Why not a Real Premium Economy?
#646
Flyertalk Evangelist, Moderator: United Airlines MileagePlus


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Does anyone know if it is possible to earn PQD and lifetime miles from Premium economy fairs? My travel policy has been changed to only flying premium economy on international routes, so on international flights no more united for me. Airlines would be ANA, Lufthansa, LOT, and SAS.
#647
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At least AF, KL, AA, NZ, CX and many other competitors (DL, SK, LH, BA to name a few) offer a true premium economy on their long haul aircraft, which softens the 10-wide misery in Y by giving us an alternative to slaveship Y and expensive J. UA stands virtually alone among major carriers in not following this industry trend, and is part of the reason UA is so often and deservedly singled out for disdain on FT.
#648


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It becomes a question of CASM versus revenue premium over the competition. If UA (or any airline) can charge 10% more on it flights because it offers a more comfortable seat then that airline can afford to have fewer seats on board, keeping the total per-trip revenue of a flight on par with others. But consumers have proven time and again that they won't pay that. Despite the random assertions on sites like this.
Given that all airlines are moving toward maximum-allowable pain for Y pax, which airlines have more-tolerable W cabins at a reasonable (or free) price?
#649
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AF, KL, AA, NZ, CX, DL, SK, LH, BA and 12 other carriers offer a true premium economy in their widebody long haul aircraft.
#650


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At least AF, KL, AA, NZ, CX and many other competitors (DL, SK, LH, BA to name a few) offer a true premium economy on their long haul aircraft, which softens the 10-wide misery in Y by giving us an alternative to slaveship Y and expensive J. UA stands virtually alone among major carriers in not following this industry trend, and is part of the reason UA is so often and deservedly singled out for disdain on FT.
#651
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Either way, as a leisure traveler, I will stick with the 767s for shorter hops if I have to fly in Y...otherwise it's going front through upgrades or awards
#652
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#653
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist




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Cute.
Ya, rumors of PE on UA Int'l have been around for a while, but 77W is pretty recent purchase and does not have it.
With new Biz, aka Polaris being better that old Int'l First (as it seems to me without the benefit of ever flying GF), it seems like the new is becoming the old. Though barcaloungers were better than domestic 1st equivalent in wayback Biz (Hawaii routes being excluded).
Ya, rumors of PE on UA Int'l have been around for a while, but 77W is pretty recent purchase and does not have it.
With new Biz, aka Polaris being better that old Int'l First (as it seems to me without the benefit of ever flying GF), it seems like the new is becoming the old. Though barcaloungers were better than domestic 1st equivalent in wayback Biz (Hawaii routes being excluded).
#654
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#655


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#656
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Good to know. So when it finally arrives on the A350 - which is replacing the 772s - and then years later is retrofitted on the 77W and the 787s, UA will finally match its competition, and I'll enjoy using them. In the meantime I'll go elsewhere.
#657


Join Date: May 2013
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Would be good to know the source. My main concern is that it will become harder to upgrade to J, and that folks with status no longer get free extra legroom. Knowing UA, they would make PE 3-3-3, which kind of negates some of the purpose.
Either way, as a leisure traveler, I will stick with the 767s for shorter hops if I have to fly in Y...otherwise it's going front through upgrades or awards
Either way, as a leisure traveler, I will stick with the 767s for shorter hops if I have to fly in Y...otherwise it's going front through upgrades or awards

It is coming in 2018. Not sure when it will be retrofitted on existing fleets. It can be a relatively simple retrofit if there are no dividers moving.
#658
Join Date: Jun 2013
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I'm assuming they're going to be fitted on the 78J's when they arrive late 2018?
#659
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I hope you are right, but given how long it's taking to do Polaris, I don't see how they can get it on all of the 772's. That means putting it on airframes that they will start getting rid of within five years. Seriously?
Last edited by halls120; Sep 16, 2017 at 11:39 am
#660
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Any insight what might happen to E+ in configurations with PE?

