Pillows, headrests, and the first class experience
Mar 12, 2011, 11:44 am
#1
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Pillows, headrests, and the first class experience
After logging 1.5 million miles on United, I'm starting to fly on Continental again, and am curious about what to expect. Already I've encountered pros and cons vs. United, but will likely appreciate the pros and learn to live with the cons.
Just finished my first CO flight in first class (on a 757-300) and was surprised by one deficiency. The seat felt comfortable enough except that I like head support when I'm looking down to read, but the headrest did not tilt forward and there were no pillows to be found. On virtually all United aircraft in both first and business, you get a tiltable headrest as well as a pillow at every seat (usually a blanket, too).
Was my experience normal for Continental, or maybe just a combination of an old model seat and a very short flight, which it was? Do you guys bring your own pillows, or just get used to it?
For what it's worth, United went through a period of skimping drastically on amenities, but in the last year or two they've tried very hard to restore a pleasant experience up front. Hopefully this is the direction Continental is moving in as well.
Just finished my first CO flight in first class (on a 757-300) and was surprised by one deficiency. The seat felt comfortable enough except that I like head support when I'm looking down to read, but the headrest did not tilt forward and there were no pillows to be found. On virtually all United aircraft in both first and business, you get a tiltable headrest as well as a pillow at every seat (usually a blanket, too).
Was my experience normal for Continental, or maybe just a combination of an old model seat and a very short flight, which it was? Do you guys bring your own pillows, or just get used to it?
For what it's worth, United went through a period of skimping drastically on amenities, but in the last year or two they've tried very hard to restore a pleasant experience up front. Hopefully this is the direction Continental is moving in as well.
Mar 12, 2011, 12:06 pm
#2
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Yes, those "deficiencies" are typical of the CO equipment.
I've not used an airline-supplied pillow in quite some time (unless in long-haul biz) and haven't noticed any problems.
I've not used an airline-supplied pillow in quite some time (unless in long-haul biz) and haven't noticed any problems.
Mar 12, 2011, 2:00 pm
#3
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...?...
OP: I suspect that in coming months, the removal of pillows from BOTH carriers will be one of the changes we'll like.
So far, everything has been lowest-common-denominator, i.e. the removal of pretzels.
Mar 12, 2011, 2:05 pm
#4
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+1 - that's my biggest complaint about the CO F seat. Already not that comfortable in the head area due to a non-tilting headrest; lack of a pillow makes it even worse.
Mar 12, 2011, 2:08 pm
#5
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Also noticed on this flight that no one offered a pre-flight drink or to hang up my jacket. The latter was probably for the better since my seat-mate did ask to have his jacket hung and had it taken away, but never returned.
This all seems a bit disappointing, but too early to tell if the combined airline will end up with more of the best features of each or the worst. On the whole, Continental flyers seem to love the airline, so I'm optimistic about the result.
This all seems a bit disappointing, but too early to tell if the combined airline will end up with more of the best features of each or the worst. On the whole, Continental flyers seem to love the airline, so I'm optimistic about the result.
Mar 12, 2011, 2:10 pm
#6
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FWIW, I haven't seen (felt??) a need for the CO headrest to tilt forward for my comfort because the seat is more upright to begin with. On UA the seats are more reclined by default so trying to sit up requires that of the headrest. Again, YMMV, but that's been my experience.
Mar 12, 2011, 2:40 pm
#7
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Also noticed on this flight that no one offered a pre-flight drink or to hang up my jacket. The latter was probably for the better since my seat-mate did ask to have his jacket hung and had it taken away, but never returned.
This all seems a bit disappointing, but too early to tell if the combined airline will end up with more of the best features of each or the worst. On the whole, Continental flyers seem to love the airline, so I'm optimistic about the result.
This all seems a bit disappointing, but too early to tell if the combined airline will end up with more of the best features of each or the worst. On the whole, Continental flyers seem to love the airline, so I'm optimistic about the result.
On those times where I'm not upgraded, I'll simply wait near the galley until the aisle clears. This allows the FAs to do what they need to for the FC folks.
Mar 12, 2011, 2:44 pm
#8
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I've almost always had a pre-flight drink offer and the offer to hang jackets. The issue I've found is that over-eager Y pax tend to clog the FC cabin, and hence the FAs can't do their work.
On those times where I'm not upgraded, I'll simply wait near the galley until the aisle clears. This allows the FAs to do what they need to for the FC folks.
On those times where I'm not upgraded, I'll simply wait near the galley until the aisle clears. This allows the FAs to do what they need to for the FC folks.
Mar 12, 2011, 5:09 pm
#9
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Mar 12, 2011, 5:32 pm
#10
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I'm indifferent about pillows on domestic flights but I agree I like the UA headrests better.
Mar 12, 2011, 7:28 pm
#11
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Many of us who fly various carriers do not understand the hype behind CO. It really reflects poorly on the COmpany when they do stupid stuff like no pillows in F, or charge for certain drinks in F.
Mar 12, 2011, 7:32 pm
#12
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No excuse. Y pax are always "clogging" the F cabin during boarding. They aren't any more "eager" now then they've ever been. The FA's have 25+ minutes to service the F pax with drinks, and it seems they've been getting lazy about it the last couple years.
Mar 12, 2011, 9:12 pm
#13
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I'm not sure this is as much a function of the quality of the product or service as it is a function of CO's relatively captive customer base.
Many of us who fly various carriers do not understand the hype behind CO. It really reflects poorly on the COmpany when they do stupid stuff like no pillows in F, or charge for certain drinks in F.
Many of us who fly various carriers do not understand the hype behind CO. It really reflects poorly on the COmpany when they do stupid stuff like no pillows in F, or charge for certain drinks in F.
Do tell! I have a few flights in first on CO next week. Was actually looking forward to them after fond memories of years ago (almost all US and UA now). But charges for drinks? Which ones?
Mar 12, 2011, 9:14 pm
#14
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The specialty drinks -- pomegranate martinis and mojitos. That sort of stuff -- the same type of mixers that US has for free in F (or charges $1 for in the back). CO charges $2 in First for the mixers.
Mar 13, 2011, 4:11 am
#15
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