New UA BF seat research
Aug 27, 2014, 9:36 am
#31
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: DEN/OGG
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Aug 27, 2014, 9:42 am
#32
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Aug 27, 2014, 9:58 am
#33
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
Aug 27, 2014, 10:18 am
#34
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I received a similar email about an event in Chicago and responded that I was available, but I never heard back so I assume I wasn't selected:
You’re one of our most valued customers, and your perspective on the United travel experience matters greatly to us. We would like to invite you for an in-person visit to our Willis Tower headquarters to try a few aircraft seats we’re prototyping and let us know what you think.
Location: United Airlines World Headquarters – Willis Tower
233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago IL
Date: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
Time: Two sessions to choose from: 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 – 7:30pm
Availability is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis, so please accept our apologies if we are unable to accommodate you at the time of request. If you are selected, a member of our team will contact you directly with more details.
Refreshments will be served.
Location: United Airlines World Headquarters – Willis Tower
233 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago IL
Date: Thursday, August 28th, 2014
Time: Two sessions to choose from: 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. or 5:30 – 7:30pm
Availability is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis, so please accept our apologies if we are unable to accommodate you at the time of request. If you are selected, a member of our team will contact you directly with more details.
Refreshments will be served.
Aug 27, 2014, 10:39 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA lt Gld - 1.7MM; UA GS; Marriott LT Plt; Thalys Gold
Posts: 244
Got that one too. Should see you there tomorrow!
I am scheduled to attend a similar session this Thursday in Chicago at HQ, though the language was "to try a few aircraft seats we’re prototyping and let us know what you think" (type of seat - Y / J / F - not specified). I am 6' 3" and have some pretty strong opinions about the shortcomings of both current J products (2-4-2 config on the pmUA / length and footwell of the pmCO).
Aug 27, 2014, 11:21 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 537
Glad some people are excited and will take advantage though!
Aug 27, 2014, 11:22 am
#39
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Uhhh....as mentioned up thread, I hope that comes with miles. The idea that I 'may' have some sort of positive impact down the road (sure to be cut for cost savings), would not even be close to enough for me to take a night 'flight' for 9 hours with no cool destination awaiting me on the other side.
Glad some people are excited and will take advantage though!
Glad some people are excited and will take advantage though!
Aug 27, 2014, 11:22 am
#40
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
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Will there be FAs in the galley chatting loudly to fully simulate the flight experience? 
But seriously, glad UA is looking at other seating products.
But seriously, glad UA is looking at other seating products.
Aug 27, 2014, 12:07 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA lt Gld - 1.7MM; UA GS; Marriott LT Plt; Thalys Gold
Posts: 244
Aug 27, 2014, 12:35 pm
#42
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: TPA
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 341
Please do us tall guys justice. My hopes and prayers are with you. (height 6'3", shoe 12"). Aisle access and personal space/storage.
Aug 27, 2014, 3:19 pm
#43
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
UA has every incentive to provide a biz class seat that blows Delta's mixed bag out of the water. And may well leapfrog the AA / CX seat.
Too much inefficient Global First in the fleet now a better biz product is the cover for a reduction in Global First seating via elimination on many or all planes. AA is rightsizing it to just a few routes. We're 3 years away from the 10th anniversary of the first PMUA installs.
Unfortunately like AA and DL it probably means higher Y to J ratios.
And pray it doesn't mean 10 across on 777s in Economy and Economy Plus like AA.
But it would also be cover to improve soft product in 2 cabin biz.
Too much inefficient Global First in the fleet now a better biz product is the cover for a reduction in Global First seating via elimination on many or all planes. AA is rightsizing it to just a few routes. We're 3 years away from the 10th anniversary of the first PMUA installs.
Unfortunately like AA and DL it probably means higher Y to J ratios.
And pray it doesn't mean 10 across on 777s in Economy and Economy Plus like AA.
But it would also be cover to improve soft product in 2 cabin biz.
Aug 27, 2014, 3:30 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA *G 1MM LT United Club & Global Entry
Posts: 2,756
IMO these are the most important BF hard product elements.
I am surprised all-aisle access have not been discussed more in this thread; or specifically the preferred J seating layout to accomplish both all-aisle access and a decent density in seat count. An example would be the advantages of the BR herringbone layout vs. the OZ business quantum arrangement.
IMO - I am all for increased BF density as it increases upgrade and reward possibilities. But with the herringbone seating it can be difficult for two people traveling together to easily communicate.
SunLover
I am surprised all-aisle access have not been discussed more in this thread; or specifically the preferred J seating layout to accomplish both all-aisle access and a decent density in seat count. An example would be the advantages of the BR herringbone layout vs. the OZ business quantum arrangement.
IMO - I am all for increased BF density as it increases upgrade and reward possibilities. But with the herringbone seating it can be difficult for two people traveling together to easily communicate.
SunLover
Aug 27, 2014, 3:46 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
Great opportunity OP - enjoy! ^
I am sure you will have to sign all sorts of NDA's and be forbid you from taking pictures but I bet we would all like to to hear your thoughts....even if they are cryptic.
I am sure you will have to sign all sorts of NDA's and be forbid you from taking pictures but I bet we would all like to to hear your thoughts....even if they are cryptic.