Wasted SWU
 

Wasted a swu on a three class flight. I am on an old united plane and it is like flying premium economy. Business first on co is a far superior product. Thy premium economy is a better product than united business on this plane. They have to change this.

I assume you were on a 777? They are changing it... the 777's are in the process of being reconfigured with lie flat business seats. You just happened to get one of the ones that hasn't been updated yet.

Which route were you on? I took an old UA 777 from TPE to NRT last month...business class was old and ratty, but not a complete disaster (sitting in Y would have been a complete disaster). The seats were narrow and the controls mechanical, but the experience was serviceable for a 4 hour experience....transpac? No way.

at least your upgrade cleared

I would not call it a waste. Its not that easy to use SWU's especially on newer configured planes.
Even old C is way better then E+. I do agree though, those planes are getting nasty and I do everything to avoid them including flying other A* carriers.

How's BusinessFirst on those 762s?

Naw, ya didn't waste a SWU since you got upgraded.
However you did waste the difference between a cheapo fare and a "W" or higher to get the privilege to apply your hard earned SWU if what you are saying that some coach seats are better that the beat up chair you got.

Actually, the new config seats are marginally narrower. IMHO, because they are packed 8 abreast instead of 7, they feel substantially more crowded. The new ones are great for sleeping, but I struggle to get any work done in them, in spite of the availability of a normal socket to charge my laptop) whereas the old ones are OK (why, you can even store your stuff at your feet).

Of course, the seat pitch is another matter...

Are the old 777 business seats really terrible?

Depends what your expectations are and what you compare them to. Compared to full lay flat seats they are pretty bad. Also the entertainment system is only looped movies on a couple of channels.
The seats go down around 150 degrees and are more like Baccaloungers.

Better then economy for sure though. I had plenty of flights on them over the years and got well used to them and slept ok. The problem is that they are overdue for replacement for a long time and do look pretty worn out.

What about the E+ on these birds?

My trick is to leave my blanket in its wrapping, and not unfold the lower part of the foot rest but wedge my blanket inside it. Then I place my pillow under my posterior end and my bag in front of the foot rest. Makes for a better approximation of lie-flat and I usually sleep OK that way - but I do sleep like a baby in the new seats!

Every time I find myself in one of those old seats I say to myself, this is the last time, and bid them a fond goodbye. But of course it never is the last time...

Seat-wise, pretty much identical (other than wear and tear). The new ones have the same AVOD system as premium classes. The old ones are configured 2 + 5 + 2, which I prefer over 3 + 3 + 3.

I prefer not to be totally lie flat....
 

Unlike most people...I actually prefer the recliner position and not fully lie flat....even when flying on the new biz or biz first seats.

Totally lie flat is just uncomfortable for me....I prefer to be on a slight angle....not the lie flat angle...but the recliner angle....I sleep so much better.

Width is not an issue with me....the length is a bit of a problem....I think I'm a bit tall when it is in the total lie flat especially since the cubby for your feet at the ottoman end narrows to a point.

One thing I don't like though...I prefer window seats...if the person to me is at a total lie flat position...I'm pretty much stuck there...or I cautiously go over them....

How do you buy a Y ticket and sit in C on other *A carriers? You have a good success rate with paper SWUs on LH?

In fairness, the sCO 762 BusinessFirst product can readily be avoided by looking at the equipment type or seat map. Things can be tougher on the the interchangeable sUA 772 since the fleet is mid-conversion.