MW_W5

Noticed today that F class is zeroed out for all UA 763 flights between LHR and ORD after 01MAY18...

Seat maps still show 3-class equipment, but perhaps a sign that UA expects to have enough converted by May to operate all 2-class Polaris cabin by then??

TUE 01MAY18 LONDON /CHICAGO *UA
1 LHR ORD 0750 1040 UA 929 F0 A0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 Y9 B9 M9#763C*E
2 LHR ORD 1035 1340 UA 928 F0 A0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 Y9 B9 M9#763C*E
3 LHR ORD 1450 1755 UA 959 F0 A0 J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 Y9 B9 M9#763C*E

Hipplewm

Could just be they are worried about swaps etc, so they stopped selling FC and if it is a new bird, then they just invite 1K or GS to sit in the front. Kind of like they do when those planes are used for domestic travel.

sbm12

I know this is mostly joking, but I do consider the rear-facing flat-bed seats better than forward facing. I'll gladly take that window, including the need to occasionally climb over someone, for the comfort I get when fully reclined and sleeping there.

findark

Yes, I think that's correct (between 2-class Polaris and other 2-class). It's a cheap way of preparing for an unknown cabin config and they've been doing it on EWR-LHR for a while now.

GrizNation

I've noticed EWR-LHR are all zeroed out too in August in F whereas ORD-EWR aren't, could this mean they're planning to have a refitted 763 for EWR-LHR as soon as next month?

N1120A

This is a 2-2-2 configuration, but one that is quite comfortable and all aisle access. The density compromise is actually a passenger friendly thing, as cabin density is maintained.

Incidentally - there is no change between the current 2 class 763s and the new Polaris configuration. 214 seats on both. The trading of 3 E+ for 3 E- seats isn't much of a loss, as the crew rest seats have been moved out of the E+ cabin. As such, it is a net loss of only 1 E+ seat.

2-3-2 was never going anywhere. 2-4-2 on the 767 is a much more severe compromise than 3-4-3 on a 777. There are real weight and width issues with that, and they would have cart issues.

I travel with my wife a lot and we never take middle seats of 2 in J. We always stick with being in consecutive rows along the window.

Where would they put it? The 767 doesn't have the extra space the 777 and A350 do.

jcacciotti

The thing that isn't obvious from the seat maps is that the Polaris hard product is a very efficient layout. No triangular 'airspace' next to the seat, or useless dead space over your shoulder. It's only seat, well-placed shelf, and/or aisle access.

So even at same overall density, it feels more comfortable and private. A big improvement, and a really smart design.

GoSh4rks

If this is 2-2-2, then there is no such thing as a 1-2-1 J product.

This is a 1-1-1. 1-2-1 on the 77w.

zackery149

So, for an IAH-GIG, Nov 15 flight, unless there is an exceptional one -off equipment change, odds of Polaris seats highly unlikely?

sbm12

Correct.

EWR764

No doubt. It was floated on some message boards (including this one) but IMV was never even a consideration.

Kacee

Agreed. There is always seat overlap in a J cabin; that's the major hard product difference between J and F. That doesn't change a "1" to a "2."

drewguy

Oddly, on the UA site it lists 22DEF as regular economy (in the info bars), even though the display shows it as E+. It also doesn't exclude 21DEF as seats in those info bars (just lists E+ as rows 16A-21L and 22AB, 22KL).

I wonder if 21DEF actually exists, but isn't shown on the graphic, and 22DEF is jammed up against it.

runner450

I won't speak towards planned equipment, but I will say that F cabin inventory has been decreased for all Atlantic & Pacific flying, by equipment type.

-8 for 777, -6 for 767

These changes were effective May 31st of this year for all departure dates beyond May 1st 2018.

EWR764

I think we'll see the Polaris First cabin phased out and the capacity folded back into J, with selective upgrades to the F seats for full fare/GS/1K as needed. By May 2018, the 747s will be gone, the 14 3-cabin 767s should be converted to Polaris, and the Polaris retrofit program for the 3-cabin 777s should be well underway.