NEWCASTLE - 8
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: UK
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From the people I've spoken to non-stop is a HUGE benefit.
---------------
Yes, HUGE.
I've gone back to an old flight combination (not to USA) I used to do which involves transfering at AMS and I'm actually going a day early due to a deep distrust of KLM flight timings and the ability of AMS to transfer a bag from one plane to another.
Especially as they 2 legs can't be ticketed together these days
I would pay a reasonable premium for a direct flight.
---------------
Yes, HUGE.
I've gone back to an old flight combination (not to USA) I used to do which involves transfering at AMS and I'm actually going a day early due to a deep distrust of KLM flight timings and the ability of AMS to transfer a bag from one plane to another.
Especially as they 2 legs can't be ticketed together these days
I would pay a reasonable premium for a direct flight.
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NortheastTravelman; the 757 has been widely used on transatlantic flights for around a decade now. Flying on a 737, 757 or 777 the individual seat pitch does not change much as it’s the airline that determines seat-pitch, not the aircraft type.
Anyway, Newcastle to New York is only 6 to 7 hours, similar in length to many UK-Egypt flights which are also operated by the likes of 757s and even A320s.
99.999% of the flying public have no idea what type of aircraft they are flying on and 99.999% probably couldn’t care less either. An aircraft type in not a selling point (with perhaps the exception of the A380), a direct, non-stop flight for a customer’s local airport is a huge selling point.
Anyway, Newcastle to New York is only 6 to 7 hours, similar in length to many UK-Egypt flights which are also operated by the likes of 757s and even A320s.
99.999% of the flying public have no idea what type of aircraft they are flying on and 99.999% probably couldn’t care less either. An aircraft type in not a selling point (with perhaps the exception of the A380), a direct, non-stop flight for a customer’s local airport is a huge selling point.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Miles from where I want to be.
Age: 39
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't imagine anyone wanting the hassle of a Euro hub connecting flight followed by hassle, followed by a flight of 8+ to get to NYC when they can do it non stop in a fairly low density 757 with 31" in United Economy and 37" in UE+ which is comparable to their 777.
I've never understood this notion of two aisles being better. How often do you use two aisles? The crew usually do their service at the same time so both aisles are blocked simultaneously for those who INSISIT of using the facilities during cabin service.
Another benefit of a smaller jet is there's less of a surge toward to the border on landing versus up to 400 on a wide body.
757s across the atlantic are here to stay and without them this route would not work. The 757 issue has been done to death and I'm bored to tears with it. This flight gives people choice. They can choose convenience of they can trail to LHR/AMS/CDG for that elusive second aisle whilst still getting the same service, legroom and probably paying more for the Priveledge. Each to their own.
I've never understood this notion of two aisles being better. How often do you use two aisles? The crew usually do their service at the same time so both aisles are blocked simultaneously for those who INSISIT of using the facilities during cabin service.
Another benefit of a smaller jet is there's less of a surge toward to the border on landing versus up to 400 on a wide body.
757s across the atlantic are here to stay and without them this route would not work. The 757 issue has been done to death and I'm bored to tears with it. This flight gives people choice. They can choose convenience of they can trail to LHR/AMS/CDG for that elusive second aisle whilst still getting the same service, legroom and probably paying more for the Priveledge. Each to their own.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Miles from where I want to be.
Age: 39
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They can certainly edge toward the six hour mark in winter westbound. I've crewed one myself and was due to winds being particularly strong. Thomson Airways have a block of 6:25 SSHGLA. The flights are long, just over an hour more and you could be in NYC.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 39
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most of the transatlantics are much of a muchness no matter what is painted on the tail or what kind of plane it is (never consider this really, I go for price and comvenience only). The non stop links will make a weekend trip more feasible and less exhausting.
I have leave coming up at the end of the month. New York is my absolutely favourite place but I simply could not face the journey where all I want to do is relax after a hectic summer. So I'm off to good old Spain instead! Had this flight been available I would not have hesitated to book it and couldn't care less. A plane is a plane to me down the back and I wouldn't have even considered it. I see 757s from USA all over Europe.
I have leave coming up at the end of the month. New York is my absolutely favourite place but I simply could not face the journey where all I want to do is relax after a hectic summer. So I'm off to good old Spain instead! Had this flight been available I would not have hesitated to book it and couldn't care less. A plane is a plane to me down the back and I wouldn't have even considered it. I see 757s from USA all over Europe.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: up north
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Frankly, I'd rather be in a 75 with at least a sporting chance of some sort of a view out of a window, rather than the complete claustrophbia of being trapped in a centre seat of any twin aisle.
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Dublin
Age: 37
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
£370.49 with all of those fees deducted how much profit is there left for United.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ugh. Not again people already moaning about a 757. Have you even been on a 757? It's not like flying on Easyjet, United give lots of seat pitch and the chairs have a headrest with televisions.
Do NOT knock what you have not tried.
Do NOT knock what you have not tried.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: davenport IA
Age: 69
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
united 757
Flown many times over the pond on a united 757, and its never been a problem. plenty of seat pitch. All seperate tv screens in the backs of seats.
The crew always very good and helpfull.
If there was a problem running 757 over the pond for what ever reason,then pax would not use them. If that were the case then you would not see the 757 on the ta routes.
The crew always very good and helpfull.
If there was a problem running 757 over the pond for what ever reason,then pax would not use them. If that were the case then you would not see the 757 on the ta routes.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any NY flight was always going to be a 757 so I'm not sure why people are complaining so much - it isn't even a very long flight. The only other alternative would have been a 767 which would be far too much capacity.
£370 is an absolute bargain fare, lets hope some of the higher fare buckets also sell however as this will be key to the success of the route. Interesting to see how much APD, and other taxes, make up such a large proportion of the fare.
£370 is an absolute bargain fare, lets hope some of the higher fare buckets also sell however as this will be key to the success of the route. Interesting to see how much APD, and other taxes, make up such a large proportion of the fare.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NE ENGLAND
Posts: 957
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This 757 vs "whatever" is only an issue if you are travelling with a partner in "Y".
Thus unless you are trying to compare vs a 767 / A330 which have 2-3-2 , 2-4-2 then "3-x-3" / "3-3" is the standard product in "Y" with possibly a few variations at the rear due to cabin size.
The issue is much more down to airline, & thus Food, Seat Pitch & IFE subject to ones priorities.
fa2fi
Absolutely agree, simply because there is very little variation in these 3 criteria on current scheduled offerings in "Y"
There was however very little in common with the IT's 757 services out of NCL & that of the scheduled transatlantic product, i.e. Seat pitch terrible, no screen back TV & definitely no AVOD, & IF there was food then zero choice. These comments are bourne out of personal experience in the 90's on half a dozen or so family IT's to FLA.
So why did I put up with it? quite simple CONVENIENCE, the flights went where I wanted to go when I wanted to go & as I always used as argument to myself, then in my experiences, they always fulfilled their prime objective i.e to get me & may family where I wanted to go SAFELY & ON TIME ! & everything else was a bonus.
In retrospect I did not actually see these flights as "cattle wagons" something that I later took the view of when often doing the TFS run. As an aside I recall one trip to TFS in the early 90's on an MD80 I think it may have been OASIS, I only remember this as it had a 2-3 seating config. i.e. there was a 2 seat offering & from recollection the trip was awful, adding further weight the suggestion that at the end of the day it's the airline that counts.
So come on UA
show the North East what you can deliver, as for myself then my wife I will probably give them a try, though these days fortunately it's up front for us, so it really does come back to my original criteria CONVENIENCE, SAFETY & ON TIME.
Thus unless you are trying to compare vs a 767 / A330 which have 2-3-2 , 2-4-2 then "3-x-3" / "3-3" is the standard product in "Y" with possibly a few variations at the rear due to cabin size.
The issue is much more down to airline, & thus Food, Seat Pitch & IFE subject to ones priorities.
fa2fi
Most of the transatlantics are much of a muchness no matter what is painted on the tail or what kind of plane it
There was however very little in common with the IT's 757 services out of NCL & that of the scheduled transatlantic product, i.e. Seat pitch terrible, no screen back TV & definitely no AVOD, & IF there was food then zero choice. These comments are bourne out of personal experience in the 90's on half a dozen or so family IT's to FLA.
So why did I put up with it? quite simple CONVENIENCE, the flights went where I wanted to go when I wanted to go & as I always used as argument to myself, then in my experiences, they always fulfilled their prime objective i.e to get me & may family where I wanted to go SAFELY & ON TIME ! & everything else was a bonus.
In retrospect I did not actually see these flights as "cattle wagons" something that I later took the view of when often doing the TFS run. As an aside I recall one trip to TFS in the early 90's on an MD80 I think it may have been OASIS, I only remember this as it had a 2-3 seating config. i.e. there was a 2 seat offering & from recollection the trip was awful, adding further weight the suggestion that at the end of the day it's the airline that counts.
So come on UA
show the North East what you can deliver, as for myself then my wife I will probably give them a try, though these days fortunately it's up front for us, so it really does come back to my original criteria CONVENIENCE, SAFETY & ON TIME.
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Durham
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
United 757 from Newcastle is same time across the pond as anywhere else in UK regardless of A/C Type - So direct service is beneficial in all respects except possibly loyalty frequent flier schemes. (Not sure if I'm missing something with regard to recent postings on journey times
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I find it laughable that everyone has been wanting a NYC service for years and when we eventually get one some people complain its on on a 757! Much larger airports such as Stansted, Luton as well as other regionals with large catchment areas (such as EMA) would love a direct flight!
Give it a chance before its started!
Give it a chance before its started!
Travel Agent
I really am not sure what it is with spotters and enthusiasts. it's the same at any regional airport. Get a new service and it's great, but not quite right - wrong type, wrong frequency, wrong airline, wrong airport - but like Colombo there's always "just one more thing".
Why UA should consider launching a new route, to an airport that has never had a "proper" USA bound service and put on a larger wide bodied aircraft when they are quite clearly testing the water is beyond me.
Curiously, they are running business and have hopefully made a good business decision.
I find it laughable that everyone has been wanting a NYC service for years and when we eventually get one some people complain its on on a 757! Much larger airports such as Stansted, Luton as well as other regionals with large catchment areas (such as EMA) would love a direct flight!
Why UA should consider launching a new route, to an airport that has never had a "proper" USA bound service and put on a larger wide bodied aircraft when they are quite clearly testing the water is beyond me.
Curiously, they are running business and have hopefully made a good business decision.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well said, ATNotts, unfortunately many spotters can't seem to accept your last point and probably think a 767 daily/double daily or whatever would work!
I never saw the flight coming to fruition but now we've got it there seems to be a whole new raft of whats apparently wrong with it - give it a chance!
I never saw the flight coming to fruition but now we've got it there seems to be a whole new raft of whats apparently wrong with it - give it a chance!
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ballymena
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I flew from Belfast to Newark recently on a UA 757. Good legroom, individual seatback entertainment system and choice of meals, down the back. Both journeys took far less than the advertised trip time, we came back in about 5 hours. I think you could do worse.
TB
TB