Austin787

Fly on a pmUS Airbus narrowbody. They are as "dark" as United's 739s and no plans to add IFE to these planes, which will be in the fleet for many years to come. Good luck with your EXP challenge, and I hope you enjoy USdbaAA's version of "changes you will like".

tom911

The mac and cheese entree, which is sometimes lobster mac and cheese, is getting pretty old and doesn't always look very appetizing. Here's one from September:

Seby12

Sure AA may have a couple of fancy new planes, however this is not most of there 737 fleet or infact most of there domestic fleet. AA may beat UA on these brand new planes, however UA beats AA on overall fleet state. Pretty much all planes delivered to AA up until 2011 (when the plane order came) have not been touched, nor are there any plans to update them (I checked) UA is at least investing in new seats (which I personally find more comfortable than any legacy carriers product) for its older planes, AA has no plans to modernize any of its older fleet. Some have streaming PAID entertainment on gogo.

To sum it up, AA beats UA on there new planes (which is very few relative to the rest of the fleet) however UA dramatically beats AA on the overall state of the fleet.

HeadInTheClouds

I may be alone, but I really dislike the new AA seats that leave a massive gap between the seat backs of side by side seats as is evidenced by the picture link upthread. Not only does it unnecessarily narrow the seat, it dispenses with any sense of privacy. I always feel like the person behind me can see and read my computer, tablet screen or reading material. I know because I can do that to whoever is sitting in front of me. Further, if I'm sitting with someone, our conversation becomes immediately less private.

IIRC the upcoming new UA F seats may have a similar effect, but I haven't been on any yet to know first hand. I don't understand why this became the thing to do or what the advantage of it is in efficiency or seat design. But it sucks.

I miss the old mammoth 757 seats in this regard.

luckypierre

AA has an aggressive fleet renewal strategy with about 460 planes either delivered or on order. From my perspective, an equally interesting comparison can be made of the planes being acquired. UA chooses the barest model from the manufacturer and the 737-700 acquisition, post Smisek, confirms that the strategy continues beyond his nickel and dime administration. Dark on the entertainment front (I wonder if the econo strategy extends to flight deck options like HUDs). In contrast, I flew an AA A321 from MIA to DFW yesterday..8in individual personal entertainment at each seat with a broad array of recent films. It looked brand new and the plate on door showed 8/15 parts date.

uber1K_Flyer

The other thing to point out, the presentation is far more modern and sophisticated than the dated boring presentation that United uses.

halls120

It isn't smaller, and it's quite comfortable. And the IFE works.

qukslvr619

Give me a Super80 anyday over a 737 with IFE/leather seats/Sky Interior......but I digress.


Dark and cramped 737s on UA is an exaggeration....because for every shiny new 738 with the sky interior/personal IFE that AA has, there's a 738 that was delivered in 1999 with drop down monitors. Unless you are in F on AA, the IFE content isn't all that great; hope you don't mind swiping your credit card to see such films as Mildred Pierce, The Wizard of Oz, Hairspray, Norma Rae, Steel Magnolias, A Star is Born (perhaps I've singled out a few of the selections but overall I'm sensing a trend here).

The grass isn't greener...its just painted a different shade. Quite honestly both AA and UA are about even in the product they offer. Though I would venture to say that AA is in that "2012 merged UA funk" where basically the meals are the same, FAs are kinda grumbly, and the duct tape that's holding the entire operation is just starting to peel off.

I had a pretty good 2015 flying 95% on AA/US with a good upgrade percentage to boot. Then 2016 hit, upgrades weren't free anymore and it was costing an extra $300 in 500 mile upgrades for a RT....think I'll stick it out with UA.

qukslvr619

You could put that shriveled steak and overcooked mac n cheese on a solid gold plate....there isn't anything modern or sophisticated about it!

Yes I agree that the blue lined tray with white china (basically the exact shapes /design as the CO days minus the pattern) is dated. But *lately* it seems that UA has more consistent/quality food and AA is still dealing with the inconsistencies of galley configs/ovens etc.

NH_Clark

It does look much better than the "dark" 73x .. which seem to show up in BOS more often than not

milepig

And I'd argue that UA has also been using that money wisely. Better chow in the clubs and improvements to the free beer, upgraded food on board, FRESHPOO soon to be history!!, now if they'd only do something about the wine. Fewer RJs.

Bonehead

My God, the humanity!!! How did we ever survive flying in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s?

Michael D

I don't like fat dividers.

I would rather have another 3 to 4 inches of seat width.

transportbiz

They are exactly the same seat. But, the UA version has no IFE. Cushioning isn't a barcalounger but, it's not church pew either, more of a European style. The best part is with the articulating seat cushion/seat back recline the window pax can still get out when the seat in front of them is reclined.

1kIAH

A couple differences.

I've flown the new 738 (and pmAA A321s) and while they are definitely ahead of UA in F, they aren't as nice in Y. Nearly all the programming you would want to watch on the AVOD requires some fee vs. Free PDE on United, and the seats aren't that comfortable either.

I haven't flown in the new F on United, but I feel that the seats are similar, as the seat pan slides forward when reclining, which is how all of the 738 seats are on AA.