Here They Are... The New UA Biz Seats!

UNITED777300 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:46 pm

Well, UA's finally let the cat out of the bag... here are the new biz seats:

Big version: Width: 1920 Height: 1080 File size: 170kb

And the accompanying press releases:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070723/aqm071.html?.v=14

http://suitedreams.united.com/

planecrazy2 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:49 pm

Wow!!! Great work United!

LAXintl · Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:51 pm

Now that the news is formally out, I'll post the new aircraft seating configurations.

B763
Current: F10C32Y151
New: F6C26Y151

B777
Current: F12C49Y197 + F10C45CY198
New: F8C40Y214 + F8C40Y221
Different versions have to do with crew rest facilities

B744
Current: F14C73Y260
New: F12C52Y310

ordflier · Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:52 pm

Very nice! Look better than any of the other US Carrier products either out there... or soon to be...

UNITED777300 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 1:53 pm

Personally, I'm amazed that UA is increasing the Y cabins. Despite that, these new products in First and Biz are excellent- Good Work United!

roseflyer · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:06 pm

International United Business seat amenities will include:

-- Forward- and rear-facing seats configured to allow customers to
completely recline 180 degrees to a full 6-foot, 4-inch bed
-- Four-way lumbar support and six-way adjustable headrest
-- An ottoman providing additional storage for a laptop or other personal
items
-- Ergonomically designed tray table that comfortably accommodates a
laptop and other items
-- iPod adapter that enables customers to play their own music and videos
on the seat's entertainment unit while recharging the iPod
-- Universal Serial Bus (USB) port to charge personal electronic devices,
such as personal digital assistants, mobile phones and digital cameras
-- Standard 110v power outlets requiring no adapter
-- Adjustable LED reading light with dimmer
-- Noise cancelling headphones

Oh my gosh, those seats are fully flat. I'm really surprised that United went for that. They really might struggle with competing with their first class. This looks really good although they are copying BA with a rear facing seat. They are definitely beating AA. UA and DL will have the best product in business class in the United States. I wonder how they can justify that.

Will 767s and 777s be different?

[Edited 2007-07-23 07:11:35]

United Airline · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:12 pm

Hope they will install private TVs and AVOD on every single seat next step!

ordpia · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:17 pm

Great Job UA!! Cant wait to try it out.

HowSwedeitis · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:23 pm

HOLY CRAP!!! eyepopping

Those PTV's are HUGE! THE SEATS ARE NIIIIICE! Cool

bjornstrom · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:25 pm

Looks surprisingly good for a US carrier!

What's the rollout schedule? I presume that the 777's and 747's are getting them first. How about the 757's on P.S. that I usually ride SFO/LAX-JFK?

AeroWesty · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:29 pm

Interesting that the seat configurations will have whole rows facing backwards, unlike how BA does it with alternating seats within the rows forward/backwards.

Seat maps may be viewed at the links here:

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/united/28964/

piercey · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:36 pm

Quoting Bjornstrom (Reply 9):
How about the 757's on P.S. that I usually ride SFO/LAX-JFK?

I'd guess to heavy for the plane. Sticking with what you got.

piercey in CLE Sad

A2 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:36 pm

Good job UA!!! I personally am very surprised with the selection. Guess I wasn't expecting much from a US airline.

AeroWesty · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:39 pm

Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2):
B744
Current: F14C73Y260
New: F12C52Y310

Looks like Economy Plus will be reduced as well.

747-400 configuration:

Old: 14F/73C/88Y+/172Y
New: 12F/52C/70Y+/240Y

LAXintl · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:39 pm

Quoting Bjornstrom (Reply 9):
What's the rollout schedule? I presume that the 777's and 747's are getting them first.

1st plane out will be a 767 in the early fall, quickly followed by a single 744 and 777

Quoting Bjornstrom (Reply 9):
How about the 757's on P.S. that I usually ride SFO/LAX-JFK?

I hear some other plans are afoot for p.s.

corey07850 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:43 pm

Looks good, but good luck getting to the bathroom if you're seatmate on the aisle is fully reclined and sleeping

uaord2000 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:48 pm

I am really amazed by this. United is finally going to be competitive with the best of 'em. Truly amazing!!!

Mir · Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:55 pm

Seats look great, but do the PTVs extend out on an arm or something? They look awfully far away to me (not just a UA thing - other carriers have it as well, only that this is the first time I've gotten around to asking the question).

-Mir

United Airline · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:01 pm

VERY NICE INDEED! Amazing. Well done UA.

HowSwedeitis · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:03 pm

Quoting Corey07850 (Reply 15):
good luck getting to the bathroom if you're seatmate on the aisle is fully reclined and sleeping

Good point... how would one go to the lav??

Markhkg · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:21 pm

Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 10):
Interesting that the seat configurations will have whole rows facing backwards

Interesting observation. That also means that UA will need to update their safety videos and safety cards in order to reflect the different brace position for aft facing passengers.

Mir · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:22 pm

Quoting HowSwedeitis (Reply 19):
Good point... how would one go to the lav??

Step over them. Not a perfectly ideal solution, but that's one of the drawbacks of flat beds - they take up space.

-Mir

LHRBlueSkies · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:26 pm

Quoting UNITED777300 (Reply 4):
I'm amazed that UA is increasing the Y cabins.

Doubt it very much...more like same amount of floor space for all cabins, allowing better seating in F/J and standard cram-them-in Y-style! Big grin

Ok, so the biz seats are improved. Now, let's spend some money working on the inflight service (and that of ground staff) and maybe UA can truly compete! Wink

LAXdude1023 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:33 pm

These look Amazing!!! Better than anything the American based carriers can do so far!!!

Now if we could just get them to put PTV's of some kind on the 744's then we would be set!!

Kohflot · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:56 pm

With only 8 seats, I wonder if management at UA spent long hours debating whether or not to just completely do away with the F cabin. What will be the incentive for passengers to spend the extra money for F (which will apparently be closer to other airlines' J) when there's a lie-flat seat and a big TV (albeit with a bit less privacy) a few rows back for a lot less money?

The real news here, IMO, is the expansion of plain ole economy. The perception I'm getting from UA is this: "We've introduced a so-so new F product and a new J product that will be industry leading for about 6 months before being leap-frogged by other US carriers. While we can hold our own against other US-carrier premium cabins, we will never be able to compete with the amenities offered by a growing number of European and Asian airlines. So how can we make money internationally? With cargo and by competing for price-sensitive economy passengers."

[Edited 2007-07-23 09:06:08]

su · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:57 pm

Congrat UA! - can't wait to try them!

Love the colors

N751PR · Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:59 pm

I never really did chime in on the other thread so I might as well do it here:

Very nice! Good job UA and B/E Aerospace! Big grin

zrs70 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:01 pm

Looks real nice. BUT, how does the guy in the window seat get out? Looks like a difficult jump over the aisle seat?!

CX 4ever · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:11 pm

Very wonderful seats! I never expect something like this to happen on United Airlines. Apart from the slightly lack of privacy, this new design is totally awesome! Well done United Airlines!

N1120A · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:11 pm

Quoting UNITED777300 (Thread starter):
Well, UA's finally let the cat out of the bag... here are the new biz seats:

Looks like they got what they needed, research-wise, out of p.s.

Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2):
B744
Current: F14C73Y260
New: F12C52Y310

Good to see United adjusting the capacity to that aircraft upward.

Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2):
B763
Current: F10C32Y151
New: F6C26Y151

This is going to be interesting. I am sure they are going to be looking to increase yield to make up for the loss of density, but the 763ERs will have to be even more carefully deployed now.

Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2):
Different versions have to do with crew rest facilities

Do they have an overhead crew rest on some aircraft yet?

Quoting Laxintl (Reply 2):
New: F8C40Y214 + F8C40Y221

Now that is interesting. Did they shrink Y+ on the 772 as well? This is a significant jump in capacity for that aircraft and seems like a bit of a squeeze, given the floor space.

Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 5):
-- Standard 110v power outlets requiring no adapter

That is probably the best thing of all. They planning on adding these to Y through out the fleet?

Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 5):

Oh my gosh, those seats are fully flat. I'm really surprised that United went for that.

I'm not. FBNL is kind of a thing of the past and United separates from the competition by offering a true flat bed.

Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 5):
They really might struggle with competing with their first class.

It seems to have worked for BA so far. These beds are still inferior to the pods in F and I am sure service levels will be a bit lower.

Quoting United Airline (Reply 6):
Hope they will install private TVs and AVOD on every single seat next step!

I am sure PTVs in Y on the 744s will come with this update

Quoting Bjornstrom (Reply 9):
How about the 757's on P.S. that I usually ride SFO/LAX-JFK?

Quoting Piercey (Reply 11):

I'd guess to heavy for the plane

This seat is already the F seat on p.s., which is by far the best domestic product in the US, and perhaps the world.

Quoting AeroWesty (Reply 13):

Looks like Economy Plus will be reduced as well.

Now that is interesting. I am guessing they are betting on slightly reduced numbers of Star Gold upgrades under the newish rules to make up for that.

Quoting Laxintl (Reply 14):

I hear some other plans are afoot for p.s.

Hopefully they will return to meal service in Y.

OB1504 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:16 pm

Quoting Zrs70 (Reply 27):
Looks real nice. BUT, how does the guy in the window seat get out? Looks like a difficult jump over the aisle seat?!

Reminds me of a recent flight where I found myself in a similar situation. I simply stepped onto the armrest between the two seats, and then jumped over the passenger next to me. He didn't notice a thing (he was fast asleep), but it did get me some weird looks from the Economy class cabin.

planenutz · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:17 pm

I poked around this link http://www.suitedreams.united.com/ and listened to the statements by UA's executive team. I think that its pretty admirable that one of them would admit that UA's current C class product is "middle of the pack" and through the new product UA will become world class.

Also, it seems the other two members of the executive team are Brits. Anyone know their history? Perhaps brought over from BA, Virgin or the like to improve UA premium cabins?

Also, theres a link for UA First Class. Is this new, or simply a presentation on the current First Suite?

UAL4ever · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:20 pm

Finally, a business class that will be on the highest level. As a United Premier Executive who flies United Business class on a regular basis I am quite impressed. I am really happy they decided not to go halfway on this one. I can't wait to fly in these seats!!

stylo777 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:22 pm

great seats, looks like the biz seats of etihad EY

HowSwedeitis · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:24 pm

Quoting UAL4ever (Reply 32):
United Premier Executive

What is that?

N1120A · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:26 pm

Quoting HowSwedeitis (Reply 34):
Quoting UAL4ever (Reply 32):
United Premier Executive

What is that?

The middle status in their FF program.

trent1000 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:46 pm

Quoting N1120A (Reply 29):
These beds are still inferior to the pods in F and I am sure service levels will be a bit lower.

How can you say that? I know that's your opinion, but how can you make a statement about service standard based on a new seat design? I think that UA crew would find your statement offensive.The number of F seats will be less than now. Wouldn't you assume the crew/passenger ratio would therefore increase, allowing even better service? In what ways do you think the pods (BA I assume) are superior to these as yet uninstalled/untried new UA seats?

keesje · Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:06 pm

Quoting RoseFlyer (Reply 5):
180 degrees to a full 6-foot, 4-inch bed

Ambitious. The electronic suit seems to be matching todays best also.

At first glance a seat superior in specification to e.g. AA, DL, BA, VS, NWA, JAL which are UA's most important long haul competitors.

Good to see UA try to compete again with a top of the line business class product!

Interesting will be to see if they can offer the service level on more soft items like catering, personal attention, the ground product etc..

N1120A · Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:06 pm

Quoting Trent1000 (Reply 36):

How can you say that? I know that's your opinion, but how can you make a statement about service standard based on a new seat design? I think that UA crew would find your statement offensive.The number of F seats will be less than now. Wouldn't you assume the crew/passenger ratio would therefore increase, allowing even better service? In what ways do you think the pods (BA I assume) are superior to these as yet uninstalled/untried new UA seats?

Dude, you totally read my post wrong. I was talking about how United can justify keeping their separate F cabin along with this new business class. RoseFlyer noted that the significantly increased quality of United Business, which includes the first truly flat bed in business for a US carrier, might end up hurting United First beyond repair. I was saying that since United's pod seats in F are still superior to the new business seats and that they will maintain ostensibly higher service levels in First than in the new Business, they could hold on to United First and continue to maintain true 3 class service.

Read the post, and what is quoted, next time.

PVG · Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:07 pm

Quoting UAORD2000 (Reply 16):
I am really amazed by this. United is finally going to be competitive with the best of 'em. Truly amazing!!!

DId they have a choice? They are so far behind (especially against their Asian competitors) that they had to for it. Looks good and competitive against most of other carriers.

Quoting Corey07850 (Reply 15):
Looks good, but good luck getting to the bathroom if you're seatmate on the aisle is fully reclined and sleeping

Always request an aisle seat when sitting in the C class cabin. Let the other guy climb over you. Also, if you get stuck at the window seat, then pick your spots on lav visits if possible. I.E., before or right after meals, make the trip when the other guy is out of his seat.

UAL777UK · Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:43 pm

YThe seat looks absolutely fantastic, well done UA, by far its going to offer the best J seat of any US carrier IMHO. So pleased they did not go with a herring bone configeration, I truly hate that lay out!

Wonder what the boys at AA think of the seat....and DL for that matter!

Qatara340 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:03 pm

Looks EXACTLY and even better than emirates First Class on its 77W!!

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

readytotaxi · Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:10 pm

Well done United, now Continental what are you going to do with your tired product?

SFORunner · Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:21 pm

Quoting Readytotaxi (Reply 42):
Well done United, now Continental what are you going to do with your tired product?

We all know CO and UA will merge, and as a consequence, the CO birds will receive this new product! stirthepot

keesje · Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:22 pm

It will be interesting to see if First class passengers will be able to justify the say $5000 extra for an "even better flat bed" on top of these new business class seats. The world has become more rational..

I would not be surprized if UA decided to take a look what happens, and then makes a decision of wether to abolish First or not, like Continental, Delta, KLM, Northwest, SAS did before them and many other carriers (LH, SQ, AF) do on an increasing number of long haul routes..

is your comany willing to pay double for an even better flat bed ?..

HowSwedeitis · Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:25 pm

Quoting QatarA340 (Reply 41):
Makes EK's products look inferior

Mmm, I disagree; (I like the drink options on Emirates!!!) yummy

cx777fan · Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:18 pm

Quoting UAL4ever (Reply 32):
Finally, a business class that will be on the highest level.

UA have to do a lot of work on service, catering and entertainment fronts before coming anywhere close to competing with many European and most Asian carriers. Still, good on them for trying. I was just thinking the other day whether any american carriers would ever attempt to rise above the current mediocrity that characterises airlines from the US.

trent1000 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:19 pm

Well I did read the original post and your comment was vague

Quoting N1120A (Reply 29):
These beds are still inferior to the pods in F and I am sure service levels will be a bit lower.

In reply 38, you clearly explained what you meant.

I also think you are the first person to ever call me 'dude' (for good reason).

UnitedTristar · Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:53 pm

Quoting Planenutz (Reply 31):
Also, it seems the other two members of the executive team are Brits. Anyone know their history? Perhaps brought over from BA, Virgin or the like to improve UA premium cabins?

NA...Graham Atkinson has been with UA for years...Rachel was brought in by Graham from Disney for his new "Customer Experience" division who is sole reason for being is to give the customer a product like no other.

http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/united...docs/28964-Bio_Graham_Atkinson.pdf

-m

[Edited 2007-07-23 13:55:36]

SASDC8 · Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:03 pm

Wow.. Must say that I think UA's new premium seats look great Big grin

At least a lot better than I thought it would look. Cant wait to give them a try Smile

Would think AA's board is beating themselves silly, considering that their new J-seat doesn't even come close Wink

Stein

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