Earlier this month I wrote about United Airlines offering lie-flats seats on all flights between Boston and San Francisco starting on 08 June 2017. Two weeks later, I followed up with news that United swapped in 737s with standard domestic first class seating for many of the lie-flat flights. Good news: United’s latest schedule update shows all lie-flat seats are back on the route.
It is odd that United still has not issued any statement about this. Rumors that the United p.s. (premium service) name will be retired are still swirling, but the official word from United remains—
The premium trans-con markets we operate between EWR and SFO and LAX are not going away. We will continue to offer the enhanced service on those flights.
But while United remains in a holding pattern, Delta has officially announced lie-flat seats in business between San Francisco and Boston. With lie-flats on both Delta and JetBlue, I do not see how United can avoid matching unless it plans to compete through price.
I wrote about Alaska ripping out Virgin America’s first class seats and adding a denser cabin (but more seats). Perhaps we will see competition in two tiers on the Boston – San Francisco route. Jet Blue and Delta will compete with lie-flat seats while United and Alaska will compete with standard seats.
CONCLUSION
As of today, lie-flat seats are back on all United flights between San Francisco and Boston starting on 08 June 2017. I would feel comfortable booking because you will be entitled to a refund if the equipment changes again. I do hope that United will issue an official announcement soon. 100% lie-flat seating represents a substantial upgrade and I would be doing a lot more to get the wrd out.
Can United elites get free upgrades on these full flat routes?
As of now, yes. I figure when United makes the route official they will take away complimentary upgrades like the SFO/LAX-EWR routes.
Ah OK as bad as Delta then. Good they are not doing something BETTER for a change than Delta ie “Monkey see Monkey do”!
Hi I was wondering where in the United rules does it allow you to get a refund for equitment changes? I followed your link and also went to United and didn’t see that exact language. Thanks!
Hi Travis,
There is not a specific line that says you are entitled to a refund (unlike AA), but I can guarantee that an agent will cancel it under the circumstance, hopefully just by asking and I will make headlines if they refuse. Let me know how it goes.
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2015/08/25/how-to-make-the-most-of-an-airline-schedule-change/