Last week I reported that United Airlines is making Boston – San Francisco a 100% lie-flat route in business class starting in June.
This morning, reader Eric W. left a comment stating–
Just checked several dates in mid-June and found the usual mix of 737s flying the route alongside a couple of 777s, not exclusively lie-flat planes as claimed here. What am I missing?
Puzzled, I verified on united.com that the lie-flat 757-200s had been pulled and 737s had been substituted in. So much for lie-flat service?
I think a major announcement is coming.
I noticed that for the entire schedule there is only 777-200s or 737-800s on the route. No 737-900s or 757-300s, just the 737-800. Could it be that United has simply subbed in the 737-800 across the board until a formal announcement of lie-flat service occurs?
Here’s why I think this is likely. First, United hinted that the p.s. name would be retired earlier this year and replaced by something new. Second, the fierce competition between SFO-BOS practically requires United to offer a business class product better than the 737-800.
> Read More: United May Cut p.s. Name, but not Premium Service
I envision a grand announcement, perhaps as early as this week, in which United will herald “Polaris” style service between Newark and San Francisco/Los Angeles and between Boston and San Francisco.
As I stated in my earlier piece, “I am curious how United can allocate seven lie-flat birds to this route, especially as the 767-300s begin their Polaris retrofits this summer.” It may be that United is still trying to shuffle aircraft, but I tend to think United would not have loaded in lie-flat seats into the schedule without first counting their airplanes.
CONCLUSION
For now, the new lie-flat service between Boston and San Francisco on United is unconfirmed. Nevertheless, I am fairly confident that we will soon seen an announcement of that nature. If you booked a lie-flat seat and now are on a 737-800, don’t worry — United will give you a refund if you ask.
> Read More: How to Make the Most of an Airline Schedule Change
Another thing to keep in mind is that UA will be in a unique position this summer with having all of the 77Ws plus not having retired the 744 fleet yet, they could replace some 772 and 763/4 flying with 77Ws (or replace 767 with 772 and that route with a 77W), this will give them 13 extra a/c on top of what they had last summer, this could open up additional aircraft for something like this.
Matthew wrote: “If you booked a lie-flat seat and now are on a 737-800, don’t worry — United will give you a refund if you ask.”
Good to know, but what about the opposite: if I go ahead and book a seat up front on a 737-800 for a flight in June or later, are you still confident that it will be swapped for a lie-flat config? And do you expect a price hike to accompany the formal switch? I ask because in the past, the front cabin on the 777s have commanded a significant premium over the recliner F seats on the BOSSFO route.
That’s a tough one. I am confident that UA will add all lie-flat seats to Boston, but not 100% sure. Many got burned by the Avios deal last week…I’d hate to see you burned by this.
If you’re paying for the ticket, why not on JetBlue? If I was buying tickets instead of chasing status, I’d only buy JetBlue.
I’m torn as well. I like Mint—in particular their last-minute pricing if the cabin remains less than full—but JetBlue’s IRROPS handling is wretched. And I’m hoping to reqaulify for UA Plat this year, so it’s not just about comfort.
Oh well, I’ll keep my eyes peeled for that announcement.