United Airlines - whats the score's on the doors

Hello All

After a long day looking at flights I may well be taking a 21 hour trip with United. I would always choose Virgin and I hope that I still can... However, it looks like its just too expensive vs. United.

Has anyone flown with United lately - how do they stack up vs. VS PE offering as this is my preferred class - preferred in as much as I cannot afford UC..!

Thanks in advance

Dan

Before I moved to VS I flew 2m miles with UA and they are still on my list but not at the top. You cannot compare them to VS in every respect.

They do not have a PE cabin. Don't be hoodwinked by the economy plus. It is the same economy seat but with a few extra inches leg room (5 inches I think). That is all. The food, service, comfort (or lack of it) is still economy.

Compare that to VS PE - welcome drink (in proper glass), quality meal service on real china/ metal cutlery etc. All this makes a big difference.
Then there is the seat - the PE seat is what UA (and most US airlines) still call First class on domestic routes. It is wider, more padded, more legroom, special cabin on VS PE. UA econ plus is just the front end of economy.

I also have a niggling feeling that UA still charge you for booze on international flights in econ and econ+. Of course VS wouldn't hear of such a travesty.

Thanks JCBR

I have spent time looking on their website and yes, Booze and indeed meals are not free on trans Atlantic flights which is almost unbelievable. In EC at least this is the case and there is a mix of entertainment - with some flights not having on demand movies?! I guess VS has spoilt us with all the luxury!

Dan

No, meals are included on international flights. It's only domestic where they charge.

Booze, however, is not free.

I flew with United in January and found it to be an excellent experience from start to finish.

Economy Plus isn't the same as PE, but does have brilliant leg room and earlier boarding (I think you board with group 3).

The food was excellent both ways, with portion size much bigger than on VS. Lots of drinks runs, although you do pay for booze unless in the business / first cabin.

In flight entertainment was seatback with a great deal of choice.

Basically, I was very impressed and would have no hesitation in using United again.

Thanks Miss G..!

Their website is a little misleading as it appears that you pay for everything on there from food to drinks! I think this is the way with a lot of US carriers - and it kinda puts me off. Its about an 11 hour flight I was looking at - so a little worrying when you start to add on a cost for a drink and some food..!

United are the only airline on my 'never again' list . Absolutely awful.

United are the only airline on my 'never again' list . Absolutely awful.

Ow dear - that sounds bad..! See, this is the thing I keep getting, it appears to be either positive or very negative!

What was so bad about Untied?

They are the only airline who has lost our bags (failed to deliver on a connecting flight). They've done that twice. Took them up to 48 hours to deliver.

Most of the staff I have encountered are either fed up or disillusioned with the company and that reflects in the service delivered.

Fleet-wise, they are behind even most of the American carriers in terms of IFE, Wi-Fi. If you end up on a 747 in Y or Y+ then you get the pleasure of watching the film on a projector.

Just never had anything good to say about them.

My beef against United was last year, where they 'cancelled' the flight I was booked on from LAX to LAS, and 'introduced' a 'new' service which ran 1 minute later (from the same gate). I could have seats, of course, on the 'new' service, but it would be 50% more than I'd paid for the 'cancelled' service

Crooked our what?

Thanks All

Spoke with Mrs Armstrong - it would appear that United are now out of the question. They seem to be miles away from what I am used to.

Its now (thankfully) down to VS and BA for this - and VH may be able to help too!

But I am amazed that American pax would put up with this, as they seldom accept poor service in any other area - especially when paying!

Dan

mmmm ..... where should I begin?

Lauren and myself were booked in First from DEN to IAD lasy year; kerbside check-in was uneventful.

We were, consummately, held up by the TSA and arrived at the Gate, as 'gate closing' was being announced to discover that our seats had been re-allocated and we were now in Economy; actually, no; we're in seats 1A and 1B (from memory), our luggage is checked-in and we're here before the flight closes.

After demanding to see the ground supervisor we're on the aircraft in our original seats but our carry-ons are deemed too large for the overhead lockers; WTF! it's has little wheels and an extending handle but it's no-where near the size of the suitcases and trunks that appear to have been brought on by everybody else.

One in-flight drink, and then nothing else offered except a tiny bottle of wine, with the singularly unmemorable meal, that was consumed entirely out of boredom.

The IFE was dire and it appeared that it was pay per view, although the microprint instructions may have included a get out clause for FC passengers.

No matter, by this point I was losing the will to live and spent the entire flight watching the weather channel, as snow was forecast at IAD and I was hoping that we wouldn't get out on the following day.

On arrival at IAD; United has left one of our checked-in cases in DEN. No matter, I'm not going to lose my temper; it's our last night, we want to have a slab of red meat that has been perfectly cooked, some drinks and then an evening of relaxation. The case will be at IAD by midday, tomorrow; no problem, keep it here at United and I'll collect it when we arrive for check-in to VS.

Yeah, right.

We arrive at IAD, the following day, to find that the case has arrived, and has been delivered to our hotel.

Are we likely to “Fly the Friendly Skies” again?

Answers on a very small postcard.

As I mentioned I have flown UA a hell of a lot and it is not terrible or I would not have done so. It used too be excellent until they merged with Continental. Both good companies but two good seems to equal one mediocre. Maybe it is because the CO CEO took over. Thats when I moved to VS and even the VS econ is way better than UA or any of the USA international carriers.
If you can stump up for VS PE then there is nothing to think about. You will forget about the price and remember the experience. Otherwise all you remember is the experience and not that you saved a few quid.

Don't do it !!