jm0933

That might be intentional. Putting the 77Ws on the routes out of airports with no Polaris lounge makes the lack of a lounge less painful, and likewise, sitting in a non-Polaris seat is more palatable to people if they get to use the Polaris lounge for a few hours before the flight.

Not saying it's great, but it's probably the logic being used.

PsiFighter37

onthesam

sshhhhh!! please don't let UA know this -- they might start taking my GF seats away too...

philf

United has something like 32 of these 3-class 777-200s, and has just started modifying them into 2-class configurations with "real" Polaris seats. They have zeroed out the F seats for pretty much all routes where they are using these planes -- I assume until they have a better handle on how fast the modified metal is going to flow into mod and back onto the line.

If you purchase J they will waitlist you into A for one of these configs, but no way to book into the F cabin otherwise afaik. Clearly they have way more routes in this state with F zeroed out than they will have planes modified in time, so essentially they're preserving optionality. From what I've heard the new Polaris seats will begin to appear on SFO-based routes, so those will likely switch first.

usbusinesstraveller

mike2003242

LMAO, no way! UA is soooo slow at these mods!!

nigos

I tried to book first from ORD to NRT in September 2018 but it was listed as not being available. The equipment was still listed as a 777-200. I subsequently determined that first is not available in either direction starting June 20. Does this mean UA is likely to change equipment between NRT and ORD i.e. to a Dream liner or a 777-300?

warrenw

No, United stopped selling Polaris First seats after May 1.

jsloan

To be clear, the speculation is that UA was anticipating having enough Polaris retrofits by May that they would be able to start swapping them in without having to downgauge anyone. nigos is stating that they've pushed that date out to June 20, which fits with the general slow pace of the work. Depending upon the fleet conversion process, that date may be pushed out further.

However, as you suggest, just because they're not selling F on a route doesn't mean that a swap to a 77W or retrofit 772 is likely, just thatthey're prepared for it. (A swap to a 787 is extremely unlikely, as I don't believe they have a 787 pilot or FA base at ORD and aren't currently running any 787 flights from ORD at all). It just means that they want to be able to prepare for the possibility. So far, with the 763 conversions, UA is finalizing the schedule a few days before departure, rather than locking them into any specific routes. There's little chance they'll do anything differently with the 777. As of today, there are zero retrofit 772s flying, although N786UA is expected to return to service soon per the fleet website. (It appears to have taken a test hop on Thursday). So, I'd expect your flight to be listed as a 3-class 772 until departure nears, and then there's a small chance that a retrofit bird might be assigned to the route.

As an aside -- if they were going to change to a 77W, that would likely be announced further in advance, but, again there are none currently flying from ORD. It's more likely that they'll continue to consolidate the 77W flights at EWR and SFO if only for operational purposes.

warrenw

Oh I did not know that it had been pushed to June! Thanks for the info.

I would also agree with you in saying that just because they are not selling F does not mean an equipment swap.

fatlasercat

So what's the latest speculation on important routes like SFO-FRA? I am looking at a flight in December and for me the choice between UA and another airline pretty much comes down to whether it's the old 772 seat or real Polaris seat. Personally, I would be very surprised to see the old 772 on that route, but just the image of that seatmap at booking could scare me away.

seacarl

Unless UA decides to keep two flights during the winter, I think the chances are high it will be a 77W. And if they operate two 772's instead, I think chances will be good they will have the new seats by December.

nigos

The WIKI at the top of the thread states: "EWR/NRT (UA 79/78) - Started October 28 2017, reverts to 2-class 772 on August 1, 2018"
When I checked options for travel to NRT anytime in September the UA site shows 777-300ER with new seat map. Which info should we rely upon?

warrenw

Go with UA.com.

cesco.g

It looks like the second SFO-FRA will stay on thru end of the year. Both flights UA 58/59 & UA 926/927 switch to 772s at the beginning of November.
Wondering, where the 773 will go?