a china mug.

Both companies provide decent, but different, products on this redeye route. For me, the best of both worlds would be the American metal and food, with the United service. (Well, best of all would be a United 763 International).


[This message has been edited by someotherguy (edited 09-28-2003).]