United Airlines ?

[Mick]

I am thinking of flying with them from Edmonton. Can anyone tell me if they have nice planes? (Comfortable seats, food, movies etc.) It looks like we would fly on United for Ted and United Express Skyway.

Thanks

 

[bavaria]

United Express is most likely a CRJ operated by a partner carrier. Smaller plane, basic service.

TED is a one class cabin, with Economy Plus seating for elite members, or those who pay $299 for a year, or an upgrade fee.

On the ORD-MCO flight BOB is available on TED - a snack box choice for $4. See their website for contents.

For non-frequent fliers, cost and schedule seems to be more important than anything else.

United is very good to its frequent fliers; leisure travellers may not have the same experiences but in general should have a decent flight.

Also note that United does not preboard families with children.

 

[Mick]

Thanks Baravia.

Anyone else?

 

[bavaria]

there aren't that many United fliers here - FlyingBelle I believe is another. Don't know what else you are looking for - I fly them almost every week. I would think that would be validation but maybe not.

 

[Mick]

You are right, you did answer my question. Thank you for taking the time to do so.

 

[crashbb]

I don't fly UA a huge amount, but they are an AC partner, so I do sometimes fly them to/within the US. I actually flew them home on my November WDW trip (MCO-IAD-YYZ). I know at least one was TED. I also flew UA YYZ-DEN return. I think they were AC codeshare, but definitely UA metal.

They are your standard legacy airline. I have FF status on AC, which is recongnized by UA, but didn't at the time of those flights. Other than the fact that you could do on-line check in coming home from MCO (you can if your final destination is in the US) and the DEN-YYZ flight was about 100 degrees, I had no complaints. To be fair, the no on-line check-in is, according to UA, an MCO rule not a UA rule.

As I said, I mainly fly AC, so I don't have a lot of experience with West Jet. UA will not have seat back TVs and likely won't have movies (definitely not in the United Express flight - it might not even have in seat music). My YYZ-DEN flights did have inseat screens - they played pre-programmed movies and tv shows (not live). I have dietary issues, so I can rarely eat whatever food they serve, so I don't really pay attention. My memory is that it is no different to what is served on West Jet flights.

Hope this helps.

 

[bavaria]

The TED flight will have IFE - in flight entertainment, or what was originally called 'TEDivision'. Usually a movie and short features, based on length of flight. These are not seat back entertainment. Also a variety of radio channels and Channel 9. United is the only airline to offer passengers the ability to listen to the cockpit and tower comunication on Channel 9.

Check out the snack boxes on the website - I actually really like the 'rite bite' as it has my favourite hummus, pita chips, and crackers. I am Nexus so can't take food in my carryon or through Customs /Immigration, and the 'rite bite' box is often my meal as a result. There are a variety of choices.

 

[crashbb]

The TED flight will have IFE - in flight entertainment, or what was originally called 'TEDivision'. Usually a movie and short features, based on length of flight. These are not seat back entertainment. Also a variety of radio channels and Channel 9. United is the only airline to offer passengers the ability to listen to the cockpit and tower comunication on Channel 9.

I forgot about channel 9 - that is VERY fun!!

 

[bab31]

I just got back from Tucson and have decided I will not fly United again ( ok maybe for a really good rate)- I booked my flight about 6 weeks in advance and could not choose my seat. It could not be assigned until check in- ( they want you to pay $30 per segment for a better coach seat) I was up at 4 AM to get ready and catch my flight. The flight out of chicago to denver I was in the last row with what seemed like 6 inches of space to move in. I had the aisle seat and a bigger gentleman was sitting between me and another woman. He was very nice - not grossly overweight. He was really scrunched. But in any case I tried to sleep but the last row is impossible. To top it off I had the family from hell in front of us. A two year old who's mother let the child run up and down the isle- banging into me. The mom drags a BIG bag out and puts it in the isle- the steward step over it twice- the second steward just stood there until she finally caught on and moved it. The stewards let the 8 year old hold the two year old during landing couldnt believe it. Then to top if off after landing I am having to wait in the isle while allmost everyone is off while the family from hell stood in the isle - father saying something like - well you better find it. Five us are wanting off the plane! I said to the stewardess while exiting unbelievable! she agreed.

But I wont fly united because It is rediculous about the seat thing. On my return flight there were plenty of empty seats toward the front ( not business class) but because I wasnt willing to pay 30 bucks to move up 10 rows....

When I checked in to return from Tucson I asked if there were any better seats availble and the clerk at check in said no . I got to the gate and checked and the gate guy gave me an exit row. I ended up giving that up to a girl (her grandmother had an inflight emergency )in the row behind me. That way the grandaughter could at least sit down in a seat instead of standing in the isle.

so that is my opinion of United

 

[bavaria]

and your post is exactly why I say that leisure travellers may not like United. United is the only American legacy carrier with the extra seat pitch in Economy Plus. They protect that area for their elite flyers, and consider it an 'upgrade' which costs non-elites.

You are apparently not an elite member, therefore you could choose to pay the upgrade or sit in Economy -.

United makes a lot of money from those upgrades, and keeps loyal elite members as we appreciate how they protect that zone. On many flights people try and 'self upgrade' to Economy Plus and are now being told that they must pay.

That may not be what you want to hear, but it is exactly why I stay loyal to United.

All of the other things about unruly passengers are not limited to United. While the crew could have possibly been more aggressive in dealing with the situation, they also have to choose to pick certain battles.

 

[bavaria]

. I got to the gate and checked and the gate guy gave me an exit row. I ended up giving that up to a girl (her grandmother had an inflight emergency )in the row behind me. That way the grandaughter could at least sit down in a seat instead of standing in the isle.

so that is my opinion of United

why would anyone be standing in the aisle for the duration of a flight? and I certainly hope that the 'girl' was over age 16 as children cannot be seated in an exit row. Did she get a safety briefing from the FAs? If a passenger seated in the exit row does not pay attention to the briefing or does not understand fully, they are reseated.

 

[Mick]

Thank you to everyone for taking the time to answer me. It is all very helpful.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

and your post is exactly why I say that leisure travellers may not like United. United is the only American legacy carrier with the extra seat pitch in Economy Plus. They protect that area for their elite flyers, and consider it an 'upgrade' which costs non-elites.

You are apparently not an elite member, therefore you could choose to pay the upgrade or sit in Economy -.

United makes a lot of money from those upgrades, and keeps loyal elite members as we appreciate how they protect that zone. On many flights people try and 'self upgrade' to Economy Plus and are now being told that they must pay.

That may not be what you want to hear, but it is exactly why I stay loyal to United.

All of the other things about unruly passengers are not limited to United. While the crew could have possibly been more aggressive in dealing with the situation, they also have to choose to pick certain battles.

As another United Frequent Flyer I have to agree with everything bavaria has said in all his posts in this thread. I fly around 75,000 miles a year on United and love it in large part because they do take care of their frequent flyers. And because living in Milwaukee (just 90 miles from O'hare) I know they can always get me at least to Chicago which has me home.

 

[bavaria]

As another United Frequent Flyer I have to agree with everything bavaria has said in all his posts in this thread.

ahem... that's MS bavaria to you, thank you very much!

 

[bab31]

why would anyone be standing in the aisle for the duration of a flight? and I certainly hope that the 'girl' was over age 16 as children cannot be seated in an exit row. Did she get a safety briefing from the FAs? If a passenger seated in the exit row does not pay attention to the briefing or does not understand fully, they are reseated.

She looked to be in her early 20' s, her grandmother passed out in the row behind me and luckily sitting next to her was a doctor. They were having the grandmother lay down recouperating. so the grandaughter was standing there (I didnt mean to imply for the duration) I offered to be moved so she could sit as I dont know how long they would continue to have the grandmother lying down.

My complaint about united is they would not let me get a seat assignment until check in. I checked in on line and got a poor seat. I had 3 seats to pick from. When they moved me the person I was sitting next to checked in at the airport. Much better seat and not one of the choices I was given online. I also called United to attempt to get seat assignments for my trip back and was told if I went to the airport they could do that for me so I drove 30 min to the airport to be told no. But the flight that I term flight with family from you know where was my originating flight. I think a child who has a paid seat should be strapped in regardless and not on an 8 years olds lap. I knew the crew was picking there battles.

I would not pay an extra 120 bucks for a better seat -well maybe for first class!

 

[WIDisneyFan]

ahem... that's MS bavaria to you, thank you very much!

Oooppsss !!!! sorry about that

 

[bavaria]

My complaint about united is they would not let me get a seat assignment until check in. I checked in on line and got a poor seat. I had 3 seats to pick from. When they moved me the person I was sitting next to checked in at the airport. Much better seat and not one of the choices I was given online. I also called United to attempt to get seat assignments for my trip back and was told if I went to the airport they could do that for me so I drove 30 min to the airport to be told no.

I would not pay an extra 120 bucks for a better seat -well maybe for first class!

But you are missing the point - Economy Plus IS a seperate class of service. You need to pay more for the extra legroom, unless you are an elite member.

That makes sense to me - you yourself say that you would pay for first class. Basically United has up to 4 classes of service:

• Economy
• Economy Plus
• Business
• First

Just as if you decided to seat yourself in First, you would need to pay for the benefit. In fact, United has marked E+ seats as such on the aircraft, and there is ongoing disucssion to install mesh curtains between E+ and E- to differentiate the different cabins.

The E+ seats are also marked in light blue on the seat map online.

 

[CarolA]

My theory is that ANY of them can have a bad day or a bad flight.

You pay your money, you fly... LOL! If you land safely then the airline delivered IMHO..

I have flown UA in the past, they don't have much of a presence in Atlanta so I haven't flown them in a few years, but it's a good airline.

If I was a frequent flyer on them the Economy Plus would be a big selling point..... However, I don't fly them enough to qualify for that and I understand why they won't give away those seats. (It's calle REVENUE, airlines are BLEEDING red ink they NEED that money from selling the nicer seats and if they start "giving" them away then you won't be motivated to pay or to fly them a lot on business and give them more money!)

 

[bab31]

no you missed my point- I was not able to select a seat until 24 hours prior to flight (and it WAS aggravating to drive to the airport 30 minutes there and
30 minutes back, when the phone reservation gave me missinformation ). Even with at just after 24 hours had passed I had a very poor selection for seats. I have never had to wait with any airline to select my seat.( I booked over 6 weeks out) I am not talking about selecting out of a different selection of class seats as in business class etc... I am talking about selecting a seat from the class that I paid for and I know that rate is Not just for the last row of the plane.

I am sure there are people who would pay $30 not to be in the last row and that is why the airline does that.... Like the above poster said it is REVENUE

 

[bavaria]

no you missed my point- I was not able to select a seat until 24 hours prior to flight (and it WAS aggravating to drive to the airport 30 minutes there and
30 minutes back, when the phone reservation gave me missinformation ). Even with at just after 24 hours had passed I had a very poor selection for seats. I have never had to wait with any airline to select my seat.( I booked over 6 weeks out) I am not talking about selecting out of a different selection of class seats as in business class etc... I am talking about selecting a seat from the class that I paid for and I know that rate is Not just for the last row of the plane.

I am sure there are people who would pay $30 not to be in the last row and that is why the airline does that.... Like the above poster said it is REVENUE

Are you not reading what I am writing, or are you just continuing to miss what is being said to you? there were no seats available for selection - that doesn't just happen on United, but is more likely to happen on United as the seats available to non-elite members is less. Airlines hold back up to 25% of seats for airport assignment.

SOMEBODY has to sit in the last row. This time it was you.

I have no idea what your last sentence means - that was exactly my point. You didn't want to pay $30 for an upgrade, so you were seated in E-. You had a choice - sit in E- or pay for an upgrade to E+. You chose not to pay the upgrade, and now you will never fly United again.

That's ok - means our paths won't cross anytime soon in the friendly skies.