Photo Report: Flying US Air New Envoy Suite on the A332 to See San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jun 14, 2010, 7:14 pm
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Photo Report: Flying US Air New Envoy Suite on the A332 to See San Juan, Puerto Rico
I had never been to the Caribbean before this trip, so I convinced the other bliss to splurge on a first class ticket to do a semi-long-weekend-mileage-run to San Juan, Puerto Rico with me. Of course, I had to pull out my special bargaining chip and used the "being able to try the new US Airways Envoy Suite on the airbus 330-200" as bait.
Bait...
Hook...
And Reel. I win.
PART TWO (Live)
Sheraton Old San Juan
PART THREE (live)
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
PART FOUR (live!)
W Hotel San...-WAIT, Are You Telling me This is a Sheraton?
Sheraton San Juan Hotel and Casino at the Convention Center
PART FIVE (live!)
US Airways 767-200ER Envoy & Misc. United Onboard Improvement and Product Changes
Bait...
Hook...
And Reel. I win.
PART ONE (Live!)
Click to see photos
ENVOY
Suite on the Airbus 330-200
Click to see photos
ENVOY
Suite on the Airbus 330-200
Where do I start? Wow! What a wonderful suite! The seat itself is large and comfortable. Unlike the herringbone seats, these "reverse herringbone" seats create a much roomier feel. Each Envoy suite has about 3 windows providing an excellent view out the plane. The seats are also heavily padded making it a super soft and comfortable bed when it goes to fully lie flat position. The armrest in the aisle also lowers to give each passenger some extra shoulder room. I'm 6'2" and had plenty of space length wise to stretch out. I also had plenty of shoulder room. What a fantastic design!
I was also impressed with US Airways food offerings on the caribbean routes. Well, at least with the food presentation and beverage selection. I find the bread that came with the brunch (frittata, turkey sausage link, potatoes, sun dried tomatoes, and a side salad--click on part one to see) to be hot, soft, and melt in your mouth delicious! Though still not at the level Continental catering, I personally find US Airways meals to be superior than United and Delta. I also liked the individually bottled Stirring Mai Tai and Maragarita mixers available on most flights. So what if there's no wine glasses? I'll take these mixers and better food over glasses anyday! And hey, at least they had salt & pepper shakers!
There were still a couple of minor annoyance because well, US Airways is still US Airways. Even though the A332 planes are equipped with AVOD in every seat, US Airways does not turn on any sort of entertainment whatsoever except when you fly on international or Hawaii routes, even if the planes are equipped entertainment options. That is just lame!
But overall, I had a very good experience on this flight, as well as my other US Airways flights in First. I find their flight attendants to be pretty good. With this exceptional hard product and recently improved soft product, I think US Airways might just be the best choice to fly to Europe from the East Coast (in business)! I'm surprised that I consider the new US Airways Envoy suite to be better than any other business class products the other US carriers have to offer!
I was also impressed with US Airways food offerings on the caribbean routes. Well, at least with the food presentation and beverage selection. I find the bread that came with the brunch (frittata, turkey sausage link, potatoes, sun dried tomatoes, and a side salad--click on part one to see) to be hot, soft, and melt in your mouth delicious! Though still not at the level Continental catering, I personally find US Airways meals to be superior than United and Delta. I also liked the individually bottled Stirring Mai Tai and Maragarita mixers available on most flights. So what if there's no wine glasses? I'll take these mixers and better food over glasses anyday! And hey, at least they had salt & pepper shakers!
There were still a couple of minor annoyance because well, US Airways is still US Airways. Even though the A332 planes are equipped with AVOD in every seat, US Airways does not turn on any sort of entertainment whatsoever except when you fly on international or Hawaii routes, even if the planes are equipped entertainment options. That is just lame!
But overall, I had a very good experience on this flight, as well as my other US Airways flights in First. I find their flight attendants to be pretty good. With this exceptional hard product and recently improved soft product, I think US Airways might just be the best choice to fly to Europe from the East Coast (in business)! I'm surprised that I consider the new US Airways Envoy suite to be better than any other business class products the other US carriers have to offer!
PART TWO (Live)
Sheraton Old San Juan
PART THREE (live)
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
PART FOUR (live!)
W Hotel San...-WAIT, Are You Telling me This is a Sheraton?
Sheraton San Juan Hotel and Casino at the Convention Center
PART FIVE (live!)
US Airways 767-200ER Envoy & Misc. United Onboard Improvement and Product Changes
Last edited by BlissWorld; Jun 22, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Jun 14, 2010, 9:31 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HSV
Programs: Silver MileagePlus, Diamond Hilton
Posts: 672
I agree it's pretty dumb they don't turn on the AVOD just b/c its not a Transatlantic. All they gotta do is turn an on switch. It doesn't cost the airline any money. (at least I think)
Jun 14, 2010, 10:02 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Jun 15, 2010, 2:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA EXP; AC 75k; UA Gold; Bonvoy Ambassador; Hertz Presidents Circle; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 126
AVOD on non-TATL
From postings in the US room, the issue with turning on the AVOD on any flight other that a TATL is a cost one. It was reported that the content delivery agreement US has with the provider is only for TATL flights. If FA's turn on the system on any non-TATL flights (and the A332 does fly a few of them regularly including PHL-SJU and PHL-CLT) then US has to pay $$ as an "outside of license scope" fee.
I've flown the suites a couple of times now - PHL-LHR R/T and from SJU-PHL one-way and it is a stellar product. This could be a huge advantage for US if only they'd implement it on a larger scale - there are some significant delays in implemting it on the A333 (they are saying not until Fall 2011) and it's unclear if they will install them at all on the B767 (and there isn't enough real-estate to install them on their TATL B757's).
I am *Gold with US and am thrilled to see these improvements and (in my humble opinion) US is really trying to up the ante across the board on service levels.
I had similar food on my SJU-PHL flight a few weeks back and it was very, very good; some of the best airline food I have had (better than OZ or BA C food as an example). The best Stirrings cocktail US serves from my perspective is the Pomegrante Martini - it is delicious !!
Grunion
I've flown the suites a couple of times now - PHL-LHR R/T and from SJU-PHL one-way and it is a stellar product. This could be a huge advantage for US if only they'd implement it on a larger scale - there are some significant delays in implemting it on the A333 (they are saying not until Fall 2011) and it's unclear if they will install them at all on the B767 (and there isn't enough real-estate to install them on their TATL B757's).
I am *Gold with US and am thrilled to see these improvements and (in my humble opinion) US is really trying to up the ante across the board on service levels.
I had similar food on my SJU-PHL flight a few weeks back and it was very, very good; some of the best airline food I have had (better than OZ or BA C food as an example). The best Stirrings cocktail US serves from my perspective is the Pomegrante Martini - it is delicious !!
Grunion
Jun 15, 2010, 4:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,604
I never thought I'd say it about a US carrier, but that cabin looks really nice! It looks like a proper J version of the new NZ premium-Y, which I thought seemed great for a couple travelling together. Thanks for the report!
Pity about the AVOD not being turned on, though. Maybe some day they'll cut a better deal with the content cartels.
Pity about the AVOD not being turned on, though. Maybe some day they'll cut a better deal with the content cartels.
Jun 16, 2010, 8:05 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
From postings in the US room, the issue with turning on the AVOD on any flight other that a TATL is a cost one. It was reported that the content delivery agreement US has with the provider is only for TATL flights. If FA's turn on the system on any non-TATL flights (and the A332 does fly a few of them regularly including PHL-SJU and PHL-CLT) then US has to pay $$ as an "outside of license scope" fee.
I've flown the suites a couple of times now - PHL-LHR R/T and from SJU-PHL one-way and it is a stellar product. This could be a huge advantage for US if only they'd implement it on a larger scale - there are some significant delays in implemting it on the A333 (they are saying not until Fall 2011) and it's unclear if they will install them at all on the B767 (and there isn't enough real-estate to install them on their TATL B757's).
I am *Gold with US and am thrilled to see these improvements and (in my humble opinion) US is really trying to up the ante across the board on service levels.
I had similar food on my SJU-PHL flight a few weeks back and it was very, very good; some of the best airline food I have had (better than OZ or BA C food as an example). The best Stirrings cocktail US serves from my perspective is the Pomegrante Martini - it is delicious !!
Grunion
I've flown the suites a couple of times now - PHL-LHR R/T and from SJU-PHL one-way and it is a stellar product. This could be a huge advantage for US if only they'd implement it on a larger scale - there are some significant delays in implemting it on the A333 (they are saying not until Fall 2011) and it's unclear if they will install them at all on the B767 (and there isn't enough real-estate to install them on their TATL B757's).
I am *Gold with US and am thrilled to see these improvements and (in my humble opinion) US is really trying to up the ante across the board on service levels.
I had similar food on my SJU-PHL flight a few weeks back and it was very, very good; some of the best airline food I have had (better than OZ or BA C food as an example). The best Stirrings cocktail US serves from my perspective is the Pomegrante Martini - it is delicious !!
Grunion
Jun 17, 2010, 10:41 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
IMO, better than any RCC or PC in the US. The US PHL offerings were decent (danish, cereal, yogurt, juices, coffee for breakfast and a free flowing bar) and its big and spacious and never too crowded. I honestly can't think of a RCC in the US that is better.
Jun 17, 2010, 10:45 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
Programs: Wouldn't you like to know?!
Posts: 23,822
Jun 17, 2010, 12:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,463
Looks great!! I cannot wait to fly a 330 with the new Envoy!!
Actually per the licensing agreements they cannot show it on that route. Showing movies (ie. the licensing) is more expensive than you may realize.
Actually per the licensing agreements they cannot show it on that route. Showing movies (ie. the licensing) is more expensive than you may realize.
Jun 18, 2010, 1:10 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: US Airways Dividend Miles Silver Preferred, Hilton Honors Gold VIP
Posts: 33
Thanks for posting pics! I like the wood finish. I'm currently not a big fan of "pod" seats. But, I'm looking forward to getting the upgrade on PHL-CDG to experience the new suites. Congrats to US Airways for their new suites layout. The center seats are better positioned for traveling with a companion. While the window seats are better positioned for looking out and offer better privacy by facing away from the aisle. I believe the new Envoy Suites will make me a fan of "pods" (well, just the ones on US Airways).
Last edited by ig744; Jun 18, 2010 at 1:22 am