In a bow to all those at United saying “Look at the Shiny! We’re getting the 787!” , United yesterday broadcasted the roll-out ceremony of their first complete and painted 787 Dreamliner out of the Boeing hanger via UnitedHub.com.
Here’s a few grabs from the live event.
Images – United Airlines
AS we can all see, the United paint job has been modified to have a 787-eque “swoop” on it and looks… rather ok.
Looking at more important details, this aircraft is due to be delivered to United in September, and to be placed into service in Autumn. No exact date or final route has been confirmed yet. We do know that Denver to Tokyo is on the UA 787 horizon in 2013, and that Houston to Auckland is off the table now.
Going back to my pet hate about this 787 is the seating configuration – and as has been discussed on by me a few times as a sardine tin:
- Business Class is 36 seats in a 2-2-2 configuration
- Economy Plus is 63 seats in a 3-3-3 configuration
- Economy Class has 120 seat in a 3-3-3 configuration
Training is ongoing, with 787 simulators operating at Houston.
Hopefully before sending it on its long haul travels, United might use the time between receiving, initial pilot hour accumulation to fly some passengers around to show off the aircraft. GhettoIFE will monitor to see if anything interesting happens on that front.
Now whilst receiving a new shiny plane is all well and good, this is also a chance for United to up their game for the full in cabin experience – and I’m talking about looking after all passengers in all classes. For example,
- Making the meal trays taste good in economy (as opposed to the slop you can get out of some stations… and yes Denver, I am looking at you),
- And whilst we’re looking at United tray dinners, something other than a pre-packaged cookie/flapjack would be an improvement for a desert
- Improve the customer service so it shines on the plane
- Improve the experience on the ground too so customers flow on-top the plane and flow off – and that does mean sorting the absolute mess that is the new boarding system.
Will United rise to that challenge? Well… after witnessing the fall apart after SHARES, and the state of the systems when I last flew with them… I’m not holding my breath.