Ctang From Australia, joined Jul 2001, 139 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1663 times:
When will UA start installing PTVs in its 744 fleet? It is a bit silly not to have them as the 744s operate some of United's longest flights such as ORD-HKG, SFO-SYD and LAX-SYD.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26676 posts, RR: 83 Reply 1, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 1647 times:
This question has been asked many times before, and the general consensus is UA will not install PTVs as the cost to do so will not be recovered in higher fares before the planes are retired from service.
First Class and Business Class will be updated on the 744s and will probably get new AVOD-type IFE, because the return on the investment in those classes is much, much quicker then in Economy.
ORDPIA From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 140 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1447 times:
Quoting N754PR (Reply 3): When was the last time UA made a dollar? now ask when they will get PTV's.
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8737 posts, RR: 52 Reply 5, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 1422 times:
While the 747s operate some of the longest routes, United's primary US based competitor on those routes does not have PTVs on most of them. Neither Northwest nor United have PTVs in economy on the 747s. The Atlantic is more competitive and in general has more competitive products.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
Dc10s4ever From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1380 times:
I doubt you will ever see them. In probably less than 10 years UA will be taking delivery of the 747-8, or the next airplane to replace the 744. So, it does not make sense to invest millions on an airplane that will be around less than 10 years.
MCOflyer From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 8552 posts, RR: 14 Reply 7, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1374 times:
Doesnt the UA 777 have PTV? I expect more to be added.
Iloveboeing From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 750 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1357 times:
Quoting MCOflyer (Reply 7): Doesnt the UA 777 have PTV? I expect more to be added.
I believe most UA 777s have PTVs, except maybe a few that run domestic flights.
I flew on the UA 744 from ORD-HKG and I think PTVs would have been nice for such a long flight. It was a little difficult to see the overhead monitors. The system was also old, outdated, and kept malfunctioning. I think if UA wants to keep up with the standard of other international carriers, then they should upgrade.
UA772IAD From Australia, joined Jul 2004, 1635 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1346 times:
Quoting Iloveboeing (Reply 8): I flew on the UA 744 from ORD-HKG and I think PTVs would have been nice for such a long flight. It was a little difficult to see the overhead monitors. The system was also old, outdated, and kept malfunctioning. I think if UA wants to keep up with the standard of other international carriers, then they should upgrade.
I agree, but as stated, it won't happen. Those 744 flights rely more on frequent fliers spending cash or miles for F or C class. I think the 748, or whatever comes next will have par equipment with the other carriers.
Also, it should be noted that the 744s (because they are used so often at UA) are always undergoing repairs in the cabin. It seems (according to the FAs), that something breaks or malfunctions (be it entertainment systems, galley equipment) on nearly every flight.
Christao17 From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 888 posts, RR: 9 Reply 10, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1344 times:
As much as I'd like to see PTVs in economy aboard the UA 747 fleet, it isn't going to happen and I agree with their rationale.
Customers who are flying UA in Economy aren't choosing it because of the onboard entertainment; they're flying on price and connectivity with UA's network.
If you need a differentiator, Economy Plus is it. Give me flat-panel displays on the front bulkhead and more monitors throughout the cabin, and that will be sufficient. Five extra inches of leg room is, for someone of my height, a reasonable trade-off.
Now once the fleet renewal begins in 20XX, I'm expecting PTVs and AVOD in Economy at that point. But not before.
Stitch From United States of America, joined Jul 2005, 26676 posts, RR: 83 Reply 11, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1272 times:
Quoting MCOflyer (Reply 7): Doesnt the UA 777 have PTV? I expect more to be added.
All three-class UA 777s and 767s have PTVs in all three classes.
PurpleBox From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 321 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1197 times:
Quoting Dc10s4ever (Reply 6): I doubt you will ever see them. In probably less than 10 years UA will be taking delivery of the 747-8, or the next airplane to replace the 744. So, it does not make sense to invest millions on an airplane that will be around less than 10 years.
Well, NZ updated their B747-400 fleet in the last 12 months so some airlines think it's worthwhile.
Perhaps it's all down to competition on specific routes as NZ are up against MH, SQ, TG, EK etc.. If SQ ever get to fly SYD-LAX then how will UA compete?
PurpleBox.
Next Flights:BHX-INV-BHX(BE), STN-KRK(FR), KTW-STN(FR), LHR-CPT(SA), WDH-JNB-LHR(SA)
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 8737 posts, RR: 52 Reply 13, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1191 times:
Quoting PurpleBox (Reply 12): If SQ ever get to fly SYD-LAX then how will UA compete?
Easily by having lower costs. SQ doesn't have the lowest cost structure around and spends massive amounts of money on having a high quality airline with new planes. If UA can match or offer lower fares in economy, then their planes will be full even if they only served buy on board between SYD and LAX. Where UA would lose out is in business and first class although UA has a pretty competitive first class.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
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