LIH Prem

Hi Tom.

Why stick with UA if they aren't going to move to 1-2-1 seating in BF? Just saying ...

Their current BF seating was state of the art when they introduced it a long time ago, but it's not even close anymore. So many other airlines offer a better experience on the ground, in the air and operationally these days.

Do you really feel locked in to UA these days?

-David

Mike Jacoubowsky

When I first heard about the move from 3 class cabins to 2, my first thought was sure, makes sense, biz is a pretty solid product, it really can't be worth the expense for a few self-important celebrities and the product is often available as a saver award. I had this neat logical construct until I saw one of your posts that same day and it hit me. The person who spends as much time in the air as on the ground... The 2 cabin product is really good, but not that good!

If I were King (and there are plenty of good reasons I'm not), I would find a way to sneak in 2 "real" F seats, not available, ever, for an award ticket, maybe not even for sale except to a GS. If no GS buys them, they go to the highest-ranking elite in biz. A GS buying one of those seats gets a special menu with options they choose ahead of the flight (maybe Gordon Ramsey gives you a call and sets something up for you?). The trick is creating an infrastructure that only exists when needed. Other times, it's just a nicer seat, same meal, same service. But when ua1flyer makes a reservation, out comes the fancy china & 25 year old scotch & a flexible dividing wall to create a really special environment.

(Of course, to make room, my seat is going to be moved out under the wing, so if you could be so kind as to remind them to keep the de-icing equipment on full-time... )

IAH-OIL-TRASH

If the carrier chooses to put fewer seats in the same size cabin, you can have all-aisle access. UA has chosen to stuff more seats in the available space. The problem is not seat size, but the density of the seats in the cabin area. Airlines with all-aisle squeeze fewer seats in the same available area relative to UA. UA cannot create all-aisle access w/o reducing density. The current UA BF density is the equivalent of 38 seats in the same space AA puts 28 (looking at 763). Density reduction is not minimal.

bmwe92fan

The capacity reduction is minimal and not really a factor as most airlines rarely sell all their J seats anyways....

WineCountryUA

TOPIC CHECK

We getting a bit OT. There are various threads on premium cabin configurations, such as

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-research.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...3-economy.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...mua-777-a.html
and many others

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

5khours

Haven't flown as much as you Tom, but I've done 600 or 700 trips across the Pacific. UA went from having the best hard and soft product on TPAC of any airline to being just about the worst....just sayin.

halls120

That's probably a better alignment. We all know UA considers their low-cpm 1Ks to be over-entitled.

mahasamatman

Not everyone values the same things. 1-2-1 seating is simply not important to many people. I don't want to speak for Tom, but based on his posts, I'd say he values the experiences he has with United and its employees. Just saying...

ua1flyer

I would LOVE 1-2-1 seating rather than the 2-2 ! Unless I am traveling with family or friends. I find it very awkward,especially if I am at the window and have to get up a few times during the night. I'm a big guy and the acrobatics to get into the aisle are not enjoyable for me let alone my seat mate.

ua1flyer

I hear you loud and clear. I miss the days of Dom Perignon,cavier and better food. With the reduction and eventual elimination of the three class cabin,I like you just have the memories. Who knows, someone someday might figure out that a lousy additional 10.00 per passenger towards food and beverage could dramatically improve the situation.Would't it?

mahasamatman

But you're still flying United, so it must not be a deal-breaker for you.

chitownflyer

Rather than viewing expenditures on good food and amenities like pajamas for premium class customers, the management should view them as an investment which generates increased revenues and profit. Perhaps some United senior management should fly their own international First class product and also that of other international airlines and make comparative and relative evaluations as to how their product can be improved. A company can not implement cost cutting and reduced service as a means achieve profitability as a long term business strategy. United is one of the best global airlines, and it can benefit its customers and company by striving to improve.

bldr1k

After 30 years as a Red Carpet Club/United Club member I'm done. A few of the clubs are decent (London, Boston) although the food is TERRIBLE. I can't wait for the Centurion lounge in Denver.

halls120

I'd recommend that UA management fly OS C and see how it should be done.

goalie

MODERATOR NOTE

ua1flyer has been gracious enough to share his experiences with us-^ please re-read the post I've quoted and stay on topic.

goalie
UA Forum Co-Moderator