FedExDC-10 From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 196 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3826 times:
The ceiling seems to be rather low (maybe it's just the way I'm looking at it.) Compounded with the color, I think I would be quite uncomfortable.
BlackBox From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 41 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3766 times:
FedExDC-10,
Looks like all the overhead bins are open - that's why the ceiling looks low. Appears as though the photographer was either first on or last off the plane when he took the photo, and all the bins are lowered.
The cabin does look rather dull and institutional in this photo. I think it's the lighting of the photo, because I've found United's interiors to be more inviting than this picture depicts.
DeltaMD11 From United States of America, joined Dec 2002, 1698 posts, RR: 38 Reply 4, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3701 times:
I'd beg to differ on the lack of service statement. In the past UA service was mediocre at best, but I have to say that recently I've been nothing but impressed by UA. My most recent trip with UA was on UA264 SAN-DEN-PHL on DEC 31 of 2003.
A good friend of mine just flew SYD-LAX, LAX-DEN, DEN-DFW, DFW-DEN-LAX-SYD again with UA and he said that overall he was impressed---moreso than flying with QANTAS.
Also I'd like to remind you that those overhead bins are in the down position. The ceilings are actually quite large in the 744. Not to mention, the gentleman who is taking the picture is standing up.
Too often we ... enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Tripseven From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 72 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3548 times:
I just finished a trip to Asia involving the following segments on UA744s:
LAX-NRT
NRT-BKK
ORD-IAD
I also did a roundtrip LAX-AKL a few years back.
While I admit that picture looks really bad, it must be a combination of the angle, the fact the center bins are down, and the strong flash that washed everything out and makes it look the way it does. The service was good on my flights and I'd say the whole experience on UA was better than expected.
One of my segments was on Asiana Airlines from SGN-ICN. That was a bad experience. Small seats, ugly interior, rude staff... ICN is a great airport though.
Pilottim747 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1607 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3466 times:
I like the UA 744s. Granted they don't have PTVs in coach, but otherwise I think they're great. The cabin is just as bit as spacious as other B744s (expect the ERs, of course). I flew United SFO-PEK and HKG-ORD back in 2000, no complaints. United, IMHO, has some of the best service of all the American airlines.
ContinentalEWR From United States of America, joined exactly 13 years ago today! , 3762 posts, RR: 15 Reply 7, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3454 times:
UA's 747-400's are actually quite nice. They are somewhat plain inside, and the absence of PTV's in Economy is a bit disappointing, but the cabin interiors are actually almost always crisp, clean, and there is nothing that would make the experience any less comfortable than on a comparable airline, that flies 747-400's without PTV's and bright, bold interiors. I flew UA 747-400's from JFK to NRT and back and the experience was quite pleasant.
WidgetBoi From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1432 posts, RR: 21 Reply 8, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 3436 times:
Blech. It's been a long time since I've seen a cabin that uninspired. But then again, many cabins look dull from the back, so maybe it's just the photo...
On the positive side, at least they don't have to worry about cleaning up the bulkhead after someone gets air sick
SW733 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 6072 posts, RR: 10 Reply 9, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3144 times:
I flew a United 744 from HKG - ORD in 1998. I loved it. Granted, it wasn't as good as the 744 of Cathay Pacific from CDG - HKG, but, that's a given!
Syncmaster From United States of America, joined Jul 2002, 1983 posts, RR: 14 Reply 10, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3078 times:
I thought I saw somewhere that this was probably going to be one of the first thigns they changed when they exited Chapter 11.....adding PTV's in particular to bring the 744's up to par with other airlines. In particular Asian airlines as most all of them already have them...and that's the largest market for the UA 744's. Europe belonging to the 763 and 772, which already have PTV's.
Kevin752 From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 713 posts, RR: 5 Reply 11, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 3001 times:
I do not really like the interior on any of thier planes because the livery on the outside ruins everything. NOW the livery is being changed so my thoughts on the cabin are changing. I really liked the 747-200 with the grey and blue livery. They looked the best in that livery for some reason. I hope that United keeps gracing out skies. I think that United has the same WONDERFUL service that Lufthansa has and I love lufthansa to death.
Skydrol From Canada, joined Oct 2003, 860 posts, RR: 11 Reply 12, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 2912 times:
No problems with the grey color scheme to me... much more relaxing than bright red anyday. At least there is something other than hard, white or beige plastic to look at. What I hate is plastic-backed seats! Count me in with those who do not like spending a flight looking at PTVs or airphones.
Stargoldlhr From Heard and McDonald Islands, joined Feb 2004, 1529 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2517 times:
Just arrived in SIN on SQL 319 from LHR on a 744.
Choice of 30 films in economy, excellant service, meal with real plates, decent food, adjustable headrest, foot rest etc etc...
last weekend I flew SFO-LHR on a UAL 744
1 pasta meal with rubber chicken, 1 film repeated constantly in economy communal TV, no breakfast. No Headrest, laptop bag for a foot rest.
two weeks ago FRA-DXB on a LH 744.
1 Meal somewhere inbetween SQ and UA's. Breakfast. free "Body Belt" with eyepatch, earmuffs etc, small choice of films.
LHR-SIN ticket about £200 / $350 each way, distance about 6100m
LHR-SFO ticket about £130 / $200 each way. distance about 5500m
FRA-DXB ticket about £115 / $180 each way, distance about 3200m
in principle.. you get what you pay for.
Next stop Sydney tomorrow.
So far in 2008 45 flights and Gold already. JFK, IAD, LGA, SIN, HKG, NRT, AKL, PPT, LAX still to book ! Home Airport LCY
N766UA From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 7992 posts, RR: 27 Reply 14, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 2353 times:
What the hell are you supposed to do on a 15 hour flight with no PTVs? I mean, I've never flown in a plane with PTVs but I can't imagine 15 hours of just sleep and reading in coach.
Nethkt From Thailand, joined Apr 2001, 985 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 2122 times:
Sleeping should be something you do at home.
I don't think seats on airplane are for sleeping, unless you fly Flat bed First/Business.
Those people who sleep without doing anything on 15 Hrs flights are those who will get DVT. Wish you all the best.
I also can't stand 744 without PTVs...gosh!!
UA Economy might be sux, but I still love ther F and C products. I used to fly ID on F and C United a lot...go UA!!!
Don't be annoyed knowing the passengers around you are non-revs and op-upgraders, be grateful for them. Life is beautifu
TranStar From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 524 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1998 times:
You all are very spoiled travelers. There was indeed a time before PTVs, indeed decades of intercontinental jet travel without PTVs.
I once did 24 hours of travel from Australia to the US without PTVs in the 1980s. We read, slept, or talked. Ultimately, we survived. When Pan Am launched 747SP service on the JFK-Tokyo route, there were no PTVs in any class.
I traveled on UAL to Korea last year in coach without PTVs on their 747-400s. Their services was very nice, good food, free booze, and quite comfortable seats.
I think with the cost challenges facing the world's legacy airlines in all countries, I think people should face the reality that service perks will be diminishing over the long-term. As more and more of the world's population demand air travel at lower costs, something is going to have to give.
What US airlines have faced in the last few years and, indeed, decades, will eventually occur on a global scale. Even Asian carriers with their very high level of service will eventually face lower-cost competition within their region and will be faced with the same cost-cutting choices that US carriers hace faced over the past twenty years.
It is important to remember that the US was the first country to initiative deregulation of its domestic airline industry. The rest of the world has really only just begun this process. Better enjoy the frills and extras while they last.
AAJAXFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 17, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1885 times:
I mean, I've never flown in a plane with PTVs but I can't imagine 15 hours of just sleep and reading in coach.
You can't occupy yourself in one spot for 15 hours?
I for one am glad that United has an unintrusively dull color scheme inside and am thankful for the lack of PTVs. I don't use a PTV even when I have one, and would rather not have the entertainment system box taking up underseat space and PTVs around me flashing in the dark cabin.
Nethkt From Thailand, joined Apr 2001, 985 posts, RR: 3 Reply 18, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1720 times:
Old-fashioned, no art of flying, no class.
That why those people seek only low fare and low cost airlines. They suit the low cost airlines...just sit and then walk off the plane...and then...die because of DVT.
I am sure Asian airlines will just be stronger than ever. Too bad, you build the planes, we enjoy making money from it.
Thank god!!
Don't be annoyed knowing the passengers around you are non-revs and op-upgraders, be grateful for them. Life is beautifu
Kurt From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 413 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1543 times:
Stargoldlhr:
last weekend I flew SFO-LHR on a UAL 744
1 pasta meal with rubber chicken, 1 film repeated constantly in economy communal TV, no breakfast. No Headrest, laptop bag for a foot rest.
This is obviously a mistake. UA serves breakfast on overnight Transatlantic flights in Y. East coast flights get a continental breakfast and West coast flights get a hot breakfast.
There are supposed to be at least 2 films in Y with short subjects and Airshow in-between.
UA service might not be as nice as LH or SQ in some aspects, but your experience is either incorrect or a wild aberration.
N766UA From United States of America, joined Jul 1999, 7992 posts, RR: 27 Reply 20, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1516 times:
You all are very spoiled travelers
Did the part where I said "I've never flown on a plane with a PTV" escape you?
Tbear815 From United States of America, joined Jun 2003, 704 posts, RR: 5 Reply 21, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1502 times:
All these goings-on about PTV's....Transtar said it right, BUT there was a time in the distant past that airlines didn't offer IFE AT ALL. Even the timetables in those days specifically mentioned a "reasonable" amount of reading material was allowed along with a carry-on. Try being a kid crossing an ocean with nothing to do. I do remember the adults doing a good job with the cocktails.....However, we got there!
Ltuemployee2 From Germany, joined Jul 2001, 28 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (9 years 1 month 3 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 1221 times:
Well, back then adults and kids alike were also able to enjoy a conversation, good food (because food was available in better amounts and quality than today) and the view. Today it seems like torture for a child to live without video games for a while. Also, the seats at that time allowed you to comfortably sit and read...
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