Dec 9, 2016, 11:15 am
Last edit by: FlyHighInTheSky
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/inflight/aircraft/777/300/default.aspx
UA Orders Boeing 777-300ERs / 77Ws w/ 1-2-1 Polaris Business, 3-4-3 Economy
Mar 10, 2015, 10:23 am
#241
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I've been told that there has been essentially zero investment in a updated GF product, including the GFLs. In fact, the discussion with the GFLs is a conversion to GS/BF product instead. So reading between the lines, it tells me that GF is gone and we'll see a C/E+/E- airline going forward.
From a FF perspective, sometimes it'd be nice to have the GF for award tickets or GPU upgrades. However, like most people, I could never justify paying for it on this airline, or another airline. So, if there's no intention to put the investment into make it a competitive product, I'd rather them convert the GFLs into United Clubs (or maybe BusinessFirst clubs) and give us more BF seats on the plane (which increases both $$ and award availability).
From a FF perspective, sometimes it'd be nice to have the GF for award tickets or GPU upgrades. However, like most people, I could never justify paying for it on this airline, or another airline. So, if there's no intention to put the investment into make it a competitive product, I'd rather them convert the GFLs into United Clubs (or maybe BusinessFirst clubs) and give us more BF seats on the plane (which increases both $$ and award availability).
Removing GF is just another step in UA becoming a completely undifferentiated airline that no one actually wants to fly. It may work in the short term, but it won't over the long term.
Mar 10, 2015, 1:05 pm
#242
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Mar 10, 2015, 1:33 pm
#243
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I think it's sad that UA no longer really aspires to be the sort of airline that offers First Class service. But maybe it's just facing reality - it can't do it, so it won't. And maybe that's a sensible decision. I don't think that offering First Class will really sway people to travel with UA when all they are doing is buying Business Class and hoping for an upgrade. What will sway them are a)the receipt of many, many more RDMs than previously, b)really excellent service - this is where UA needs to invest - and c)reliability which, I believe is better than many here suggest and will be improved if they order some newer planes. But the investment in service must come and it will be expensive.
Apr 23, 2015, 2:55 pm
#244
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Officially confirmed that UA will swap 10 of it's 787 orders for 10 77W. Excited to see the livery on the aircraft.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united...113000852.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united...113000852.html
Apr 23, 2015, 3:26 pm
#245
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Not sad, smart. The competitive benchmarks of International First Class (as discussed on FT and elsewhere) are basically set by airlines based in less fiercely competitive environments than the North American market, or by carriers indifferent to profitability concerns (e.g., the ME3). So it's no surprise that North American carriers are generally committed to phasing out longhaul F (at this point, only AA 77Ws will be left with F at decade's end, and the next global downturn might kill that off, too).
Apr 23, 2015, 5:29 pm
#246
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Not sad, smart. The competitive benchmarks of International First Class (as discussed on FT and elsewhere) are basically set by airlines based in less fiercely competitive environments than the North American market, or by carriers indifferent to profitability concerns (e.g., the ME3). So it's no surprise that North American carriers are generally committed to phasing out longhaul F (at this point, only AA 77Ws will be left with F at decade's end, and the next global downturn might kill that off, too).
Apr 23, 2015, 5:33 pm
#247
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And maybe that's a sensible decision. I don't think that offering First Class will really sway people to travel with UA when all they are doing is buying Business Class and hoping for an upgrade. What will sway them are a)the receipt of many, many more RDMs than previously, b)really excellent service - this is where UA needs to invest - and c)reliability which, I believe is better than many here suggest and will be improved if they order some newer planes. But the investment in service must come and it will be expensive.
Officially confirmed that UA will swap 10 of it's 787 orders for 10 77W. Excited to see the livery on the aircraft.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united...113000852.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united...113000852.html
Apr 23, 2015, 6:48 pm
#248
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I think it'll look pretty phenomenal on the particular airframe.
I think it goes without saying that it would be nice if there was an updated Global First product with a revised J, but no one is holding their breath there...
Apr 23, 2015, 7:26 pm
#249
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Wow! That's great news!!! Is the 77W will be based in EWR? A35J will be based in SFO & ORD, am I correct?
Apr 23, 2015, 7:27 pm
#250
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Officially confirmed that UA will swap 10 of it's 787 orders for 10 77W. Excited to see the livery on the aircraft.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united...113000852.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united...113000852.html
Not sad, smart. The competitive benchmarks of International First Class (as discussed on FT and elsewhere) are basically set by airlines based in less fiercely competitive environments than the North American market, or by carriers indifferent to profitability concerns (e.g., the ME3). So it's no surprise that North American carriers are generally committed to phasing out longhaul F (at this point, only AA 77Ws will be left with F at decade's end, and the next global downturn might kill that off, too).
Asia is a fiercely competitive market, and they seem to offer the best inflight product in the world as a result. The US market is a result of "we don't give a crap because we don't have to".
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 24, 2015 at 4:34 am Reason: multi-quote should be used
Apr 23, 2015, 7:34 pm
#251
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Fiercely competitive? This is an extremely low competitive market. An oligopoly, bans on foreign ownership, restrictive controls on international routes, etc.
Asia is a fiercely competitive market, and they seem to offer the best inflight product in the world as a result. The US market is a result of "we don't give a crap because we don't have to".
Asia is a fiercely competitive market, and they seem to offer the best inflight product in the world as a result. The US market is a result of "we don't give a crap because we don't have to".
Apr 23, 2015, 7:45 pm
#252
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Apr 23, 2015, 7:56 pm
#253
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Not sure of seats or configuration yet but all I know is none of the international or widebody aircraft will be getting slimlines. Only aircraft getting slimlines are the 738/739/739ER and A319/A320 fleet.
Apr 23, 2015, 8:08 pm
#254
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Is there any plan for the ps birds? I just can't see them going to a 737 on that route, at least I hope not -- but with the introduction of Mint and just how competitive the route is in general I just don't quite get what the long term strategy is.
Apr 23, 2015, 8:10 pm
#255
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