Status of UA's 777 Conversion to new International First, Business and Economy Seats
#92
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 137
It looks like they are going to be starting the 777 reconfigs soon, at SFO:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
#93
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,449
It looks like they are going to be starting the 777 reconfigs soon, at SFO:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
#94
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Great news for the Bay Area. I wonder where the other 14 are being done?
#95
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Programs: AA PP, Hilton/MR Gold
Posts: 743
It looks like they are going to be starting the 777 reconfigs soon, at SFO:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
" ......to upgrade the first class and business class cabins in 32 of its Boeing 777 aircraft ....."
32 planes only? I thought there were 46 intl. 3-class planes to convert ???
32 planes only? I thought there were 46 intl. 3-class planes to convert ???
#98
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: OSL/IAH/ZRH (time, not preference)
Programs: UA1K, LH GM, AA EXP->GM
Posts: 38,265
Hello I think I saw here they are starting the 777 config in February. I am hoping that my flight in Business will have the new seats. Anyone have any ideas? It puzzles me why they have this aircraft on this particular route in the first place and don't have a config 747 because of the sheer distance.
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Either way I still hope we will see the 46 planes being done in one swoop, while appreciating the fact that the job indeed seems to get started now. ^
#100
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
or
(Best case and probably too optimistic) SFO is capacity limited and they will have another site do the remaining 14 in parallel (but then a 50/50 split might make more sense).
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,439
The other 14 are being done in conjunction with heavy maintenance checks, either C-checks or D-checks, at one of their Asian maintenance providers. This saves United the extra out of service time for those 14 airplanes.
Considering that the 747 is normally scheduled for 21 days for the IPTE upgrade the concurrent visits, the IPTE/Heavy checks, will allow UA to fly an "extra" 777 for those additional 294 days instead of scheduling them in-house (assuming the visits are similar in length for the B777).
That is a lot of extra revenue back to UA's coffers.
Sounds like a financially sound decision.
#103
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA1MM*GL/1K, AA, BnVy PlatL, HH Silver,
Posts: 681
I am not sure the increased leg room is worth it in row 33. IME, people gather there in front of your seat the entire flight waiting to use the lavatories. Then you have to listen to them, the toilets flushing and have them tripping over your legs. People are fond of walking their babies up and down the aisles and then letting them play in this area. It's just so cute when they grab your legs, or when teenagers in line for the lavs have fun opening the shade to see if it's still sunny outside which flashes light into your eyes.
Just take this into consideration. It was not a pleasant 11 hours.
Just take this into consideration. It was not a pleasant 11 hours.
row 33 is fine for a 4-6 hour flight but I'd recommend e+ if your picking coach seats on an overnight flight.
#104
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 574
It looks like they are going to be starting the 777 reconfigs soon, at SFO:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...entry_id=50325
I don't, however, see any reference to "soon" -- though I am hoping it will be no later than previously reported.
#105
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 242
Could be there is only enough funds budgeted to do 32 at this time (or that as far out in time they are willing to commit funds)
or
(Best case and probably too optimistic) SFO is capacity limited and they will have another site do the remaining 14 in parallel (but then a 50/50 split might make more sense).
or
(Best case and probably too optimistic) SFO is capacity limited and they will have another site do the remaining 14 in parallel (but then a 50/50 split might make more sense).
32 airplanes are being done as stand-alone visits with no regular maintenance check due at the time those modifications are being scheduled.
The other 14 are being done in conjunction with heavy maintenance checks, either C-checks or D-checks, at one of their Asian maintenance providers. This saves United the extra out of service time for those 14 airplanes.
Considering that the 747 is normally scheduled for 21 days for the IPTE upgrade the concurrent visits, the IPTE/Heavy checks, will allow UA to fly an "extra" 777 for those additional 294 days instead of scheduling them in-house (assuming the visits are similar in length for the B777).
That is a lot of extra revenue back to UA's coffers.
Sounds like a financially sound decision.
The other 14 are being done in conjunction with heavy maintenance checks, either C-checks or D-checks, at one of their Asian maintenance providers. This saves United the extra out of service time for those 14 airplanes.
Considering that the 747 is normally scheduled for 21 days for the IPTE upgrade the concurrent visits, the IPTE/Heavy checks, will allow UA to fly an "extra" 777 for those additional 294 days instead of scheduling them in-house (assuming the visits are similar in length for the B777).
That is a lot of extra revenue back to UA's coffers.
Sounds like a financially sound decision.