I use ExpertFlyer to check loads in case our OTH flight is delayed and I need another option to get to my destination.

It's now showing F1/N1(?).

I'm amazed how United can fill their seats.

Today's 747 departure to HNL is on a 55 minute rolling maintenance delay (so far).

The 747 will always be dear to me, but hearing these stories about delays due to mechanical issues just makes the upcoming retirement even sadder.

I'd be curious if someone inside UA could "leak" whether there's been any official new policy set on maintaining the 744s.

Obviously I would HOPE that they're continuing diligent maintenance on the flight-related systems. The recent maintenance delays notwithstanding.

But, internal to the cabin, my last 3 744 flights have been awful -- including returning ICN-SFO yesterday. Broken bathrooms, malfunctioning seats, terrible IFE choices compared to the WiFi-based entertainment or other non-747 birds in the fleet, WiFi not working, broken drains in the galleys forcing FAs to pour liquids into the bathroom sinks, etc...

Either these planes are all far enough away from their last overhauls that everything is suddenly breaking at once? Or else it's really hard to think that they haven't just stopped caring about maintaining the interiors... I've begun to dread flights on the 744s, even upper-deck, lately. And that's sad. :(

My 777 for 12/21 just got switched to the reconfigured 10 across slimline seats. Ugh.

Sounds just like the sCO 752 I flew back from LIH two weeks ago. Not sure this is aircraft specific.

Anyone remember the 747SPs that used to run on this route? (And on SFO-LHR too)

Yes. I spent a lot of time on the upper deck on that plane. There were several regulars who commuted between HNL-SFO and in the smaller cabin you ended up getting to know each other. Good times.

Missed my connection to HNL from SFO on Flight 300 last Saturday. Instead of a 777 I had a 737-900 with the most miserable F seating ever in 5A. No one should be on a 737-900. To their credit, the F crew was stellar. I miss my childhood 747 Friendships!

Looks like those on UA724 12/22 will get an early Christmas present :cool:

You'd think this was about United Airlines, but I flew 747 on SQ--SFO-HNL-HKG back in 1980. Just economy class with lobster for dinner. :cool: That's my only 747 experience at HNL. It was not an SP. 747SP's were quite new at the time and having some issues.

And also on 1175 going westbound that day. Still some seats showing open on the UD!

Can I get an SDC for that one? :D

Today is my mom's birthday and is on 724. She's a 1K and got the double upgrade into Global First. The first upgrade into Business cleared at T-24 and when she checked in at the Skycap she got her new boarding pass. She's a happy camper.