United Airlines' Florida Transcon Expansion

737's for transcontinental jet service equals a big no for me . Way too cramped of a cabin for a 5 / 6 hour flight .

Ben, you say it’s interesting that no low cost carriers compete on these routes. I don’t live in the US so I might be missing something, but that’s what I would’ve expected, as the low cost carrier advantage must reduce significantly on longer flights (because fuel makes up a larger percentage of operating cost than on shortly flights). Add to that these are likely lower margin leisure routes for the legacy carriers, compared to other flights of similar length, then there is additional price compression. So if the LCC won’t charge much less than the legacy carrier then they’re probably better competing on other routes?

Florida will remain popular, particularly in Fall/Winter for those seeking warmer weather as there are still limited options going into that season. If the pandemic recedes worldwide going into 2022, expect a gradual paring back of all this Florida capacity which long term, isn't sustainable.

I don’t think the previous poster flies transcons very often if that is truly the case.

Both Southwest and Spirit used to serve the TPA-LAX route, but have since pulled out.

I'm all for the Florida expansion, especially Tampa. That being said, the gate area for United is painful. I don't know if it can support a lounge yet, but would be welcome!

Years ago, if Fort Myers were added, it would have been an early morning departure to SFO to connect with flights to Asia.

The seat pans on the first class recliners of united 737's are garbage. Especially anything with the DirecTV seats.

I am all for expansion but how about expanding at an airport you already have a presence and have cut service over the years? I wonder how many of your shareholders know you are paying Cleveland over $1.4 million a month until 2026 for a concourse that is currently closed. You cut the service Continental built and turned it into a joke. While United is still the largest carrier in CLE, you've cut over 200 daily flights since 2013. When Continental was the dominent carrier, everytime I flew the flight was always full. Should be no reason you can't add flights there too.

For flights this long you really have to do something about the seats. The headrest cushion pushes your head forward and is very uncomfortable. I see more people putting their heads down on the tray tables than ever before. The seats that don’t recline are even worse.

Poor utilization of aircraft and a classic management decision of the [former] Continental Airlines to serve leisure travelers instead of the money generating business clientele.

This isn't a bad idea; however, it's seasonal. Why aren't there more flight (direct) flights in and out of Atlanta... Especially on mainline aircraft. I've had the pleasure of commuting to EWR, IAH, ORD and SFO out of Atlanta. Flying a regional jet to any flight associated with Atlanta is a serious joke and miscalculation. There's a reason why Delta flies narrow bodies and 75/76 on the SFO-ATL routes... DEMAND! Atlanta is the "World's Busiest Airport" and we don't even have the SFO-ATL direct any longer. I'm sure there's some sort of thought process into this; but I'd like to challenge that thinking.

The same argument can be made for our other hubs as well. I'm speaking as a traveler, a commuter and a person with friends that complain about this aspect regarding United Airlines all the time.

A couple of reverse partial redeyes.

Amen to that

UA is at a disadvantage with no United Club at TPA. Both DL and AA have clubs. Time for UA to match them if they expect to attract premium traffic.

I could care less about a UA club at TPA. United provides the best service, and that's all I need to fly them over anyone else.