I originally posted this on the united bulletin board, but I should have posted this here instead. Does anybody else notice that if they fly business internationally on a plane with just business and coach, that the service tends to be better(delta, continental) vs american, united, on a plane with first, business and coach. It seems that way to me. Anybody else?

I totally agree. I only have experience with 2-class carriers, but what I hear about 3-class carriers and reviewing their seat and meal data brings me to this conclusion.

The three main US two-class products, Delta, US Airways, and Continental, all have a 55-60 inch pitch, First Class seat width, etc. The meal is multi-course, etc.

Where as on United and American, the two-main US carrier three-class, Business is much worse than Biz/First on CO/DL/Us. The seat pitch and width are smaller and the food is less impressive (On United, fruit OR cheese, not both!).

I think the Biz/First product compares much more favorably with UA/AA's First Class! NJDavid posted a trip report comparing Continental BusinessFirst with American International First Class!

Here is NJDavid's trip report... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/000478.html

My comments above are based solely on US carriers. I feel that most int'l airlines' Business class compares to Biz/First of CO/DL/US, and their First Class is in a league of its own.

Actually, on United, it's CAKE or cheese, but not both. Usually, if you pick cheese for dessert, there is fruit on the plate.

I always ask for both and i get my cake and cheese. you just have to ask with a smile

On Saturday, I was in BC on UA from ORD to LAX and the meal was great. Filet was cooked properly, tender, served with potato (not couscous!!!) and dessert was separate. What a pleasant change for United!