Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Update 2017: United p.s. is now called Transcontinental Service. This service is available on flights between EWR<>LAX, EWR<>SFO, and BOS<>SFO.
Cross Country Comfort: Introducing United Airlines New Transcontinental Service
The first PS flights to/from EWR started 25 Oct 2015
E+ passengers -- hot meals and drinks included
Aircraft 757-200
Original config 28 lieflat BF / 42 E+ / 72 E-
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 757-200 (pmUA Domestic and p.s.)
Re-purposed TATL config 16 lieflat BF / 45 E+ / 108 E-
Consolidated "Seats on International 757"
other lie-flat aircraft will be used on the route, such as
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on 777-200 HD (28BF,102E+,234E-)
Everything you want to know about where to sit on the 787-10
FAQs
Are all flights on these routes lie-flat, etc?
Yes -- all non-stop flights from SFO/LAX to/from EWR and SFO<>BOS are configured as such regardless of aircraft used. All scheduled aircraft have a lie-flat premium cabin.
Are these CPU-eligible flights?
No -- no CPU on these flights. It will take RPU/GPU/mileage+copays to upgrade. Generally, these are "hard" upgrades.
Are TODs / Cash upgrades offered?
Yes, $298 cash OW upgrades are regularly offered.
Archive: Premium Transcon Service SFO-EWR/BOS, LAX-EWR flights-Questions&Experiences {Archive}
Cross Country Comfort: Introducing United Airlines New Transcontinental Service
Originally Posted by United POLARIS FAQ
How does the switch to United Polaris affect United p.s. Premium Service transcontinental flights?
On December 1, 2016, BusinessFirst service on p.s. transcontinental routes became United Business, and now features our custom Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and duvet. Previous p.s. features did not change other than the new bedding.
On December 1, 2016, BusinessFirst service on p.s. transcontinental routes became United Business, and now features our custom Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and duvet. Previous p.s. features did not change other than the new bedding.
United offers transcontinental travelers the features and comfort of long-haul international flights. Customers enjoy modern aircraft interiors with all-new seats, inflight Wi-Fi, free personal on-demand entertainment at every seat, in-seat power and USB ports.
United also provides:
* Premier Access check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling;
* United Club access;
* up to 6 feet, 4 inches of sleeping space in a 180-degree flat-bed seat; and
* pre-departure beverages, hot towel service, multi-course meals and a pre-arrival snack.
United also provides:
* Premier Access check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling;
* United Club access;
* up to 6 feet, 4 inches of sleeping space in a 180-degree flat-bed seat; and
* pre-departure beverages, hot towel service, multi-course meals and a pre-arrival snack.
Travelers in Economy Plus on our premium transcontinental flights now enjoy more than just extra legroom theyll also receive a complimentary hot entre, fruit and dessert, as well as their choice of free alcoholic beverages, including our featured cocktail and more.
Original config 28 lieflat BF / 42 E+ / 72 E-
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 757-200 (pmUA Domestic and p.s.)
Re-purposed TATL config 16 lieflat BF / 45 E+ / 108 E-
Consolidated "Seats on International 757"
other lie-flat aircraft will be used on the route, such as
Everything You Wanted to Know About Where to Sit on 777-200 HD (28BF,102E+,234E-)
Everything you want to know about where to sit on the 787-10
FAQs
Are all flights on these routes lie-flat, etc?
Yes -- all non-stop flights from SFO/LAX to/from EWR and SFO<>BOS are configured as such regardless of aircraft used. All scheduled aircraft have a lie-flat premium cabin.
Are these CPU-eligible flights?
No -- no CPU on these flights. It will take RPU/GPU/mileage+copays to upgrade. Generally, these are "hard" upgrades.
Are TODs / Cash upgrades offered?
Yes, $298 cash OW upgrades are regularly offered.
Archive: Premium Transcon Service SFO-EWR/BOS, LAX-EWR flights-Questions&Experiences {Archive}
Premium Transcon Service SFO-EWR/BOS, LAX-EWR flights-Questions&Experiences {Archive}
#676
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,068
Getting a bit off-topic, but I've never been on a PS plane that was as shabby and dirty as an Alitalia EWR->FCO a few years ago. (Although the food was incredible: three different pastas served from an aisle cart.)
#677
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 234
How do I know I'm booking a p.s. flight?
So I'm on round 3 of booking a flight via EWR that doesn't get complimentary upgrades because it's p.s. Ok, I'm unlikely to get upgraded anyway, but it's annoying to have no idea until check-in that it's not even possible. These are not the old style where there's no E-, so I don't know how to tell. Is everything SFO-EWR p.s. these days?
#678
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,347
So I'm on round 3 of booking a flight via EWR that doesn't get complimentary upgrades because it's p.s. Ok, I'm unlikely to get upgraded anyway, but it's annoying to have no idea until check-in that it's not even possible. These are not the old style where there's no E-, so I don't know how to tell. Is everything SFO-EWR p.s. these days?
LAX, too, and visa versa.
#679
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
#680
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
The LX 340s are doing 12 hour turns back and forth from SFO. So half as many boardings, but equally used.
#681
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,068
Interestingly, sometimes the flight crews don't even know they're working a ps flight. This was the case on a two-class 777 flying EWR->LAX on July 29. I was chatting with very nice FSC/purser, and I said something about how the ps flights are really nice, and she said, "PS? What's that?" I explained, and she was interested to hear about it. This was an international pmCO flight crew, so not so surprising they weren't aware of ps.
#682
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 841
My impression, as an outside observer (I don't fly transcons, seeing as how I live in the middle of the country), is that UA seems to be deemphasizing "ps" branding, and just offering lie-flat J with some international standards for on-board service up front.
Moving from JFK to EWR was part of that (and I realize there were competitive / financial considerations for making the move). When the remaining ex-UA 752s retire, I'd be surprised if they are replaced by a domestic narrowbody with lie-flats. Either they will use more of the HD 777s, or. If they do get new narrowbodies, they will probably be something like the A321LR for use similar to the ex-CO 752s (short TATL, plus EWR-west coast transcons).
Moving from JFK to EWR was part of that (and I realize there were competitive / financial considerations for making the move). When the remaining ex-UA 752s retire, I'd be surprised if they are replaced by a domestic narrowbody with lie-flats. Either they will use more of the HD 777s, or. If they do get new narrowbodies, they will probably be something like the A321LR for use similar to the ex-CO 752s (short TATL, plus EWR-west coast transcons).
#683
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Posts: 337
So the mobile app and web site still show the possible CPU upgrade until check in? That should be a really easy IT fix (at least for anyone that is not UA IT).
#685
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
You are right. And the same goes for lounges. Those chairs and upholstery take a beating, but the good airlines are proactive about replacing the upholstery regularly. It is simply a cost issue. Other airlines take the decision to spend the money to have a good clean product. UA doesn't invest quite as much per seat/airplane/lounge.
#686
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LA
Programs: UA MM | BA Ag
Posts: 7,188
When the remaining ex-UA 752s retire, I'd be surprised if they are replaced by a domestic narrowbody with lie-flats. Either they will use more of the HD 777s, or. If they do get new narrowbodies, they will probably be something like the A321LR for use similar to the ex-CO 752s (short TATL, plus EWR-west coast transcons).
#687
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,953
Aren't both of those birds pretty old? I do hope that UA is thinking about their next-gen premium TCON offering...anything NYC-LAX/SFO is getting pretty competitive in terms of products these days. If they could figure out a way to get Polaris on an A321, that would be great...
#688
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,110
Aren't both of those birds pretty old? I do hope that UA is thinking about their next-gen premium TCON offering...anything NYC-LAX/SFO is getting pretty competitive in terms of products these days. If they could figure out a way to get Polaris on an A321, that would be great...
#689
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,291
No idea what the fleet plan is, but that would seem to be a good fit for the route, particularly since they're converting all the 763s to two-class. IIRC, SFO-JFK used to be primarily a 767 route before they came up with the "premium" 752 concept.
#690
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
The 757s are in need of refurb, based on the three experiences that I've had over the summer from EWR to SFO in J and proactive maintenance/cleaning would definitely improve the cabin. That said, the three flights I have taken with them this summer have all been pretty nice, soft-product-wise. At least the FAs have been keeping the beverage glass re-filled ^ I've got another r/t to SFO on the 19th; 'gotta remember to snap a few photos.