Merger Update: Details about our $500M in onboard product improvements
#136
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: KDEN
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, BA GGL
Posts: 110
Also, I want to express my thanks for keeping Channel 9. Although it seems that many captains are opting out recently, I feel this is a real differentiator for UA.
#137
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: SPG Plat
Posts: 1,017
Thanks for your posts UA Insider (though your gender keeps flipping around the past couple of months….lol).
I personally appreciate these hard product changes and upgrades (I consider them upgrades). For me, it’s all about getting to lay down and sleeping horizontally and converting all your wide bodies and 757’s to this configuration is great.
But coming from the UA side (I know you are from the CO side), I am still very concerned on your soft product changes, as there seems to be a huge difference between the two airlines prior to this merger. I look forward to hearing from you (either Scott or Shannon or ??) when you think the time is right about these upcoming changes.
In the mean time, I am just sticking to reservations I have and in a holding pattern
I personally appreciate these hard product changes and upgrades (I consider them upgrades). For me, it’s all about getting to lay down and sleeping horizontally and converting all your wide bodies and 757’s to this configuration is great.
But coming from the UA side (I know you are from the CO side), I am still very concerned on your soft product changes, as there seems to be a huge difference between the two airlines prior to this merger. I look forward to hearing from you (either Scott or Shannon or ??) when you think the time is right about these upcoming changes.
In the mean time, I am just sticking to reservations I have and in a holding pattern
#138
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 91
These are great news. I especially appreciate Channel 9 now being widely available.
I think the captains need to make channel 9 available instead of hiding behind myths promoted by bad pilots (pilots who got disciplined for wrong doing but blame channel 9 instead).
UA should make it a policy where captains who got too many complains about not enabling chnl 9, s/he would not be eligible for bonus or something like that.
Channel 9 is a very key differentiator against other airlines and it's the one reason why many of us chose to fly UA over other airlines. If the pilot purposely mess with such key factor, s/he should really not work for UA.
Just like in other industry, we are not allowed to mess with things that make our product unique. Doing so would get us fired.
I think the captains need to make channel 9 available instead of hiding behind myths promoted by bad pilots (pilots who got disciplined for wrong doing but blame channel 9 instead).
UA should make it a policy where captains who got too many complains about not enabling chnl 9, s/he would not be eligible for bonus or something like that.
Channel 9 is a very key differentiator against other airlines and it's the one reason why many of us chose to fly UA over other airlines. If the pilot purposely mess with such key factor, s/he should really not work for UA.
Just like in other industry, we are not allowed to mess with things that make our product unique. Doing so would get us fired.
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,358
These improvements are positive indeed, and hope it will carry over to soft products such as in-flight meals and services.
I will definitely give back some of the flyings that I used to do on United if these positive changes continue to pop up.
I will definitely give back some of the flyings that I used to do on United if these positive changes continue to pop up.
#141
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
To further elaborate kb1992, the new p.s. 757 configuration will have 26 flatbed seats in Business Class, 70 seats in Economy Plus and 44 seats in Economy. There will be 2 less Economy Plus seats, but on the upside, the pitch will be increased from 34" to 35-37". We're still finalizing the plans on this, but this hopefully gives a better picture of where we're heading. Economy pitch will be a mix of 31-32".
I wonder if the JFK-LAX/SFO transcon route will continue to be branded Premium Service in the future; since the removal of F and addition of E- makes it fundamentally no different than the average UACO bird.
SunLover
#142
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NoCal
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM
Posts: 232
I've made snotty reference in past posts to "changes you'll like". But these are changes I *will* like. It's good to see long-delayed investment in UA.
As for the soft product, start by making the C-class chow vaguely worthy of the fare and then I'll really cheer. (The salads posing as apppetizers, the former Y-class desserts now served in C and the really gross, soggy mid-flight snack sandwiches are egregious examples.)
And I reserve the right to be snotty in the future if a) UA deserves it, and/or b) I'm in a bad move due to a UA foul-up.
As for the soft product, start by making the C-class chow vaguely worthy of the fare and then I'll really cheer. (The salads posing as apppetizers, the former Y-class desserts now served in C and the really gross, soggy mid-flight snack sandwiches are egregious examples.)
And I reserve the right to be snotty in the future if a) UA deserves it, and/or b) I'm in a bad move due to a UA foul-up.
#143
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,672
BusinessFirst is a ridiculous concept. No one - other than a few delusional souls - really consider it to be First Class. It's a fine business class product, and that's what it should be marketed as.
#144
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I am definitely intrigued by the reference to possible other uses for those p.s. aircraft. I would bet that they are seen on international routes before additional domestic routes show up. The reference to SFO-BOS above is a good reason why. If AA has already abandoned the market then why should UA offer something more than just a non-stop flight to attract business. Unless they're trying to pull customers away from JetBlue they probably don't need to.
#145
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
All this BusinessFirst silliness should end, and I'm glad it has. You can market it as something else, such as Envoy or BusinessElite, but to imply that it is somehow better than business class is just insulting the intelligence of your customer base.
#146
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: EWR
Posts: 894
Are you complaining about the UA 7 abreast recliners that are being phased out or the UA 8 abreast lie-flat that is being installed? The latter are about the same seat/bed dimensions as the CO BF product, although they have 2 more non-aisle seats per row. You don't need to UG to first for comfort.
My point is that if I'm a paying business class customer, then I'm going to choose the airline that provides me the most comfort without fiddling around with SWUs or upgrade chances to first. I'd rather get a decent business class seat (like the CO 6 across flat bed) rather than take my chances with buying a ticket for a UA style 8 across flatbed and then try for an upgrade to First. SWUs are too hard to use anyway, they are practically worthless.
For the long-haul routes, a 2 class configuration with CO style flat bed seats is what I think UA/CO should be striving for. Otherwise I'm afraid a lot of premium international travelers like me will flee to other airlines with better options for business class.
#147
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
+1
Like I said, two-cabin business will always be superior to three-cabin business- more as a psychological thing than anything else.
Like I said, two-cabin business will always be superior to three-cabin business- more as a psychological thing than anything else.
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
But we still face massive cuts in benefits. One after another.
Just did CR1 upgrade on CO flights AUS-IAH-SFO. I am a bit surprised that R>0 on many CO flights.
#149
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
Sounds good but I think we need to worry about Oct 1st and the MP roll-out. That could be the deal killer. As much as the 'ghetto bird' was maligned on here, I liked the extra UDU upgrade advantages to Hawaii that it provided, especially as you could UDU them. I suspect lie-flats and UDU upgrades from CA to Hawaii will be axed by CO dba UA not to mention UA 1...err I mean UA 201 ord-hnl.
Last edited by Renard; Aug 22, 2011 at 7:24 am
#150
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,463
As for E+, previously the airline was giving away a product it could not capture much of a revenue premium for. Now, the legroom will be increased to match the rest of the fleet (a major criticism of p.s. E+ in the first place) and UA will have the opportunity to upsell the product to non-elites. This is a net positive, in my mind.
Finally, the improved C hard product will be a quantum leap over the existing C and a dramatic improvement over the current F. As p.s. F is not highly differentiated from p.s. C to begin with, I find it difficult to spin this as anything but a favorable development.
Speculation is that JFK will be one of the early United Club renovations, which will result in the removal of the IFL to create a larger lounge, complete with showers and improved amenities. Just a rumor, though.
At any rate, capital expenditures for aircraft interior upgrades are recoverable. From an accounting perspective, the operating expense of a frequent flyer program and capex are apples and oranges.
Where are the UA lieflats to Hawaii (besides HNL-NRT)? CO implemented EUA West Coast to Hawaii before the merger, I doubt it goes away.