Premium Plus (Premium Economy) seats and Experience
Jan 2, 2019, 4:15 pm
#136
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: 66,856
Jan 10, 2019, 9:23 am
#137
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT/NY
Programs: UA 1K/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 6,020
Flew in Premium Plus on the 787-10 from LAX-EWR yesterday. The seating configuration is 2-3-2, with 3 rows of PP seating. I switched from an E+ aisle seat to PP middle seat just to try out the product - figuring that it's only 4.5 hours of suffering in case of any issues.
Pluses
Pluses
- For the premium transcon flight, the business class headset was provided (and there's a good reason why - see minuses), along with a blanket that's better than the gauze blanket. No pillows.
- The TV screen is significantly larger than standard economy screen.
- Unlike some reported instances in the 773, I did not have any issue with the legrest. In fact, I used it most of the way, and it was comfortable.
- The deeper recline was nice, along with seat cushioning.
- While there is a galley separating Polaris and PP, along with 2 lavatories that technically belonging to the Polaris class (the curtain is behind the lavatory), most people in PE used those 2 lavatories instead of going all the way back to the back of the plane.
- There needs to be a manual explaining all the functions of the seat. For example, the seat tray requires you to flip a switch upwards, as opposed to pushing a button, for release. It was not intuitive. This is even more imperative since the FAs were also not trained on the new seat and functions.
- The seat was narrower than standard domestic first class seat or old barcaloungers, and it's probably similar to the IPTE seats on the 767.
- The power and headphone plugs are located within the alcove underneath the armrest. It's almost impossible to plug in any items without getting out of the seat. On the positive side, once the plug is in, there is a small slot on the side of the seat to store a phone or tablet for charging.
- The side remote control does not come out of the seat, or at least the one for my seat did not. Therefore, you might be relying mainly on the on-screen control for everything.
- This may be specific for Ship #1001 , but the plane is equipped with a dual plug for headphones, with 1 long prong and 1 short prong. While the standard plug worked for music, it did not work for movies. And since most 1-to-2 plugs adapters have 2 standard sized prongs, this means that you can't use your own headphone to watch movies. I am guessing this was a programming issue and can be fixed.
Last edited by PTahCha; Jan 10, 2019 at 10:42 am
Jan 10, 2019, 10:25 am
#138
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: DEN / SEA
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 132
Flew in Premium Plus on the 787-10 from LAX-EWR yesterday. The seating configuration is 2-3-2, with 3 rows of PP seating. I switched from an E+ aisle seat to PP middle seat just to try out the product - figuring that it's only 4.5 hours of suffering in case of any issues.
Pluses
Minuses
Pluses
- For the premium transcon flight, the business class headset was provided (and there's a good reason why - see minuses), along with a blanket that's better than the gauze blanket. No pillows.
- The TV screen is significantly larger than standard economy screen.
- Unlike some reported instances in the 773, I did not have any issue with the legrest. In fact, I used it most of the way, and it was comfortable.
- The deeper recline was nice, along with seat cushioning.
- While there is a galley separating Polaris and PP, along with 2 lavatories that technically belonging to the Polaris class (the curtain is behind the lavatory), most people in PE used those 2 lavatories instead of going all the way back to the back of the plane.
Minuses
- There needs to be a manual explaining all the functions of the seat. For example, the seat tray requires you to flip a switch upwards, as opposed to pushing a button, for release. It was not intuitive.
- The seat was narrower than standard domestic first class seat or old barcaloungers, and it's probably similar to the IPTE seats on the 767.
- The power and headphone plugs are located within the alcove underneath the armrest. It's almost impossible to plug in any items without getting out of the seat. On the positive side, once the plug is in, there is a small slot on the side of the seat to store a phone or tablet for charging.
- The side remote control does not come out of the seat, or at least the one for my seat did not. Therefore, you might be relying mainly on the on-screen control for everything.
- This may be specific for Ship #1001 , but the plane is equipped with a dual plug for headphones, with 1 long prong and 1 short prong. While the standard plug worked for music, it did not work for movies. And since most 1-to-2 plugs adapters have 2 standard sized prongs, this means that you can't use your own headphone to watch movies. I am guessing this was a programming issue and can be fixed.
The seat is supposed to be 2" wider and 4" more recline but it is hard to translate these numbers to see how much difference all that actually makes.
Jan 13, 2019, 9:32 pm
#139
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
Barring an aircraft swap my SFO-HKG flight this week looks like it will have PP and that is currently where I have selected my seat
Would those that have flown it say it is better for fly PP or E+ with an open middle seat beside you (aisle seats in both cases) as at the moment there are some open on the seatmap
Thanks
Would those that have flown it say it is better for fly PP or E+ with an open middle seat beside you (aisle seats in both cases) as at the moment there are some open on the seatmap
Thanks
Jan 15, 2019, 10:49 am
#140
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, IHG Silver, Hilton Silver, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite, Avis PC
Posts: 1,295
Barring an aircraft swap my SFO-HKG flight this week looks like it will have PP and that is currently where I have selected my seat
Would those that have flown it say it is better for fly PP or E+ with an open middle seat beside you (aisle seats in both cases) as at the moment there are some open on the seatmap
Thanks
Would those that have flown it say it is better for fly PP or E+ with an open middle seat beside you (aisle seats in both cases) as at the moment there are some open on the seatmap
Thanks
Jan 18, 2019, 6:49 pm
#141
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Where to sit 772?
Gonna give PP a try EWR-CDG on March 30 (Day 1) and the cabin is wide open. Other than avoiding the middle section, any seat recommendations? Bulkhead seats appear to be better with a combo leg rest and footrest, while non-bulkhead only have a footrest. Is bulkhead the way to go?
Last edited by elitefreak; Jan 18, 2019 at 7:38 pm
Jan 18, 2019, 7:37 pm
#142
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
On our last flight from Asia in December, we got a Polarized plane. During the flight, my wife sat for a few minutes in different seats in the Premium Plus section. She stated that she would choose a bulkhead seat due to the big space in front of it.
Jan 19, 2019, 3:53 am
#144
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
I'm planning a trip to Paris this summer and will likely book PP on the return. Currently, there's a 787-10 between EWR and CDG and a 777-200 between IAD and CDG. I noticed a few small differences:
787-10 is in a 2-3-2 configuration with 38" pitch, 6" of recline, and 19" width
777-200 is in 2-4-2 configuration with 38" pitch, 6" of recline, and 18.5" width
I wonder if 1/2" inch in width is noticeable.
787-10 is in a 2-3-2 configuration with 38" pitch, 6" of recline, and 19" width
777-200 is in 2-4-2 configuration with 38" pitch, 6" of recline, and 18.5" width
I wonder if 1/2" inch in width is noticeable.
Jan 19, 2019, 4:03 am
#145
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
Gonna give PP a try EWR-CDG on March 30 (Day 1) and the cabin is wide open. Other than avoiding the middle section, any seat recommendations? Bulkhead seats appear to be better with a combo leg rest and footrest, while non-bulkhead only have a footrest. Is bulkhead the way to go?
Jan 19, 2019, 4:13 am
#146
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
For a data point I was moved from a PP seat I chose for months on the 77W to row 35e+ when we officially were getting a 77W a few days before flight. I switched back to 21K in the middle row of PP; an aisle seat on the far right pair of 2.
i gotta saw it wasn’t bad I am 6’3” and 260lbs and I was comfortable. It would be great for a couple, overall a little smaller than domestic first but manageable.
I actually used the footrest rest for the first time ever (as they usually don’t cater to tall guys) only negative my right foot hit some bar under the seat in front but I moved it a bit and it was fine.
Audio jack was not in the best spot I had to keep unplugging my headphones to get up each time to use the washroom.
Obviosuly didn’t get the PP soft product as it wasn’t for sale yet but I like the smaller cabin feel and overall had a good flight for economy.
I thought about this during the flight and I’d be comfortable paying 200 bucks more each way for PP but no more.
I am unsure if I’d spend a GPU on this I’d much rather fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday with an upgrade to Polaris than a Friday in PP.
Jan 19, 2019, 6:36 am
#147
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
FIrst time on B77W
I took NRT-IAD flight today. I ended on a middle-section aisle seat on the first row. My original seat was a middle seat on the second row. After about 6 hours, my butt began to feel hurt. I put additional support on the seat to survive the 12 hour journey.
Positive impressions:
1) the aisle seat can become wider after lowering the arm rest (additional 2-3 inches);
2) tray table can be easily pull out and stored;
3) controls for seat recline and footrest are easy to use;
4) the seatback screen is bigger than in Economy cabin.
5) footrests other than the first row are nice.
Less favorite impressions:
1) seat cushion
2) video/audio/light controls
3) footrest on the first row (cannot extend forward much)
4) pulling out the video screen on the first row is not easy.
Finally, will I pay for these seats? I might do it with GPU on the lowly G fare.
Positive impressions:
1) the aisle seat can become wider after lowering the arm rest (additional 2-3 inches);
2) tray table can be easily pull out and stored;
3) controls for seat recline and footrest are easy to use;
4) the seatback screen is bigger than in Economy cabin.
5) footrests other than the first row are nice.
Less favorite impressions:
1) seat cushion
2) video/audio/light controls
3) footrest on the first row (cannot extend forward much)
4) pulling out the video screen on the first row is not easy.
Finally, will I pay for these seats? I might do it with GPU on the lowly G fare.
By the way, my butt hurted after 5-6 hours, which was not even a half way point to TPE.
Last edited by Kmxu; Jan 19, 2019 at 7:02 am
Jan 19, 2019, 9:21 pm
#148
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
Jan 22, 2019, 10:26 pm
#149
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
sorry the bulkhead row legrest I believe would be too short for tall people, like most ones I have seen on planes that are connected to the seat
the second and third row they are not connected to your seat but come down from the seat in front so your big feet and legs and go over-top of them
the second and third row they are not connected to your seat but come down from the seat in front so your big feet and legs and go over-top of them