P Class
 

I'm looking at some flights EWR-PHX on united.com, there is a cheap first class ticket EWR-DEN-PHX available in P class. UA P class is sold as first on united.com, but it's listed as business class in the mileage accural tables of AC Aeroplan, A3 Miles and Bonus, and OZ Asiana club.

What's the deal with P class? Is it business or first? If it's first, then why is everyone else calling it business? If it's business, then why is UA selling it as first?

P books into the next cabin above economy. On most domestic flights, UA sells First and Economy. On international flights, UA sells Business and Economy on some planes and First, Business, and Economy on other planes.

C, D, J, and Z all behave the same way.

Note that UA's domestic first class seat is normally a few inches wider than economy with a few extra inches of legroom. Don't expect the kind of experience you'd get on a long-haul international flight.

That makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.

Note that "next cabin above economy" may be Premium Economy at one point.

A random UA K-fare that books into P for the EWR-PHX market already acknowledges this:

You make it sound like FC is just marginally better than Y. Well, in addition to wider seats the seats have a much bigger buffer between them, such that even a Sumo wrestler seated next to you in FC shouldn't be a problem. That's huuuuuuge...

Correct. The best part of the domestic F seat is not the actual width of the seat, it is the distance between the two seats.

Sure, but given that the OP was confused by United's First vs. Business marketing, I thought it was best to be explicitly clear -- anyone who's expecting long-haul F is going to be underwhelmed by United's domestic first product. I'd pay a lot more for a lie-flat seat on a TPAC than I would for a domestic first seat on EWR-DEN.

I would add the "friendliness" of the FAs in F vs those in Y. At least that's been my experience and others have shared some very interesting stories of FA behavior in the rear.

On the other hand, to someone used to intra-Europe business class, the US domestic first seat could be a pleasant surprise.

OTOH, the DYKWIA factor is much higher in F (i.e., your neighbor is much more likely to be a jerk).

But at least they are farther away.

I agree, the buffer between the seats is the key. Even with a Sumo next to you the chances of rubbing elbows or shoulders is slim.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7759/2...ef5925f1_c.jpg

But the chance of rubbing egos is much greater. ;)

My back and shoulders don't hurt after spending 5 hours next to someone with an excessive ego, which can be taken care of by a good pair of noise cancelling headphones. :D