Since the 1990's I've experienced UA's fleet of Airbus and always enjoyed overhead TV monitors that folded out of the ceiling. I was unaware until today, somehow, that UA had a subfleet of A319's and A320's without both overhead TV and audio. Did three overhead TV's in the aisle really add substantial weight to the aircraft?
I understand UA is now offering wifi on some aircraft, however I've heard even that only allows viewing of united.com and the moving map. Seems pretty janky to me.
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
Are the 319s and 320s the only UA aircraft to have the overhead TVs every few rows that fold down? I remember being on a 3-3 config UA bird around the turn of the century and the overhead TV for our row to view kept folding up and down the entire flight... I can't remember the type though...
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting psa1011 (Thread starter): Did three overhead TV's in the aisle really add substantial weight to the aircraft? |
I don't think any UA Airbus aircraft had TVs in the aisle - they were all the drop-down monitors under the overhead compartments.
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
Some 738s and 753s and all Pacific based 737s have drop down monitors.
The INTL configured 752 I was on about a month ago had drop down monitors at the bulkhead rows only.
The INTL configured 752 I was on about a month ago had drop down monitors at the bulkhead rows only.
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting psa1011 (Thread starter): I understand UA is now offering wifi on some aircraft, however I've heard even that only allows viewing of united.com and the moving map. Seems pretty janky to me. |
The wifi gives you full access the web and in addition it also offers limited free content (tv and movies) through a portal hosted on the aircraft. Not sure who told you about the moving maps and UA.com info as they were blatantly misleading you.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting psa1011 (Thread starter): I understand UA is now offering wifi on some aircraft, |
Go to the United Fleet Status thread as it has a complete detail on it, but if I recall correctly all but 1 or 2 airbus planes have wifi on them (now that does not mean they work all the time for the internet), but the audio & video parts is going live soon. There was another thread about iOS devices and the streamed content.
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting psa1011 (Thread starter): I was unaware until today, somehow, that UA had a subfleet of A319's and A320's without both overhead TV and audio. |
No, your not crazy. This is brand new development. United never had sub fleet w/out these-all the AIrbuses-as you remember it had the flip down TVs, audio (and most important Channel 9!)
Sometime last year United began ripping this basic but fun IFE out of the Airbuses and replacing them with what was mentioned above some kind of in house WiFi system along with slim line seats. I just read article today that the new seats are very uncomfortable. And yes it sucks to have Channel 9 along with the rest of the audio gone on these aircraft.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting deltaflyertoo (Reply 7): I just read article today that the new seats are very uncomfortable. And yes it sucks to have Channel 9 along with the rest of the audio gone on these aircraft. |
Flew on one of those birds recently. While I agree that I missed Ch. 9 right there at the armrest, I also can say that I was pleasantly surprised by the seats. The first impression was that they were a little hard, but I ended up not having a problem with them. As always, when it comes to things like that, try them for yourself first. Opinions can vary wildly...
Good night, and keep watching the skis. Uh, skies.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
Flown on the new Airbus configurations. Hate the seats, and the fact that they ripped out the IFE system. It was a good system and better than what most airlines had domestically. They are taking so many steps backwards. I don't care that next month, next year, whatever they'll have streaming on certain phones, it is not the same.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting UA444 (Reply 9): Flown on the new Airbus configurations. Hate the seats, and the fact that they ripped out the IFE system. |
I flew on a newly configured A320 last Friday (3/28) from ORD to MDT. I didn't think the new seats were that bad but I didn't like the fact that there was no IFE. I was looking forward to listening to Channel 9 after having endured an almost 3 hours flight on a CRJ-700 from ABQ to ORD. The new seats on the -700 are terrible.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
I have flown on UAL's recently reconfigured Airbus aircraft, and I must say that I was not impressed with the new seats at all. They were very firm (hard) and in my opinion, not very comfortable. I want UA to succeed and be the best at what they do, but more and more changes taking place at UA are having a mostly negative impact on the inflight customer experience. Really a shame in my opinion.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting caleb1 (Reply 12): |
I agree. Especially compared to what DL is doing to their A320 and installing AVOD on the A319. It's like working backwards. They should have kept the IFE system and added wi-fi.
It's one thing about the IFE being ripped out, but by all accounts the new seats are univerally uncomfortable with poor storage capacity. I was a big fan of the old seats and feel this project was a giant waste of money.
"KEEP CLIMBING" -- DELTA
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
I could never understand UA's inconsistency with IFE. Step onto a PMUA A319/320 and you get the wifi. Get on a PMCO 737-700/800/900 and you have LiveTV. I can imagine how frustrating it can be for passengers. Is the IFE going to be standardized across all of the combined fleet?
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
Amazing how looping IFE on tiny, fuzzy screens is now a big deal for entertainment here. Few people care about it. I really liked the old UA Airbus interiors and will miss them, but the IFE wasn't a reason why. Streaming content and WiFi is the way the go. I know I'll miss the old seats, but they needed replacing eventually. You can't tape up the loose pieces forever. If the interior and entertainment is anything like what WN has on their NGs, which it should be on paper, it's a very nice product.
DL is just adding a layer of inconsistency within their Airbus fleet and will have an inferior product on the A320 and subjectively equal product on the A319. You don't want that either. UA is the better of two "evils", if you wish to call it bad.
They're early in the process towards a more consistent product. I kinda doubt it will ever be 100% the same. Right now none of the legacies have a consistent domestic product. In fact, DL's long-term plans call for remaining with an inconsistent product. Give UA some time.
| Quoting tommy767 (Reply 13): I agree. Especially compared to what DL is doing to their A320 and installing AVOD on the A319. It's like working backwards. They should have kept the IFE system and added wi-fi. |
DL is just adding a layer of inconsistency within their Airbus fleet and will have an inferior product on the A320 and subjectively equal product on the A319. You don't want that either. UA is the better of two "evils", if you wish to call it bad.
| Quoting PMUA787 (Reply 14): I could never understand UA's inconsistency with IFE. |
They're early in the process towards a more consistent product. I kinda doubt it will ever be 100% the same. Right now none of the legacies have a consistent domestic product. In fact, DL's long-term plans call for remaining with an inconsistent product. Give UA some time.
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting MSPNWA (Reply 15): Few people care about it. I really liked the old UA Airbus interiors and will miss them, but the IFE wasn't a reason why. Streaming content and WiFi is the way the go. I know I'll miss the old seats, but they needed replacing eventually. |
I've been regular flier of United since the 1990s and can say the following with the authority: Aside from a few off years here and there, as far as United's audio offerings go they always had the best. Last year I flew a United A319 and with over a dozen channels, many with over 20 if not more songs each, United was offering a taste of some the most talented artists, bands and genres from around the world. United has always been above the rest in this regard going back to the 90s. Add Channel 9 in the mix and yeah, who cares about the fuzzy pop downs, but taking your own headset, plugging in and then looking out the window-it was heaven. Not even Virgin Atlantic could compete.
I get we are in a new time of wifi and streaming-but there is something to be said about having entertainment pre programmed for you where you get opportunity to discover music, documentaries and tv shows you'd never have the time or access to sample on your own-especially in the realm of the travel experience when ones mind is most open to it. United always seemed to get that until now. : (
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting deltaflyertoo (Reply 16): |
United was always far ahead of the others in regard to IFE. Pre-merger, every single plane in the fleet had video IFE, and even the 737s had audio which included Channel 9. I always remember flying on United and being provided with headphones and having several different music channels to listen to. Compare that to AA, DL, CO, and NW who had large portions of their aircraft, specifically older Boeing and Douglas planes that had no IFE, audio or video.
They should've at least kept the overhead monitors in these Airbii and add the streaming. That way those without tablets (and there are plenty) won't be without something.
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting MSPNWA (Reply 15): DL is just adding a layer of inconsistency within their Airbus fleet and will have an inferior product on the A320 and subjectively equal product on the A319. You don't want that either. UA is the better of two "evils", if you wish to call it bad. |
What are you talking about? DL is installing new AVOD on the 319 which a vastly better offering than streaming and park bench slimline seating. The 320s are getting a refresh as well -- not AVOD much a better offering than the overhead bin extension on UA. There is a thread on it somewhere on this forum.
"KEEP CLIMBING" -- DELTA
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
My favorite United "era" was around 1998/1999. I flew PVD-MSY via ORD several times a year, and I stuck with UA religiously, because I knew it didn't matter if I got a 727, 737, or 757 I'd get Channel 9 on all flights, plus a nice regular music lineup, plus the most comfortable Y seats in the business. I would take an old 737-300 Y seat over any Y seat plying the skies today, no questions asked. United's coach class catering was also pretty good in that time frame. I appreciated the snack boxes during meal time flights...for lunch/dinner you'd get a small sandwich, cole slaw or potato salad, and a small candy bar. Breakfast it was something like a muffin, banana, and yogurt, IIRC. And since that trip down memory lane is over...time for a reality check...
I too got a chance recently to fly on a new configuration UA 320 on IAH-MSY. The flight was only 45min long, but it was one of the most uncomfortable experiences in my life. The lack of IFE was a bummer, but the big problem was the seat itself. The seat was hard as a rock, the seatback itself was very short, lumbar support was nonexistent, and the storage space was laughably bad. I actually had a back ache after a 45min flight for the first time in my life. Some slim line seats are better than others obviously...these new UA Airbus seats are horrific.
[Edited 2014-04-02 10:34:49]
[Edited 2014-04-02 10:35:34]
I too got a chance recently to fly on a new configuration UA 320 on IAH-MSY. The flight was only 45min long, but it was one of the most uncomfortable experiences in my life. The lack of IFE was a bummer, but the big problem was the seat itself. The seat was hard as a rock, the seatback itself was very short, lumbar support was nonexistent, and the storage space was laughably bad. I actually had a back ache after a 45min flight for the first time in my life. Some slim line seats are better than others obviously...these new UA Airbus seats are horrific.
[Edited 2014-04-02 10:34:49]
[Edited 2014-04-02 10:35:34]
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
I flew one of the 320's with the new slim seats on SFO-RDU about a month back. Firstly, I was surprised it was an Airbus, since the route is historically served with a 737, and that's the only time out of 10 or so trips that I've done it on an Airbus.
I would agree with the assessment that the seats are hard. It'd be fine for shorter flights, but for 4.5+ hours, it was a bit uncomfortable. While I hate to be negative, I'd almost compare it to some of the old worn out CRJ's from a seat comfort level.
The other thing that I found sort of funny, is that they've pulled out the IFE in favor of the WIFI offering, but there's no power in Y or Y+. On a 5 hour transcon using wifi and video, it's pretty likely your phone or tablet is going to be near dead. I fully support the movement of Wifi over complicated and difficult to maintain traditional IFE, but if you want the consumer to use their own devices, then there really should be a power offering, like the pmCO aircraft.
I would agree with the assessment that the seats are hard. It'd be fine for shorter flights, but for 4.5+ hours, it was a bit uncomfortable. While I hate to be negative, I'd almost compare it to some of the old worn out CRJ's from a seat comfort level.
The other thing that I found sort of funny, is that they've pulled out the IFE in favor of the WIFI offering, but there's no power in Y or Y+. On a 5 hour transcon using wifi and video, it's pretty likely your phone or tablet is going to be near dead. I fully support the movement of Wifi over complicated and difficult to maintain traditional IFE, but if you want the consumer to use their own devices, then there really should be a power offering, like the pmCO aircraft.
Work Hard. Fly Right. Continental Airlines
RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
Are we seriously having this discussion again?
Future Of United's Domestic IFE (by deltaflyertoo Jun 28 2013 in Civil Aviation)
United To Enable Entertainment On Personal Devices (by shaq Feb 9 2014 in Civil Aviation)
United To Offer Free Movies/TV On Apple Devices (by LAXintl Mar 13 2014 in Civil Aviation)
Future Of United's Domestic IFE (by deltaflyertoo Jun 28 2013 in Civil Aviation)
United To Enable Entertainment On Personal Devices (by shaq Feb 9 2014 in Civil Aviation)
United To Offer Free Movies/TV On Apple Devices (by LAXintl Mar 13 2014 in Civil Aviation)
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RE: UA A319's/A320's Without Overhead TV, Audio
| Quoting BatonOps (Reply 10): almost 3 hours flight on a CRJ-700 from ABQ to ORD. The new seats on the -700 are terrible |
I would gladly sit 3 hours on the CR7 seatsover 6 hours on 319 in those awful flimsy super uncomfortable seats. If anyone sneezes in those seats the whole row moves. The new A320/319 seats are miserable on a transcon. I like allegiants seats way more than uniteds new 319 seats they are so flimsy and light weight. Any movement the whole row moves it stinks and i hate the recline option with so little room. Allegiant you dont get someone reclining taking away your space.
The new united 319/320 seats are beyond uncomfortable and flimsy.
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