Premium Plus (Premium Economy) seats and Experience
#601
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
BULKHEAD OR NON-BULKHEAD
I have BH seats booked on an upcoming SFO HKG flight and based on the comments from various posts here, I gather that:
PROS
1. No one reclines into you.
2. LOTS of legroom.
CONS
1. IFE screen is smaller and the device is placed at an awkward position.
2. Leg rest is not functional or not comfortable.
3. No under seat storage for takeoff and landing.
Does anyone have anything else to add? For those of you who have traveled on a BH seat, would you do it again? Or would you prefer a non-BH seat?
Thanks in advance.
I have BH seats booked on an upcoming SFO HKG flight and based on the comments from various posts here, I gather that:
PROS
1. No one reclines into you.
2. LOTS of legroom.
CONS
1. IFE screen is smaller and the device is placed at an awkward position.
2. Leg rest is not functional or not comfortable.
3. No under seat storage for takeoff and landing.
Does anyone have anything else to add? For those of you who have traveled on a BH seat, would you do it again? Or would you prefer a non-BH seat?
Thanks in advance.
#602
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
Yes but does vary based on aircraft type
Depends on passenger
Yes because I did not find the cons as problematic as some. And as I tend to an aisle seat, I like the window person is able to exit without me needing to move (much).
Depends on passenger
Yes because I did not find the cons as problematic as some. And as I tend to an aisle seat, I like the window person is able to exit without me needing to move (much).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 7, 2019 at 11:13 am Reason: typo
#604
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
BULKHEAD OR NON-BULKHEAD
I have BH seats booked on an upcoming SFO HKG flight and based on the comments from various posts here, I gather that:
PROS
1. No one reclines into you.
2. LOTS of legroom.
CONS
1. IFE screen is smaller and the device is placed at an awkward position.
2. Leg rest is not functional or not comfortable.
3. No under seat storage for takeoff and landing.
Does anyone have anything else to add? For those of you who have traveled on a BH seat, would you do it again? Or would you prefer a non-BH seat?
Thanks in advance.
I have BH seats booked on an upcoming SFO HKG flight and based on the comments from various posts here, I gather that:
PROS
1. No one reclines into you.
2. LOTS of legroom.
CONS
1. IFE screen is smaller and the device is placed at an awkward position.
2. Leg rest is not functional or not comfortable.
3. No under seat storage for takeoff and landing.
Does anyone have anything else to add? For those of you who have traveled on a BH seat, would you do it again? Or would you prefer a non-BH seat?
Thanks in advance.
And if you are tall, the flip-out footrest in BH is better than the pegs in non-BH.
I find that the non-BH is more claustrophobic and there's not as much space if you want to contort yourself, cross your legs, etc.
I had no issue with the smaller popup video screen.
If I was on, say a return from EU, I would probably pick a non BH aisle because the video experience is a bit better and easier.
#606
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 748
As a follow up to my postings a week or so ago, I also enjoyed PP on my way home from HKG to EWR. After experiencing 20A from EWR to HKG, I grabbed it again when I had the chance. My original booking had been for 21B because I thought I'd try the non-BH row to see how it was, but I changed my mind. I'm 6'2" and my feet couldn't touch the BH wall, even if stretched out completely. This made getting past my neighbor very easy. I'm normally an aisle guy but with how easy it is to exit, I'll take the window/wall for ease of rest if I can get BH.
I mentioned the heel killer hinge and took a picture. This ONLY applies to BH seats:
This was the gluten free meal (GFML) HKG-EWR. Chicken and rice, a salad with cubed carrots and slice of salmon, crummy gluten free bread, and ANOTHER half-filled glass of wine. At least they filled it more than this on the two refills.
I mentioned the heel killer hinge and took a picture. This ONLY applies to BH seats:
This was the gluten free meal (GFML) HKG-EWR. Chicken and rice, a salad with cubed carrots and slice of salmon, crummy gluten free bread, and ANOTHER half-filled glass of wine. At least they filled it more than this on the two refills.
#607
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
As a follow up to my postings a week or so ago, I also enjoyed PP on my way home from HKG to EWR. After experiencing 20A from EWR to HKG, I grabbed it again when I had the chance. My original booking had been for 21B because I thought I'd try the non-BH row to see how it was, but I changed my mind. I'm 6'2" and my feet couldn't touch the BH wall, even if stretched out completely. This made getting past my neighbor very easy. I'm normally an aisle guy but with how easy it is to exit, I'll take the window/wall for ease of rest if I can get BH.
I mentioned the heel killer hinge and took a picture. This ONLY applies to BH seats:
This was the gluten free meal (GFML) HKG-EWR. Chicken and rice, a salad with cubed carrots and slice of salmon, crummy gluten free bread, and ANOTHER half-filled glass of wine. At least they filled it more than this on the two refills.
I mentioned the heel killer hinge and took a picture. This ONLY applies to BH seats:
This was the gluten free meal (GFML) HKG-EWR. Chicken and rice, a salad with cubed carrots and slice of salmon, crummy gluten free bread, and ANOTHER half-filled glass of wine. At least they filled it more than this on the two refills.
#608
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 748
#609
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montrose, CO
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 548
Recently flew BCN-EWR in Premium Plus. Was mostly a great experience except for the mass confusion over toilets and drink service. Some of the Polaris FAs were policing the toilets and rejected PP passengers and some were not. I wouldn't mind so much but it was inconsistent and many Y passengers were even coming through PP to use the Polaris bathroom. At one point in the flight we asked for more drinks and were told to use the call button, only to have the exact same FA come and attend to us! Are they somehow rewarded for responding to the call button quickly?
I wonder if it is Polaris Light or Economy Plus? Since it is officially called Premium Plus and Economy Plus is already taken I tend to think of it as an old school business class and therefore Polaris Light.
I would fly it again for sure but would hope the soft product is improved and consistent.
I wonder if it is Polaris Light or Economy Plus? Since it is officially called Premium Plus and Economy Plus is already taken I tend to think of it as an old school business class and therefore Polaris Light.
I would fly it again for sure but would hope the soft product is improved and consistent.
#610
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
I believe UA is intending it to be Economy Plus Plus vs Polaris light.
#611
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montrose, CO
Programs: United 1K MM, Marriott LTPP
Posts: 548
I think you are right but it is a bit of a shame, because with the exception of the attitude from the FA's it really was close to Polaris Light. However, if E++ keeps the price lower then I will take it!
#612
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA lifetime gold; Hilton Gold; Marriott/SPG Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,954
I always makes me upset that the GF meal in business, PE and even when when UA had First class international is the same as regular coach meal with a little extra.
On the other hand Air Canada, LH and KLM makes an effort to serve a better Gluten Free experience in flight
LH first class was the best, followed by Jetblue Mint.
#614
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 748
The middle bulkhead can be used as a path for FAs or passengers but there is enough room that a few trips during the flight might be worth it to have so much extra legroom. I enjoyed 20A very much because of the legroom...it would be a tough call for me to choose between 22D and 20E. For both 21 and 22 the seat legs in front of you will end up between your feet. It's somewhat awkward (you can't cross your feet) but legroom is still more than E+.
#615
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
The middle bulkhead can be used as a path for FAs or passengers but there is enough room that a few trips during the flight might be worth it to have so much extra legroom. I enjoyed 20A very much because of the legroom...it would be a tough call for me to choose between 22D and 20E. For both 21 and 22 the seat legs in front of you will end up between your feet. It's somewhat awkward (you can't cross your feet) but legroom is still more than E+.