I don't see why this should breed any more confusion than UA does calling Business Class "Polaris", or any of the other silly marketing names. All the search engines are quite clear - there are four classes for travel: First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy. Not all classes are offered on all flights and pretty well everyone knows this. I would agree that airlines splitting out their offering within a class (E+, regular E and Basic E) is confusing but that's got nothing to do with PE which is a separate class.

And I very much doubt that the "experiment" will fail - in fact, it's not really an experiment at all since it's been in operation at many major airlines for many years and they've, by and large, been expanding the number of seats in the PE cabin. Furthermore, whilst originally, all the offerings were widely varied, nowadays there seems to be a consensus forming as to what is expected.

That "consensus" would likely not include UA's inferior soft product. As a frequent Polaris flyer, I find that the food and service are poor, and inferior to most of the Asian carriers.
I can't imagine UA spending more to improve them, so I don't see UA rising to the level of the Asian carriers' PE.

I disagree. I think there was more confusion with E+ as many infrequent flyers are aware of PE and thought that was what they were buying with E+. Now there is true PE (or in UA parlance P+) on UA much easier for folks.

As it relates to BE the UA website is very clear about what you are buying. I do not buy through third party websites so cannot speak to that causing confusion.

I love NZ PE and the former TK PE. Obviously J (or Polaris in UA parlance) is preferable for long haul red eyes but a true PE seat for a long haul red eye suits me well for the price. I have previously canceled UA E+ when it was obvious the UG would not occur and flew NZ PE to Australia (last Christmas being the most recent example).

I forsee a great demand for P+ on long haul flights if priced correctly.

If you're referring to me, I have flown the UA PE twice. I find the seat uncomfortable but equal to NH's. I like BR's overall product the best.

The value will really depend on the pricing. It needs to be closer to Y than to J to make sense. With BR, for example, it's only a nominal increase over Y (and upgradeable with miles if you buy the K fare).

If UA prices anywhere close to a W, it will be a very good value to those waitlisting GPUs who have to fly on a specific day.

I really don't see much of a negative here from the passenger's perspective. More options = better, though yes, there's always the possibility for confusion among those who do not take the time to educate themselves.

Today's announcements of the 6 TATL destination for the 787-10 mentions:

"Tickets will be available for purchase on Dec. 3, for travel beginning March 30"

Could be the launch date for selling PE fares ... ? ....
.

Any additional data points on how the 77w seat assignments are handled? I saw one anecdote in the 77w thread that it was reserved to 1k and GS. I have 5 seats (myself and 4 no-status) right now in 20-22, but would much rather have the other 4 seats be in 39 if the seats are going to be shuffled and restricted to 1k/GS.

I too am a fan of NZ PE....Sure, I always put in for UG to J, but if that does NOT clear...well..you still have a pretty decent seat/package.. Interesting that you mention TK because they have actually abandoned PE.... yet NZ has INCREASED the number of seats in that class..... I think its here to stay myself..... and if UA is competitive in price on the TRANSPACS with NZ..yeah..I'll give it a go!

There is a significant market for this.

Premium Economy serves the market that used to fly international Y- the upper middle class. The reason for its existence is that there is now a cattle class offering cut-rate 10-across transoceanic service for the working and middle-middle classes who couldn't fly to Europe or Asia at all back in the old days.

These upper middle class flyers cannot afford to fly J at $4500+ roundtrip. But they want decent service.

Nailed it. These days I'm fortunate enough to not even consider Economy for international flights. I'll happily pay around 2.5x the Economy price for PE. Mainly for legroom/space. Anything else such as better food sweetens the deal. Paying 3-8x over Economy for J is part of out reach, and part just not where I want my money going.

I was just on the SAS A340 and I think it had deviders on both sides. I agree, leg rest worked very well. Food was the Y food, but on China, and with champaign and snacks. But I found the SAS food to be much better than what UA gives in domestic First. I happily ate what SAS served, would not say that about UA's food...

The seat is standard, same seat that DL and AA are using. Not the best PE seat out there, but a major step up from 10x Y :eek:

The "confusion" with E+ appears to be Delta specific. They really ought to be sued for allowing their C+ product to be listed as PE on 3rd party cites. Its just fraud. Delta itself, as does UA, makes clear what you are getting, but Delta messes up iwith third party cites (e.g. Kayak). PE is here to stay, and has been arround for at least 15 years. I took BR PE way back in 2001ish on the old "combi" 744. I think that was my first PE flight. Then took AF and VS the following year. I was also a good option when a case/client would not pay for J....

+1. And I might add that there is a substantial market for this for overseas businesses for whom a J ticket for travel is not going to cut it, or for trips (especially TATL) that are in the 7-8-9 hour range where company policies may not allow J. I have probably taken 20+ business trips in PE, all where a client/case would not support J travel, usually at the last minute. The airlines that got those $1500-2500 fares were far better off with that $$$ and I with a better seat.

So I am #6 on the UG list with two seats available.

Does anyone know the amenities that are provided in P+?

1. Earphones?
2. Alcohol?
3. Pillow?
4. Blanket?

Thank you.