UA's 737-900 Aircraft With no Entertainment System
#196
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
But who needs IFE these days? The first thing I'm on aboard a direct TV equipped 737 is to turn off the screen. I use my iphone or netbook for entertainments.
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 19,573
Originally Posted by flyingnosh
I was happy to be on a dark 739 red-eye the other day. No flashing commercials to wake me up.
Originally Posted by nova08
You can turn the screen off...and I've been on flights when the FAs made several announcements to instruct people to turn their screen off if they weren't watching.
#198
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Up in the Air
Programs: OW Emerald
Posts: 524
I guess I've been relatively lucky, all my 739 planes I've ridden in had PTVs this year (I only rode 6-7 739s though).
Today was my first experience riding in a non-PTV 739 PHX-DEN. Since it was a short 2hr flight in the early morning, no complaints. Appreciated the darker interior for snoozing.
Today was my first experience riding in a non-PTV 739 PHX-DEN. Since it was a short 2hr flight in the early morning, no complaints. Appreciated the darker interior for snoozing.
#199
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Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
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#200
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#201
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,942
This drives me crazy. The placement of the IFE controls on the new 739s is awful. Turns the screen back on, flips channels. Instead of being recessed, it seems like it is actually sticking out from the armrest. Just a terrible design.
#202
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,942
Well, you can still watch the looping movies. Of course, you'll still need to pay.
#203
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
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Or people like goalie-dad who doesn't/can't sleep on a plane and doesn't have a laptop, smart phone and or tablet
#204
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K MM, Subway Club Member
Posts: 1,989
I don't always/often have the time to download new content to my iPad I am usually too busy and/or don't have a good enough WiFi connection (like hotels and the UC). I like the TV since it gives several options (movies, sports, COPS, etc) without having to think ahead.
#205
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP, FB Silver (former UA 1K)
Posts: 161
The issue isn't whether any individual, highly self-reliant FT'er needs IFE. The issue is whether a first-world airline should make IFE available on brand new aircraft on transcontinental routes. The answer is yes even if I may carry my own iPad with me on a flight.
Last week I flew 6+ hours EWR-SFO on a dark 737. Unfortunately, my iPad's batteries drained on my preceding AMS-EWR flight, the in-seat AC power on the 737 was not working, and there was no time to recharge at EWR between flights. Even self-reliant fliers might enjoy a little IFE from time-to-time.
Marc
#206
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,355
Love the dark 739 on a red-eye.
Yes, one can turn the screen off, but in Y I find that the DTV armrest controls are placed exactly where my arm wants to be and I have to repeat the "turning off" process 3-4 times per flight after accidentally turning the screen on again. What I really wish the DTV flights would provide is some "audio only" content. Until then, it's Hello iPod for me.
Yes, one can turn the screen off, but in Y I find that the DTV armrest controls are placed exactly where my arm wants to be and I have to repeat the "turning off" process 3-4 times per flight after accidentally turning the screen on again. What I really wish the DTV flights would provide is some "audio only" content. Until then, it's Hello iPod for me.
#207
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: Mileage Plus Premier Silver
Posts: 29
Just flew SFO - ORD with an hour delay on a 737-900 with nada. It was a little annoying, although I did get through an entire book on Johnny Carson on the flight - - so it was kind of like watching TV.
#208
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,022
Just flew my first 737-900 IAD-TPA with no entertainment system. Didn't mind the dark bird, but the seats in F - holy crap, not only are the Y seats going downhill, so are the domestic F seats. Decent lumbar support, but seat bottom padding was pathetic. If I ever have to fly transcon on one of those, I may have to invest in an aftermarket cushion. And a single tiny seat back pocket? What's the deal with that? If this is the future of domestic F across the UA fleet, AA's 738 F product will be my first choice.
#209
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#210
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,022
Earlier this year I chose AA over UA for an IAD-LAX nonstop, and last month I chose AA over UA for a PTY business trip - precisely because AA's F narrowbody product is better than UA's. I'll be flying UA to VIE next month, but once AA finishes its C upgrades, I'll likely take them over UA - especially if they continue to be the cheaper alternative.