Jul 6, 2019, 9:31 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Update 2017: United p.s. is now called Transcontinental Service. This service is available on flights between EWR<>LAX, EWR<>SFO, and BOS<>SFO.
Cross Country Comfort: Introducing United Airlines’ New Transcontinental Service
The first PS flights to/from EWR started 25 Oct 2015
E+ passengers -- hot meals and drinks included
Aircraft 757-200
Original config 28 lieflat BF / 42 E+ / 72 E-
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 757-200 (pmUA Domestic and p.s.)
Re-purposed TATL config 16 lieflat BF / 45 E+ / 108 E-
Consolidated "Seats on International 757"
other lie-flat aircraft will be used on the route, such as
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on 777-200 HD (28BF,102E+,234E-)
Everything you want to know about where to sit on the 787-10
FAQs
Are all flights on these routes lie-flat, etc?
Yes -- all non-stop flights from SFO/LAX to/from EWR and SFO<>BOS are configured as such regardless of aircraft used. All scheduled aircraft have a lie-flat premium cabin.
Are these CPU-eligible flights?
No -- no CPU on these flights. It will take RPU/GPU/mileage+copays to upgrade. Generally, these are "hard" upgrades.
Are TODs / Cash upgrades offered?
Yes, $298 cash OW upgrades are regularly offered.
Archive: Premium Transcon Service SFO-EWR/BOS, LAX-EWR flights-Questions&Experiences {Archive}
Cross Country Comfort: Introducing United Airlines’ New Transcontinental Service
Originally Posted by United POLARIS FAQ
How does the switch to United Polaris affect United p.s.® Premium Service transcontinental flights?
On December 1, 2016, BusinessFirst service on p.s. transcontinental routes became United Business®, and now features our custom Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and duvet. Previous p.s. features did not change other than the new bedding.
On December 1, 2016, BusinessFirst service on p.s. transcontinental routes became United Business®, and now features our custom Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and duvet. Previous p.s. features did not change other than the new bedding.
United offers transcontinental travelers the features and comfort of long-haul international flights. Customers enjoy modern aircraft interiors with all-new seats, inflight Wi-Fi, free personal on-demand entertainment at every seat, in-seat power and USB ports.
United also provides:
* Premier Access check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling;
* United Club access;
* up to 6 feet, 4 inches of sleeping space in a 180-degree flat-bed seat; and
* pre-departure beverages, hot towel service, multi-course meals and a pre-arrival snack.
United also provides:
* Premier Access check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling;
* United Club access;
* up to 6 feet, 4 inches of sleeping space in a 180-degree flat-bed seat; and
* pre-departure beverages, hot towel service, multi-course meals and a pre-arrival snack.
Travelers in Economy Plus on our premium transcontinental flights now enjoy more than just extra legroom — they’ll also receive a complimentary hot entrée, fruit and dessert, as well as their choice of free alcoholic beverages, including our featured cocktail and more.
Original config 28 lieflat BF / 42 E+ / 72 E-
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 757-200 (pmUA Domestic and p.s.)
Re-purposed TATL config 16 lieflat BF / 45 E+ / 108 E-
Consolidated "Seats on International 757"
other lie-flat aircraft will be used on the route, such as
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on 777-200 HD (28BF,102E+,234E-)
Everything you want to know about where to sit on the 787-10
FAQs
Are all flights on these routes lie-flat, etc?
Yes -- all non-stop flights from SFO/LAX to/from EWR and SFO<>BOS are configured as such regardless of aircraft used. All scheduled aircraft have a lie-flat premium cabin.
Are these CPU-eligible flights?
No -- no CPU on these flights. It will take RPU/GPU/mileage+copays to upgrade. Generally, these are "hard" upgrades.
Are TODs / Cash upgrades offered?
Yes, $298 cash OW upgrades are regularly offered.
Archive: Premium Transcon Service SFO-EWR/BOS, LAX-EWR flights-Questions&Experiences {Archive}
Premium Transcon Service SFO-EWR/BOS, LAX-EWR flights-Questions&Experiences {Archive}
Aug 2, 2019, 6:01 pm
#1396
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
Aug 2, 2019, 10:02 pm
#1397
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,019
Aug 2, 2019, 11:45 pm
#1398
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
I think it's some data gathering thing, to see how much people will offer on average, and then run it through algorithms on how many seats to oversell and what net cost will be, etc. I was asked on EWR-LAX to volunteer, despite the flight having at least Z4 at check-in. In the end, they ended up upgrading 7 people, including 3 non-revs (maybe deadhead, but they were in FA uniforms).
Aug 3, 2019, 6:01 am
#1399
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
I think it's some data gathering thing, to see how much people will offer on average, and then run it through algorithms on how many seats to oversell and what net cost will be, etc. I was asked on EWR-LAX to volunteer, despite the flight having at least Z4 at check-in. In the end, they ended up upgrading 7 people, including 3 non-revs (maybe deadhead, but they were in FA uniforms).
edit: on further reflection maybe $2k is a bad strategy. I think I should start entering $1.
Aug 3, 2019, 6:18 pm
#1400
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Flew EWR-LAX on the 787-10 in paid J last week and had a really bad experience.
- The flight crew were understaffed and overwhelmed. When I went to the bathroom one mentioned to another "this is a domestic flight but we have to work it like an international flight". This meant things like the right aisle getting just water for a PDB and the left aisle getting nothing. It also meant that the meal service took over three hours to complete
- Food (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31357023-post435.html) ranged from mediocre to bad. Half full cup of nuts with drinks. Two tiny slices of tasetless chicken for an appeitzer. My main (turbot) was actually really good but my travel companion's (short rib) was overcooked and tasteless. No drink refills naturally and I had to flag down a flight attendant to get a glass of wine. The menu doesn't list wines and she didn't know what the yhad
- The seat and IFE are both quite good and I was comfortable but this was one of the worst premium flights I've been on in years.
- The flight crew were understaffed and overwhelmed. When I went to the bathroom one mentioned to another "this is a domestic flight but we have to work it like an international flight". This meant things like the right aisle getting just water for a PDB and the left aisle getting nothing. It also meant that the meal service took over three hours to complete
- Food (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/31357023-post435.html) ranged from mediocre to bad. Half full cup of nuts with drinks. Two tiny slices of tasetless chicken for an appeitzer. My main (turbot) was actually really good but my travel companion's (short rib) was overcooked and tasteless. No drink refills naturally and I had to flag down a flight attendant to get a glass of wine. The menu doesn't list wines and she didn't know what the yhad
- The seat and IFE are both quite good and I was comfortable but this was one of the worst premium flights I've been on in years.
Aug 3, 2019, 6:29 pm
#1401
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
The food of course is awful 75% of the time now, but DL is no better.
Aug 3, 2019, 10:53 pm
#1402
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
A bit OT but how is it that they ask for volunteers when a flight is not overbooked or at least fully booked. Yes I have been asked to move to another flight at or just prior to checking in but usually I have found those flight to be full or indeed overbooked. I don't think I have ever VDB'ed and been offered a TCV on a flight that wasn't over booked. Just ask'n why would they look for volunteers to change flights for a under booked or standard booked flight?
Aug 4, 2019, 2:40 pm
#1403
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Programs: UA GS; Former Alaska MVPG75/DL Diamond/NW Platinum/BA Gold
Posts: 942
The two times I have seen actual overbooked flights with the check-in volunteer request, the gate agents didn’t seem to use the information at all (either to identify VDB passengers or to set the compensation amount). The second time, out of Newark, the gate agent noted I was also on the check-in volunteer list while processing a voucher for double what I had said I would accept at check-in.
Aug 5, 2019, 4:39 am
#1404
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,460
The two times I have seen actual overbooked flights with the check-in volunteer request, the gate agents didn’t seem to use the information at all (either to identify VDB passengers or to set the compensation amount). The second time, out of Newark, the gate agent noted I was also on the check-in volunteer list while processing a voucher for double what I had said I would accept at check-in.
But I figure that if they are doing data collection, and if I am happy to have more VDB opportunities, I should be telling them that I will VDB for a little as possible. Of course when the pen meets paper, I will certainly go as high as the GA will.
Aug 6, 2019, 9:24 am
#1405
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Chapel Hill, NC
Programs: UA GS; Former Alaska MVPG75/DL Diamond/NW Platinum/BA Gold
Posts: 942
Yes, the amount you enter doesn't have to be your final offer. In fact everyone VDB'd from a flight is supposed to get the same.
But I figure that if they are doing data collection, and if I am happy to have more VDB opportunities, I should be telling them that I will VDB for a little as possible. Of course when the pen meets paper, I will certainly go as high as the GA will.
But I figure that if they are doing data collection, and if I am happy to have more VDB opportunities, I should be telling them that I will VDB for a little as possible. Of course when the pen meets paper, I will certainly go as high as the GA will.
Aug 6, 2019, 10:29 pm
#1406
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Booked SFO-BOS-SFO today and was able to burn a GPU at booking.
UA 2396
SFO-BOS
8/12/19 6:05 AM Departure
Booked a V fare with PZ1, and used a GPU once confirmed.
Currently waitlisted for UA1730, BOS-SFO, at 5:10 PM on Thursday, 8/15. United is offering a confirmed cash upgrade for $398...which is tempting.
UA 2396
SFO-BOS
8/12/19 6:05 AM Departure
Booked a V fare with PZ1, and used a GPU once confirmed.
Currently waitlisted for UA1730, BOS-SFO, at 5:10 PM on Thursday, 8/15. United is offering a confirmed cash upgrade for $398...which is tempting.
Last edited by SFOrunner; Aug 6, 2019 at 10:29 pm Reason: Typo
Aug 7, 2019, 4:00 pm
#1407
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Booked SFO-BOS-SFO today and was able to burn a GPU at booking.
UA 2396
SFO-BOS
8/12/19 6:05 AM Departure
Booked a V fare with PZ1, and used a GPU once confirmed.
Currently waitlisted for UA1730, BOS-SFO, at 5:10 PM on Thursday, 8/15. United is offering a confirmed cash upgrade for $398...which is tempting.
UA 2396
SFO-BOS
8/12/19 6:05 AM Departure
Booked a V fare with PZ1, and used a GPU once confirmed.
Currently waitlisted for UA1730, BOS-SFO, at 5:10 PM on Thursday, 8/15. United is offering a confirmed cash upgrade for $398...which is tempting.
Aug 8, 2019, 2:17 pm
#1408
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Aug 8, 2019, 2:21 pm
#1409
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Aug 15, 2019, 4:10 pm
#1410
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA (SFO)
Programs: UA 1K, UA .53 MM, Marriott Gold, Nexus, GE, TSA Pre, Hertz PC
Posts: 581
Cannot confirm whether or not anyone was upgraded prior to T-24, but at departure no one was cleared. There were 15 names on the upgrade list. It appeared as if there were 6-8 GS PAX, followed by another 10-12 1K's.