anc-ord772

This would indicate to me that most business seats on 3 class domestic flights are filled with upgrades.

sadiqhassan

OK, I am not defending UA but I had always wondered why UA offered a full meal service in Y on (for example) IAD-LHR but not on the (longer) ORD-OGG which made no sense . I had presumed that it was due to competition from European carriers TATL but maybe not...

Cheers,

Colin

3 class C to JFK costs more than 2 class F to EWR. I just don't see United giving ps C customers a cold box for dinner at 5PM on a Thursday night.

snic

I thought the fresh wraps/sandwiches/salads were a good value at $5, somewhat less so at $7. They are extortionate at $9 and I will not pay that much. I'll bring food from home instead. But of course UA realizes that travellers don't have that option for many flights, and they are assuming that if you'd be willing to pay $5 for a slice a pizza at or near the airport and schlepp it onboard, you'd be willing to pay $4 more for the convenience of BOB.

This is absolutely pathetic.

Well, if they're going to charge for meals on all other flights, why not international as well? But the next time I drag my family on a (paid) vacation to Europe in E, you won't find us on UA.

Another "smart" move - kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. Feed your best fare-paying customers hamburgers and other slop, eliminate lunch (one of the nicest things about PS morning flights) - oh, but you get to sleep in a Heavenly Bed, if you can sleep at all with your stomach ache.

blort

I'd love to see the "flight attendant and customer feedback" that somehow justifies this change.

bhmlurker

In order for the above to be true, sufficient number of the following had to happen. You decide if it's doubletalk or truth.

What probably really happened is the following:

One thing for sure though - All the people who try to purposefully fly 3-class 767/777 on domestic leg, just got the shaft. I guess sitting in new C cabin and eating a cold sandwich isn't going to diffuse product differentiation and ruin advertising efforts? Really, really hope UA's top-dollar-paid analysts thought about this. What non-frequent flyer is going to fly new C on int'l and know that the food is not a cold sandwich or salad?

snic

But believe me, they will change it to ORD TATL and TPAC as well if they think they can get away with it.

Vote with your feet. Don't fly UA in E from IAD-Europe, unless you've decided that Kuwait is in Europe.

bmiStar

No one has yet mentioned the new "UNITED PEOPLES EXPRESS" livery to go with the backwards TATL bob move

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...plexpress1.jpg

I hear quite often "Thanks for flying with XX today, we know you had a choice of airline".

Shame I won't be hearing that on a UA flight again

channa

Am I the only one reading it as customers in UB will receive [both] complimentary (beverages and BOB offering)?

i.e., they're standardizing the catering to BOB catering, but giving it away in UB.

Still a cut, though.

geckoflyer

OK. So I read this thread this morning and my blood started boiling. So I call up Customer Relations and ask the very nice gentleman whether or not he can confirm these service changes. He places me on hold for a while and comes back saying that there has been no communication from UA management regarding these changes.

So what's the deal? Is this a joke? Or can United not even communicate their own changes to their employees? I'm totally pissed about the 3-class business (or lack thereof) service changes.

Platinum A332

You know when a legacy full-service airline is in a mess, when they charge food in their "premium service" Business class cabin. When will UA start charging for lavatory use, oxygen use, surcharge for sitting on a seat.....UA is an absolute joke. If they go under, it won't be a loss to the US Market, especially with these ridiculous changes. AA can fill the gap in ORD and LAX, F9 can fill the gap in DEN, and I am sure other airlines will willingly fill the gaps of SFO and IAD.

Well Done United - you make Sudan Airways look luxurious

as219

But wasn't that obvious already?

It seems to me that of the announced changes, this is the one that makes a modicum of sense. Excepting p.s., and maybe a tiny bit ex-IAD, there isn't domestic demand for 3-class planes. If only a small percentage of C pax are paid, but you have to cater for every 2P and his brother upgrading, then, well, that's some savings that can be recouped.

I wonder, though, how UA will handle the fares on these planes... You certainly can't charge 2-class F prices for 3-class C with no food. But then what do you charge people to fly C?

The real problem I forsee for the business traveler is not knowing what you're going to get. You book 2-class F, expecting food, only to have your equipment swapped and get stuck with BOB. As a liesure traveler/upgrader, I'll take what I can get, but I expect this will anger a lot of people paying top $$$.

They're not. Pax in p.s. C will still get hot meals.

Okay, this is bloviation to some extent, but if you're a frequent traveler on p.s. breakfast flights, you must have noticed that many -- perhaps half or more -- of the pax don't want the second snack. I think it's stupid, stupid to tinker with the premium cabins of top earning routes...

as219

It's both: The joke is that UA can't get their employees up to speed.

Second service is being eliminated on p.s. flights. Ergo, the first service is not being eliminated.

I agree, though, the wording of the memo -- if accurate -- is misleading.

FightingIlliniUAL

This has got to be a joke

Muerz

Bye Bye United... Lufthansa will be happy they have a new partner of choice in Continental...