Originally Posted by
MatthewLAX
Agree - this would be a perfect use of a 752 and seems quite appropriate. Then again, it's UA only on this route, unlike LAX-DCA in which DL competes with AS and AA. UA can get away with a "regular" aircraft.
AS also flies DCA-SFO, but agreed, no one is flying lie flats. Also, United only does this to protect a perimeter exception slot. They would much rather have all their transcons out of IAD, I imagine.
My biggest issue is 1x flights a day each way. The morning flight SFO-DCA arrives in time for nothing, would rather leave a bit later and get in evening. The return evening flight gets in very late (especially for someone who woke up on the East Coast). IAD has many more options, including occasional lie flats, but it adds at least an hour in transit time from downtown DC, and IAD is a hot mess most of the time.
I'm doing this flight close to monthly now, and I like the DCA nonstop better. I'm considering trying a DEN or IAH connection to DCA for better timing.