UA Temporarily Grounds Boeing 772 (PW Power); returning to service: late May 2022
May 16, 2021, 8:09 am
#286
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I have a newbie question:
We are flying IAH to HNL in September, in first.
Originally when we booked first was the 2-4-2 configuration. I think, but am not sure, now it’s been changed to Polaris 1-2-1.
How do you tell if the plane has GE or PW? Is there another website that has these details, or do you just know because you can mentally map the seat configuration to specific plane types?
Also, any insights on whether the configuration might change again? We are flying as a family with kids so having the middles is required for us on the Polaris setup, but we’d prefer the window pair of seats on the old setup.
We are flying IAH to HNL in September, in first.
Originally when we booked first was the 2-4-2 configuration. I think, but am not sure, now it’s been changed to Polaris 1-2-1.
How do you tell if the plane has GE or PW? Is there another website that has these details, or do you just know because you can mentally map the seat configuration to specific plane types?
Also, any insights on whether the configuration might change again? We are flying as a family with kids so having the middles is required for us on the Polaris setup, but we’d prefer the window pair of seats on the old setup.
It is just too early to know which aircraft will be assigned to your flight (until T-3 days). Just assume that your seats will be 1-2-1 Polaris, especially that your flight has PE seats for sale.
Good luck.
May 16, 2021, 10:36 pm
#287
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
How do you tell if the plane has GE or PW? Is there another website that has these details, or do you just know because you can mentally map the seat configuration to specific plane types?
Also, any insights on whether the configuration might change again? We are flying as a family with kids so having the middles is required for us on the Polaris setup, but we’d prefer the window pair of seats on the old setup.
No insight if the configuration would be change again, all depends how fast UA is going to fix the PW 772, this is only May, and you are not going to travel 4 months later, anything can change, if you are flying in the next month or two, then for sure it would still be 1-2-1
May 17, 2021, 6:16 am
#288
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
I look at the September schedule for IAH-HNL. UA is selling Premium Plus for this route, which means that UA very likely uses a Polarized B777.. Therefore, the chance for switching back to 2-4-2 PW high-density B777 is less than 50-50 unless the travel is back to pre-COVID era in September and UA may need more Polarized B777 for international routes,
May 17, 2021, 12:45 pm
#289
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,452
I expect the non-ER 777s will be the last ones to receive the engine mods. All ERs (except 3 IPTE, out of service) have Polaris interiors so I would anticipate a September trip to stick with the new seats.
Jun 5, 2021, 9:09 pm
#290
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,866
I have a newbie question:
We are flying IAH to HNL in September, in first.
Originally when we booked first was the 2-4-2 configuration. I think, but am not sure, now it’s been changed to Polaris 1-2-1.
How do you tell if the plane has GE or PW? Is there another website that has these details, or do you just know because you can mentally map the seat configuration to specific plane types?Also, any insights on whether the configuration might change again? We are flying as a family with kids so having the middles is required for us on the Polaris setup, but we’d prefer the window pair of seats on the old setup.
We are flying IAH to HNL in September, in first.
Originally when we booked first was the 2-4-2 configuration. I think, but am not sure, now it’s been changed to Polaris 1-2-1.
How do you tell if the plane has GE or PW? Is there another website that has these details, or do you just know because you can mentally map the seat configuration to specific plane types?Also, any insights on whether the configuration might change again? We are flying as a family with kids so having the middles is required for us on the Polaris setup, but we’d prefer the window pair of seats on the old setup.
Jun 5, 2021, 10:45 pm
#291
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Don't read to much into that. UA does not yet know if the 772PWs will be back or not -- we are talking nearly 5 months out. I would not place any bets either way yet or place any significant on the date.
Jun 24, 2021, 2:33 pm
#293
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
*if its not one of the grounded 772's... nevermind.
Jun 24, 2021, 4:19 pm
#294
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
It is/was one of the grounded ones, that is what sparked my interest, it is interesting that it is doing HNL as one of its first flights.
Jun 24, 2021, 5:13 pm
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Any update on the 772 with PW engines will be retired or resume services when international routes start to resume? I read a post on Airliners.net saying UA plans to retire all 52 of them. Not sure that is credible information.
29 out of the 52 772s are already fitted with Polaris and Premium economy seats. That is a lot of investments to be scrapped. I like the 772s, and hope to fly them internationally when the traffic is back to normal.
29 out of the 52 772s are already fitted with Polaris and Premium economy seats. That is a lot of investments to be scrapped. I like the 772s, and hope to fly them internationally when the traffic is back to normal.
Jun 24, 2021, 5:46 pm
#296
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Delaware
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 1,393
I would speculate that even if UA does decide to retire them, they will probably have to bring some of them back until they can get a replacement for them. 55 (about 65%) of their second to largest aircraft is a lot of inventory to loose. With an unknown amount of international travel resuming at an unknown point in the future, turning returning and new passengers away to other airlines is very very risky for their long term health, especially given UAs mediocre reputation.
Jun 24, 2021, 10:43 pm
#297
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 66
It’s believed that United will be announcing a large aircraft order on Tuesday. There’s speculation that the order will include 20 787-10s. That would be the right amount to replace the 20 domestic 777s where other fan blade cracks have been found. Further speculation is that the PW 777ERs, that have Polaris/PP, will return after the engine modification plan is finalized and installation completed.
Let’s see what Tuesday brings.
Let’s see what Tuesday brings.
Jun 25, 2021, 7:21 am
#298
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 4,772
You prefer a 737 over lie flats on the 2-4-2?
Jun 25, 2021, 10:02 am
#299
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
It’s believed that United will be announcing a large aircraft order on Tuesday. There’s speculation that the order will include 20 787-10s. That would be the right amount to replace the 20 domestic 777s where other fan blade cracks have been found. Further speculation is that the PW 777ERs, that have Polaris/PP, will return after the engine modification plan is finalized and installation completed.
Let’s see what Tuesday brings.
Let’s see what Tuesday brings.
It is my understanding that UA is going to repair as many of the PW engines that they can (ER and non-ER) and fly them until they have replacements. UA will also shortly need even more aircraft for widebody replacement, out of the 74 772s UA has only 10 are under 20 years old (with only 4 under 15 years old). This leads me to think that UA will take the A350s, which I have been skeptical of for a long time.