Uncomfortable business class from Tokyo to U.S. Help!

[HardnThick]

So many of you guys are travel-savvy, so I’m asking for help.

 

I’m booked on a United business class flight from Tokyo (NRT) to Dulles (IAD) and then on to Atlanta. I used miles to buy the ticket.

 

I thought the seat configuration was 2-2-2. I was unhappily surprised today to learn it’s actually 2-4-2, even in international business. That means even in “2” seats, someone has to climb-over the next person to get to the aisle.

 

Do you know any of United’s Star Alliance partners with a more comfortable business seating (really, sleeping)? I don’t care if the U.S. point of entry is Dulles. East coast is preferable, though, since it means the flight from Tokyo would provide longer, uninterrupted sleep.

 

I realize I should have been more thorough when I booked the flights, but I’m stuck now.

 

I’d VERY much appreciate your help!!!

[Steven_Draker]

I flew from Tokyo (NRT) to Los Angeles (LAX) on Airbus 380 with Singapore Airlines (12 hours flight time).

 

I too belong in the Star Alliance program. You can't go wrong with the A380 and Singapore Airlines.

[imrthr]

United uses various types aircraft. If you select a particular flight and want to see the seat configuration, go to this site:

 

http://www.seatguru.com

 

The above referenced site shows all seat configurations for most carriers, U.S. and foreign.

 

It might be that the plane you saw was a substitute plane.

-

 

 

 

So many of you guys are travel-savvy, so I’m asking for help.

 

I’m booked on a United business class flight from Tokyo (NRT) to Dulles (IAD) and then on to Atlanta. I used miles to buy the ticket.

 

I thought the seat configuration was 2-2-2. I was unhappily surprised today to learn it’s actually 2-4-2, even in international business. That means even in “2” seats, someone has to climb-over the next person to get to the aisle.

 

Do you know any of United’s Star Alliance partners with a more comfortable business seating (really, sleeping)? I don’t care if the U.S. point of entry is Dulles. East coast is preferable, though, since it means the flight from Tokyo would provide longer, uninterrupted sleep.

 

I realize I should have been more thorough when I booked the flights, but I’m stuck now.

 

I’d VERY much appreciate your help!!!

[EZEtoGRU]

Try to change to the UA flight between Tokyo and Houston. It uses a differently configured 777 which has 2-2-2 business class seating. Also any route to Tokyo that uses 787 equipment. Could be via LAX, DEN, or SEA depending on the day of week or time of year.

[Tighty]

Omfg, no wonder I don't fly with US airlines as much as possible. Most other progressive airlines have 1-2-1 business class seat configuration now.

[EZEtoGRU]

Another option to consider in Star Alliance is Air Canada. They have the somewhat rare 1-2-1 layout in business class. Having said that, connecting in Canada from the US to go to Japan can be a pain in the *** if you have to clear immigration in Canada (which I think you do). Good luck with your search.

[Guest]

Omfg, no wonder I don't fly with US airlines as much as possible. Most other progressive airlines have 1-2-1 business class seat configuration now.

 

I'm flying US Airways Envoy Class on Monday. Each seat, including window seats, has direct aisle access, and converts to a flat horizontal bed, and all seats face forward. This is how all of their A330's are configured. Their 767 Envoy Class seats still only recline to 170 degrees. I did take United's business class from NRT to SFO a year and a half ago. It did have the nasty 2-4-2 configuration, and half of the seats faced backwards.

[Tighty]

I'm flying US Airways Envoy Class on Monday. Each seat, including window seats, has direct aisle access, and converts to a flat horizontal bed, and all seats face forward. This is how all of their A330's are configured. Their 767 Envoy Class seats still only recline to 170 degrees. I did take United's business class from NRT to SFO a year and a half ago. It did have the nasty 2-4-2 configuration, and half of the seats faced backwards.

 

Oh lol. Never seen seat facing backwards in a plane. The horizontal bed looks more comfortable than they actually are. But still very nice on 15 hours flight. What I like the most is the privacy. I hate people bumping into me.

[Guest]

Oh lol. Never seen seat facing backwards in a plane. The horizontal bed looks more comfortable than they actually are. But still very nice on 15 hours flight. What I like the most is the privacy. I hate people bumping into me.

 

On US Airways Envoy class in the A330's, all seats have aisle access and you never have to climb over or bump anyone:

http://www.flyinbusinessfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USBiz_Class2.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4045/4701072665_478c72e6d4_m.jpg

 

These were the backwards/forwards seats I had on the United flight:

http://www.cntraveler.com/dam/blogs/perrinpost/media/images/ts_business_class_airfare_deal_091008.jpg

 

The 767's on US Airways are in a 2-2-2 pattern, and the seats are not quite as horizontal as their seats in the A330 suites. They are, nevertheless, all facing forwards. US Airways expects to retire their 767's, so they have no plans to upgrade them to the 330's standards:

http://www.flyinbusinessfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USBiz_Class6.jpg

[HardnThick]

I’m checking-out all your suggestions.

 

Those U.S. Air photos looked good but from Tokyo (NRT), all their flights are actually operated by ANA. I’ve never heard of them. Anybody know about ANA’s business class? Also, U.S. Air’s flights all have two connections.

 

Arghh! This is difficult.

[Guest]

I’m checking-out all your suggestions.

 

Those U.S. Air photos looked good but from Tokyo (NRT), all their flights are actually operated by ANA. I’ve never heard of them. Anybody know about ANA’s business class? Also, U.S. Air’s flights all have two connections.

 

Arghh! This is difficult.

 

US Airways doesn't fly to Asia (other than Tel Aviv). I just put those seats up to show that some US carriers have very nice business seats. ANA's business class seems to have comfortable seats, but those on the window will have to climb over their neighbors:

http://www.jtbusa.com/en/tour/luxuryescapes/img/services/ana-b1.jpg

[HardnThick]

On EZEtoGRU’s recommendation, I checked-out Air Canada. I’d fly from Tokyo to Toronto and then connect to the U.S. The Air Canada phone agent assured me, since I’d be traveling directly on to the U.S., I would not go through Canadian Customs. Moreover I would go through U.S. Customs in Toronto. So the Customs aspect seems OK.

 

Has anyone experienced Air Canada’s “Executive First Suites” on a long-haul flight? This would be a 777-300ER, two classes of service.

 

They look good on their website.

[swallows22]

SYD-LAX flights

 

On US Airways Envoy class in the A330's, all seats have aisle access and you never have to climb over or bump anyone:

http://www.flyinbusinessfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USBiz_Class2.jpg

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4045/4701072665_478c72e6d4_m.jpg

 

These were the backwards/forwards seats I had on the United flight:

http://www.cntraveler.com/dam/blogs/perrinpost/media/images/ts_business_class_airfare_deal_091008.jpg

 

The 767's on US Airways are in a 2-2-2 pattern, and the seats are not quite as horizontal as their seats in the A330 suites. They are, nevertheless, all facing forwards. US Airways expects to retire their 767's, so they have no plans to upgrade them to the 330's standards:

http://www.flyinbusinessfirst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/USBiz_Class6.jpg

 

United have the 2-4-2, forward/backward seats on the SYD-LAX flights. Had flown UA for 30 years on that leg, but as soon as Delta appeared with the 777-ER with 1-2-1 seating, I changed. Been wonderful. No crawling over someone or vice versa.

 

Interesting that aircraft is what Virgin flies. Qantas uses 380's. Next April UA will switch to 777-ER's. Always two to three years behind the times.

[+ azdr0710]

wow, all these dreamy pictures of gee-whiz airplane seats....I'm sure you'll do fine, HardnThick....

 

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/01/26/article-1246145-0805E84C000005DC-903_634x329.jpg

[+ WilliamM]

Those U.S. Air photos looked good but from Tokyo (NRT), all their flights are actually operated by ANA. I’ve never heard of them. Anybody know about ANA’s business class? Also, U.S. Air’s flights all have two connections.

 

Arghh! This is difficult.

 

In 1995 I flew coach from Dulles to Toyko on ANA, and then from Toyko to Sydney in business on an ANA upgrade. But, back then the seats in business looked nothing like those photos. But, I would gladly do it again because U.S. Airways was charging only 50,000 frequent flier miles for those round-trip flights. ANA provides excellent services and it was January in the U.S. so the weather was warm in Australia.

[actor61]

I took United Business Class last year from L.A. to London and back. It was a 777 and I sat by a window facing backwards, which I actually liked because there seems to be less noise. The middle row, of course, had 4 seats, but it isn't as bad as you think. If you can get an aisle seat, you have lots of space. It doesn't matter where you sit in United's Business Class, you still have to crawl over your seatmate if you're not on the aisle. The man next to me put his seat into the lie flat position about 5 minutes after the dinner dishes were cleared and slept until we landed in London. I watched movies and read and got up 2 or 3 times to pee or brush my teeth. I was very careful and just stepped over his feet getting in and out from my window seat. He was wearing ear plugs and an eye mask, so I don't think he was ever aware of my maneuvers. It was a pleasant flight; the service was excellent, the food wasn't bad, and there was an abundant choice of films and t.v. to watch. The only weirdness is that when when you're in the rear facing seats, you're looking into the faces of the people across the aisle facing the opposite direction.

 

I have also flown American and British Business classes to London and back from L.A., and these were much, much nicer. The new American Business class is in a 1-2-1 configuration and all seats have aisle access. In the single seats, it's like having your own compartment. British is a 2-4-2 configuration and as with United, in some seats you fly backwards but in the window and aisle seats, it's also like having your own compartment when you put up the privacy screen between the seats. On my last flight with them, I got the rear facing window seat in the last row before the galley, which meant that I had a clear passage in and out of my seat and I consider that the best seat on the plane. If you're on a 747, the upper desk seats are great as they are only in a 2-2 configuration. The downside with BA is that if you want to reserve a good seat longer than 24 hours before flight time, they charge you, which is a complete rip off when you've paid the Business Class fare. It's $90 to reserve on the lower deck and $120 to reserve on the upper deck - EACH WAY! If you don't care where you sit, then you can select your seat online 24 hours before departure for free.

 

My choice on a long haul trip would be American or any of the European carriers. Until United reconfigures their Business Class, I'm staying away.

[fedssocr1]

of course your issue will be finding available award seats on those other airlines. Singapore typically doesn't make their seats available to partners, especially premium class A380 seats.

 

The Air Canada seats are what is referred to as "herringbone". The window seats face inwards towards the aisle. The seats tend to be fairly narrow. Some refer to them as "coffin" seats. If you're not a person of size though it can be a good option. The center seats also face towards the aisle. The nice thing is that you don't have to climb over anyone. But again whether or not there is award availability when you are flying could be an issue.

 

I have flown ANA, it is one of Japan's main carriers. In those days their 777s on the NRT-IAD route were 2-3-2 configuration angled lie flat seats. Not good at all for sleeping IMHO. Not sure if they have upgraded since then, but you should be able to find out on ANA's website. Their latest business class product has aisle access for everyone if that product is on the aircraft you are flying then you are golden.

[Frequentflier]

I primarily fly United/Lufthansa. I'm going to Europe Saturday and I've checked my seating twice in the last 30 days. I'm guessing all airlines reserve the right to change aircraft on flights we've booked which can impact seat configuration (might impact business class more so than first). I check my seats on the airlines website a couple of times and adjust if needed. For this week's flight, United changed the aircraft twice in the past 30 days. I had to change my seat once. So, not sure I'd book a particular airline or flight because of the aircraft since they might change it before departure. Even when traveling with people I work with we don't make an effort to sit next to each other on overseas flights so I often end up sitting next to a stranger. I've never had an issue with someone climbing over me or me over them. I think most people sitting in those sections have learned to be particularly polite and unobtrusive. Once, on a 12 hour flight I sat next to a young, hot, blond Lufthansa pilot on vacation and even I behaved myself.

[Tighty]

I have to say people in the business class are more civil. I hate flying cattle class on international flights where people bring huge hand carried items and fight for bin space. Sadly I often have to settle being a cattle.

[HardnThick]

Sincere THANKS to all who responded so thoughtfully and kindly. You took time to offer your experience and suggestions. You’re great!

 

Because of one of your suggestions, I was able to change the routing on United to a bus class 2x2x2 seating.

[Poppie]

I'm flying US Airways Envoy Class on Monday. Each seat, including window seats, has direct aisle access, and converts to a flat horizontal bed, and all seats face forward. This is how all of their A330's are configured. Their 767 Envoy Class seats still only recline to 170 degrees. I did take United's business class from NRT to SFO a year and a half ago. It did have the nasty 2-4-2 configuration, and half of the seats faced backwards.

 

I can't imagine flying anything else but a 1-2-1 configuration on a long haul flight. Considering USAir Envoy next trip to Europe. Any reviews? or better suggestions?

[Diverdan]

I always fly with United/Star Alliance flights, but almost always upgrade to FC after buying a business class seat. It is worth the time and money. I have never had to fly backwards, except for one flight in business class from Chicago to Denver, where they were essentially "deadheading" a plane to Denver. It was actually kind of fun, primarily because of the two hot young guys that I was facing..... and I did manage to meet them a couple of days later while in Denver... but my lips are now sealed !!

 

I never fly USAir, even though they are part of the Star Alliance, as I have had so many bad experiences with them over the years. I would fly American or Delta if I had to, but as I said in another post here, when I go overseas and have the time, I tend to visit several places and book an "around the world" ticket.

 

Happy flying and please report back on your trip.

DD