Nov 10, 2020, 12:21 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Start of service has been delayed -- now 28 March 2021
In April 2021, single flight M,Th,F,Sa,Su
SFO UA520,UA523
LAX UA514, UA517
UA's 2021 Return to JFK - Inaugural Flights on 28 March thread
AS (and VX) Moved to T7 at JFK; New Alaska Lounge (April, 2018)
Earlier related threads
FlightGlobal: United seeks return to New York JFK
United Airlines President: Leaving New York’s JFK ‘Was the Wrong Decision’ {2017}
p.s. Operations Transitioning to EWR on October 25, 2015
In April 2021, single flight M,Th,F,Sa,Su
SFO UA520,UA523
LAX UA514, UA517
UA's 2021 Return to JFK - Inaugural Flights on 28 March thread
AS (and VX) Moved to T7 at JFK; New Alaska Lounge (April, 2018)
We are Back! United Announces Return to New York's JFK Airport
Airline to offer new transcontinental service from JFK to the west coast starting February 1
November 10, 2020
-- United Airlines announced today that it will be returning service to New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on February 1, 2021 with nonstop service to the west coast. The airline's entry back into JFK after five years reflects not only its strong commitment to the New York City area, but a continuation of aggressively and strategically managing the impact of COVID-19 by increasing service to and from the places where customers want to fly. The new United service will operate out of Terminal 7.
Effective February of next year, United will serve both JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and JFK to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with two round-trips for each west coast city. The flights will utilize the reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the routes offering customers an extended premium cabin featuring 16 additional United Business class seats –providing all-aisle-access seating – bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The aircraft will also feature 22 United Premium Plus® seats, 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats. United offers the most premium seats between the New York City area and Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. Tickets are now available for purchase on United.com.
"I have been waiting a long time to say this - United Airlines is back at JFK," said United's Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby. "Come early next year, we will be serving all three major New York City area airports with a best-in-class product to provide our customers unmatched transcontinental service from New York City and the west coast."
Airline to offer new transcontinental service from JFK to the west coast starting February 1
November 10, 2020
-- United Airlines announced today that it will be returning service to New York City's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on February 1, 2021 with nonstop service to the west coast. The airline's entry back into JFK after five years reflects not only its strong commitment to the New York City area, but a continuation of aggressively and strategically managing the impact of COVID-19 by increasing service to and from the places where customers want to fly. The new United service will operate out of Terminal 7.
Effective February of next year, United will serve both JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and JFK to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) with two round-trips for each west coast city. The flights will utilize the reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the routes offering customers an extended premium cabin featuring 16 additional United Business class seats –providing all-aisle-access seating – bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The aircraft will also feature 22 United Premium Plus® seats, 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats. United offers the most premium seats between the New York City area and Los Angeles and San Francisco markets. Tickets are now available for purchase on United.com.
"I have been waiting a long time to say this - United Airlines is back at JFK," said United's Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby. "Come early next year, we will be serving all three major New York City area airports with a best-in-class product to provide our customers unmatched transcontinental service from New York City and the west coast."
"The upcoming return of United to JFK while continuing service at Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports will offer more choices for transcontinental flights just as travelers return to the skies," said Kevin O'Toole, Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "As the recovery begins, we're pleased to see these increased options for those who choose to fly in and out of the Port Authority's airports."
"United Airlines' return to JFK Airport is a clear sign that air travel is returning in New York and across the region," said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "As numbers start to rise, the Port Authority is ready to welcome travelers back to JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports with increased cleaning and sanitizing in all terminals and touch-free options from curb to gate to ensure a world-class travel experience even in these unprecedented times."
United's premium cabin will feature flat-bed seats on all flights similar to the current Newark-Los Angeles and Newark-San Francisco offerings, providing a consistent and comprehensive NYC-west coast product. Additionally, United's wide-body service can participate in the robust cargo market between JFK and the west coast.
"United Airlines' return to JFK Airport is a clear sign that air travel is returning in New York and across the region," said Rick Cotton, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "As numbers start to rise, the Port Authority is ready to welcome travelers back to JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports with increased cleaning and sanitizing in all terminals and touch-free options from curb to gate to ensure a world-class travel experience even in these unprecedented times."
United's premium cabin will feature flat-bed seats on all flights similar to the current Newark-Los Angeles and Newark-San Francisco offerings, providing a consistent and comprehensive NYC-west coast product. Additionally, United's wide-body service can participate in the robust cargo market between JFK and the west coast.
FlightGlobal: United seeks return to New York JFK
United Airlines President: Leaving New York’s JFK ‘Was the Wrong Decision’ {2017}
p.s. Operations Transitioning to EWR on October 25, 2015
UA service JFK<> SFO/LAX , experiences, lounge, ....
Jul 18, 2021, 5:25 pm
#556
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Well, Spirit has an exemption for flights between LGA and LAX - 1x/week (someone check the frequency) but only from MAT, not its operations by the main terminals area.
Offtopic but quickly, though LGA's partial new Terminal B is nice looking, the downside is a lot of walking. I found a shortcut to avoid the "duty-free" area going up the escalator after security (before coming down one level anyway for most AA flights) - so many up and and down between gates, terminal space, and connectors.
Offtopic but quickly, though LGA's partial new Terminal B is nice looking, the downside is a lot of walking. I found a shortcut to avoid the "duty-free" area going up the escalator after security (before coming down one level anyway for most AA flights) - so many up and and down between gates, terminal space, and connectors.
Jul 18, 2021, 5:36 pm
#557
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Offtopic but quickly, though LGA's partial new Terminal B is nice looking, the downside is a lot of walking. I found a shortcut to avoid the "duty-free" area going up the escalator after security (before coming down one level anyway for most AA flights) - so many up and and down between gates, terminal space, and connectors.
Jul 18, 2021, 5:40 pm
#558
Suspended
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Programs: AA: CK
Posts: 2,230
Because it offers an excellent and vastly superior product that sells out often. You know, for paid J travel? Not UA's apparent business model of restarting at JFK to reduce balance sheet liability. UA should give this high-quality product strategy a shot in their subbed 753.
Jul 18, 2021, 5:56 pm
#559
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You mean to tell me it's easier to sell 16 seats vs. 46 seats?
It was an one-off event. For you to use this as your argument UA's re-entry into JFK has been "complete and total failure" is disingenuous. Could UA do better? Of course, it has a lot of room for improvements.
It was an one-off event. For you to use this as your argument UA's re-entry into JFK has been "complete and total failure" is disingenuous. Could UA do better? Of course, it has a lot of room for improvements.
Jul 18, 2021, 6:12 pm
#560
Suspended
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Posts: 2,230
You’re making literally no point. UA chose the aircraft to provision in the market. That they can only fill it with low level elites (1K and below) on upgrades and mileage tickets shows, once again, failure in the market.
B6 offers a quality product in the market, with an appropriately sized aircraft, and demands a significant price premium.
Which airline is doing better in the market, do you think? Which one has the future? The one filled with paid J at a price premium (which is apparently some sort of “mystery” to some here), and almost zero upgrades or mileage tickets? Or the one filled with empty cabins stuffed with “elites” on free upgrades and free tickets, subbing a domestic aircraft when it suits them? Obviously the latter right? Because they’re really cleaning up that balance sheet.
No it wasn’t. And it certainly won’t be the last time.
B6 offers a quality product in the market, with an appropriately sized aircraft, and demands a significant price premium.
Which airline is doing better in the market, do you think? Which one has the future? The one filled with paid J at a price premium (which is apparently some sort of “mystery” to some here), and almost zero upgrades or mileage tickets? Or the one filled with empty cabins stuffed with “elites” on free upgrades and free tickets, subbing a domestic aircraft when it suits them? Obviously the latter right? Because they’re really cleaning up that balance sheet.
No it wasn’t. And it certainly won’t be the last time.
Jul 18, 2021, 6:27 pm
#561
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
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For sure. B6 is by far the market leader at this point and as they get more and more 32Ns with the new product that will continue to extend. If UA could get it’s onboard service in order they’d have a compelling product with the Polaris aircraft but unfortunately it’s still just too much of a crapshoot as to whether you’re going to get plastic cups, mangled animal carcass on a plate, and a grumpy lAAzy cabin crew.
Jul 18, 2021, 9:56 pm
#562
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: Alaska, Bonvoy, HH
Posts: 482
So as an AS elite flying F in a month or so I hope this is as dubious as it sounds. I get that the premium route volume is being dramatically reduced but that space was still pretty new pre-covid and much hyped.
Jul 18, 2021, 9:57 pm
#563
Join Date: Apr 2016
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Posts: 692
Honestly the Hi-J 767 is IMO the right kind of aircraft to put on this especially as they're trying to break in to the market. They first need to incentivize business customers to choose this route even in economy before they can command a price premium for J especially for such a saturated route with so much competition. A better soft product would also be useful to convince customers but we know UA is never doing that.
Jul 18, 2021, 9:57 pm
#564
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 9,442
Yawn…
“UAL can’t compete on the transcons because they don’t fly to JFK.”
”UAL can’t compete on the transcons because they swapped a 753 on four summertime JFK flights during COVID.”
All but the 3 ex-HA 763s have gaspers.
Care to show your work on that one? Especially a “significant” price premium?
I am not trying to be rude, I’m genuinely curious because historically this has not been the case.
“UAL can’t compete on the transcons because they don’t fly to JFK.”
”UAL can’t compete on the transcons because they swapped a 753 on four summertime JFK flights during COVID.”
I am not trying to be rude, I’m genuinely curious because historically this has not been the case.
Last edited by EWR764; Jul 18, 2021 at 10:06 pm
Jul 18, 2021, 10:31 pm
#565
Moderator: United Airlines
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We can argue if the 763 high-J was the correct choice but on the 753 issue since you have claimed multiple, can you put a better figure on that?
Jul 19, 2021, 6:10 am
#566
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I’m not sure why they’d even bother swapping a 753 in. They’d be better off just canceling the flight, it would be less embarrassing than offering J customers domestic F seats with 37” of pitch and horrible seat comfort on this route.
Jul 19, 2021, 6:42 am
#567
Join Date: Aug 2005
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My (unscientific) analysis of transcon fares lately is that all airlines have upped their prices (and they tend to match each other). While 6 months ago, you could find Mint NY-LA/SF as low as $500-600 one way, it's seems now they are in the mid-800's, or significantly higher. As noted in this thread, UA have jacked up their prices from EWR too. I honestly think it's demand, as certain people (not necessarily business folks on OPM) are willing to fork out cash for F during this recovery.
You can still get Mint for $530-550ow from NY to SEA and LAS, which is a decent buy.
Jul 19, 2021, 7:00 am
#568
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Agreed on the quality. B6 Mint is the best Nth American business class.
My (unscientific) analysis of transcon fares lately is that all airlines have upped their prices (and they tend to match each other). While 6 months ago, you could find Mint NY-LA/SF as low as $500-600 one way, it's seems now they are in the mid-800's, or significantly higher. As noted in this thread, UA have jacked up their prices from EWR too. I honestly think it's demand, as certain people (not necessarily business folks on OPM) are willing to fork out cash for F during this recovery.
You can still get Mint for $530-550ow from NY to SEA and LAS, which is a decent buy.
My (unscientific) analysis of transcon fares lately is that all airlines have upped their prices (and they tend to match each other). While 6 months ago, you could find Mint NY-LA/SF as low as $500-600 one way, it's seems now they are in the mid-800's, or significantly higher. As noted in this thread, UA have jacked up their prices from EWR too. I honestly think it's demand, as certain people (not necessarily business folks on OPM) are willing to fork out cash for F during this recovery.
You can still get Mint for $530-550ow from NY to SEA and LAS, which is a decent buy.
Jul 19, 2021, 7:17 am
#569
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
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Jul 19, 2021, 7:28 am
#570
Original Member
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You’re making literally no point. UA chose the aircraft to provision in the market. That they can only fill it with low level elites (1K and below) on upgrades and mileage tickets shows, once again, failure in the market.
B6 offers a quality product in the market, with an appropriately sized aircraft, and demands a significant price premium.
Which airline is doing better in the market, do you think? Which one has the future? The one filled with paid J at a price premium (which is apparently some sort of “mystery” to some here), and almost zero upgrades or mileage tickets? Or the one filled with empty cabins stuffed with “elites” on free upgrades and free tickets, subbing a domestic aircraft when it suits them? Obviously the latter right? Because they’re really cleaning up that balance sheet.
No it wasn’t. And it certainly won’t be the last time.
B6 offers a quality product in the market, with an appropriately sized aircraft, and demands a significant price premium.
Which airline is doing better in the market, do you think? Which one has the future? The one filled with paid J at a price premium (which is apparently some sort of “mystery” to some here), and almost zero upgrades or mileage tickets? Or the one filled with empty cabins stuffed with “elites” on free upgrades and free tickets, subbing a domestic aircraft when it suits them? Obviously the latter right? Because they’re really cleaning up that balance sheet.
No it wasn’t. And it certainly won’t be the last time.
There are no free upgrades on UA JFK routes - the traveler has to redeem miles + co-pay or PlusPoints to upgrade.
Lastly, B6 probably has the worst recovery for IRROP. Outside of the new AA partnership, they do not interline with any other domestic carriers. In case of a MX, unless they have a bunch of spare planes hanging out (unlikely), you wait for them to fix the plane without an alternative (well, except now they may be able to rebook you on AA), or get on the next flight if the flight is cancelled. If the originally scheduled plane lands in a different airport due to diversion, the passenger is expected to leave out of the diverted airport, as it had happened to me.
Last edited by PTahCha; Jul 19, 2021 at 11:06 am Reason: typo