I got the rare treat of widebody aircraft on the short flight from Chicago to Los Angeles last Saturday evening. Even though the seat is “woefully” outdated, I still consider it the most comfortable business class seat in the United fleet.
United is still running some internationally-configured 777-200s with its “old” eight-across business class, a 2-4-2 layout. These seats are also used on all widebody flights to the Hawaiian islands.
The lack of personal storage and close proximity to your neighbor is annoying. You really are cozy and don’t have all that much elbow space either. There’s very little privacy.
And while routinely panned as a joke of a business class seat, it is not. It simply is not. This is not any defense in United as much as it is a defense of this particular seat. As I always do, I found it incredibly comfortable in all positions and enjoyed a wonderful three-hour nap.
I sometimes ask myself what I like so much about reverse-herringbone seats, like the Hong Kong Airlines cabin pictured below. I sleep fine in these seats as well, but they are really are not as comfortable. Upon reflection, I think I like these seats more for their aesthetic beauty and privacy than actual comfort.
CONCLUSION
When it comes to rating business class seats, it’s all relative. Business class is still business class, especially when lie-flat. I’d still take United’s new Polaris Business Class seat over the eight-across for the extra space. But I honestly find the old seats the most comfortable and even have no trouble sleeping on my side (I’m 6’1″).
Is it just me or are there others who also find these old business class seats cramped but nevertheless very comfortable? Or is “cramped comfort” just an oxymoron?
Agree with your assessment about reverse herringbone seats, but still feel that 8 across is crazy right for a business product. I like TK’s business class which is incredibly spacious.
Last Sunday we took perhaps that same 777 from LAX to Chicago. We booked basic enocomy tickets which due to the small the regular economy cabin led to a free upgrade to Economy Plus at the gate (with an overwhelmed gate agent processing all the free basic economy upgrades), who’s extra legroom and more imortantly still nice wide 3-3-3 seats in the old layout for my 5’10” and fat girlfriend with wide hips, led to an extremely enjoyable flight. The lavatory even felt nice and spacious, compared to narrow bodies and regional jets were normally on.
I find these seats too narrow to get comfortable in. Also no personal stowage space — they’re starting to show their age and I’ll be glad when they’re gone.
You lost all credibility.. 8 across in business class…. Only a sucker would say that is a good thing
YMMV. I truly like these seats. Clearly, I’m not the only one.
Supremely comfortable …. looking up and staring into the face of a stranger as the rows are facing forward/backwards/…. and always climbing over people (or being climbed over …. this is not the 1980s anymore
“I honestly find the old seats the most comfortable” (from your last sentence)
Did you intend it as THE MOST comfortable, or “MOST comfortable” in the sense of “quite comfortable” in British-speak?
I also miss the un-cubby foot area of older seats. The newer ones are quite claustrophobic.
Here I meant the most comfortable of all three United business class seats.
You are spot on. Supremely comfortable seats, and plenty of knee room so you can move about. Most reverse herringbones and staggered seats destroyed that. Love TK and QR old seats as well for similar reasons. The obsession with privacy and aisle access is making things worse for taller people who just want to sleep comfortably.
I flew in these seats in a United 747 in 2001. Have not done so since. I remember at the time I thought they were excellent.
Yeah…these seats weren’t in service in 2001. 2007 or thereabouts actually.
It’s easy to be sentimental for those seats on a 4 hour flight. I imagine on a EWR-HKG routing it would be less so. Far less.
We adapt to our circumstances – and compared to regular domestic flights, well, of course it feels good. An average steak frites at a truck stop in Iowa might seem like the best you ever had…because you expected and needed so little as a result. But in fact it is still mediocre if not crap at best.
I also flew this seat recently from Frankfurt to Washington. I like it on long flights as well.
Matthew,
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Not necessarily on the 8 across old UA business exactly, but too much hype on the current generation of j class seats. They do wow, but I often find older seats much more comfortable.
I will actually avoid the Thompson aero seen in Swiss, DL , OS and others at all cost given options. At 6″3, they are torture. On a recent OS flight that was only 20% full, I moved to their new premium eco seat for half the flight! It was an empty cabin, so that added to the comfort no doubt.
The updates versions (LX 777) is better, but I would still long for a good ol lazy boy style seat!
F class? That’s a different story! They are great, though I could argue given the budget they have and space to work with, some could offer more comfort and less bling.
But hey i still likes the BA j product, so I’m in the minority. There is nothing like having your legs free.
What amazes me more, that there isn’t more of this “honesty” among reviewers. Airlines can have great PR and marketing, but the average YouTuber, blogger need not fall for it too. I guess that is a Hallmark of GREAT marketing (bs) though!
Love your work here and after lots of years being a fan, I decided to add and finally comment.
Thanks for your comment and for reading my blog all these years! I appreciate you.
We share the same view. Though deeply flawed in other respects, this is probably the best cushioned, most perfectly adjustable business class seat in the sky. It was particularly nice on the 744 UD.
These are the United business class seats ex-Guam. Everyone from Guam hate them, especially for the price United charging us. Korean charges less for better business seats going to ICN. But due to the Jones Act, we are stuck with United if going to US mainland.
Having spent a great deal of money for SFO-LHR Business Class seats on a UA 777-200, I was appalled to find 8 across seating. The seats were too narrow for my frame to do anything other than lay flat and the food sub standard. Contrast to the new lounge at SFO with great food and service, this was a great disappointment.
Ditto the 787 to Tahiti from SFO. Six across in Business Class is not acceptable.
That is some serious UA KoolAid being drunk right there.
I found the seat to be quite comfortable too (HNL-ORD). But as a solo traveler I admit that I prefer the all-seats+aisle-access. The woman in window tried to crawl over me as I napped despite my request that she just wake me so I could let her pass. She was all around unpleasant and at those prices I would rather not have to deal with a seatmate. Nevertheless I will be doing the same route next fall. AA doesn’t start their nonstop til winter. Better than nuthin’.
They’re…ok. I wouldn’t say they are that comfortable, and if you have someone next to you, be prepared for a non-stop game of elbow-fu with the person next to you.
I will say this set up with regards to the middle seats, is nice for a family of four traveling together, especially if the kids are on the younger side, since that makes things easier for the parents.
But otherwise, give me the new Polaris seats any day of the week over these.
hi Matthew when did united introduce these seats? And what biz class seats did united have before?
I don’t even recall how comfortable they were. Last time I flew in this seat was 2013, on the way back from Shanghai. Because you basically face opposing passengers, I had the pleasure to watch some guy brag about his life in China to anyone remotely responsive (and we were all still awake because he kept his light on), and he would order food off-schedule for maximum annoyance.
So, you may be right about the seat. But it’s too close to potential asshats to really enjoy.
I like that seat but not the layout. In a 2*2*2 setting when you have the middle seats with direct access it’s quite nice.
Would always take American over it though. I like the privacy.
Before we had our youngest son we were a family of 4 and got the middle row from Sydney to Los Angeles. Was perfect
Kenya airways also flies a similarly comfortable seat.
I really really like your blog. But I just always feel sad, when I read your posts that how you like United, how you like almost all their products, have always a positive review about them, even when they humiliate and throw you off their flight.
After all, even if its first or business class, you are still flying in United. Even AA is better. Not to mention DL.
Seconded.
You lost me at the word “United”.
Flying in this layout from IAD to MUN on Monday and in the rear facing seat…cannot wait!
I am okay with it – so long as I am not in the row of 4. And I do prefer the aisle access of the new Polaris – when you can find it.
“Supreme” is a bit of an overstatement, but the seat as a sleeping surface is pretty good. It’s crap, however, as a “business class seat,” and it’s silly to pretend otherwise.
Best seats ever for traveling with my wife or with my wife and daughter. Two seats on the side for two people great. Best flat bed for sleeping, and u have been on – Qatar, Oman, JAL, SQ, CX, Emirates Turkish and a few more.
Only other business class seats that compare are the old A380 seats in SQ.
I honestly feel like that would be an amazing premium economy exsperince bussiness… heck no.