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Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on a pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2

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Old Feb 28, 2013, 10:59 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: onthesam
Note: There is a reasonable chance (increasing as this 3-class config is retrofitted to remove 3-class F) this configuration may be switch to Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 777-200 v5 / Polaris seats / 77J -- so United is often showing a weird seatmap for flights on these planes, reflecting the effort to convert to Polaris Business (without First Class), Premium Economy, and 10-across Y. A discussion of that seatmap is in this thread: Interim 772 seat map with Polaris & potentially Premium Economy (2018)

United has relabeled their site and Version 2 is now Version 1
This thread is about the 3 class 772 and there is only one version being used -- and it will be phased out with time.

Note: This Wiki and thread are devoted to the pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2. There is a second thread, now locked, devoted to Version 1, with a shorter Wiki (this one addresses all questions, whereas that one addresses only Version 1-specific issues. This thread should be used for discussion of Version 2, although older posts may refer to Version 1 (they were split 8/30/14). Version 1 is no longer in service (12 Feb 2017).

If you are looking for information about the new 777-200 with Polaris configuration, that is available here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unit...xperience.html

And, if you're looking for the thread about pmCO 777, it's here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ational-5.html

Here is the version 2 seat map:



Version 1 vs. Version 2
Until late 2016, there were two versions of the international 3-class pmUA airplane.
"Version 1" on the United website has 8 First, 40 Business, and 218 coach seats. (No longer in service)
"Version 21" has 8 First, 40 Business, and 221 coach seats. (formerly Version 2 is now Version 1).

Generally speaking, Version 1 was an "XD" configuration with a shorter range (777-200) that flew transatlantic routes (TATL). Version 2 has a longer range and are either an "XJ" or "XQ" configuration of the 777-200ER that flew transpacific routes (TPAC), as well as other longer routes, and now flies all international routes on which a pmUA 777 is used.

There are two noticeable differences between the two, but they are otherwise virtually indistinguishable to the typical passenger and the seating is essentially the same.
  1. Version 1 had crew rest seats towards the back of the economy plus cabin. Version 2 has crew rest below the main deck.
  2. In order to accommodate access to the crew rest area on Version 2, this version has one fewer lavatory in the mid-cabin (2 instead of 3). Yes, it is unfortunate that there is one less bathroom on a plane that typically flies some of the longest routes UA flies (6000+ miles).

Both Version 1 and Version 2 have virtually identical F and C cabins, and nearly identical Y cabins, so most information about seats applies to both versions.

Detailed seat maps are available at:
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Uni...-200_3_New.php

AVOD (Audio Video On Demand) is available at every seat, the first UA plane to equipped this way. The first 777-200 in this configuration started flying in April 2010, and will probably take 18-24 months before the entire 777 international fleets are converted. The entire fleet of this plane is equipped with the AVOD system, although audio is no longer "on demand" and is instead a loop of songs in a playlist.

First Class (As UA has ceased selling 3-class F, this cabin will be treated as an extension of the Business cabin -- same service. Generally UA is allowing GS pre-select these seats prior to check-in)3-class First seats now considered Domestic F/Polaris Business & selectable by 1K/GSs
There are only eight First suites, instead of the 10 or 12 in the older 777 configurations. These suites are spacious, with a wide full-flat bed, and plenty of storage spaces. A big difference is the way the new seats are angled toward the aisle, as opposed to angling away. This makes couples traveling together have an awkward time if they take the middle pairs. For single travelers, for sure the individual suites along the side of the fuselage is better. Even for people traveling together, consider taking adjacent seats across the aisle, so you can see each other. Sharing of meals and quiet conversation would be difficult across the aisle would be difficult however.

The First glass galley is concentrated on the right side, so it is probably best to avoid the right aisle if given a choice, and consider seat 2A be the best on this configuration.

As for window view, all of the window suites have plenty of windows, but with the angling of the seats away from the window, it is much harder to look out of them.

Business Class
Equipped with full-flat 180-degree seats similar to the (now-familiar) ones on the 767-300 and 747-400. Divided into two cabins, front cabins has two rows, and three rows in the rear cabin, with the galley and lavatory between these two cabins.

In order to fit eight Business Class seats across, these seats are narrower than the previous recliners that are only 7 across. Even with the arm-rest that can be lowered, these seats do feel relatively snug. The benefit is a full flat sleeping surface, albeit forcing the inside passengers to step over a sleeping neighbor in order to access the aisle. A taller, nimble person may be able to climb over a sleeping neighbor without disrupting them, but for anyone with less height, short legs, or less general flexibility this could be difficult.

The general view is that the preferred row is row 6, since it is the first row and relatively far away from the facilities. If boarding is via L2, you turn left and most of the rest of the passengers will turn right and resulted in much less traffic through your area.

Note that the 777 cabin is about 9 inches narrower than the 747 cabin, with the exact same number of seats, so you will most likely notice the difference, perhaps most so as you are going down the aisles.

Half of the seats are rear-facing. Once the plane levels out you are unlikely to notice this. Only during takeoff and landing is the sensation different than you are accustomed to. Some people express a preference for the rear-facing seats because the pitch of the plane during level flight means your head is slightly elevated relative to your feet.

All four of the middle block seats in each row faces the same direction, the same for all five rows. For what its worth, note that 7A and 7K are missing a window at the foot end of the seat, against the bulkhead (but there are still two windows).

Row 8 is probably the least desirable, since it is closest to the facilities. 8C and 8H most likely would notice the most traffic to the lavatories and galley, and light from the lavs will shine on these seats when the door is opened. The view out of windows in this second cabin is either back toward the wing, or partially being blocked. 10A and 10K also have a middle window next to the seat as well. 10B and 10J might notice FA traffic through the near-by curtain more so than others.

Economy Plus
With the reconfiguration into 3-3-3 vs 2-5-2, there are only four pairs of seats in coach, and all are located in the Economy Plus section.

20AB and 20JK are probably the best coach seats, fully shielded by the bulk-head in front of them, with good legroom as well. 19DEG are the bassinet positions, so beware of that. The curtain separating Business Class is in front of you, but probably is far enough away that it is not really a problem. Since the facilities are in the back, you have a long way to go to the lavatory, but it also meant very little passenger traffic passing by your seat. You also get to be the first Economy passengers to deplane and through immigration. A couple downsides are that your view out the window is mostly the wing, and there is no under-seat storage in front of you. The AVOD system folks up from below the armrest, which means it must be stored during takeoff and landing.

21C and 21H are interesting, since they have unlimited legroom with no seat in front of them. This mean no under-seat storage in front, and trays are in the arm-rest, making the seat feel slightly narrower, and your monitor is mounted on a swing arm. With your feet extended, just beware that people and carts passing through might occasionally bump you.

There is a missing window around row 23 and 24, so choose another row if you want a view looking mostly at the wings. However, while Row 24 is missing a window, there is still one window available.

The other two pairs of seats are the last row of this Economy Plus cabin, at 31AB and 31JK. Note that there is only one window for 31A and 31J (rather than 1.5 to 2), and this row is near the lavatories, so certainly more traffic. You are also just in front of the emergency exit, so people sometimes congregate in the area just behind you.

Best to avoid 30C and 30H, since there is no seat behind them, and their seatbacks could be used as hand-grabs by passengers passing through, or occasionally being bumped by carts.

Power ports are available in all of economy, one port for the seat-pairs, and two for each three seat cluster. The outlet is mounted just under the seat cushion edge, so a bit hard to access unless you know where to look.

33ABC and 33HJK are the exit row seats, near the lavatory, and subjected to people congregating in front of you. No under-seat storage in front, and trays and LCD screens are in arm-rest and swing-arms respectively, making the seat feel narrower. 33A and 33K do not have a window, although they are probably far enough away from the exit slide that legroom is not really an issue.

34DEG is the bulk-head row, video monitor on the wall, and this is also the bassinet position. Decent legroom, but again no under-seat storage.

Economy Class

The galley is in the back of the plane, as well as another two lavatories, so there will be more traffic through the back of the plane.

Rows 43-46 probably are the last to be assigned, or often reserved for tour groups with no advance seat assignment. They might also be more likely to be unassigned on occasions, and therefore somewhat likely to have an adjacent seat open for you to gamble on. You would, however, be the last to deplane and through immigration, and the back of the plane does get a little more motion especially through turbulence.
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Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on a pmUA 3-Cabin 777 Version 2

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Old Apr 1, 2018, 2:07 pm
  #661  
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Originally Posted by 747FC
I'm scheduled to be seated in 21C on a ORD-EWR flight (2 hours), but likely will be offered a CPU to J. The 21C seat has no seat in front, thus great legroom. Would any here choose this seat over a CPU to J? I do like aisle access...

Thanks for your thoughts...
No, but I will be impressed if you CPU ORD-EWR, so perhaps you need not be concerned.
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Old Apr 1, 2018, 8:33 pm
  #662  
 
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<div style="text-align:left;">
Originally Posted by fumje
No, but I will be impressed if you CPU ORD-EWR, so perhaps you need not be concerned.
<br /><br />Msintaining a positive attitude with 15 J seats available, plus at least 5 F seats open. <br /></div>
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Old Apr 1, 2018, 8:47 pm
  #663  
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Originally Posted by 747FC
<div style="text-align:left;"><br /><br />Msintaining a positive attitude with 15 J seats available, plus at least 5 F seats open. <br /></div>
It can happen. Good luck!
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Old Apr 23, 2018, 9:51 am
  #664  
 
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I never met passengers that love to sit in the middle seats of the middle 4-seat section in Polaris Business but I now know that they do exist.

A few months ago, my wife and I purchased tickets from PVG to ORD for a trip in July. We were the first to select seats, so we took 6J and 6H (across the aisle from each other) since we both need an aisle seat. Today, just for curiosity to see if the flight was filling up, I looked at the number of seats sold: 5/40. I looked at the seat map.
Two passengers probably traveling together have selected 6G and 6D. The third passenger has selected 7J. As expected, the rest of the seat map is totally empty (except for 6B which is the seat reserved for the captain).
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Old Apr 23, 2018, 11:20 am
  #665  
 
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Originally Posted by StuckinITH
I never met passengers that love to sit in the middle seats of the middle 4-seat section in Polaris Business but I now know that they do exist.

A few months ago, my wife and I purchased tickets from PVG to ORD for a trip in July. We were the first to select seats, so we took 6J and 6H (across the aisle from each other) since we both need an aisle seat. Today, just for curiosity to see if the flight was filling up, I looked at the number of seats sold: 5/40. I looked at the seat map.
Two passengers probably traveling together have selected 6G and 6D. The third passenger has selected 7J. As expected, the rest of the seat map is totally empty (except for 6B which is the seat reserved for the captain).
My guess is that those seats were auto-assigned, and assigned after the 7J pax had been put in 6C, making D and G the first two seats together. 6C then moved to 7J, as any sane person who cares about their seat assignment would.
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Old Apr 23, 2018, 11:35 am
  #666  
 
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Originally Posted by drewguy
My guess is that those seats were auto-assigned, and assigned after the 7J pax had been put in 6C, making D and G the first two seats together. 6C then moved to 7J, as any sane person who cares about their seat assignment would.
I see. That makes total sense. For a short moment, I worried that passenger in seat 7J was traveling with the other two and we would face the risk that they ask my wife who is in 6H to switch seats.......and they would say, look same seat, aisle facing backwards..... I thought that maybe they did not like the other aisle.
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Old Apr 23, 2018, 3:17 pm
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Originally Posted by StuckinITH
I see. That makes total sense. For a short moment, I worried that passenger in seat 7J was traveling with the other two and we would face the risk that they ask my wife who is in 6H to switch seats.......and they would say, look same seat, aisle facing backwards..... I thought that maybe they did not like the other aisle.
Easy response if "no" isn't enough - "When you booked, all but 5 seats were available, and only now decide you want different seats but together? I'm sorry but I can't help you."
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Old Apr 24, 2018, 1:01 am
  #668  
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Originally Posted by drewguy
Easy response if "no" isn't enough - "When you booked, all but 5 seats were available, and only now decide you want different seats but together? I'm sorry but I can't help you."
If they have no status and perhaps booked through an external website, can they modify their seat(s) before check in?

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Old Apr 24, 2018, 1:20 am
  #669  
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Originally Posted by DELee
If they have no status and perhaps booked through an external website, can they modify their seat(s) before check in? ...
In business / first -- yes. No fee.
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Old Apr 24, 2018, 6:03 am
  #670  
 
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In the past 18 months, I took 14 international flights on this pmUA 772. One time in First, 9 times in Business, 4 times in Economy +. In Business, every time, I was in row 6, even the one time I was upgraded when I was already inside the plane. I sat in a middle seat in the 4-seats section only that time but I was lucky as my wife who was upgraded 20 min later got assigned the aisle seat next to me.

Now, this series of row 6 will break as my wife noticed that we were upgraded on the return of a flight next month before I did. She assigned herself to 6H and I ended up with 7H. I guess that's what I get for inviting her on my business trips.
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Old Apr 30, 2018, 11:46 am
  #671  
 
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6A

Business Class:
Wanted to thank everyone who contributed to this thread. Picked 6A on a recent flight based on info learned in here.
6B never used by crew, and remained the only empty seat.

Crew seats were: 6B (not used) and 1C (used).
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Old May 9, 2018, 1:18 am
  #672  
 
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Trying to decide between 6C, 10B, 10J. Elderly relative recovering from illness. I'm thinking she'd be less bothered in 6C as passengers would have the option of accessing the aisle from other side or just jump over her.

10B or 10J are aisle, but if window passenger can't jump over, she would be bothered to get up and make way for other passenger. Thoughts?
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Old May 9, 2018, 5:22 am
  #673  
 
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Originally Posted by hokiebuy
Trying to decide between 6C, 10B, 10J. Elderly relative recovering from illness. I'm thinking she'd be less bothered in 6C as passengers would have the option of accessing the aisle from other side or just jump over her.

10B or 10J are aisle, but if window passenger can't jump over, she would be bothered to get up and make way for other passenger. Thoughts?
6C is the best of these three seats. I like the smaller cabin and it's my preferred row. There's little traffic there. 10B and 10J have the inconvenience that passengers in the front row of Economy+ are very interested in knowing what you are served for dinner......

If there's a passenger in 6D, that passenger will not go to the aisle on the other side as that would mean bothering two passengers instead of one.

In any of these seats the passenger in the window or middle seat will have to jump over. When my seat in the aisle is in the bed position, it would be difficult for me to stand up to let the passenger get out. If I'm awake and I notice that that passenger wants to get up, I move my legs. If I'm sleeping, obviously I'm not moving. And most times, I don't even notice that the passenger next to me got up.
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Old May 12, 2018, 7:45 pm
  #674  
 
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Originally Posted by StuckinITH
6C is the best of these three seats. I like the smaller cabin and it's my preferred row. There's little traffic there. 10B and 10J have the inconvenience that passengers in the front row of Economy+ are very interested in knowing what you are served for dinner......

If there's a passenger in 6D, that passenger will not go to the aisle on the other side as that would mean bothering two passengers instead of one.

In any of these seats the passenger in the window or middle seat will have to jump over. When my seat in the aisle is in the bed position, it would be difficult for me to stand up to let the passenger get out. If I'm awake and I notice that that passenger wants to get up, I move my legs. If I'm sleeping, obviously I'm not moving. And most times, I don't even notice that the passenger next to me got up.
6A opened up and I took that, read somewhere that 6B is blocked for crew and gets taken rarely, so, I opted for 6A.
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Old May 13, 2018, 5:19 am
  #675  
 
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Originally Posted by hokiebuy
6A opened up and I took that, read somewhere that 6B is blocked for crew and gets taken rarely, so, I opted for 6A.
That's a good choice. I have flown sometimes in 6A and only had the captain sitting in 6B for a few hours. I hope for your relative that 6B remains blocked as sometimes they open it if there are seats available in Polaris First as the captain prefers to sit in those seats. What you should do is on day of departure check the map until the last minute and if you see that they open 6B for passengers, switch your relative to that seat.
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