Jul 6, 2019, 9:31 pm
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 — they’ll also receive a complimentary hot entrée, 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}
Aug 2, 2016, 11:43 am
#691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
767 is a small fraction of DL's TCON capacity, and their overall frequency on the NYC-LA/SF routes is pretty thin compared to UA.
Aug 2, 2016, 11:58 am
#692
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NYC suburbs
Programs: UA LT Gold (BIS), AA LT Plat (CC SUBs & BD), Hilton Dia (CC), Hyatt Glob (BIB), et. al.
Posts: 3,294
With many daily non-stop EWR-SFO/LAX (and vice versa) flights, any thoughts on the greatest probability of GPU/RPU clearance? Perhaps traditional thoughts about not flying Monday or Friday to avoid competing with business travelers? Perhaps very early morning flights and very late flights are generally less crowded? 28 vs 16 lie flat? Any consensus opinions? Thanks.
Aug 2, 2016, 2:31 pm
#693
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
Aug 4, 2016, 8:29 pm
#694
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
I just had a chance to compare UA p.s. and JetBlue Mint on NYC-SFO. A couple of thoughts:
- Seat: 4A (suite) outbound on Mint and 5F on the sUA 752 p.s. return. Hands down the Mint seat wins with the privacy, direct aisle access and overall comfort.
- Service: great crew on both UA and JetBlue, although I felt like the brunch service was a bit slow on Mint - almost 2.5 hours from start to finish. Big thumbs up for Ch. 9!
- Food: had brunch on JetBlue and lunch on UA so not a perfect comparison but I thought both had creative and tasty options despite the lack of a brand name (Saxon+Parole) on the UA meal service. Great Brooklyn Roasting Company espresso on JetBlue.
- Ground: I think UA has JetBlue beat here as I find EWR Terminal C slightly more convenient via mass transit, and of course, the benefit of having UC access for better or worse
- Schedule: UA has far more frequency and hubs on both ends which helps in IRROPS. Ironic I bring this up though as I was on the only SFO-EWR flight last Tuesday that was on-time...
- Seat: 4A (suite) outbound on Mint and 5F on the sUA 752 p.s. return. Hands down the Mint seat wins with the privacy, direct aisle access and overall comfort.
- Service: great crew on both UA and JetBlue, although I felt like the brunch service was a bit slow on Mint - almost 2.5 hours from start to finish. Big thumbs up for Ch. 9!
- Food: had brunch on JetBlue and lunch on UA so not a perfect comparison but I thought both had creative and tasty options despite the lack of a brand name (Saxon+Parole) on the UA meal service. Great Brooklyn Roasting Company espresso on JetBlue.
- Ground: I think UA has JetBlue beat here as I find EWR Terminal C slightly more convenient via mass transit, and of course, the benefit of having UC access for better or worse
- Schedule: UA has far more frequency and hubs on both ends which helps in IRROPS. Ironic I bring this up though as I was on the only SFO-EWR flight last Tuesday that was on-time...
Aug 4, 2016, 8:34 pm
#695
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I've never had an on time PS departure from EWR to SFO. On flight 1885 now which landed 45 minutes late. Now we been waiting for a gate for over 10 minutes.
I only spend 1-2 weekends a month at home with my current work schedule. Getting close to jumping ship.
I only spend 1-2 weekends a month at home with my current work schedule. Getting close to jumping ship.
Aug 6, 2016, 9:51 pm
#696
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Living in the middle of the country, I don't get to experience p.s. very often...I've flown it a handful of times over the years, and the opportunity has come up again...
In paid business, SFO-EWR, I have the choice of a sCO 757 or an sUA 757. Departure times are :35 apart, and is irrelevant as I'm connecting on both ends with plenty of connection time allotted regardless of which flight I take.
I'm leaning toward the sCO flight, as I figure less seats roughly means better service. Is the number of seats about the only difference?
Seat maps are wide open on both (flight isn't for a few months yet), so I'm thinking bulkhead on whatever I book for the slightly better legroom.
The only slight, slight advantage may be the later flight (sCO) for me means :35 longer in SFO, as it means more time in the Amex lounge there versus the UC in EWR.
In paid business, SFO-EWR, I have the choice of a sCO 757 or an sUA 757. Departure times are :35 apart, and is irrelevant as I'm connecting on both ends with plenty of connection time allotted regardless of which flight I take.
I'm leaning toward the sCO flight, as I figure less seats roughly means better service. Is the number of seats about the only difference?
Seat maps are wide open on both (flight isn't for a few months yet), so I'm thinking bulkhead on whatever I book for the slightly better legroom.
The only slight, slight advantage may be the later flight (sCO) for me means :35 longer in SFO, as it means more time in the Amex lounge there versus the UC in EWR.
Aug 6, 2016, 10:02 pm
#697
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,419
That would tip the balance for me, assuming you're not endangering your EWR connection. Variability in individual crews should overwhelm any particular sCO or sUA bias, I should think.
Aug 6, 2016, 10:25 pm
#698
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
The sUA aircraft were much more recently refurbed, are less beat up, and have better AVOD. The sUA crews will on average be more attentive, though individual variation can trump that.
Aug 6, 2016, 10:31 pm
#699
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Gold
Posts: 1,201
Living in the middle of the country, I don't get to experience p.s. very often...I've flown it a handful of times over the years, and the opportunity has come up again...
In paid business, SFO-EWR, I have the choice of a sCO 757 or an sUA 757. Departure times are :35 apart, and is irrelevant as I'm connecting on both ends with plenty of connection time allotted regardless of which flight I take.
I'm leaning toward the sCO flight, as I figure less seats roughly means better service. Is the number of seats about the only difference?
Seat maps are wide open on both (flight isn't for a few months yet), so I'm thinking bulkhead on whatever I book for the slightly better legroom.
The only slight, slight advantage may be the later flight (sCO) for me means :35 longer in SFO, as it means more time in the Amex lounge there versus the UC in EWR.
In paid business, SFO-EWR, I have the choice of a sCO 757 or an sUA 757. Departure times are :35 apart, and is irrelevant as I'm connecting on both ends with plenty of connection time allotted regardless of which flight I take.
I'm leaning toward the sCO flight, as I figure less seats roughly means better service. Is the number of seats about the only difference?
Seat maps are wide open on both (flight isn't for a few months yet), so I'm thinking bulkhead on whatever I book for the slightly better legroom.
The only slight, slight advantage may be the later flight (sCO) for me means :35 longer in SFO, as it means more time in the Amex lounge there versus the UC in EWR.
The sUA cabins were updated more recently when they went from 3 cabin to 2 cabin. As such the IFE is also marginally better. Also since there are two bulkheads, you double your chance of getting a seat with a full sized footwell.
WiFi is also slightly different. sUA you have GoGo and if you plan on using it, make sure you purchase a Day Pass before departing and you'll only play $16. sCO you get the UA Satellite WiFi which is supposed to be faster than GoGo.
Last but not least, you'll at least have a shot at Channel 9 with the sUA metal.
Aug 6, 2016, 11:08 pm
#700
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
Aug 7, 2016, 8:34 am
#701
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Thanks everyone! That makes it clear as mud...LOL, I kid, I kid. But my interpretation of everyone's thoughtful suggestions is that there are positives and negatives on both. I think I like the idea of better entertainment and newer cabins on sUA.
The sUA also gives me that extra :35 at SFO...And I think my final tipping point is that I've had a handful of flights on the sCO version, while I have not flown on the sUA version since the new seats were installed...The novelty factor is playing in for sure.
Now for seats...Best seats? Seatguru isn't super helpful...Thinking row 5 on the aisle? Is E/F better than A/B? Looks like it on the seat map...
(All in vain anyway, I think...I will be coming from Asia, I'm sure I'll just sleep the whole flight
).
Thank you all again!
The sUA also gives me that extra :35 at SFO...And I think my final tipping point is that I've had a handful of flights on the sCO version, while I have not flown on the sUA version since the new seats were installed...The novelty factor is playing in for sure.
Now for seats...Best seats? Seatguru isn't super helpful...Thinking row 5 on the aisle? Is E/F better than A/B? Looks like it on the seat map...
(All in vain anyway, I think...I will be coming from Asia, I'm sure I'll just sleep the whole flight
). Thank you all again!
Last edited by MBS MillionMiler; Aug 7, 2016 at 8:47 am
Aug 7, 2016, 8:41 am
#702
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Would go for 1F or 5F - extra footwell space, and if you will be sleeping the entire flight, probably don't want someone climbing over you
Aug 7, 2016, 9:17 am
#703
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,466
Aug 7, 2016, 9:31 am
#704
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: AA PP, UA 1K/MM, WoH Globalist, HH Gold
Posts: 1,201
Row 1 or Row 5 have full sized foot wells and for me that is the high order bit.
From there, I like window seats, so the A/F seats within those rows are my first choices.
From there, I like window seats, so the A/F seats within those rows are my first choices.
Aug 7, 2016, 10:05 am
#705
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
On a separate note, yesterday afternoon I found the last EWR-LAX flight of the day on a Friday in October to have not only open R availability, but also IN availability (no I though). First time in a very long time I feel like I have seen anything open aside from when fare buckets get thrown open right before the plane takes off. Grabbed an award for my wife and burned my last RPU on myself. ^