Words that can fill a passenger in dread in any order (this one in particular) include the words “High Density”.
Well, dearest readers. United is sending its High Density Boeing 777s to Europe.
United Airlines Boeing 777-200 at Chicago O’Hare – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
With Dublin already on the cards for next year, it was only a matter of time before another European Route got selected.
Two routes between Newark and Spain have been selected – Madrid and Barcelona. The changes look like this:
- Newark – Barcelona commences 23rd April 2018, 777HD replaces the existing United 767-400ER
- Newark – Madrid commences 23rd May 2018, 777HD replaces United 767-300ER
Data – Airlineroute
So what does High Density mean in this case? It’s a two class configuration, split by:
- 28 Business (Polaris) Class Seats
- 336 Economy Class Seats
Or for those of a nervous disposition look at the seat map below
United High Density Boeing 777-200 Seat Layout (v4) – Image, United
Newark – Dublin will be the first international use of the High Density planes – starting 10th March 2018 (replacing the existing low-density Boeing 777-200s).
In terms of Passenger amenities… these planes don’t have a lot. United Polaris have power at seat and IFE screens, whilst in United Economy – there’s power for 2 out of 3 seats in the triples, and 3 out of 4 seats in the quads. Streaming IFE is available as is on-board WiFi.
Whilst there may be passable ways across the Atlantic, this doesn’t seem like one of them.
When these planes entered service, United was going to dedicate them to domestic hops only. It seems that mind has been changed, and this is here to fill the cheap seats up, and attack the transatlantic low-cost carriers.
With other carriers reconfiguring their 777 fleets, expect this as a sign of things to come.
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All of United’s new 777er have 10 across in economy and they fly them to Asia. Worse then flying to Europe. I am done with United because of this. Have been high elite with United for 7 years.
Sounds like a smart business move to me. High density in low yield markets…lower density in high yield markets…now hurry up with the premium economy in those high yield markets and they might have something.
Competing with Level and Norwegian Air Shuttle – these planes actually look better !
More and more, I am convinced that the only civilized way across the Atlantic is in a narrow body, for the simple reason that the airlines cannot cram in more than 6 seats per row. The AA 757 from MAN to ORD is very civilized compared to the 10-across 777 configurations that are so common now.
I’m looking forward to A321-LR opening up more long and thin TATL routes.
I think it’s misleading to say 28 Business (Polaris) Class Seats. This is #Fauxlaris.
A Pre-merger United aircraft with terrible business class seats, some even face backwards, and an unforgivable 2-4-2 layout. You must always shop your flights by aircraft/ seat-map.
The new 777-300ER is AMAZING with the new Polaris seats and is absolute HELL in economy.
Shame on United for doing that.