flyinbob

So essentially what we have are over 500 posts that may or may not be accurate, a plane that may or may not be in for reconfiguration, reports of "confirmed" new seating plans and AVOD (or not) that may or may not be accurate, and no one from UA (yup, I mean you United PR) willing to go on the record with something that is supposed to be good news but UA seems to be completely embarrassed about. Probably not one of FT's better threads.

jasonvr

^

And that's all I have to say about that

nnn

If you don't like the thread, why do you keep reading and posting?

why fly

Well I love the 747 and 767's so let hope the 777 are as good.

seagar

+1 Personally, I think the AVOD discussion and upgrade is an entire waste of money for United in the same vain as the airphones were. Maybe it will be nice for the next couple of years but I personally bring all I need digitally on my PC today and with the "iPAD" type devices coming along with AC power, UAL might look back and realize they invested dollars that will lose their appeal much quicker than planned. Do you really want the same old movies and songs?

Maybe they should just rent AVOD devices...then again maybe the new 777 devices will have a credit card swipe and they are way ahead of me.

mlasser

Can't even imagine how much money you must spend buying media you'll only watch one time. I much prefer to a) not carry a media device on vacation and b) not spend hundreds of dollars and hours of time downloading or ripping media I'll only watch once. Many airlines now offer dozens of films in many languages as well as dozens of TV shows and shorts. The cost of buying all that media is huge if you want it on your own device. A trip to SE Asia or India from the US can put you in the air over 40 hours. Thanks, but I'll take the AVOD.

Of course if you take 2-3 hour flights and steal your media, the picture might look different.

lhrsfo

+1

#10

Big fan of in-seat power outlets and tivo-to-go. However, I must admit that I use the IFE on the reconfigured aircraft more than I thought I would since you can start watching before the door closes, and it takes me awhile to pull out my laptop (if I do at all). On an old 777, it's laptop all the way.

CaptainBilly

I'm still rooting for the first conversion bird to run IAD <-> FCO in late April to mid-May. I'll be glad to write a trip report!

No power or AVOD needed for me except for reading lights. I read a lot. I'm never without one or two books when traveling domestically. If traveling internationally up to 25% of my luggage space may be devoted to books.

Depending upon the book and where I'm located I'll donate the books I've completed to a local library or school. I've done that in some very remote parts of the Australian outback for example. Books cost a ridiculous amount in Oz even in used book shops. This then leaves room in my luggage for locally bought items or even duty free booze hurriedly transferred from carry-on to checked bag on arrival in IAD or wherever I make an onward, inbound connection.

CB

johdhj

Have you considered getting an electronic reader like a Kindle? About the size of a slim notebook, but you can carry thousands of titles with you.

Regarding UA's current 777 conversion process: Does anyone know if UA will be converting one or two at a time?

Explorin92

The first 777 is being done right now with 8 more completed this year, 16 in 2011, and 7 in 2012. They're taking their time with the first one as the 777 IPTE will be the "flagship" of the fleet so to speak. The first one should be rolling out at the end of this month - I can't wait to see it!

malsf1

+1 - I have 9 books downloaded on mine. And I can download a book almost anywhere.

sharmaintl

Or an (grit your teeth) an iPad, that includes players for audio, video and eBooks.

flyinbob

You forgot to footnote that ALL of this is speculation, including that there is actually a plane in now for reconfiguration.

bmvaughn

Not speculation, confirmed by multiple internal sources, and in person