Rare Scrapnana Posted September 16, 2014 #1 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I have been looking for a flight home after my next cruise. Since it will be from Seattle to the east coast, I would like to fly Business or First Class. United's first class is less than half of American or Delta and almost half of US Airways. Is there something about United I don't know that makes it so much cheaper than its competitors? Any insights would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 16, 2014 #2 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Well, I would just take it. Some will say American will have better food, but that seems to be diminishing, and United has announced upgrades in their food starting in 2015. United will, unless an unusual case, not have Business and First class on your flight. It will have either First, or BusinessFirst, which domestically, are the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbgd Posted September 16, 2014 #3 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Nothing really, no. Personally I prefer the F class service and experience on AA to those carriers you listed. There's not a whole lot to get excited about flying domestically in premium cabins (once you're off the NYC-LAX/SFO routes) and I just find United's F&B to be quite a bit worse than AA. Can't say I'd pay almost double to fly AA as a result though, unless UA was $50 and AA was $100 but that's pretty unlikely ;) What routings are you looking at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted September 16, 2014 #4 Share Posted September 16, 2014 I have been looking for a flight home after my next cruise. Since it will be from Seattle to the east coast, I would like to fly Business or First Class. United's first class is less than half of American or Delta and almost half of US Airways. Is there something about United I don't know that makes it so much cheaper than its competitors? Any insights would be appreciated. Most US carriers don't have business class for domestic flights; you can find the odd one on planes that are going to continue on internationally. No idea why the price difference (assume you are flying SEA-IAD?). I have flown UA many times (only on upgraded flights though) west to east coast, and it's definitely better then economy, but nothing I'd pay a lot for. There's no reason to pay twice as much to fly AA, IMO, and you definitely don't want to pay twice to fly F on a US plane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted September 16, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted September 16, 2014 (edited) Nothing really, no. Personally I prefer the F class service and experience on AA to those carriers you listed. There's not a whole lot to get excited about flying domestically in premium cabins (once you're off the NYC-LAX/SFO routes) and I just find United's F&B to be quite a bit worse than AA. Can't say I'd pay almost double to fly AA as a result though, unless UA was $50 and AA was $100 but that's pretty unlikely ;) What routings are you looking at? SEA to RIC as of 3 pm this afternoon: United First Class $455 AA cheapest First $1155 Delta cheapest First 1099 USAirways cheapest First $816 all have one change of planes Edited September 16, 2014 by Scrapnana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenish Posted September 16, 2014 #6 Share Posted September 16, 2014 (edited) SEA to RIC as of 3 pm this afternoon: United First Class $455 AA cheapest First $1155 Delta cheapest First 1099 USAirways cheapest First $816 The UA fare is excellent if you want to fly up front for maybe $200 higher than Econ. Don't expect an incredible dining and wining experience, but you have expedited baggage handling with add-on fee, expedited security, and better legroom. It sounds like you're looking for a good value and not rock-bottom fares. Don't overthink this...it's at high risk of disappearing instantly and permanently. Edited September 16, 2014 by kenish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach1213 Posted September 16, 2014 #7 Share Posted September 16, 2014 SEA to RIC as of 3 pm this afternoon: United First Class $455 AA cheapest First $1155 Delta cheapest First 1099 USAirways cheapest First $816 all have one change of planes I would say it also matters where you're flying through and what aircraft you're on. But overall sounds like a hell of a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbgd Posted September 16, 2014 #8 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Having previously lived in RIC and using a lot of these domestic premium fares I'd say that's a very good deal. One thing to note is that UA don't have mainline service on all flights to RIC. A fair amount is on United Express that doesn't always have F. Ensure you are on an aircraft that does offer the F cabin, United.com will highlight this well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6rugrats Posted September 16, 2014 #9 Share Posted September 16, 2014 If you are traveling around 02 May, I see the $455 price. Almost every flight continues on a regional jet after you make your connection. I'd rather have a 5 hour flight in F on a 737-800 and then a one hour flight on a regional jet, then choose flights with two legs on a A320 and A319, but that's just my opinion. I looked at AA; those prices are really high! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted September 16, 2014 #10 Share Posted September 16, 2014 Don't overthink this.... Best advice I have seen!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted September 17, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted September 17, 2014 Thanks for all the help. I am still new at this booking my own air. I'm used to having a travel agent shift through everything for me. The United flight I am looking at flies into Dulles and then I take a puddle jumper (about 50 minutes) to Richmond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TruckerDave Posted September 18, 2014 #12 Share Posted September 18, 2014 There really isn't much difference between the first class products on any of the domestic big 3 (4 if you count USAir until the merger is compete) carriers. Now, if you start to add in the foreign airlines and their first/business products......that is a whole different kettle of fish. But, if you can grab a transon for $450 or so..do it. As to why they are cheaper...who knows. I find lots of flights cheaper on UA than other airlines. (I'm going to New York next week for a long weekend and my direct flight on UA was HALF of what AA and US wanted and no connoting flights..just direct into EWR from IAH). The key is...if you find a cheap flight...grab it before it goes away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolatravelgirl Posted September 18, 2014 #13 Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) I would just make sure that you are actually flyung first/business on the lengthy flights. It may be that you are flying F on a very short segment and the premium cabin is unavailable for the flights that really matter. $455 sounds crazy cheap for transcon, especially if connecting via IAD (Dulles) I would be surprised if you could find a round trip west coast-IAD flight for $455. Is the $455 one way per person? Some specifics on route would be helpful. Edited September 18, 2014 by nolatravelgirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare brazilgirl Posted September 18, 2014 #14 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Grab it now or it may be gone! Great price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbgd Posted September 18, 2014 #15 Share Posted September 18, 2014 I take a puddle jumper (about 50 minutes) to Richmond. It's as little as 20mins in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zach1213 Posted September 18, 2014 #16 Share Posted September 18, 2014 It's as little as 20mins in the air. I hate those flights with a passion. All that waiting around for a few minutes in the air. On Sunday I fly MCI-DFW-AUS and have a 1.5-hour layover at DFW for the 35 minute flight to Austin. I feel like I could drive it quicker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fattony Posted September 18, 2014 #17 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Depends so much on the aircraft. Lie-flat or angle-flat or recline seats? What's the configuration of seats, etc? Is there IFE? Not much of a difference among domestic fc in my limited experience, but international biz class flights we've taken have varied widely. 2 x price is alot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAV Posted September 18, 2014 #18 Share Posted September 18, 2014 It seems UA is occasionally offering low-priced First/Biz class fares in certain markets. A few months ago I found SFO-FLL for $472 (one way) whereas Virgin was $1000. Both carriers offer nonstop service on the route. I'm all too happy to pay $500 or less for transcontinental first class simply for the added comfort. I don't expect 5-star dining, and know I'm not going to get it, either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now