UNITED AIRLINES - Flying to the USA

[GlenH]

I was wondering if anyone has flown with United Airlines before, and what they are like? I have been searching for flights Syd-Los Angeles for December 2011 and all I could come up with was VAustralia, Qantas and some Asian airlines (that fly half way around the world to get you there!!) but all were around $2500 - $3200 return. I stumbled on to United Airlines website, who can do it direct for $1780. It got me thinking, are these guys any good? Does anyone know why United Airlines flights don’t generally come up when using search engines (like webjet, expedia, cheapflights etc)??

 

[notzac]

Hi GlenH, welcome to AFF! What I'd say is happening here is you're seeing the "full fat" pricing for December; none of the sale prices will have been released yet, so hold off buying just for the moment (the other point is that just about any time in December before Christmas will be considered "high season", so the prices are going to reflect that).

UA is definitely familiar to most members; they're not really known for their exceptional service and I personally wouldn't fly with them by choice ..

 

[ozmille]

ooooooooooooh no. Not by choice and if they try to force me I would run away. Old aircraft no IFE which on a 14h flight can be boring...
Look at the other options first I would say, VA, QF, DL direct or NZ with transit in AKL...

 

[dfcatch]

The last time I flew United trans-pacific was in March 2001 when I was young and dumb and didn't know what real IFE was.

Never again - it's QF all the way and if not QF, then V, DL, NZ or via Japan!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Glenn please, things will never get that bad that UA should ever be considered!

Take counsel of the wise words on the forum.

 

[kpc]

In 1999, I flew Syd-Sfo-Jfk return on United in economy. I have never flown United since...:shock::!::idea:

 

[Saab34]

United: http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/5/3/2/88111_1249280235.jpg

Competition: http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/9/4/8/75487_1293079849.jpg

Enough said........

 

[clifford]

Glenn please, things will never get that bad that UA should ever be considered!

Take counsel of the wise words on the forum.

The pity is that there is no longer a United Airlines.

It's now Continental, and we know how bad they are.

If you don't believe me, just look at the airline's new livery.

 

[GT351]

I used to be Gold on united #hangs head in shame#

If you can save $$ and are paying yourself why not, treat yourself in US with what you save.

14+ hours in economy will feel the same on all airlines.

Delta have specials occasionally but I havent done that flight

V aus gets good reviews

Look at jetabroad.com.au Have had a positive experience using them

GT

 

[straitman]

I used to be Gold on united #hangs head in shame#

If you can save $$ and are paying yourself why not, treat yourself in US with what you save.

14+ hours in economy will feel the same on all airlines.

Delta have specials occasionally but I havent done that flight

V aus gets good reviews

Look at jetabroad.com.au Have had a positive experience using them

GT

A good call IMHO.

UA are not wonderful but long haul in economy is awful on all airlines. Use the extra $700-$1400 when you get there.

 

[Fnordish]

I haven't done that leg on UA since about 2004 (might have been SFO not LAX), but it was pretty terrible back then. It could have improved but I doubt it.
Even being paid to travel I found it unbearable. Service, amenities, seat, the lot.
I'd say "Like a bus with wings" except I've been on some really nice bus rides.
Thankfully I had a day off before I had to work, recovery was required.
About that time all of our Oz folk working stateside demanded QF flights so my return became happy and smiles and Bundy and more smiles!

It might be more bearable with your own personal IFE (I didn't even have an MP3 at that point ) unless you enjoy watching a single average movie on a single average screen at the front of a very average cabin. Average seemed to be the theme they had going.

I wouldn't fly them again by choice, especially if I wanted to do/achieve anything in my first day Stateside.
I'm flying to LAX on the A380 next week (Wooooooooo! Couldn't manage PE. Booooo)
I picked mine up for AU$2200 and think it's worth every red(e) cent to try and make the trip as comfortable as my $$$ allow.

That's just my .02 anyway.

 

[ellein]

Mr Ellein flew UA in February when the snow blizzard in USA caused lots of cancellation in Chicago. UA attendents and ticket counters at States were simply hopeless that he had to spend 3 hours over the phone to change his flight. Also there was only 1 meal each 14 hours flight; he had to pay extra luggage fees for the domestic flight even though it was part of the international journey. Planes are old. He said he would never fly UA given the choice.

 

[trooper]

I'm with the "why not?" crowd...

To be honest I have been LESS comfortable in Y on QF 747's than on UA... their E+ helps a bit!

In these days of easily portable personal entertainment systems the lack of IFE is surely less critical? Jeez.. sometimes I watch my own stuff on the laptop on NZ.. and their IFE is very good indeed!

For a "sometimes" traveller who does a little research I think UA is a valid choice...

As to one meal in 14 hours? Think you might have slept through the other one!!!:mrgreen:

And just BTW.. to expect instant service when - as you admit - there were "lots of cancellations" is a bit much... IMO anyway... bet it was the same for all the airlines at that point...

Assuming Airfleets.net is up to date:

The 2 oldest of UA's 747's entered service in 1989.... and guess what? So did QF's 3 oldest...

UA's newest was delivered in 2000... QF's in 2003

Huge difference there...

 

[Maca44]

I have flown UA several times over the past 10 years, thankfully not Y, but as others have mentioned 14+ hr flights in Y are a pain whatever carrier you use. Remember that UA FA's all have at least 60 years experience

 

[mole]

We fly to the states at least twice a year, usually with Qantas but sometimes with V Australia. However our last trip we opted to try United as flights were so much cheaper over the christmas/new year period. I'll admit I was aprehensive but was happy that I could book our favoured pair of seats down the back and had the Ipad loaded with movies to watch.
Frankly, apart from the fact there is no personal entertainment system (which I realise is a 'biggie' for some people), I found the whole experience really no different than the other carriers. We certainly had 2 meals both ways and drink offerings were plentiful, flights were on time and crew were friendly and helpful.

 

[eastwest101]

I'm with the "why not" posters as well. If the OP is seeing a fare difference of around $1000 then with all other things being equal (not sure about seat pitch and width) the OP can probably bring their own entertainment and may find something else to spend the $$ in the US.

 

[blackcat20]

I'm with the "why not" posters as well. If the OP is seeing a fare difference of around $1000 then with all other things being equal (not sure about seat pitch and width) the OP can probably bring their own entertainment and may find something else to spend the $$ in the US.

I'd agree with that. I haven't flown UA, but $1000 goes a looong way in the US.

 

[straitman]

Remember that UA FA's all have at least 60 years experience

.... and some considerably more :!:

 

[flychrisfly]

I'm with the "don't go there" crowd. No IFE is a deal breaker for me, although personal entertainment is a valid option. Does United/Continental have in-seat power in Y? Not according to Seat Guru so I'm not sure how long your personal entertainment would last.

Flew with them NRT-JFK-NRT and it wasn't great. Not a 747 but a 777 plane and surly service.

 

[eastwest101]

I forgot to add that assuming the SYD-LAX distance is 7487 miles and the OP does book QF and is already a QFF then that earn is 14974 FF points, correct?

So thats about 15 points per $ earn rate? As a random selection - 15,000 QFF points is a single one way flight from say SYD to ADL.

Feel free to correct me or amend if I have screwed up the maths guys.