New UA BF seat research
Nov 11, 2014, 7:27 am
#136
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
Without any inside or special knowledge, I think a variant of the B/E Aerospace Super Diamond makes a lot of sense for UA. B/E is the seat supplier on all new aircraft and Boeing retrofits (Recaro seats on Airbii) as well as the manufacturer of the current-generation IPTE and flat ex-CO BF seats.
The Super Diamond maintains some aesthetic similarity to the existing seats but delivers all-aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration, more personal stowage than the IPTE J seats and significantly more foot space than the ex-CO BF seat. It's also a fairly dense configuration, so we wouldn't lose out on many premium seats.
The Super Diamond maintains some aesthetic similarity to the existing seats but delivers all-aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration, more personal stowage than the IPTE J seats and significantly more foot space than the ex-CO BF seat. It's also a fairly dense configuration, so we wouldn't lose out on many premium seats.
Nov 11, 2014, 12:02 pm
#137
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K MM, Marriott Life Plat, various others of little note
Posts: 2,763
Nov 11, 2014, 12:07 pm
#138
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Aussie in ORD
Programs: Marriott Plat, Ua Gold, GE.. Sucker for punishment
Posts: 4,237
This is an interesting thread..
I head the good arguments about more seats = better chance of upgrades and upgrades is the only way I enjoy the BF cabin..
I flew PMUA 777 BF LAX-SYD-MEL and UA 787-8 MEL-LAX and then a PMCO 757-200 with the BF seats LAX-ORD
I'll be honest and say, on face value I prefer the 777 BF even though I was in the middle of a row of 4..
The way your feet go so far under the screen on the 787 seats just made the whole set up a bit more cramped.. But as they said, this is on face value.. it IS a lay flat seat!
Also I like the massage feature on the PMUA and the controls are more intuitive..
I head the good arguments about more seats = better chance of upgrades and upgrades is the only way I enjoy the BF cabin..
I flew PMUA 777 BF LAX-SYD-MEL and UA 787-8 MEL-LAX and then a PMCO 757-200 with the BF seats LAX-ORD
I'll be honest and say, on face value I prefer the 777 BF even though I was in the middle of a row of 4..
The way your feet go so far under the screen on the 787 seats just made the whole set up a bit more cramped.. But as they said, this is on face value.. it IS a lay flat seat!
Also I like the massage feature on the PMUA and the controls are more intuitive..
Nov 11, 2014, 1:45 pm
#139
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
Nov 11, 2014, 5:33 pm
#140
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 838
Given the comments in this thread, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the seat similar to the one QR is using in its 787s. Just google Qatar 787. Pure speculation but that would make sense.
Nov 11, 2014, 5:53 pm
#141
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
Of course it will lack any stylistic touches, but functionally it will be very good
Nov 11, 2014, 8:50 pm
#142
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 260
^ You nailed it. "United First", "United Business" etc were simple but to the point. I wouldn't mind if they called it Connoisseur Class, but "BusinessFirst" is a ridiculous name, and it's even more absurd since there is an actual First class on board many of the planes, unlike what you had at CO.
Nov 11, 2014, 9:13 pm
#143
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,471
^ You nailed it. "United First", "United Business" etc were simple but to the point. I wouldn't mind if they called it Connoisseur Class, but "BusinessFirst" is a ridiculous name, and it's even more absurd since there is an actual First class on board many of the planes, unlike what you had at CO.
Nov 11, 2014, 9:28 pm
#144
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Nov 11, 2014, 9:32 pm
#145
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
Nov 11, 2014, 11:40 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
Lie flat is important but it is not the only critical component. Earlier this year I flew Brussels Air - the seat was lie flat but horrible for relaxing semi-reclined for IFE. Similarly the DL lie-flat seats were not as comfortable as UA when semi-reclined.
Clearly better aisle access would be a key improvement for the next gen. But I would also hope to see more storage space (a la current F seats). And then there's the soft product, which should cost far less to fix but apparently is never on the radar...
Clearly better aisle access would be a key improvement for the next gen. But I would also hope to see more storage space (a la current F seats). And then there's the soft product, which should cost far less to fix but apparently is never on the radar...
Nov 12, 2014, 5:43 am
#149
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,318
Lie flat is important but it is not the only critical component. Earlier this year I flew Brussels Air - the seat was lie flat but horrible for relaxing semi-reclined for IFE. Similarly the DL lie-flat seats were not as comfortable as UA when semi-reclined.
Clearly better aisle access would be a key improvement for the next gen. But I would also hope to see more storage space (a la current F seats). And then there's the soft product, which should cost far less to fix but apparently is never on the radar...
Clearly better aisle access would be a key improvement for the next gen. But I would also hope to see more storage space (a la current F seats). And then there's the soft product, which should cost far less to fix but apparently is never on the radar...
Soft product improvement increases current expenses - which reduces earnings - immediately.
I honestly believe it's that simple.
Nov 12, 2014, 6:18 am
#150
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Programs: UA GS MM SPG Platinum (Lifetime Platinum)
Posts: 428
Wow, I can't believe UA is even paying travel costs. I'd consider paying my own way for a chance to attend.
What a week, first after sending umpteen millions to their consulting agency for market research, UA came to the conclusion that humans not only eat, but it's a rather important part of daily life. And now they've come to the conclusion that premium passengers enjoy being as comfortable as possible when spending $$$ on air travel. Dare I ask what's next??
What a week, first after sending umpteen millions to their consulting agency for market research, UA came to the conclusion that humans not only eat, but it's a rather important part of daily life. And now they've come to the conclusion that premium passengers enjoy being as comfortable as possible when spending $$$ on air travel. Dare I ask what's next??