cle-ord a320 or erj?
 

United's running an airbus from ord-cle, while the best co can do is a regional jet. Has anyone had experience with united on this route? I would much rather have a bigger seat. Also, its interesting how one of united's "sample fares" in its "sale" email today was cleveland-chicago for 48 ow. could ua be thinking of codesharing with co on the route?

It's what, an hour flight.

A320 will have a TV show, CO will have no IFE.

CO will have pretzels, UA has no food for free or for sale on a short flight like that.

Other than that, they're the same.

I've flown UA on this route. I have status on UA, so I was in E+, but for a 45-minute flight even E- is preferable to most seats on an ERJ, IMO.

Fares are low because WN flies CLE-MDW. AA was offering $40 (!) fares this summer.

I would suspect that UA and CO will codeshare on this route, given that it will offer easy connections at either end.

I think that, in the days when UA had a small hub at CLE, they ran even bigger aircraft than the Airbuses between CLE and ORD.

an ERJ is just fine in the A side, really no problem with them, not talking about one of the infamous near transcons CO does on ERJ-XRs.

Evidently CLE-ORD saw DC-10s and 767s frequently through the 1990s, and even 747s back in the 1970s-80s.

I am dying to hear what the upgrade/E+ arrangement is going to be for CO Elites on UA. I have a bit of travel coming up for the last two months of the year to places that are equally convenient for me to use UA or CO. If E+ and/or upgrades are in the mix, I think I'll definitely head toward the Airbii of the Friendly Skies, for a change.

I agree, but I'd still rather have an A320, even with 31" pitch and even for a flight of that length.

When I flew ORD-CLE on CO last month it was a CRJ; a bus might have been preferable. :eek:

Seats
 

For a short flight like this, I'm not sure there is a profound difference, but--as a matter of principle--I prefer mainline planes over barbie jets, except that the ERJ-145 has no middle seats.

In my opinion, if you're on a fulll A-320 (or 737 or 757, for that matter) and you end up with a middle seat, you probably will have a slightly more comfortable experience on an ERJ-145.

Again, though, on a flight this short, it doesn't make much of a difference.

CHI is one route where I actually consider flying WN. Beyond the cost, I simply find MDW to be much more convenient when I am going to the Loop to visit clients.

Back to your question, I think an ERJ is fine for routes of this length if you can get an A seat.

I think we have more of a chance of receiving unlimited and complimentary upgrade to BusinessFirst and earning 100% EQM’s on reward tickets.

Agreed, although the buy-up to E+ is pretty affordable.

And op-ups to E+ are fairly common if you play the system right.

All true. There used to be multiple DC-10's, 767's, and 757's per day on ORD-CLE through the 90's. Evenutally, by the very early 2000's, the route was reduced to one widebody and one or two 757's/day, plus several 737's/320's.

I did the UA Airbus 320 DTW-ORD thing a few months back (similar length, I believe) and was lucky enough to be in first. I got an OJ and a larger seat. In coach, I believe UA managed a full drink service, but it wasn't a full load. I guess it really just depends on how full the planes happen to be on any particular day. In general, mainline probably offers a more comfy experience, IMO.

As one who flies between CLE - ORD quite a bit, UA has always managed to get full drink service in Y on my flights, whether completely full or not. I am very impressed with how UA's service is on those flights.

I will choose the UA wider body over the CO RJ any day of the week. JMHO.

I would definitely prefer the "A" (one-seat) side of the ERJ versus a mainline in coach if my row was full on such a short flight.

As for a CRJ...I'd rather hit myself on the head with a hammer.