United equipment change - Australia

[oisher]

FYI - for Trans Pacific watchers - this does not bode well for award availability on what was up till now the easiest to find!

United Airlines will replace its ageing Boeing 747-400 jumbos on the Australia-US route with Boeing 777 long-range aircraft early next year, in a move which will reduce capacity on one of this country's main international air routes.
The US airline announced on Monday (08/19/13) that its 777 aircraft will replace the jumbos making the daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne to San Francisco and Los Angeles on April 1.
United’s decision to opt for smaller aircraft will reduce capacity on the trans-Pacific route, which is likely to lead to a boost in yields – or return on fares – for it and its competitors.
The jumbos seat a total of 374 passengers whereas United’s Boeing 777s accommodate 269 in three cabins – first, business and economy classes.

[Dan]

The jumbos seat a total of 374 passengers whereas United’s Boeing 777s accommodate 269 in three cabins – first, business and economy classes.
[/i]

I thought this route was going to PMCO 777s?

[SearchGuy]

Not bad for people flying Economy as it replaces the old United planes with new Continental ones.
And maybe it will allow them to make a non-stop flight LAX-MEL in the future

[oisher]

Not so great if you fly First or Business.

Using likely 777-200 configuration of version 2 (8/40/221), you will have:
 
777 First Class 8 seats vs. 747 First Class (current) 12 seats
777 Business  40 seats vs. 747 Business (current) 52 seats

i.e First Class reduction of 33% and Business Class reduction of 23%,
not to mention that MOST of the Business Class seats will be in the x-4-x section LESS private section.

[chff]

Isn't all 777 with the CO style BF seats?

[Dan]

The FT rumor had it switching to sCO equipment but it seems like it's sUA equipment in the end.

[myb821]

The FT rumor had it switching to sCO equipment but it seems like it's sUA equipment in the end.

what's the difference?

[YakovT]

ye, there's 6 versions of this plane, which one is it? do we get personal tv's in economy? and will it be 5 seats in the middle row?

also, whats the best route for melbourne - houston?
it was going to be mel-akl-iah with the 787 but they dumped that

[menachem_m]

Hmm... Look at a flight early February 2014 on matrix and it shows DIRECT 787?

ETA: To clarify direct lax-mel.
And Whoops 2015.

[chucksterace]

Hmm... Look at a flight early February 2014 on matrix and it shows DIRECT 787?

ummm early February 2014? Isn't that in the past?


But otherwise, yes. United will fly the 787-9 LAX-MEL starting Oct. 26, 2014.

[SearchGuy]

ummm early February 2014? Isn't that in the past?


But otherwise, yes. United will fly the 787-9 LAX-MEL starting Oct. 26, 2014.

Are they marketing them? seems to be 2 cabin flights....

[chucksterace]

Are they marketing them? seems to be 2 cabin flights....

It is a two cabin plane.

[tuvz]

ummm early February 2014? Isn't that in the past?


But otherwise, yes. United will fly the 787-9 LAX-MEL starting Oct. 26, 2014.

Great news for Melbournians

[SearchGuy]

Great news for Melbournians

My prediction...

Not bad for people flying Economy as it replaces the old United planes with new Continental ones.
And maybe it will allow them to make a non-stop flight LAX-MEL in the future

[Dan]

Economy on the 787 is very tight. Not pleasant at all for such a long flight.

[FlightGuy]

Economy on the 787 is very tight. Not pleasant at all for such a long flight.

I see that alot of airlines are squeezing 10 across on the 777 also. Sad.

[tuvz]

Economy on the 787 is very tight. Not pleasant at all for such a long flight.

Dont plan on flying economy on this route any more now that i churn 
Thanks!