May 31, 2017, 10:05 am
Last edit by: blueman2
Cross Country Comfort: Introducing United Airlines' New Transcontinental Service
Premium transcontinental service EWR to/from SFOLAX and BOS to/from SFO (Boston service starting 1 July 2017)
Complimentary hot meal and beverage service for customers seated in Economy Plus.
Also adding United Club access before flight and after arrival, just like ps
Premium transcontinental service EWR to/from SFOLAX and BOS to/from SFO (Boston service starting 1 July 2017)
- Flat-bed seats with custom-designed duvet & pillow provided by Saks Fifth Avenue
- New amenity kits featuring Soho House & Co's Cowshed Spa products
- Featured cocktail, Moscow Mule
- Hot towel service offered after take-off & prior to landing
- Seasonally refreshed menus
- Dining will be topped off with items from United Polaris' dessert menu.
- Before arrival, snacks such as Boulder Canyon potato chips & Madik’s almonds will be served.
- Note: These routes are not CPU eligible (with need to use RPU/GPU/Miles+copay)
Complimentary hot meal and beverage service for customers seated in Economy Plus.
Also adding United Club access before flight and after arrival, just like ps
Cross Country Comfort: Introducing United Airlines’ New Transcontinental Service
Jun 23, 2017, 9:35 am
#136
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Aircraft swap to 773 Polaris Hard Product
Flying BOS-SFO Sunday 8/25 8:20am and received a text this morning that there was an aircraft swap from the sUA 772 2-4-2 to the 773. Hoping this will stick and can "test" out the hard Polaris product. Checking other dates seems like the 772 is the norm and UA isn't upping their game for the debut but curious if they will to compete at least for the first couple of weeks...
Jun 23, 2017, 10:05 am
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
B6 started all MINT as a spectacular way to distinguish their first class service in key markets. While JFK is their home base and key hub, BOS ranks a close second in importance.
No question MINT shook up the entire transcon market, and no doubt there was a call for it from their BOS customer base and those connecting through BOS. They didn't want to have to connect thru JFK to have a lie-flat. It made solid business sense and forced the hands of their competitors, so they added the service on select non-stops from BOS.
The guess here is that they will continue to expand MINT to other long-haul markets, both from BOS and JFK, which they began to do some time ago with MINT service to Barbados, IIRC.
No question MINT shook up the entire transcon market, and no doubt there was a call for it from their BOS customer base and those connecting through BOS. They didn't want to have to connect thru JFK to have a lie-flat. It made solid business sense and forced the hands of their competitors, so they added the service on select non-stops from BOS.
The guess here is that they will continue to expand MINT to other long-haul markets, both from BOS and JFK, which they began to do some time ago with MINT service to Barbados, IIRC.
On a similar note, due to location, BOS is a logical place for B6 to eventually bring it's TATL service (it's closer to Europe than JFK so depending on where the A321LR range actually lands it's likely to at least see some of B6's international expansion from a pure range standpoint).
Jun 23, 2017, 11:25 am
#138
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: 1MM, UA 1k
Posts: 529
BOS-SFO works because
1. High Tech
2. Biotech
3. Finance - start up, management, hedge funds, etc.
competition made a huge dent in UA, as this route had a ridiculously low UG rate prior to B6 showing up. That said, still a lot of competition since B6 schedules don't line up well for those of us who do TPAC ex SFO.
Another data point that supports is the slowly growing list of direct flights to NRT, PVG, PEK, HKG. i can't wait to hit MM and then go to these PE offerings.
2. Biotech
3. Finance - start up, management, hedge funds, etc.
competition made a huge dent in UA, as this route had a ridiculously low UG rate prior to B6 showing up. That said, still a lot of competition since B6 schedules don't line up well for those of us who do TPAC ex SFO.
Another data point that supports is the slowly growing list of direct flights to NRT, PVG, PEK, HKG. i can't wait to hit MM and then go to these PE offerings.
Jun 24, 2017, 10:39 pm
#139
Join Date: May 2014
Programs: UA 1K, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 410
What aircraft is UA going to use for premium transcon once the 752's and HD 777's are retired? I don't see the HD 777's being used long term, as the J is cramped and uncomfortable.
Jun 24, 2017, 11:42 pm
#140
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,214
I believe they are pushing out the retirement on some of the 752s for the tcon routes as they haven't figured out what they want to purchase going forward. These routes result in lower frequencies for the planes which helps with some of the wear and tear they get on shorter mid-con routes.
Jun 25, 2017, 6:21 am
#141
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,064
Flying BOS-SFO Sunday 8/25 8:20am and received a text this morning that there was an aircraft swap from the sUA 772 2-4-2 to the 773. Hoping this will stick and can "test" out the hard Polaris product. Checking other dates seems like the 772 is the norm and UA isn't upping their game for the debut but curious if they will to compete at least for the first couple of weeks...
8/25 is not a Sunday and there is no flight at 8.20 a.m. either. Not sure what/where you are flying 
6/25? Looks like a 773 indeed with a huge cleared UG list 
just before the route goes to RPU/GPU only!
Jun 25, 2017, 8:42 am
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
And as noted the 752s are receiving upgrades to extend their lifetime.
Presumably though we are looking at either the 737 Max eventually sporting lie flats or the new Boeing 797 being a potential contender to fill these routes depending on where it's specs actually land.
Jun 25, 2017, 11:01 am
#143
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
Hahaha yeah duh 6/25 - no idea where I got 8/25. Massive upgrade list indeed - sitting in seat 3A which is quite private. Certainly a major improvement but very dense cabin. Plane still smells brand new. Of course due to catering issues flight was delayed an hour and alas going to miss my connection figures...
Jun 25, 2017, 11:04 am
#144
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Hahaha yeah duh 6/25 - no idea where I got 8/25. Massive upgrade list indeed - sitting in seat 3A which is quite private. Certainly a major improvement but very dense cabin. Plane still smells brand new. Of course due to catering issues flight was delayed an hour and alas going to miss my connection figures...
Jun 25, 2017, 3:05 pm
#145
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: BOS (South End)
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, TrueBlue, IHG Plat Amb, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Accor Platinum, National Exec Elite
Posts: 907
I had catering issues on my SFO-EWR flight last weekend that caused it to depart the gate ~45 minutes late (they had blocked enough time so we still got there on-time). With such a dense cabin configuration, though, last-minute swaps are great for passengers but really means they will not have blocked out enough time for preparation...
Jun 27, 2017, 11:11 am
#146
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
757-200 changed to 777-200
Hello, I have a trip to Europe in November originating from LAX. The domestic portions were LAX-EWR on the 757-200. Both of those flights were changed to 777-200.
I have RPU's requested for both of the legs, if they clear seems like the 777-200 is the Barco lounger type 777 with 4 across. Will they still provide the Cross Country Comfort on these planes? Or will they be the Barco Lounger Seats but with Cross Country Comfort service.
Secondly, if I don't clear will I get the new meal service in E+
Kind of confused here. Thanks in advance and safe travels..
I have RPU's requested for both of the legs, if they clear seems like the 777-200 is the Barco lounger type 777 with 4 across. Will they still provide the Cross Country Comfort on these planes? Or will they be the Barco Lounger Seats but with Cross Country Comfort service.
Secondly, if I don't clear will I get the new meal service in E+
Kind of confused here. Thanks in advance and safe travels..
Jun 27, 2017, 11:22 am
#147
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Hello, I have a trip to Europe in November originating from LAX. The domestic portions were LAX-EWR on the 757-200. Both of those flights were changed to 777-200.
I have RPU's requested for both of the legs, if they clear seems like the 777-200 is the Barco lounger type 777 with 4 across. Will they still provide the Cross Country Comfort on these planes? Or will they be the Barco Lounger Seats but with Cross Country Comfort service.
Secondly, if I don't clear will I get the new meal service in E+
Kind of confused here. Thanks in advance and safe travels..
I have RPU's requested for both of the legs, if they clear seems like the 777-200 is the Barco lounger type 777 with 4 across. Will they still provide the Cross Country Comfort on these planes? Or will they be the Barco Lounger Seats but with Cross Country Comfort service.
Secondly, if I don't clear will I get the new meal service in E+
Kind of confused here. Thanks in advance and safe travels..
The "soft product" service should be the same no matter what model you fly on -- it's dictated by route, not airplane.
Jun 27, 2017, 11:32 am
#148
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
The 32-seat F 2x3x2 barcalounger birds are all gone. The last few are now in modification in HKG. All in-service 777-200As are in the 2x4x2 F lie-flat, 10-across Y configuration. On rare occasion, a transcon will get a 777-200ER 3-class or 777-300ER (77W) subbed at the last minute.
The "soft product" service should be the same no matter what model you fly on -- it's dictated by route, not airplane.
The "soft product" service should be the same no matter what model you fly on -- it's dictated by route, not airplane.
Jun 29, 2017, 4:26 pm
#149
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
As a part of a press release on Uno deep dish pizza, new Fresh Choice items(1 July 2017), new beer(1 Sept) in economy, UA also confirmed
Also starting July 1, United will provide customers seated in Economy Plus on its premium transcontinental routes (BOS-SFO, EWR-LAX and EWR-SFO in both directions) a complimentary hot fresh entrée, dessert and fruit, a pre-arrival snack and alcoholic beverages. Sample menu selections include savory roasted chicken with a smoked barbecue sauce and butternut squash tortellini with sage cream sauce. Dessert options will include cheesecake, as well as a chocolate brownie and fresh seasonal fruit.
Jun 29, 2017, 9:00 pm
#150
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
I don't think the 77HD is going anywhere anytime soon. They just finished refurbing them all from the Hawaii configuration for this exact purpose.
And as noted the 752s are receiving upgrades to extend their lifetime.
Presumably though we are looking at either the 737 Max eventually sporting lie flats or the new Boeing 797 being a potential contender to fill these routes depending on where it's specs actually land.
And as noted the 752s are receiving upgrades to extend their lifetime.
Presumably though we are looking at either the 737 Max eventually sporting lie flats or the new Boeing 797 being a potential contender to fill these routes depending on where it's specs actually land.