787-1 vs.. Disparity between seat map and plane type at check-in?
Feb 15, 2019, 10:36 am
#1
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787-1 vs.. Disparity between seat map and plane type at check-in?
Flying EWR-SFO tomorrow in the 781 (booked it expressly for that purpose, as I wanted to see the new transcon biz, and don't normally fly out of EWR). When I checked in online this morning, I was surprised (and very disturbed) to see the 788 listed as the plane type, even though the seatmap looks like the 781. I called UA, and then said to ignore what equipment the web site is telling me at check-in, and that these errors happen all the time.
Interestingly, FlightAware lists it as the "B78X" today, then "781" tomorrow, and "B78X" again on Sunday.
So.. any chance I'm in for a very unhappy surprise?
Interestingly, FlightAware lists it as the "B78X" today, then "781" tomorrow, and "B78X" again on Sunday.
So.. any chance I'm in for a very unhappy surprise?
Feb 15, 2019, 10:54 am
#2
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Flying EWR-SFO tomorrow in the 781 (booked it expressly for that purpose, as I wanted to see the new transcon biz, and don't normally fly out of EWR). When I checked in online this morning, I was surprised (and very disturbed) to see the 788 listed as the plane type, even though the seatmap looks like the 781. I called UA, and then said to ignore what equipment the web site is telling me at check-in, and that these errors happen all the time.
Interestingly, FlightAware lists it as the "B78X" today, then "781" tomorrow, and "B78X" again on Sunday.
So.. any chance I'm in for a very unhappy surprise?
Interestingly, FlightAware lists it as the "B78X" today, then "781" tomorrow, and "B78X" again on Sunday.
So.. any chance I'm in for a very unhappy surprise?
So we have to set our expectations appropriately!
Feb 15, 2019, 11:00 am
#3
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Swaps happen, especially when new types (787-10 is the proper designation) are being introduced. Currently, UA has only four 787-10s flying. As new ones come on line, they are inserted as subs for other types to get them air time (usually domestic) before being introduced into normal rotation. If there is any problem with one of the birds -- and it can be anything from mechanical to ATC to crew, swaps can and will happen.
So we have to set our expectations appropriately!
So we have to set our expectations appropriately!
1) Why does FlightAware list two separate planes (B78X and 781) which are both, supposedly, the 787-10? and
2) Why does the United web site tell me the plane will be the 787-800, even though the seat map is still the 787-10?
and a bonus third question:
3) Should I believe the UA agent who tells me to ignore the equipment type listed on the check-in, and that the plane will indeed be the 787-10?
Feb 15, 2019, 11:05 am
#4
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Where did you see 788 displayed? I see Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft #1002 , along with a 781 seat map. Per the fleet website, that's a 781 -- N17002.
A swap is always possible, but a 781 -> 788 seems really improbable. The 781 is 44J/274Y; the 788 is 36J/183Y. That's a lot of displaced passengers.
FlightAware aircraft identifiers are often like that. It just means that their database doesn't have a specific 787 variant type for the tail number being used today, but that they do have one for the tail used tomorrow.
A swap is always possible, but a 781 -> 788 seems really improbable. The 781 is 44J/274Y; the 788 is 36J/183Y. That's a lot of displaced passengers.
FlightAware aircraft identifiers are often like that. It just means that their database doesn't have a specific 787 variant type for the tail number being used today, but that they do have one for the tail used tomorrow.
Feb 15, 2019, 11:11 am
#5
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I have seen this specific display error on my previous flight. The issue is big enough that the display screens at LAX could not identify the gate assigned even though the flight was boarding.
Feb 15, 2019, 11:12 am
#6
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Well, I can't see what you're seeing on the check in pages. This is what the rest of us can see from United's flight status page:
David
Feb 15, 2019, 2:10 pm
#7
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And the flights EWR-SFO and vv this week have been booked close to 100%. A downgauge of that magnitude would be quite unlikely.
Feb 15, 2019, 2:45 pm
#9
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Yes, a UA rep confirmed to me this is a known issue and they're working on it. Good to know!
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 16, 2019 at 11:50 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Feb 15, 2019, 3:45 pm
#10
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You can also fly 78J to/from LAX. Schedule is changing tomorrow, but there should be at least one daily in each direction. I just came in on one today from LAX.
Feb 15, 2019, 4:45 pm
#11
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At the time that I booked, the EWR-SFO flight was listed as the 787-10, but not for EWR-LAX on that same day. Who knows. I'm actually flying in the 787-10 back direct from LAX-EWR.
Feb 15, 2019, 7:22 pm
#13
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Just to clarify Boeing's naming convention.... the OP asked:
There are three versions of the 787. This link takes you to the Boeing Website where the three models are described.
787-8
787-9
787-10
There is no such thing as a 787-800.
The UA Fleet Website (click on the "87" tab) refers to their internal UA codes as 78V, 78Z, and 78J respectively.
787-8
787-9
787-10
There is no such thing as a 787-800.
The UA Fleet Website (click on the "87" tab) refers to their internal UA codes as 78V, 78Z, and 78J respectively.
Feb 15, 2019, 9:34 pm
#14
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Tell that to UA's IT department! Although I think they obviously mean the 787-8.
Just to clarify Boeing's naming convention.... the OP asked:
There are three versions of the 787. This link takes you to the Boeing Website where the three models are described.
787-8
787-9
787-10
There is no such thing as a 787-800.
The UA Fleet Website (click on the "87" tab) refers to their internal UA codes as 78V, 78Z, and 78J respectively.
There are three versions of the 787. This link takes you to the Boeing Website where the three models are described.
787-8
787-9
787-10
There is no such thing as a 787-800.
The UA Fleet Website (click on the "87" tab) refers to their internal UA codes as 78V, 78Z, and 78J respectively.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 16, 2019 at 11:52 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Feb 15, 2019, 10:31 pm
#15
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The UA Fleet Website (click on the "87" tab) refers to their internal UA codes as 78V, 78Z, and 78J respectively.