New UA BF seat research
#46
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LHR / IAD
Programs: BA/AA/UA
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You’re one of our most valued customers
#47
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: UA Plat, Avis First
Posts: 23
^^^
It burns me that UA tries to command premium prices when their premium product is subpar to the competition. I've started to book more ANA, Singapore and even Air Canada business class seats if the prices are similar to UA. Would be nice to start ahead with a refresh of BF rather than always playing catch-up.
It burns me that UA tries to command premium prices when their premium product is subpar to the competition. I've started to book more ANA, Singapore and even Air Canada business class seats if the prices are similar to UA. Would be nice to start ahead with a refresh of BF rather than always playing catch-up.
#48
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA lt Gld - 1.7MM; UA GS; Marriott LT Plt; Thalys Gold
Posts: 244
Indeed, in the confirmation: "... Due to the proprietary nature of this exclusive event, you will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement and media release form. Additionally, we will be checking cell phones and cameras at the door. ..."
#49
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
And cushions as comfortable as those on PMUA aircraft. Right now I'm on an extended CX trip and while I love almost everything about the seats, I find that the cushions are too hard.
And if they could somehow have some backward facing seats, that would be nice, too.
I know, first world problems.
And if they could somehow have some backward facing seats, that would be nice, too.
I know, first world problems.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
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#51
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Never gonna happen. In order to accommodate taller people, the airlines would have to waste a ton of space on smaller people. Never gonna happen. In an alternate universe one day, perhaps adjustment would be made according to height. Until then, though, you're going to have to pay the height tax (business or first-class travel) each and every time you fly.
#52
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat, Copa Pres. Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, SPG LT Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 769
Google Glass?
#53
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,163
Hopefully UA will catch up to the competition and go 1-2-1 in BF with all-aisle access.
IMHO 1-2-1 is the way to go...
Also I'd be curious to know how long of a time frame UA is thinking from this event till the new seats get actually installed.
IMHO 1-2-1 is the way to go...
Also I'd be curious to know how long of a time frame UA is thinking from this event till the new seats get actually installed.
#54
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hyatt GLOB, Marriott Lifetime PLT, UA 1K 1MM.
Posts: 1,728
yeah, i'm a fan of 1-2-1 as well. i do appreciate the 2-2-2 when i'm flying with friends and family so we can sit together. but it's a pain when i'm flying solo. 1-2-1 would solve that.
#55
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Due to the timing of this event relative to the A359 and 787 deliveries, I'd assume they have a tentative seat they've already settled on, meaning this event would be used to guage details like which cushion and options would be be necessary. They also invited flyers to "sample" the Airbus slimline seats, after they had ordered them.
#56
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: 14,413
+1
#57
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
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.
Their target market is corporate accounts that want the cheapest price (and get a 40% or more discount) and suckers who don't know better than not to book United.
I assume they have already picked something for the A350, and this (like with the Airbus seats that were so bad) they are just showing it off to make them all feel how smart they are, perhaps looking at one or two slight configuration changes.
^^^
It burns me that UA tries to command premium prices when their premium product is subpar to the competition. I've started to book more ANA, Singapore and even Air Canada business class seats if the prices are similar to UA. Would be nice to start ahead with a refresh of BF rather than always playing catch-up.
It burns me that UA tries to command premium prices when their premium product is subpar to the competition. I've started to book more ANA, Singapore and even Air Canada business class seats if the prices are similar to UA. Would be nice to start ahead with a refresh of BF rather than always playing catch-up.
speaking of which, did anyone notice this, piece saying the seat comfort is the biggest consumer issue: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/b...mbers/?hpid=z4
#58
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#60
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA lt Gld - 1.7MM; UA GS; Marriott LT Plt; Thalys Gold
Posts: 244
Went to the event today. UA showed us several BF seat mockups at various stages of advancement.
I thought one stood out (as in stood out compared to the other seats presented or in operation today and not stood out compared to what is offered by global competitors).
IMHO, with any of these seats, they will just be playing catch-up, no strategic leap. But this may be what UA needs at this point.
I thought one stood out (as in stood out compared to the other seats presented or in operation today and not stood out compared to what is offered by global competitors).
IMHO, with any of these seats, they will just be playing catch-up, no strategic leap. But this may be what UA needs at this point.