Business first v. Global First
Aug 16, 2012, 3:38 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
Wow, i really missed the boat. I didnt realize they were already retrofitting the sUA767 to another new interior. I thought they were starting with other equipment first since those just got the new ITPE (relativity) recently. Now wonder i couldnt figure out which sCO 767 I was on, i wasnt.
When the reconfigurations are all said and done (sometime next spring), 20 767-300ERs will remain in three-cabin IPTE configuration.
Aug 16, 2012, 4:05 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
I am *so* sick of reservation agents and FA's telling me that BusinessFirst is much better than business when complaining about 2 cabin planes replacing 3 cabin planes. BusinessFirst is business, nothing more.
Aug 16, 2012, 4:08 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,172
There's only one IPTE 767 that will go to the new 2-class international configuration. The bulk of the ships getting the new interiors are the former domestic 767-300ERs, commonly referred to as 'Ghetto Birds' for their dense configuration.
When the reconfigurations are all said and done (sometime next spring), 20 767-300ERs will remain in three-cabin IPTE configuration.
When the reconfigurations are all said and done (sometime next spring), 20 767-300ERs will remain in three-cabin IPTE configuration.
That's what happens when you drop "first" into the description next to "business" - it brainwashes some into thinking it's F-worthy, even though it's not. If anything, the US/CX Cirrus seat can make that claim, and many of the very private staggered C products, but not UA.
Aug 16, 2012, 4:09 pm
#34
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 522
I recently flew UA Gloabl First on a new 777 - IAD-BRU
Other than the "suite"/pod, which yes was very stylish and nice - I noticed NO difference at all to United Business (I've flown UA Business on international flights to London, Sydney, Frankfurt and Rio)
The seat in Global First was nice and private - much more so than sUA or sCO Business. But the food and the service was the same. FA's were mildly friendly. But didn't care much beyond that. Food - I noticed no difference in quality or presentation. The IFE is the same - United Global First just does not feel different to Business.
Even the ice cream Sundae you get on a Global First flight from LAX-LHR is exactly the same as you get on a domestic flight in "First" (Big seat ecomomy) class.
Other than the "suite"/pod, which yes was very stylish and nice - I noticed NO difference at all to United Business (I've flown UA Business on international flights to London, Sydney, Frankfurt and Rio)
The seat in Global First was nice and private - much more so than sUA or sCO Business. But the food and the service was the same. FA's were mildly friendly. But didn't care much beyond that. Food - I noticed no difference in quality or presentation. The IFE is the same - United Global First just does not feel different to Business.
Even the ice cream Sundae you get on a Global First flight from LAX-LHR is exactly the same as you get on a domestic flight in "First" (Big seat ecomomy) class.
Aug 16, 2012, 4:48 pm
#35
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: LAX IAH AMS
Programs: UA GS 1MM
Posts: 1,269
Stick with what you've got. The PMCO BF seat is great on the 777. I recently did IAH-NRT-IAH with my girlfriend and it's a great flight. Don't add another stop.
I'm 6'3" and my girlfriend is close to 6'0"
Very comfortable flight.
I'm 6'3" and my girlfriend is close to 6'0"
Very comfortable flight.
Aug 16, 2012, 5:06 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: WAS, LAX
Programs: AS 100K
Posts: 1,330
Actually, if you plan on canoodling with your new wife on the first flight, you might find being in closer proximity to her in BF to be an advantage. GF is intended for privacy, so you wouldn't be able to chat/cuddle/flirt with her as easily.
Aug 16, 2012, 5:32 pm
#37
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 83
Aug 16, 2012, 5:54 pm
#38
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: UA 1K/*G
Posts: 2,397
Well, if you look at a 2-4-2 sUA business cabin versus a 2-2-2 sCO businessfirst cabin on the same model plane (772), I can understand the perspective. And agree with them.
Aug 16, 2012, 6:39 pm
#39
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
United is converting the entire order of 1998-2001 763ER deliveries to one configuration, so ultimately the mix will be 20 IPTE and 15 J/Y aircraft. It makes sense from the airline's POV because then all similarly-configured 763ERs will have the same performance characteristics. There are no plans to modify any additional IPTE birds to the 2-cabin layout.
On the 777 side, 3 ships currently in the old international configuration will not be converted to IPTE, but instead will receive refurbished United Business recliners at 2-2-2 and new Y seats at 3-3-3 abreast layout for high-density service to Hawaii and Guam. They will join the 6 existing domestic 772s which will be retrofit to the new arrangement.
Aug 16, 2012, 6:57 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
For the sake of convenience, it might be worth it to keep the flight you've got -- assuming your seat assignments didn't get pushed back into Coach when they switched the gauge 
Have you confirmed that your seats are in BusinessFirst?
I disagree with coplatflyer - The Global First suites are a step above BusinessFirst. Better storage, more space, nicer blanket & pillows, easy access to the aisle, better amenities & booze. IMO, if you paid for First Class, you should get First Class.
First Class is a rare treat for most of us. If you're a 1K with systemwide upgrades, you'll have other opportunities to try the new Business seats.
Have you confirmed that your seats are in BusinessFirst?I disagree with coplatflyer - The Global First suites are a step above BusinessFirst. Better storage, more space, nicer blanket & pillows, easy access to the aisle, better amenities & booze. IMO, if you paid for First Class, you should get First Class.
First Class is a rare treat for most of us. If you're a 1K with systemwide upgrades, you'll have other opportunities to try the new Business seats.
Just sayin'.
Aug 16, 2012, 11:15 pm
#43
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
It's complete nonsense. UA's two intl. C products are nothing more than mid pack at best at this point, and certainly are nothing like the F suite.
Aug 16, 2012, 11:16 pm
#44
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,239
Aug 17, 2012, 12:22 am
#45
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 84
UA BF or QR C
I am going home to IAH from HKG In October. I currently have a *A mileage ticket from HKG-DOH and DOH-IAH in C class on QR. 1 stop, arriving in IAH at a tough traffic time, 5:30. I could do TG F from HKG to BKK and BKK to LHR in F class, and LHR to IAH in UA BUsinessfirst and get in to Houston a few hours earlier and avoid traffic. What a trade off!!!!!! TG f class is better than QR c, but the last 10 hours are in UA BF. Good trade off? I want to go through customs in Houston. Worth it?