• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » Continental Airlines » United Eliminates Pillows in Domestic First Class
Continental AirlinesUnited Airlines

United Eliminates Pillows in Domestic First Class

Matthew Klint Posted onMay 23, 2011November 14, 2023 4 Comments

For an airline that claims to be transforming itself into “world’s leading airline,” you have to question the recent decision to remove pillows from domestic first class flights.

Invalid request error occurred.

Yet that is exactly what United has done this week, following the model of their Continental bride who eliminated pillows on most domestic first class flights two years ago.

I never really used the pillows on domestic flights–they seemed dirty to me and I was more comfortable angling the headrest wing in a comfortable position to fall asleep, but I know many people did use them, especially on overnight or early morning flights. Again, it bemuses me that UA would cut back something that all of their competitors (except of course CO) offer and something that is standard in first class sections around the world. That is not the way to be the world’s leading airline.

Continental offers a nice first class product overall, but look for more cuts in the months to come as United continues to lose its identity, emerging as Continental Airlines with only the “United” name surviving. Table linens and hot food on snack and redeye flights will next to go, I suspect. At least the whole “tick off the elites by selling upgrades for cheap to anyone willing to pay up” hasn’t kicked in on United yet. But it will. Just wait…

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article "You’re Flying from Washington to Chicago via Brazil?"
Next Article My First Bump on Lufthansa!

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • American Airlines Landline Bus

    United Airlines Ends Landline Bus Service As American Airlines Exapnds It

    July 11, 2025
  • Bedford FAA Kirby

    Bryan Bedford Confirmed As FAA Administrator, Praised By United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby

    July 10, 2025
  • airplanes parked at an airport

    United Airlines Will Resume Tel Aviv Flights On July 21, 2025

    July 8, 2025

4 Comments

  1. Darren Reply
    May 23, 2011 at 6:25 pm

    I always use the pillows on United for lumbar support, as like you my “ick” factor always prevents me from using it as an actual pillow. Sigh… what will be next (and hopefully not pawning the upgrades.

  2. Brad Reply
    May 23, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    I experienced this on my FC flight today. I don’t typically use them either, although back in the glory days would use them as lumbar support in coach.

  3. Kevin Reply
    May 23, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    I’m not that upset about this. I could never quite get the pillow to be comfortable, given that there’s basically a pillow built into the headrest. However, I DO wish they would go back to having better blankets. It does get cold on planes!

  4. Carl Reply
    May 28, 2011 at 11:30 pm

    I appreciate the pillow for lumbar support. It’s even more important on CO aircraft which don’t have much lumbar support in the seat itself.

    It’s more stuff to carry. Another amenity I expect to see disappear is the decent headsets which United provides. The latest generation is comfortable and provides acceptable sound. All the CO has is inside-the-ear ear-buds – and they even charge for them on non-DirecTV flights. Crazy.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for July

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • a room with tables and chairs and a chandelier
    Review: Hôtel du Louvre (Hyatt Unbound Collection) July 12, 2025
  • Air India 787 crash report
    Air India 787 Crash Update: Preliminary Report Shows Fuel Switches Flipped Seconds After Takeoff July 12, 2025
  • Best Coffee Paris
    Great Coffee In Paris July 12, 2025
  • Delta Basic Business Class
    Delta Moves To Unbundle Business Class, Tests “Basic” Premium Cabin Fares July 11, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Favorite Airline Commercials
    My 10 Favorite Airline Commercials June 15, 2025
  • a blue passport on a black surface
    All The Patriotic Quotes In Your U.S. Passport July 4, 2025
  • Qantas Lounge Review Hong Kong
    Review: Qantas Lounge Hong Kong (HKG) June 14, 2025
  • a row of seats in an airplane
    If You Abuse Company Travel Policy, Expect To Be Fired! June 16, 2025

Archives

July 2025
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Jun    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.