tuolumne

It's nice upstairs no doubt at 2-2. However, let us not forget that the seats are also shorter, and more angled, than the United Biz seat downstairs. 3-class 767 has the 2nd best iteration of IPTE C seats, IMO. Just did it from Newark last night, row 6 bulkhead, rear facing into that glorious engine. I'm going to really miss that.

warrenw

Perhaps, but I'll take a shorter seat any day to the privacy of the upper deck, 8 across downstairs is just really really packed.

I have two flights scheduled UD in June, I'm hoping one switches to the 77W but I'll have to wait and see!

EmailKid

I've read this at least 10 times, and still trying to figure out how lie flat seats can be "more angled."

I'll take UD over ANY seat in UA fleet, including 77W which I've only seen taxiing at SFO waiting for my CR2 on the way home.

Oh, and as you would expect, that flight was delayed

deskover54

An UD 747 seat is better than a 77W? I'm not sure I agree. I haven't flown the 77W yet, but while I love the UD and the storage bins, I still hate climbing over my neighbor to go to the restroom.

EmailKid

I didn't say it was better, I said that I will take UD, while it's still around, over anything else @:-)

And there are a couple of seats on UD where some of us can go around and not go over top of aisle seats @:-)

deskover54

Huh? You'll have to explain how you go around instead of over top??? Maybe I need to learn a new trick. I'll have at least 3 more UD trips before they are gone so want to optimize

UA_Flyer

I have never tried it, but a number of FTers, who sit in either 15A or 15K, manage to step on the side bin and exit through the back side of the seat. I saw someone did once, but he was small built and has a flexible body!

EWR764

I tried it once... really tight for me but a smaller person might be able to pull it off! I prefer to take my chances stepping over my seatmate... I'm pretty good at that these days.

luckypierre

Slightly off topic of the inevitable LD v UD UA discussion, but are the handful of 47s still flying seeing more cancellations? UA will be reducing spares inventory ahead of the end date, so repairs will become more complicated as they scrounge for parts.

FWI...I am in the UD fraternity, even with the Barcalounger class seats..exit row, good crew to Hong Kong..one of the best experiences a US airline could offer.

eng3

Wow, I never thought about trying this before. Would it work in 14 as well?
I might have to book those seats on my next/final flights

Kacee

You can do it from 14A/K as well as 16A on most 744s as well. (Though on certain aircraft the emergency exit slide gets in the way.)

Done it many times.

violist

Row 14 or 15 gives you the opportunity. As I recall it's easiest
from 15K, though I quit doing it when I got old and losing my hair.

N104UA

With this issues UA is having with the new Polaris seats what are the chances UA will delay the 744 retirement by a few months, considering how stressed their current fleet is I don't think they have a choice if they can't get all 14 77Ws in service by October.

EWR764

The longer the delay goes, the better the chances are. Boeing keeps churning out new 77Ws, but it appears the delivery of seats has ground to a halt. Assuming induction takes a week or so per frame, and TechOps is only inducting one at a time, I think it will take a full-stop delay until roughly July to seriously threaten the 747 retirement schedule. My guess is United will be doing everything it can to keep 747 retirement on the current timetable, since any delay will require significant changes to maintenance programs as well as pilot training resources and staffing.

That said, it would appear United planned for the contingency of a 77W delay, with a 'waterfall' of 13 -400 frames leaving the fleet at the end of the summer schedule. It's within the realm of possibility that these ships could go on a modified retirement plan of a few more weeks/months without impacting the disposition of the other aircraft with firm retirement dates.

halls120

How could seat production have "ground to a halt?" Materials shortage? Discovery of a manufacturing defect? Sheer incompetence?