grizzles

Yeah, that would be nice but as far as being paranoid about the old config...I would sacrifice some serious cash or miles to get into any C cabin on a 744, there isn't a good Y seat on that plane. I was overly happy when ORD-FRA switched to triple sevens.

World_Traveller

With that couple that was up and about ever so often ... I didn't think that it was that easy to get in and out cos they actually stepped on my foot rest (thereby disturbing my beauty sleep) each time they got in and out.

I figured that it was probably due to the fact that the foot rest (when in a fully reclined position) is no longer at mid calf level in the old recliners but more like knee level in these new seats. I guess they could not climb over my foot rest and instead chose the easiest way ie step on my foot rest (hence my feet) each time they moved about.

No kidding!

gfowler-ord-1k

Were you by chance on N179UA, on seat 14K the left armrest would not go down either. On Dec 1, HKG-SFO I found a pack of the midflight snack crackers jammed between the armrest and the divider. I removed the crackers and it was fine. I was originally going to ask for a SkyKit until I saw the crackers obstructing it.

gaobest

Even if they had trouble exiting their middle seats, it sounds super rude and aggressive to step on your foot rest (and your tootsies) each time they moved. I can understand how people use other pax' headrest for support, but to actually step on other people's tootsies? Yikes.

Maybe they were upset for not being together in a 2 configuration, and they took it out on the other pax! Seriously I've never read about this happening before with other posts about the new C!

JonathanIT

Get a skykit and then eat the crackers.

EsquireFlyer

Seriously, the new C seat also lacks lumbar support? Lower back pain is my only complaint when flying on the old C seat, and I was hoping that this would be fixed by the flatness of the new seat!

If they were actually stepping on you--I would have asked them politely to stop stepping on me; if they didn't stop, then I would have asked them to switch seats; if they refused, I would ask the FA to tell them to stop stepping on me or switch seats; if the couple still refused, then I have stepped on them once in their middle seats (pretending that I wanted to get to the opposite aisle), to make the point that it's not nice to do. If they persisted, then I would probably start moving my feet around every time they stepped on my feet, thus disturbing their step and making it difficult for them to walk on me while I'm moving--hopefully finally causing them to learn to walk on a non-moving surface like the floor, or at most my footrest and not my feet.

Also, IMO the person in the 2nd middle seat should have exited from the opposite aisle, stepping on/over the other aisle seat, instead of both of them stepping on you.

World_Traveller

I am unfortunately the non-confrontational sort ... I usually just sit tight and bite my tongue and suffer! I should learn to bark and bite I suppose

I totally agree with you but I guess the wife had the herd mentality ie she followed her husband. The guy on the other end was a larger than life American and I was in comparison the petite asian. I guess they chose the easier way out.

Well guys, there are these sort of folks out there - those that would step on your foot rest to get out and once again when they get back to their seats. Beware!

worldtrav

Have you flown in the rear facing seat yet? Why make judgments on it without ever having tried it? Other than take off and landing, which are actually more fun in the rear facing seats, there is absolutely no difference in the flying experience.

EsquireFlyer

Indeed, the larger-than-life American probably would have given them a piece of his mid fight if they stepped on him every half hour.

SAT Lawyer

It does in the sleeping position. There is a small gap between the back of the seat and the base of the seat when it is fully reclined. But that's not the problem as much as the tapering of the cushioning in the lumbar area. When seated upright, the padding and support are fine. When lying flat, I think both are lacking.

I haven't flown in DL's new business class product, but I have experienced the similar product on NZ and AC. To be honest, I think UA's configuration feels less cramped than the herringbone style. I like the privacy of the herringbone style better for a solo traveler, but UA's layout better for a couple. Of course, my experience on UA was sitting in the two seat pair on the upper deck, not in the middle section of four downstairs.

As a 6-footer, I had no problem getting in and out of my window seat when the person in the aisle seat was in the lie-flat position. It takes only a nominal amount of dexterity and care to straddle the person in the aisle seat without disturbing him or her. This concern is vastly overblown, in my opinion. However, if you are less than six feet tall or have short legs, you probably should opt for an aisle seat. Or practice your pole vaulting skills.

EsquireFlyer

Oh! That's poopy!!

So, any word on when UA is changing its premium seats again?

Or just practice getting kicked in the shins when you decide to step on the passenger in the aisle seat.

mdskyguy

I have flown the morning 767 IAD-LHR new config six times in the last six motnhs. it always shows the new C class seat right up until departure. Three of those six times you turn the corner and boom, the old seat. Design knit picking aside, the experience the new seat provides is night and day from UA as usual. Never an annoucement, FA's seem irritated you noticed. My last flight, my seat mate was VP of a major Corp that had just dumped AA for UA. She had planned on working for the duration of the daytime flight. She of course didn't have the no longer available power cord adapter and neither did the flight crew to buy, borrow or sell. As a loyal 1K, I had to practically bribe the Purser to speak to her and explain how glorious the normal product is and apologize at all. You would think they would have certain flights virtually locked in. From Dulles, you hear that LHR, FRA, BRU, ZRH, AMS all get the new config randomly.

Also, UA refuses to answer when the 777's start getting conversions, since that is the longhaul flagship and main metal anymore.

italian7

I tried the new product on a 767 two days ago.

I have to say it is great! Very comfortable, screen is a great improvement and the bed is a lot better than other carries.

BUT: (N646UA - 767 refitted 2 months ago)
- my screen was already scratched
- overhead air vent MISSING, meaning that it was BROKEN and ducktaped down, causing air to flow in anyways and made a loud noise... (too bad they just re did the cabin)
- 1st and 2nd choice MAIN meals were NOT available, 1st choice pre-arrival snack meals not available.

PanHam

Sounds about normal . . . .

saaws

I recently tried it on ORD-SFO.... It is pretty good, above my expectation (which was admittedly low already considering it is UA).

However I found it a bit easier to sleep when it was not totally lie flat but rather slightly tilted... Like 170 Degrees... a bit like the old international business seat. I think it was because lumbar support in lie flat position is a bit... weak.

But I still prefer the new seat. They should put it up on 777s soon!!!