UAL's IPTE (International Premium Travel Experience) - New C and F Cabins Update
Jul 10, 2009, 8:19 am
#1
Company Representative - United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: United Public Relations
Posts: 151
UAL's IPTE (International Premium Travel Experience) - New C and F Cabins Update
Hello All -- Wanted to share with you an update on the rollout of IPTE:
IPTE modifications continue to progress as we have completed two of the three international fleets - with the 767 fleet (21 planes) completed in May and the 747 fleet (24 planes) set to be complete in October.
The B777 program is more complex than the B767 and B747 programs given the three different sub-fleets. Therefore, the first IPTE B777 conversion is being pushed back by a few months and we will start the work in February 2010. This also allows us to not start the conversions during the busy holiday travel period.
This decision will allow us to better manage our capital expenditure in 2009 – helping us maintain a stronger cash flow through Q4, which is our most challenging period.
We are developing a revised aircraft modification schedule, so it is too early to say when the full B777 modifications will be complete until we work out those details. We'll keep you updated.
Have a nice weekend all!
IPTE modifications continue to progress as we have completed two of the three international fleets - with the 767 fleet (21 planes) completed in May and the 747 fleet (24 planes) set to be complete in October.
The B777 program is more complex than the B767 and B747 programs given the three different sub-fleets. Therefore, the first IPTE B777 conversion is being pushed back by a few months and we will start the work in February 2010. This also allows us to not start the conversions during the busy holiday travel period.
This decision will allow us to better manage our capital expenditure in 2009 – helping us maintain a stronger cash flow through Q4, which is our most challenging period.
We are developing a revised aircraft modification schedule, so it is too early to say when the full B777 modifications will be complete until we work out those details. We'll keep you updated.
Have a nice weekend all!
Jul 10, 2009, 8:23 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: What I write is my opinion alone..don't read into it anything not written.
Posts: 9,686
Good news, but how can you have completed two fleets when in the same line, you state the 2nd fleet won't be completed until Oct?
Jul 10, 2009, 8:35 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
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Jul 10, 2009, 8:36 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Posts: 6,355
This doesn't surprise me although I definitely would have liked it to happen on schedule considering my two UA airports KWI/DXB fly the 777 across the pond to IAD.
Oh well a year from now we will have several 777 to enjoy I hope.
Jul 10, 2009, 8:43 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Palo Alto. Previously, below the approaches to Rwy 19 @ DCA or 28 @ ORD
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Jul 10, 2009, 8:52 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1kMM; AA EX Plat, Hilton Diamond and SPG Plat
Posts: 2,013
Happy to hear that there is a "Plan", very sad to hear that they won't be starting till 2/2010. So it will be almost 2 years (I think) after the original conversion started. You think they would have had plenty of time to figure out the 777 issue. I guess I will be avoiding them like the plague.
Jul 10, 2009, 8:56 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, UA Platinum, others
Posts: 1,270
I feel like groundhog day. UnitedPR comes back, and I get to fly other airlines' premium cabins instead of United for six more months 
Jul 10, 2009, 9:07 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NTTB
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,649
777 Fleet Upgrade Postponed
from airliners.net
My guess is that it gets postponed indefinitely...
IPTE Modifications to be Complete on B747 in October, B777 Start Moves to February 2010
Modifications of the 24 aircraft in our Boeing 747 fleet to the new International Premium Travel Experience (IPTE) configuration remain on track to be completed in October 2009. However, work on the Boeing 777 fleet is being moved back a few months to start in February 2010.
While our International Premium Travel Experience (IPTE) aircraft continue to double our customer satisfaction scores, and the modifications continue to progress well, the B777 program is more complex than the B767 and B747 programs, given the three different B777 sub-fleets. In addition, we are facing a challenging year due to the global recession, changing market demand and increasing fuel prices.
Modifications of the 24 aircraft in our Boeing 747 fleet to the new International Premium Travel Experience (IPTE) configuration remain on track to be completed in October 2009. However, work on the Boeing 777 fleet is being moved back a few months to start in February 2010.
While our International Premium Travel Experience (IPTE) aircraft continue to double our customer satisfaction scores, and the modifications continue to progress well, the B777 program is more complex than the B767 and B747 programs, given the three different B777 sub-fleets. In addition, we are facing a challenging year due to the global recession, changing market demand and increasing fuel prices.
Jul 10, 2009, 9:10 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Los Angeles & Orange County, CA
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Posts: 23,822
Why didn't UA install herringbone as their business product? I tried 2 products over the week--Air Canada and Air New Zealand business/herringbone and they were both far superior than UA's new business product.
What a shame. UA, if you are listening, change your product on the 777!
What a shame. UA, if you are listening, change your product on the 777!
Jul 10, 2009, 9:12 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Alexandria, VA, USA NW Platinum Elite Since 1999, United GoldMM, Hyatt Plat, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, IC Ambassador, Avis Chairman's
Posts: 7,445
WOW! The only saving grace is we wont have "Will I be on a reconfig 777" threads for a few more months...
Jul 10, 2009, 9:17 am
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 644
Why didn't UA install herringbone as their business product? I tried 2 products over the week--Air Canada and Air New Zealand business/herringbone and they were both far superior than UA's new business product.
What a shame. UA, if you are listening, change your product on the 777!
What a shame. UA, if you are listening, change your product on the 777!
Jul 10, 2009, 9:29 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Why didn't UA install herringbone as their business product? I tried 2 products over the week--Air Canada and Air New Zealand business/herringbone and they were both far superior than UA's new business product.
What a shame. UA, if you are listening, change your product on the 777!
What a shame. UA, if you are listening, change your product on the 777!
I've flown on NZ and VS, both with the herringbone pattern, and don't see any material difference between UA's, other than the rear-facing seats.
I like the UA layout better for couples. It's difficult to sit "next" to someone in a herringbone config.