Cost Cutting
 

Last week I flew SFO to Hartford on a new Airbus 319 in First Class. For a 5 hour transcontinental flight, I was greatly disappointed with the meal and wine service. No American wines at all and entree choice poor and ancient apple pie for desert. This may be UALs way to cut costs and maximize their profits. It may also reflect a lack of competition on this route
I'm flying IAD to LHR this coming Wedensday and been surprised to see a lot of schedule and aircraft changes. ? related to a fall in demand.
A question, can you still get the first class upgrade vouchers for the Heathrow Express at the Heathrow RCC ?

I promise your IAD-LHR experience will be superior to your (or just about any) domestic experience, even if you are in international coach. Especially if you are a 777. First class on the Heathrow Express, IMHO, is a waste of sterling (or even of the time it would take you to get an upgrade voucher). The ride is a mere 15 mins.

The schedule and aircraft changes may simply be the fact that UA will be doing its every-second-or-third-month-schedule-shift beginning April 4...

Jerry: Just curious, but why the disappointment in not having US wines (I am not knocking US wines), but was your disappointment with the quality of the wines that were served, or do you just have a personal preference for US wines?



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Nick

First class on U-A to LHN is excelllent, great service, good food selection (and I think those sleeper sofa beds might be installed by then... I don't know when you are flying.

Even business class is a very good deal. I had good service, good meal selection, comfortable seats (only going back I had no picture on my video screen but U-A rectified (SP?) that.)

You will not be disappointed with U-A international to London as Matt said. Of course It can't compare to B-A... but if I'm working to miles, I'll take U-A anytime.

As for the Heathrow Express: Unless you get comp first class upgrades... DO NOT spend that extra money. Regular class is just as fine, it's worth the 10 pounds just to save some money on that long taxi ride.

Read the back posts on teh Heathrow Express.

Dealing with your other flight: If you have the time I would write U-A to express your dissatisfaction. They do respond and in most of my cases do something (at least a letter, in a few cases: certificates.)

Good Luck!

Sorry I went off topic like that! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I've seen some cost cutting on MOST of the airlines. Especially on the U-A shuttle flights (YIKES!!!!) Generally poor service there.

As I've said I'm generally satisfied with U-A but occassional it tests my loyality.

http://members.aol.com/ddmitchum/sylv_cat.gif CatMan http://members.aol.com/ddmitchum/sylv_cat.gif

Catman,

I agree with you COMPLETELY. They do test my loyalty, but I was surprised to see a complaint about the domestic First-class food. I've been loving it! Mmm... mixed grill with petit filet, lamb chop, and chicken sausage! Ben & Jerry's Sundaes! Mrs. Fields cookies! Yeah baby...

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http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/images/lionl.gif QuietLion http://www.brodietech.com/rbrodie/images/lionr.gif




[This message has been edited by QuietLion (edited 03-25-99).]

I have yet to offer up my UA assessment after a month as a Premier Exec, but I think UA fans will not be pleased. After paying $125 or $150 to upgrade from DC to the west coast (assuming I can get the upgrade, which is another story entirely), I pretty much expect to get the meal of my choice. Being told that only the catfish is left, does not make for good customer service.

Mileking

Hopefully you food service on your IAD-SEA trip is similar to my experience on the BWI-SFO or LAX route also a 757. The lunch or dinner service is quite good and according to some recent posts here UA is loading on additional FC meals to try and ensure everyone gets their choice.

On a Lunch or dinner flight of that length you may also get a hot fudge sundae and then a snack service with smoked salmon, shrimp, cold cuts and cheese. I may have that backward and the snack comes first. Then the final touch; Mrs. Field cookies (warm of course) and milk prior to landing.

I hope you get your upgrade and then you can post a trip report for us all.

UA may be loading additional meals, but either they aren't loading enough or they are loading the wrong type. I have flown from DC to YVR and back (thru Chicago) 4 times now for a total of 8 dinner meals. My top choice has only been available on 4 or 5 of those flights. The other times I settled for whatever was left except for the one time I told the FA to fetch me a coach class meal - I wasn't about to touch catfish (the last of 3 main courses available). My food tastes are pretty bland and I'm certainly no expert on menus, but even I know that catfish is one of the least liked fish. Give a random group a choice of any three dishes and catfish will finish at the bottom without a doubt. Thank god I have only seen the catfish menu once.

dear colleagues,
on the sfo - hartford flight, no fudge sundaes, no mrs fields cookies, nor any ben and jerry ice cream. Entree choice was pork or chicken both appeared quite unappetizing.
Merry, I do prefer US wines because of their consistently high quality. the wines on this service were south american and not of good standard. Whats wrong with a good Napa or Sonoma Valley red or sparkling white?.
I paid full fare on this flight and really expected better. Maybe it was that the A 319 only had a small first compartment ?
I'm travelling business class to LHR. Sadly the 777 has now been changed to a 747 . It could be worse though - it could be a 767.
Thanks for your advice,
Jerry

While I'm sure Rudi is much better qualified than am I to discuss the wines, I would only note that the Chilean merlot that United carries (carried?) is outstanding. Don't turn up your nose (so to speak) over South American wines, there are some really good ones out there, and they are often still inexpensive compared to similar quality European wines.

Counsellor is very correct - that's why you find some outstanding wines from chile (but many more from the Napa valley) also in Switzerland http://www.martel.ch

Please, don't say South American wines when you talk about chilean wines. I´m not, for sure, a wine expert but many experts around the world talk about our wines.

Jerry: I also noticed that UA has pulled one of those wretched 747s for one of the 3 daily IAD-LHR flights from the Pac-fleet. You CAN avoid it. There are 777s that depart earlier AND later than the 747 (around 17:00 and 21:30 if I recall correctly). I'd take a delay at IAD in order to get the 777 over the 747 any day...unless, of course, I was in 1st and the '47 had the new sleeper seats...

Let me also comment on the A319: there is simply no such thing as a decent 1st class experience on these airplanes. They are so small that the 1st class FA (purser) is expected to help out in coach as well, eliminating any possibility of true "first class service."

Just an observation, but I have NEVER been on a non-US airline that does not have the meal choice I require.

I am sure there will be dissenting views - but it cannot be beyond the ability of UA to offer a true choice!

Gerry: I now defend UA! It is apparent even from this thread that choice of wine is a personal thing - I don't think we can have UA hung, drawn and quartered for not stocking a wine that appeals to your personal taste. If they were all poor quality fair enough, but because they do not have one from the region you enjoy is somewhat different.

Well, as usual that post should just about offend everyone. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Nick