Consolidated "I've Flown on UA's 787" Thread (Reports, Experiences, Etc.)
#226
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Connecticut
Programs: UA GS, UA MM, Starwood Platinum
Posts: 60
Took the Qatar 8 AM from DOH to DXB on Dec 7th. Delayed 30 minutes off the blocks with no explanation, but not mechanical. Seated in 26A which is first row aft of exit door in Economy. By far, the most uncomfortable flight on any aircraft I have flow except an F-28 on Biman Bangladesh in 45 deg C weather. Combination of the no padding economy seats, the 9 across seating and the intrusion of the exit door into the leg space had me sitting at a 45 deg angle with my shoulder crammed into the window. Moved to center seat after door closed and shoulders intruded well into seats on both sides. I will be avoiding this A/C type in Economy going forward. Overall, unimpressive and would be intolerable long haul. Very disappointing.
#227
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 491
The following is the order of priority, within five days, on flights that are eligible for Complimentary Premier Upgrades:
Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares: Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance, sorted by fare class, then Premier status
All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades, and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Sorted by Premier status of the redeeming account, then fare class and time of request
All remaining Premier members using Complimentary Premier Upgrades**: Sorted by Premier status, then fare class and award travel***
Premier members on eligible Y- and B-class fares, as well as Premier 1K members on M-class fares: Instant upgrades that weren't confirmed in advance, sorted by fare class, then Premier status
All travelers on waitlisted Global Premier Upgrades, Regional Premier Upgrades, and MileagePlus Upgrade Awards: Sorted by Premier status of the redeeming account, then fare class and time of request
All remaining Premier members using Complimentary Premier Upgrades**: Sorted by Premier status, then fare class and award travel***
I'm now ~40 hours out from my flight, and my upgrade has not cleared, but it also hasn't made it to the waitlist yet. Fingers crossed something magic will happen at online check in tomorrow, like 'oh, we will give him his waitlisted upgrade now.' We shall see...
#228
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Priority within 24 hours
New waitlist requests for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Regional Premier Upgrades, and Global Premier Upgrades can be made until 24 hours prior to departure. At 24 hours from departure, waitlists will expire and automatic processing of upgrades, per the priority listed above, will continue. As customers check in, they will be placed on an airport upgrade standby list. This standby list will clear after check-in is closed, and is based on Premier status and fare class.
New waitlist requests for MileagePlus Upgrade Awards, Regional Premier Upgrades, and Global Premier Upgrades can be made until 24 hours prior to departure. At 24 hours from departure, waitlists will expire and automatic processing of upgrades, per the priority listed above, will continue. As customers check in, they will be placed on an airport upgrade standby list. This standby list will clear after check-in is closed, and is based on Premier status and fare class.
#229
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 491
So my upgrade got waitlisted for tomorrow, am currently #1 on waitlist which is good. However, I just noticed ~4 people that appeared below me on the list we just confirmed into seats. How does this happen? Shouldn't they go in order of the list, which is already sorted by things like status/instrument used?
#230
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,171
So my upgrade got waitlisted for tomorrow, am currently #1 on waitlist which is good. However, I just noticed ~4 people that appeared below me on the list we just confirmed into seats. How does this happen? Shouldn't they go in order of the list, which is already sorted by things like status/instrument used?
#231
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
Ua 1001 12/14/12
UA1001 today 12/14 SFO-IAH leaving at 11:50pm was supposed to be 787 flight. I checked earlier today and it said 787; checked again at noon and now it is a 777-200 with 50 BF seats instead of the 36 seats on the 787
Pros: I may still be upgraded even though the new UA is not good about following the list the way they should/used to.
Cons: I would have preferred 787 even if it is in coach. It is a short flight and I would easily give up the BF seat.
Anybody know what happened?
Pros: I may still be upgraded even though the new UA is not good about following the list the way they should/used to.
Cons: I would have preferred 787 even if it is in coach. It is a short flight and I would easily give up the BF seat.
Anybody know what happened?
#232
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MCO UA:3MM1K AA: EXP
Posts: 365
The 787 coach seats are the most uncomfortable among UA fleet in my opinion. They are so narrow! The good thing is the insulation -- sitting in window seats does not bring one the cold air or cold wall. I also notice these new birds have got their carpet look quite dirty already.
#233
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
The 787 coach seats are the most uncomfortable among UA fleet in my opinion. They are so narrow! The good thing is the insulation -- sitting in window seats does not bring one the cold air or cold wall. I also notice these new birds have got their carpet look quite dirty already.
For the same price or less, I prefer Singapore Airlines A380 from LAX-NRT with 19" economy seat width and superior service compared to UA's narrow 17.3" seat and "tolerable" service. I have zero loyalty to United, but I know many of you do.
I do like United's 787 lavatory though....they got something right.
#234
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
BA has decided to go 2-3-2 in their premium cabin. 2-3-2 in Premium Economy. 3-3-3 in basic economy. Even tighter than UA in the most forward cabin? Whoa!
#235
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ, USA. UA 1K, reluctant but * best in class * DL FO/MM. Former BA jumpseat rider and scourge of Dilbertian management and apologists. As LX might - and do - say: "....an experienced frequent flyer of international airlines"
Posts: 3,386
NH 787 experience
I just rode the NH 787 and it was by miles the best non-premium Y cabin experience ever.
First, it's NH - so, eight abreast, 34 inch pitch, and superior food and service.
But the 787 was by miles quieter than any other a/c - much quieter than the 380 even - and the cabin height, space, ambience, lighting and the denser, humid air made a big difference. I was not nearly as fatigued at NRT as I have come to expect.
I've done that trip many dozens of times - I used to live near HND, but always flew NW to NRT - and it was always more or less tiring.
Not only that, but I had one of the worst seats in the cabin - row 32 which is just where the NH center seat block narrows but retains four across - because this was a last minute award booking. RGN positioning flight. Rows 21 and 25, bulkheads, have tons of extra legroom and really compared with those seats, J wouldn't have been much of a step up. I'm going to seek out that premium turf next time for TPAC Y redemption.
I don't know about the UA 788, but the equivalent seat on the UA 772 would have been 47 F and it would have been almost intolerable.
First, it's NH - so, eight abreast, 34 inch pitch, and superior food and service.
But the 787 was by miles quieter than any other a/c - much quieter than the 380 even - and the cabin height, space, ambience, lighting and the denser, humid air made a big difference. I was not nearly as fatigued at NRT as I have come to expect.
I've done that trip many dozens of times - I used to live near HND, but always flew NW to NRT - and it was always more or less tiring.
Not only that, but I had one of the worst seats in the cabin - row 32 which is just where the NH center seat block narrows but retains four across - because this was a last minute award booking. RGN positioning flight. Rows 21 and 25, bulkheads, have tons of extra legroom and really compared with those seats, J wouldn't have been much of a step up. I'm going to seek out that premium turf next time for TPAC Y redemption.
I don't know about the UA 788, but the equivalent seat on the UA 772 would have been 47 F and it would have been almost intolerable.
#236
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 491
Noticed #3904 didn't fly IAH-DEN (and thus DEN-IAH), the two flights before mine (IAH-LAX). Boarding is in about 2 hours, so my question is when is the latest they would put in a 'planned switch' (if there even is such a thing)? It's still showing as a 787 at this time, but I'm not holding my breath!
#237
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 37
I just rode the NH 787 and it was by miles the best non-premium Y cabin experience ever.
First, it's NH - so, eight abreast, 34 inch pitch, and superior food and service.
But the 787 was by miles quieter than any other a/c - much quieter than the 380 even - and the cabin height, space, ambience, lighting and the denser, humid air made a big difference. I was not nearly as fatigued at NRT as I have come to expect.
I've done that trip many dozens of times - I used to live near HND, but always flew NW to NRT - and it was always more or less tiring.
I don't know about the UA 788, but the equivalent seat on the UA 772 would have been 47 F and it would have been almost intolerable.
First, it's NH - so, eight abreast, 34 inch pitch, and superior food and service.
But the 787 was by miles quieter than any other a/c - much quieter than the 380 even - and the cabin height, space, ambience, lighting and the denser, humid air made a big difference. I was not nearly as fatigued at NRT as I have come to expect.
I've done that trip many dozens of times - I used to live near HND, but always flew NW to NRT - and it was always more or less tiring.
I don't know about the UA 788, but the equivalent seat on the UA 772 would have been 47 F and it would have been almost intolerable.
#238
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Now for my report:
Finally got to try the Dreamliner, armed with all the, ehem, comments here and in other threads.
SDC, just to get on 787, plus coming back from DUB didn't realize I would pre-clear there and allowed extra time in EWR
At any rate, E+, comfy ride, nice AVOD with crappy Film / TV selection - the nice screen was completely wasted on these programs. Nice thing is you can pause whatever you are watching to check the flightmap, and then resme watching the show.
As a note, I'm tall and somewhat leaner than the average North American flyer, so the seat width didn't bother me, but for the record the regular E+ had about the same seat width as my next fight on CR7 with inseat traytable (making it less wide than regular seats on that plane), and slightly narrower than my exit row seat on 752 (also with inseat traytable), so obviously a bit narrower than standard 737/757/777 seat.
My positive experience was probably helped by having (I belive) the only empty seat on the whole plane next to me, but I was actually OK with legroom even when I stretched under the seat in front of me.
So, I'm still excited about my DEN-NRT inaugural on the Dreamliner next year
#239
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,405
Flew 787 today IAH to EWR. Agree with most that 3-3-3 configuration not the best. Dislike 3-3-3 on 777 too, so narrower 3-3-3 on 787 is a killer for me (much prefer 2-5-2 if 9 abreast). My wife had window 16L and I had 16J. Middle seat person was upgraded on the plane just before departure. Ok flight with middle seat free and only 3 hours. 10 hour flight with all 3 seats full would not be much fun. Ex-CO 767 preferable in coach.
The plane was indeed very quiet especially on take off. Surprised that blanket, pillow and headphones provided in coach on this flight. FWIW, as plat I was number 19 on upgrade list with 40+ total on list. Only 2 or 3 upgraded at gate.
Considered 20,000 miles for upgrade, but glad I saved the miles.
The plane was indeed very quiet especially on take off. Surprised that blanket, pillow and headphones provided in coach on this flight. FWIW, as plat I was number 19 on upgrade list with 40+ total on list. Only 2 or 3 upgraded at gate.
Considered 20,000 miles for upgrade, but glad I saved the miles.
#240
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
I was surprised by blankets as well, but since they also offer entertainment for free I'm guessing it's all part of training for int'l flights, where they still offer same.
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