Outdated planes
Jul 16, 2015 | 4:27 pm
#46
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Jul 16, 2015 | 4:37 pm
#47
Original Poster
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Jul 16, 2015 | 5:07 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 701
I'm sitting on a newer a320. Newark to San Diego. Six hours.
No seatback screens.
No radio.
No overhead movies.
No power outlets.
The seats feel about as comfortable as the new York subway.
Oh how I wish for an outdated plane. I fear my back will kill me tomorrow
No seatback screens.
No radio.
No overhead movies.
No power outlets.
The seats feel about as comfortable as the new York subway.
Oh how I wish for an outdated plane. I fear my back will kill me tomorrow
Jul 16, 2015 | 5:19 pm
#49
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
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Very interesting and shows how relative, irrational and inconsistent we often are in our views, desires and choices. If these 'outdated' 763s with looped video were suddenly put on transcons from EWR/ORD/IAD to SAN, SFO, SEA, SJC etc then we would all be thrilled and prefer them over the new bare A320s.
Jul 16, 2015 | 5:24 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 701
Very interesting and shows how relative, irrational and inconsistent we often are in our views, desires and choices. If these 'outdated' 763s with looped video were suddenly put on transcons from EWR/ORD/IAD to SAN, SFO, SEA, SJC etc then we would all be thrilled and prefer them over the new bare A320s.
I don't think it's irrational to want that.
I also don't think anyone on this plane will leave work a good impression of United.
"No entertainment on a six hour flight? I hear JetBlue has free direct tv! "
Jul 16, 2015 | 5:29 pm
#51
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I'm pretty sure planes in the 60s.had overhead video and music choices.
I don't think it's irrational to want that.
I also don't think anyone on this plane will leave work a good impression of United.
"No entertainment on a six hour flight? I hear JetBlue has free direct tv! "
I don't think it's irrational to want that.
I also don't think anyone on this plane will leave work a good impression of United.
"No entertainment on a six hour flight? I hear JetBlue has free direct tv! "
I miss the comfortable seats on the A319/A320 with free channel 9 and IFE. But hey, that's OK since DL is starting to install AVOD on the 319 while UA insists streaming content is the wave of the future
Jul 16, 2015 | 5:33 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 701
Apparently it's irrational by COdbaUA standards as you are asking for something for nothing.
I miss the comfortable seats on the A319/A320 with free channel 9 and IFE. But hey, that's OK since DL is starting to install AVOD on the 319 while UA insists streaming content is the wave of the future
I miss the comfortable seats on the A319/A320 with free channel 9 and IFE. But hey, that's OK since DL is starting to install AVOD on the 319 while UA insists streaming content is the wave of the future
Something even greyhound offers
Jul 16, 2015 | 5:36 pm
#53
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We're looking at a trip to Paris and I see UA flies 757s CDG to EWR. Really? I can't imagine a TATL on a single aisle aircraft. I flew RT MSP to Iceland once on Iceland Air. 757. About six hours. That was bad enough. On the return, the aircraft didn't even have a mid cabin lav. Through much of the flight there was a very long, and awkward line for the TWO rear lavs. The FAs zealously guarded the FC lav against the unwashed from coach. But they finally gave up lest they face a bunch of people who had peed in their pants.
It was ridiculous to have such an aircraft on a long haul.
It was ridiculous to have such an aircraft on a long haul.
At least you have done your research and know what planes service some routes. There are many 757s going to Europe. Book elsewhere.
Jul 16, 2015 | 5:49 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NYC, LON
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I'm pretty sure planes in the 60s.had overhead video and music choices.
I don't think it's irrational to want that.
I also don't think anyone on this plane will leave work a good impression of United.
"No entertainment on a six hour flight? I hear JetBlue has free direct tv! "
I don't think it's irrational to want that.
I also don't think anyone on this plane will leave work a good impression of United.
"No entertainment on a six hour flight? I hear JetBlue has free direct tv! "
Jul 16, 2015 | 7:28 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2013
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Maybe so, but every time I check flight prices it varies widely on who is the cheapest. For the dates I chose, UA was the cheapest. A week later, Canada Air was cheapest.
If I had known the plane would be so outdated, I would have gladly paid a little extra to have a more up to date plane.
Unfortunately it's rather difficult to determine what kind of amenities you are getting on board without doing research.
If I had known the plane would be so outdated, I would have gladly paid a little extra to have a more up to date plane.
Unfortunately it's rather difficult to determine what kind of amenities you are getting on board without doing research.
My own trauma came flying middle seat in E- on a 747 to SYD (united made me misconnect to my original Air NZ connection). The overhead screen and nothing more.... This was before the 'stream you own video only if you have a battery the size of a suitcase as there are no plugs' innovation. It scarred me such that I avoid UA 747s in Y at all costs and will pay more to go a different carrier if I have to.
Jul 16, 2015 | 8:39 pm
#56
Join Date: Jun 2008
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I usually book away from the A319/A320 fleet now just because I find those slimline seats to be exceptionally awful, but at least they all have a superior WiFi system and a pretty good selection of movies to watch.
Jul 16, 2015 | 8:52 pm
#57
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None of them have 110V or even USB power, which is what jamesinclair was complaining about. He probably has some low-battery device and no extra battery.
Jul 16, 2015 | 9:39 pm
#58
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,235
Were you not aware that all United Airbus aircraft now offer satellite Wi-Fi and free streaming on almost all major devices? Did you check? Or was it not operational on this flight? Just curious.
I usually book away from the A319/A320 fleet now just because I find those slimline seats to be exceptionally awful, but at least they all have a superior WiFi system and a pretty good selection of movies to watch.
I usually book away from the A319/A320 fleet now just because I find those slimline seats to be exceptionally awful, but at least they all have a superior WiFi system and a pretty good selection of movies to watch.
Google "Ezo" chargers.
Jul 16, 2015 | 10:08 pm
#59
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We're looking at a trip to Paris and I see UA flies 757s CDG to EWR. Really? I can't imagine a TATL on a single aisle aircraft. I flew RT MSP to Iceland once on Iceland Air. 757. About six hours. That was bad enough. On the return, the aircraft didn't even have a mid cabin lav. Through much of the flight there was a very long, and awkward line for the TWO rear lavs. The FAs zealously guarded the FC lav against the unwashed from coach. But they finally gave up lest they face a bunch of people who had peed in their pants.
It was ridiculous to have such an aircraft on a long haul.
It was ridiculous to have such an aircraft on a long haul.
Jul 16, 2015 | 11:05 pm
#60
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Avis First, Hertz PC
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I can live without entertainment, I can live with long bathroom lines (time to stand is good for circulation), and I can live with knee-crushing seats.
However, slimline/lower/shorter seats combined with weak/non-existent cushioning is a killer. It makes the entire experience painful instead of "just uncomfortable".
There are still a lot of airlines (including pmUA) that pay a little more for extra cushioning. Why the move toward park-bench-like seats? I get that they save a little money, but I don't think it is that much. Do passengers really not care at all about seat cushioning and form? Or maybe some airlines, including the new UA, really don't think about comfort at all?
pmCO even skimped on padding in the BusinessFirst cabins (compared to pmUA), no excuse for that. Who would intentionally pick/design a J seat that is less comfortable than it could be to save a few dollars? Not talking about density here, just an extra cm of padding. So little to ask.
For example, imagine if your employer tried to save $10 by ordering less padding for a $200 office chair that caused back-aches for all of the staff. Why would an airline do this in a premium cabin?
However, slimline/lower/shorter seats combined with weak/non-existent cushioning is a killer. It makes the entire experience painful instead of "just uncomfortable".
There are still a lot of airlines (including pmUA) that pay a little more for extra cushioning. Why the move toward park-bench-like seats? I get that they save a little money, but I don't think it is that much. Do passengers really not care at all about seat cushioning and form? Or maybe some airlines, including the new UA, really don't think about comfort at all?
pmCO even skimped on padding in the BusinessFirst cabins (compared to pmUA), no excuse for that. Who would intentionally pick/design a J seat that is less comfortable than it could be to save a few dollars? Not talking about density here, just an extra cm of padding. So little to ask.
For example, imagine if your employer tried to save $10 by ordering less padding for a $200 office chair that caused back-aches for all of the staff. Why would an airline do this in a premium cabin?