Quality of New Business Seats Going Downhill
Jun 6, 2009, 4:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Near National Harbor, Maryland
Programs: AA, BA, B6, DL, UA 1K, VA, VX
Posts: 294
Quality of New Business Seats Going Downhill
Has anyone else noticed the quality of the new business seats going downhill? Me thinks UA has a lot of maintenance upkeep costs in its future on these seats. I routinely experience broken trim pieces, inoperable arm rests, shaking and rattling, and seat bottoms that sink.
Jun 6, 2009, 4:32 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 2K, Marriott Platinium, Global Entry, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 370
The thing that I have seen the most is the buttons spiderweb but every seat I have been in has functioned well.
Jun 6, 2009, 4:44 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,677
If UA had any smarts whatsoever, they specifically addressed all these as "warranty" issues for at least a year, and the seat manufacturer should be on the hook for replacing any broken trim, bad seat foam, crazed buttons, etc.
Jun 6, 2009, 4:45 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,449
Where were these made?
Are these American-made products or is it a foreign product?
Jun 6, 2009, 4:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BUR/LAX
Programs: UA 1K/2MM, HHonors Diamond, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 2,505
I've experienced a couple of wobbly arm rests already and a broken remote control latch.
Jun 6, 2009, 5:03 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,916
From www.suitedreams.united.com:
B/E Aerospace is based in Florida.
http://www.beaerospace.com/contact/locations.htm
The new international United Business seats are being supplied by B/E Aerospace, Inc., based on a concept developed by B/E's Design Studio in conjunction with Pentagram, a world-renowned design firm. United also conducted extensive research with frequent international business travelers and a cross-functional team of employees to develop the product.
http://www.beaerospace.com/contact/locations.htm
Jun 6, 2009, 5:14 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Heh, when I read the thread title, I thought the news was that seats currently being installed or being installed in the future are of lower quality, but I see that you simply mean that the new business seats are of poor quality to begin with.
I guess I'm not all that surprised, seeing as several posters have mentioned that the new F seats are already exhibiting signs of wear.
I guess I'm not all that surprised, seeing as several posters have mentioned that the new F seats are already exhibiting signs of wear.
Jun 6, 2009, 5:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SYD; Central Coast, NSW
Programs: UA, 1K 2MM
Posts: 947
Three weeks back in C on UA863, my IFE didn't work and wobbly arm rest. Quite surprising given the whole system is relatively new.
Jun 6, 2009, 5:24 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,916
This is very sad if the problem is widespread. I hope that UA has a good warrantee on these seats and that they will not have these seats installed on the 777 if they are already falling apart on the 47 and 67.
I love the new C-Class seats, but if they are going to quickly fall apart like the p.s. F seats, then UA must take corrective action now, especially because they seem to be basing their long-term business model on the success of selling these seats.
I love the new C-Class seats, but if they are going to quickly fall apart like the p.s. F seats, then UA must take corrective action now, especially because they seem to be basing their long-term business model on the success of selling these seats.
Jun 6, 2009, 5:38 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 177
Me three
--and the thing started working later in the flight.Oh well, there have been lots of times when I was incovenienced 'waaaay beyond IFE, and NEVER got any comp...
Jun 6, 2009, 5:47 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: nobody
Posts: 1,837
I guess I better adjust my expectation as I will be on my first new C to AMS next Friday. Or should I start thinking what sort of compensation I should demand 
Or should I start thinking what sort of compensation I should demand
Jun 6, 2009, 6:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Honors Diamond, Starwood Platinum Preferred
Posts: 290
After several recent Pacific flights, I noticed that the small piece of carpet under the footrest was ratty on most of the seats in the 747UD. The air show did not work more often than it did.
The armrests that lower, did seem really fragile. I sat downstairs once and did not realize that the center armrest was different (sort of a leather covered console/armrest) and did not lower. I thought I was crazy for a minute thinking the center armrest lowered then realized they are not all the same.
The armrests that lower, did seem really fragile. I sat downstairs once and did not realize that the center armrest was different (sort of a leather covered console/armrest) and did not lower. I thought I was crazy for a minute thinking the center armrest lowered then realized they are not all the same.
Jun 6, 2009, 6:37 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,916
FWIW, I have flown six flights in the new config and only once have I had a problem (no airshow from SFO-ORD). Smooth sailing to SYD and back.
Jun 6, 2009, 6:42 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA
Programs: OZ Diamond
Posts: 6,133
These seats are not holding up are perhaps because UA opted to save $$ by choosing the lowest cost option and thus lowest quality products! You get what you pay for, right?!
LAX
LAX
Jun 6, 2009, 6:44 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: ORD, DXB, ODS, SIN, BUR
Programs: UA1KMM, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, EY Gold, QR Gold
Posts: 302
I have flown 3 times in new C seats, last time LHR-ORD the seat cushion looked fairly wore down. Hope they correct it.