Ok, so I finally got to fly P class..... I had 5 flights intra Europe on a *A airpass. 3 were on SK and 2 on LH.

One problem was that I had to buy a paper ticket. Supposedly SK is the culprit because they don't allow UA to issue e tickets for many routes ex ARN.

First consider LH as a reference. There I get access to the "Senator rows" in the front of the plane and I get a row to myself even though at least one of the flights had a 80-90% load. I get a small sandwich and beverages.

On SK I managed to get exit rows (all MD-80 flights) on two of the three flights even though I had the paper ticket. I was travelling with someone on CPH-ARN; otherwise I think I could have scored a seat.

I was surprised that we got the P class treatment on CPH-ARN. It was in the afternoon. I think I have flown the route in the morning during the P class era where you apparently still get free breakfast. They offer coffee/tea or water but charge for other stuff. I broke down and got a sandwich. But what happens if you buy an expensive ticket as its nominally single class?? I noticed that there was a separator for the first two rows and there was a guy up there blabbering about having arrived from SEA.

On ARN-LHR they ran out of time to serve the back of the plane and/or ran out of food! In the annoucement the purser took the opportunity to blame management for cutting back on staff! Service was very slow since they have to handle cash and only have one cart. The FA didn't even ask me if I wanted anything; I was sitting there working on my computer. (I actually made a ham sandwich in the lounge in case I got hungry.... ha-ha!)

For BUD-CPH they had one row of Eco Extra and it was empty! The purser made an indignant announcement about "those of you who have CHOSEN to fly in economy....." For ARN-LHR they had three rows of Eco Extra.

That is true. As soon as I added ARN-KSD-CPH segments to the itinerary (DEN-FRA-ARN on SK/LH but on UA ticket stock) on Orbitz, it went from eticket to paper ticket. An additional $22 for shipping!

I am evil Ratbert on P-class flights. I ALWAYS pay by credit-card, typically flashing the EBG DC card just to make things slower, and also ensuring that I don't get any grumpy comments in return. Hopefully my disobedience will make their life so miserable that they see the need either more FAs or free basic service.

That said, the "matpakke" you get onboard is actually quite tasty...

Both ARN-KSD and KSD-CPH are operated by JZ (Skyways).
JZ have e-ticket agreement with SK, but possibly not UA...

I'm glad you finally got to try our lovely new product!

If you compare to LH, SK stinks.

Here�s Uniteds scheme:

UA intercontinental: You have to pay for alcohol in Y and they don't take credit cards

TED flights serves free drinks, except alcohol, the TED boxes are fine, but I think frequent travelers are getting tired of them, there's no variation (I know I'm tired of them..)

UA Economy is the same as TED, but then again, how often have you been in Y since you became 1K ?? I have not been in Y this year, have just been using 500 milers ^ ^

I think the UA model is perfect! Always get good seats (row 1 or 11 on TED) or upgrade to F on regular UA. And you get free drinks. The only bad thing with UA/TED is you can't buy a fresh, good meal on board. A real drawback if you are flying ORD-LAS

Unfortunately the vast majority of my US domestic travel is on UA Express........ I still have not flown Ted. I think it's all Florida from my base at IAD.

I am just glad that most of my SK shorter European flights are either a way to get into some European location (short flights) or then a way to get into long-haul SK flight.

When you think of this, then SK short European P-class flight is just a way to transfer yourself to some other flight or place. Just like a bus. Although I never travel with bus.

Well... the bus I usually take to work has a free coffee service.