Originally Posted by qasr
The hawaii 777 would never be an option. Besides the fact that I think most of them are no the E/R's, but UA needs to offer a consistent intercontinental C & F class seating. How would they sell the domestic F seating? It just doesn't make sense. (Yeah, yeah, I know the 763 F is not the same as the 777/747 suite F, but it is better than C and still an F product.)
I would have guessed a 763 too though and they'd ramp up to a 777 if demand justified it. They must have a good reason to use a 777--I am not sure what it is though? My guess is either cargo or a lot of high yield F that would demand a suite but that hardly seems likely.
The Hawaii 777 does KOA/HNL-ORD. I don't think IAD-FCO is much, if any, longer a segment.
Sell the "First" class cabin as Biz class. Improve the food/bvg selection and service. The only drawback is the lack of PTV.
As a business analyst, these decisions drivre me nuts!! I'd really love to get an answer - but, like most things in the airline industry, we'll just speculate I guess.