[Discuss] 777 vs 737

[MercedesBenz]

Come in and discuss your views.

If lets say you going on the trip (4-5hours).
For this route and airline that you frequent is in B777 for $X.

But then this time round, they are offering the same route for the same amount ($X) but with B737. Will you feel short changed or you feel its ok as long you reach your destination?

Lets assume:
-You prefer to travel in this window.
-777 is available but 20% more expensive that your usual 777 price.

Will you:
1) Pay the additional 20% just to have 777?
2) Go ahead with 737, but feel short changed?
3) Any other decision.(Share you input)

 

[punggolkid]

Not sure why plane type matters. It's the hard product that is important. But anyway if you're talking about flying economy, I'd most likely fly the cheaper ticket.

Any airline or class of travel you want to be specific about?

 

[fone]

You are looking at window seats, which there is a higher percentage of them on a 737 than a 777, at least in economy. I seriously do not see what the big hoo ha is about between plane types if the hard and soft products are similar.

As punggolkid mentioned, it would be the hard product that matters, and also the soft product. For example UA changed the SIN - NRT, which used to be a full international flight service, to that of a regional flight service, together with a downgauge of plane type. Doing away with items like free alcohol (IIRC). If you are one that consumes plenty of alcohol, then this will definitely affect you, but if you are one who does not touch alcohol, then this would not affect you at all, regardless of plane type.

 

[lcpteck]

Seat configurations

I only know 737s are 3-3 while 777s can be 2-4-2, 3-3-3, 3-4-3 depending on the variant.

 

[lcpteck]

For example UA changed the SIN - NRT, which used to be a full international flight service, to that of a regional flight service, together with a downgauge of plane type. Doing away with items like free alcohol (IIRC). If you are one that consumes plenty of alcohol, then this will definitely affect you, but if you are one who does not touch alcohol, then this would not affect you at all, regardless of plane type.

I noticed UA804/3 is using 777-200ERs for this SIN-NRT-IAD route and economy seating is in 3-3-3. Have you flew this route before? I plan to take this flight next year (in economy of course) so was wondering how is the in flight experience?

 

[fone]

I noticed UA804/3 is using 777-200ERs for this SIN-NRT-IAD route and economy seating is in 3-3-3. Have you flew this route before? I plan to take this flight next year (in economy of course) so was wondering how is the in flight experience?

I was probably referring to their 737s to HKG. Typically UA experience lor, so-so food (my rice was hard), very limited IFE with. 777s still ok, got personal TVs. Was on 747 to SFO, no personal TVs. I've always resorted to bringing my own snacks and cup noodles. Then bring my own ipad for entertainment. Expect nothing from them and you won't be disappointed.

 

[lcpteck]

I was probably referring to their 737s to HKG. Typically UA experience lor, so-so food (my rice was hard), very limited IFE with. 777s still ok, got personal TVs. Was on 747 to SFO, no personal TVs. I've always resorted to bringing my own snacks and cup noodles. Then bring my own ipad for entertainment. Expect nothing from them and you won't be disappointed.

Okay. My mom flew before both UA and NH on this route and she said service and food on NH was much better.

 

[fone]

Okay. My mom flew before both UA and NH on this route and she said service and food on NH was much better.

Definitely, asian airlines generally will be better than american ones. However, NH portions are quite meagre too, finished everything, and still feel hungry. NH now has the new seats which reclines into your own leg room. Being 6" tall, I can never do a full recline. The seat is most important to me, so I've avoided them as much as possible (I can bring my own entertainment and food).

Same thing with UA, they do not provide other substantial snacks outside of the main meals. The meals are meant for those who sleep and would not get hungry that easily on the flight. Once I had to force myself to stay awake on the flight, so I can sleep upon landing at night, asked and they did not have any snacks to offer (only the leftovers for the pre-meal snack). Yes, I've been bringing my own snacks and cup noodles on NH flights too. Not sure to do the same in my upcoming SQ flight as well (haven't been flying SQ these few years). NH have better selection of international movies too, just that they have only a few chinese selections but many Japanese shows.

 

[lcpteck]

I've been flying lots of cheap fares on MH recently.

Too bad MH Elite status also doesn't mean much, can't even choose a good seat it seems.

Will get MH Silver by year end.

 

[RSKeisuke]

any difference in the IFE?

 

[LearnIT]

777 is probably more stable in turbulent. but that is not the main reason to plan yr route. services, fares, timing seats, etc come into play.

 

[punggolkid]

As I've been living in Norway for quite some time, I typically use the 737s or 320s when travelling <4hrs. What I like about smaller aircraft is the boarding and disembarking process is much faster than on the 77W or 388 that I typically use when returning to visit Singapore. For me, that itself is a perk. Fewer people competing with you for immigration queues as well (applicable when flying into Norway from outside Schengen region).

 

[fone]

The other problem would be the lack of overhead luggage space in 737s. Its fine with airlines that give free checked baggage, but when it comes to paying for checked bags, people will bring super big roller luggages on planes which often do not fit the smaller planes.

 

[genie47]

I noticed UA804/3 is using 777-200ERs for this SIN-NRT-IAD route and economy seating is in 3-3-3. Have you flew this route before? I plan to take this flight next year (in economy of course) so was wondering how is the in flight experience?

UA? really so-so to really bad as said. ****h! Lau auntie cabin crew scold passenger and tell him to buy the Economy Plus seat when he politely asked the passenger in front to push up his seat so that he can eat the meal. Not her business since it is a just a polite request from this passenger to another. In the end kenna trolled.

 

[lcpteck]

UA? really so-so to really bad as said. ****h! Lau auntie cabin crew scold passenger and tell him to buy the Economy Plus seat when he politely asked the passenger in front to push up his seat so that he can eat the meal. Not her business since it is a just a polite request from this passenger to another. In the end kenna trolled.

Yeah I know UA is tough but I can buy a cheap K fare and earn 100% of the miles flown and bank it to my SQ KF Account. Wonder how much is it to upgrade to Economy Plus.

 

[fone]

Yeah I know UA is tough but I can buy a cheap K fare and earn 100% of the miles flown and bank it to my SQ KF Account. Wonder how much is it to upgrade to Economy Plus.

Usually US$100+ to US$200+ each way. Ok to upgrade for 777s, not that much for 747s. I used to be able to get upgrades for like US$500. Travel in business class for less than SQ economy class ticket price. After merger, it became harder to upgrade.

 

[punggolkid]

I recently just booked myself on a QF ticketed flight on MEL-SIN operated by EK 77W. I kind of regret though. I didn't realise EK 77W uses the high density 3-4-3 config. Sadly I can't change to another flight now. So there you go, an instance where I'd rather pick the QF 333 (intl config) than the usual no-brainer 77W. I'm been spoilt on SQ and BA I suppose.

But honestly, I do believe EK is the first full-service airline that I've come across using the 3-4-3 economy class config on the 77W, esp since its for long-haul flights. I really wonder how the pax on the SFO-DXB flights endured the cramped-ness of the space for such a long flight. Thankfully they've swapped to the 388 now. Does anyone know of any other airline that uses the same 77W config in economy?

I've been secretly hoping they upgauge my EK flight to the 388 as well since the loads between SIN-DXB is pretty good. But its unlikely since it's going to be sitting in MEL for nearly 10 hrs. I suppose if SQ can't make it work with the SQ227/228 flight pair (where the 388 also idles for almost 10hrs), EK might not either.

 

[lcpteck]

Usually US$100+ to US$200+ each way. Ok to upgrade for 777s, not that much for 747s. I used to be able to get upgrades for like US$500. Travel in business class for less than SQ economy class ticket price. After merger, it became harder to upgrade.

Okay thanks for the input, still trying to decide on what metal to fly and crediting the miles to which FFP. I know some airlines can get Elite status if i credit to them like OZ or TK but I don't even fly those airlines. So the question should be should I earn miles and redeem in the long term or earn Elite status (which I may or may not be able to utilize).

 

[fone]

Okay thanks for the input, still trying to decide on what metal to fly and crediting the miles to which FFP. I know some airlines can get Elite status if i credit to them like OZ or TK but I don't even fly those airlines. So the question should be should I earn miles and redeem in the long term or earn Elite status (which I may or may not be able to utilize).

Question is how often do you foresee you will fly on UA. UA elite members get free upgrade to economy plus, which should be much emptier than normal economy. Although the recent changes to the program have put me off, but still better than crediting to Krisflyer for me (unable to get any meaningful redemption before mileage expiry). Even silver gets you free upgrade to economy plus at check in, which is quite a bit of value too.

As for elite status, the question would be how often you fly on star alliance. I've gotten mine with A3 (program just changed), even though I only have 1 to 2 trips a year. Lounge access is quite a blessing, esp on airlines like UA (eat until full just before boarding). Same for the other benefits like extra baggage, priority queue etc, especially US departure (domestic or international).

 

[genie47]

Easier for you all to fly business on these Star Alliance flights. My CEO/founder of my company only flies economy. He set the example so everyone in the company flies economy.