United vs Alaska (formerly VX) transcon?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: PHL suburbs/NYC/WAS
Programs: AAdvantage (Gold), DL SM, UA MP (Silver)
Posts: 27
United vs Alaska (formerly VX) transcon?
Hello all,
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. My company is paying for me to go on a flight from EWR to LAX, so I get no FF miles. I am going to be flying in premium class (AS) or E+ (UA). Which airline (AS or UA) is better on this route. Also, which airline has a better in-flight experience? I have tried to find reviews, but none are very helpful. Also, which one has better service in case of IRROPs? But, most importantly does the A320 or 752 have better seat arrangements?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum. My company is paying for me to go on a flight from EWR to LAX, so I get no FF miles. I am going to be flying in premium class (AS) or E+ (UA). Which airline (AS or UA) is better on this route. Also, which airline has a better in-flight experience? I have tried to find reviews, but none are very helpful. Also, which one has better service in case of IRROPs? But, most importantly does the A320 or 752 have better seat arrangements?
#2
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist, Virtuoso Travel Agent, Commercial Pilot
Posts: 2,117
Edit: Oops - answered the wrong question initially.
For Premium Economy, VX/AS Main Cabin Select beats UA by a bit because the in-flight entertainment is a bit better (since you can have pretty much as much as you want), and I think that the complementary food and alcohol is a bit better. Having said that, UA has much more schedule density so they'll have more opportunity to take care of you in IRROPS. VX/AS also only has Main Cabin Select in bulkheads and exit rows, which I generally try to avoid, so I generally prefer the Economy Plus seating locations on UA.
For Premium Economy, VX/AS Main Cabin Select beats UA by a bit because the in-flight entertainment is a bit better (since you can have pretty much as much as you want), and I think that the complementary food and alcohol is a bit better. Having said that, UA has much more schedule density so they'll have more opportunity to take care of you in IRROPS. VX/AS also only has Main Cabin Select in bulkheads and exit rows, which I generally try to avoid, so I generally prefer the Economy Plus seating locations on UA.
#3
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,576
There is no fundamental reason you should not earn mileage credit unless your employer explicitly does something. Mileage credit goes to the flyer, not the purchaser (again unless your employer makes you "turn over" the mileage).
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: PHL suburbs/NYC/WAS
Programs: AAdvantage (Gold), DL SM, UA MP (Silver)
Posts: 27
My bad, typically I purchase UA E+ for myself. I have a new job that requires me to go to conferences a few times a year and this will be my first one so I didn't know that.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 621
If I were OP, I'd go with UA in E+, and hope for a $309 OW upgrade to P. Even if the upgrade isn't available, the UA flight would still be my choice. UA P on that route is much better than VX F, in my opinion.
#7
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,284
If it's a VX plane (a320/321), I'd book that, but UA definitely has the edge in terms of IRROPS.
I'd still give this one to VX/AS though. If I'm not in first, Row 3 on those VX planes is pretty great.
I'd still give this one to VX/AS though. If I'm not in first, Row 3 on those VX planes is pretty great.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,329
Transcon E+ routes (EWR-LAX/SFO, BOS-SFO) on UA come with a hot meal as complementary.
Transcon routes are all Airbus fleet AFAIK, inherited by AS from VX.
Last edited by Repooc17; Mar 11, 2018 at 5:06 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,123
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,329
I meant the transcon between EWR <-> LAX (thread topic). That's VX so all Airbuses.
For the entire transcon route network between AS/VX, with the exception of EWR-SEA route, the rest of AS routes are all 1x daily (for most of the year - PDX, SAN, SJC). On the other hand, VX transcon routes from EWR and JFK to SFO and LAX are at a min. of 2x daily (weekends) and up to 4x a given weekday, if I recall correctly.
For the entire transcon route network between AS/VX, with the exception of EWR-SEA route, the rest of AS routes are all 1x daily (for most of the year - PDX, SAN, SJC). On the other hand, VX transcon routes from EWR and JFK to SFO and LAX are at a min. of 2x daily (weekends) and up to 4x a given weekday, if I recall correctly.
Last edited by Repooc17; Mar 11, 2018 at 5:46 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,299
#12
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I rather enjoy the bulkhead MCS seats in row 3 with a tray table that slides up and out of the bulkhead instead of the typical armrest configuration. 100% miles based on distance, plus the elite multiplier (125% in my case in economy), make it work.
#13
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Here's a screen shot from a few months back, though the offerings have changed a little and won't perfectly match this screen. There's separate screens for snacks (brownie bits, nut mix, chips) and drinks.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,238
If you can avoid United, do. Despite all the claims above about "IRROPS" being better on United, keep in mind:
1) they're more likely to occur on United
2) you're more likely to encounter nasty, surly, and utterly unhelpful agents and employees on United when you try to fix it.
3) United is more likely to claim that a mechanical or other problem that was their fault, was actually due to circumstances beyond their control. So you the passenger are screwed.
Take it from a United GS member (just about the highest status you can have on United), I've often gotten lame treatment on United in "IRROPS," e.g. agents who didn't want to rebook on the best alternative because a cheaper fare class wasn't available.
1) they're more likely to occur on United
2) you're more likely to encounter nasty, surly, and utterly unhelpful agents and employees on United when you try to fix it.
3) United is more likely to claim that a mechanical or other problem that was their fault, was actually due to circumstances beyond their control. So you the passenger are screwed.
Take it from a United GS member (just about the highest status you can have on United), I've often gotten lame treatment on United in "IRROPS," e.g. agents who didn't want to rebook on the best alternative because a cheaper fare class wasn't available.
#15
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,576
If on time is your objective, VX operations has not been a wise choice.
Source: BTS Air Travel Consumer Reports
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Mar 11, 2018 at 10:55 pm Reason: attached bts report