UA to HNL aircraft / seat type question
Feb 13, 2019, 4:41 pm
#1
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UA to HNL aircraft / seat type question
We are planning a trip this summer: IAH to HNL. There is one nonstop out of IAH each day and many flights connecting through LAX, SFO, DEN, and ORD. (Rule out ORD.)
We want to go in FC seats. Most of the flights, including the nonstop from IAH use 777s with that gawdawful 2/4/2 seating. There are are also a couple of 757s and 737s with standard FC seats rather than the "pods" on the 777. For a 5.5 hour flight from the west coast, the standard FC seats may be fine. Are the 777 seats worth scheduling around, even if we can get the two aisle/window seats? We've never sat in the 777 FC configuration. Seems strange to be sitting face to face with a stranger, or is there some degree of privacy?
Thanks.
We want to go in FC seats. Most of the flights, including the nonstop from IAH use 777s with that gawdawful 2/4/2 seating. There are are also a couple of 757s and 737s with standard FC seats rather than the "pods" on the 777. For a 5.5 hour flight from the west coast, the standard FC seats may be fine. Are the 777 seats worth scheduling around, even if we can get the two aisle/window seats? We've never sat in the 777 FC configuration. Seems strange to be sitting face to face with a stranger, or is there some degree of privacy?
Thanks.
Feb 13, 2019, 4:47 pm
#2
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You're not really staring face-to-face, although if you're in the aisle, you can probably see the person in the next row's opposite aisle seat. Immediately in front of you is your in-flight entertainment screen. If you're in 1A, you're not going to see the person in 2A unless one of you is standing.
The 2-4-2 configuration isn't nearly as bad as its made out to be. I'd take that over two recliner seats any day.
The 2-4-2 configuration isn't nearly as bad as its made out to be. I'd take that over two recliner seats any day.
Feb 13, 2019, 5:01 pm
#3
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As jsloan notes, the only awkward staring is across the aisle (2B can see 2D in the face). It's not that bad of a configuration; it's just vastly inferior to more modern lie-flat business seats. I would happily take a 2-block on the 77G, and would even choose a middle seat alone on a nonstop instead of connecting on 737s.
Feb 13, 2019, 5:26 pm
#4
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I don't think any of the non-middle seats are so bad for that flight. They are better than the old 2-4-2. I do think the middle ones are weird because there is only a low and thin separation between them - they are nicely separated from the aisle seats but it feels as though only couples or close friends should be in the two middle seats.
Feb 13, 2019, 9:23 pm
#5
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Last summer I flew on a 737 "Max" from HNL-LAX in row 1. Least amount of legroom of any FC seat I've had in years. Never again. My $0.02
Last month flew HA LAX-HNL-LAX and got a round-trip ticket in F with lay-flats for $1100. I liked the HA service better. Food in HA F was far better than UA F.
I prefer the 777 pods to the 757s F seats, but UA seems to have them on & off from LAX-HNL-LAX.
Last month flew HA LAX-HNL-LAX and got a round-trip ticket in F with lay-flats for $1100. I liked the HA service better. Food in HA F was far better than UA F.
I prefer the 777 pods to the 757s F seats, but UA seems to have them on & off from LAX-HNL-LAX.
Feb 13, 2019, 9:53 pm
#6
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For two passengers, assuming you can get a side pair, the 772 is a nice ride in F. Light years better than the domestic F recliner.
The issue with the 772 seat is not that you face other pax, but the 2-4-2 configuration and narrowness of the seat.
The issue with the 772 seat is not that you face other pax, but the 2-4-2 configuration and narrowness of the seat.
Feb 14, 2019, 8:32 am
#7
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While narrow, they're not as narrow as domestic F.
Feb 14, 2019, 8:41 am
#8
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To fit 8 across, the seats are indeed narrower than just about every domestic F seat. The 772 seat to Hawaii is 19" wide with paltry armrest width. Both these lend to the "sardine can" feel. The domestic recliner F configurations to Hawaii range in width from 20 to 20.5 width with far more substantial armrest width. The ONLY advantage to the 772 is the lie-flat length-wise.
Feb 14, 2019, 8:49 am
#9
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I've taken them from ORD and they are okay if you can grab a set of the two outer seats. It's not cutting edge, but it's still lie flat on a nonstop. I would take that over almost any other US3 configuration that includes a stop.
Feb 14, 2019, 9:37 am
#10
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I like the 772 seat - and an 8 hour flight means lie flat is a major advantage - also the recline and ability to put your feet up. You also forgot the large entertainment screen not available on regular F seats which is much better, in my opinion to holding an ipad and using the tray table for your laptop.
Feb 14, 2019, 9:43 am
#11
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It's a very comfortable seat if you can get past the no personal space and no direct aisle access issues. For pure seating comfort, I've never flown a better J seat. Now whether that outweighs the negatives is a different question . . . .
Feb 14, 2019, 10:14 am
#12
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I'm actually conflicted by the choice between recliner F and coach on redeyes from Hawaii. On either, I'll take a window so I can lean against wall. It's actually more comfortable in coach since the seat is closer to the wall, but I can't resist an upgrade for reasons I can't understand. I don't have the burger or salad or whatever and the only drink I have is a Bailey's on ice as a PDB.
Feb 14, 2019, 10:26 am
#13
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I will take the sardine can seat for a redeye over a recliner. Was just pointing out that the seat is, in fact, narrower, not wider (as suggested) than domestic F seats.
I'm actually conflicted by the choice between recliner F and coach on redeyes from Hawaii. On either, I'll take a window so I can lean against wall. It's actually more comfortable in coach since the seat is closer to the wall, but I can't resist an upgrade for reasons I can't understand. I don't have the burger or salad or whatever and the only drink I have is a Bailey's on ice as a PDB.
I'm actually conflicted by the choice between recliner F and coach on redeyes from Hawaii. On either, I'll take a window so I can lean against wall. It's actually more comfortable in coach since the seat is closer to the wall, but I can't resist an upgrade for reasons I can't understand. I don't have the burger or salad or whatever and the only drink I have is a Bailey's on ice as a PDB.
ps!
Feb 14, 2019, 11:33 am
#15
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