Availability codes: P vs F
 

Looking at flights today I noticed that some of the options show availabilty of P (eg, P4, P8) instead of F. Price out SFO-JFK and you'll see what I mean. The 3 class planes seem to show:

P4 C9 Y9 etc

whereas the 2 class planes show:

F9 Y9 B9 etc...

Just a glitch? random? or is this a new code?

According to this thread P is Premium Transcon First on 3 class aircraft.

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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets

Nah, I thought P was always there for
SFO-JFK and LAX-JFK and back
"Premium Transcontinental F"
aka
http://www.ual.com/page/article/0,1360,1130,00.html
(Please, let's not let this thread become
complaints about that <g> )

Both would be correct.

P does take the place of F, but only on the Premium transcontinental routes (SFO/LAX-JFK v.v.), hence the P.

Makes you wonder why...

Kai

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My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer, SkyWest Airlines, or those of our major partners, United Airlines & Delta Air Lines, respectively.

Thanks for the quick info. So who has flown this P class? How nice is it? comparable to Int'l C or F? How much more does it cost than normal domestic F on 3-class planes? And why is it only those 2 routes? why not IAD?

I *think* this is becuase LAX-JFK and SFO-JFK are the only two domestic routes where we have dedicated 3-cabin service whereas 3 cabin flights in other domestic markets are short term usally ferries or extensions to international flights.



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Anonymous Executive Services Agent.

(the views expressed here are not neccesairily the opinions of my employer, United Airlines or the parent company, UAL Corp.)

I have flown in F on premium transcon flights quite a bit and the service at one time was every bit as good international F or even better. This is no longer the case; other than a better seat, the main differences between F and C on these routes is basically a bowl of soup and a tiny cup of sorbet. On a 763, sitting in C is just about as pleasant as F; on a 762, the C seats are so worn and horrid, that the F seat is that much nicer by comparison.

"Premium" transcon service was introduced by UA on this route only because AA did so first. Right now, the only premium aspect of the service is the price, which well exceeds $4K when booked in P.

Incidentally, one doesn't need to book the seat as P in order to sit there. There are often some discounted "A" fares available that offer some very significant savings. Whether or not such fares are obtainable is strictly a market-based issue, i.e. it often depends on the time of day and the location of one's connection point to/from SFO or LAX. If UA is competing with another carrier in one of these markets, the cost of that F seat often comes down considerably.

I believe the P on a 3 cabin airplane stands for "sleeper seat". only offered on some flts.

That's what I originally thought, but since all of those aircraft are 767's, they do not have sleeper seats, and to my knowledge, unfortunately, aren't planned to have them installed


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Anonymous Executive Services Agent.

(the views expressed here are not neccesairily the opinions of my employer, United Airlines or the parent company, UAL Corp.)

It is just market-specific for pricing purposes. But if you buy a PDX/SFO/JFK F seat, you will get an F fare basis and a cheaper fare than SFO/JFK in P.

The P service used to be opulent.

As stated above, P class is the 3-class FC cabin designator for the routes between SFO-JFK/LAX-JFK.

As compared to the domestic 3-Class FC, the main difference is the food and quality of service.

(As stated above also, this usually means a serving of soup in addition to the regular offerings and the sorbet.) (Although I've gotten soup from HNL-SFO on the B744 redeye a couple of years back.)

I've flown in P Class during the period from 1996 through 1998. I could remember one flight on a B777 in FC, we had a nice Breakfast service. Numerous types of Biscotti to start. I got a selection of my main entree. (Got to choose from some omelet, or apple crepes.) Then they came with a breakfast cart that had some freshly baked (or they just seemed freshly baked) pastries, croissants, etc. along with some sausages, bacon, and filet mignon. (Yummy! This was one of the best steaks I've ever had on a plane) To finish, the FA's offered Godiva chocolates.

We also got one of those "hand held" video units and got to choose from tapes that they had on board. (The B777 PTV's were disabled on this flight. Besides, the old FC PTV's were not capable of playing tapes) It was nice to have these units, but I just didn't know where to place it if I had to go to the bathroom or when I was finished viewing the movie. (The FA's would just ask which movie you wanted and they'll set up the unit for you.)

It was nice. Wonder how it is lately....



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SFnFlaGuy

Even C on JFK-SFO/LAX was superior... used to offer Godivas...

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More Room Throughout Coach: the Website of Free Miles and Free Markets