Copying US Airways is generally not a good thing.
Like the beleaguered stepsister of Star Alliance, United has begun placing advertisements on tray tables, so far only for their Chase Visa credit card and to highlight some of their destinations.
While I haven’t seen any yet, initial reports indicate they have only been spotted in the economy cabins of A319s.
I’m not a fan of these–I think they are extremely tacky–but just don’t see what the big deal is. Some on Flyertalk are attacking UA for leeching revenue out of every possible source, but I’d sure rather have tray table advertisements than higher fares. Plus, even if the ads come to first class the tablecloth will cover them up.
I’ve got my final United mileage run of the year next week and will report back with pictures if I encounter the new tray table ads.
(Tip of the hat to smashr)
I’ll be keeping an eye out on my flight tomorrow (and probably Monday.) If they are for the credit card, then they will honestly be better than the US ads, which on my flight last week were for the Droid X
Thanks 🙂
Now I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of them. But considering my flight landed after midnight, I wasn’t thinking too clearly.
Generally speaking, I’m with you; it’s not the end of the world. The artwork on them is generally well done scenes of travel destinations, and not unpleasant to look at. It’s was quite easy to forget about as soon as I had my laptop out on the tray table.
Given the choice between this and literally any other ‘enhancement’, I’d clearly take this. But it is sort of sad to see them emulating US Air…
-Dan (Smashr)