United pajamas are given out in business class on flights over 12 hours. These are the pajamas Polaris launched with two and a half years ago:
Now United is introducing new pajamas that are tighter (smaller size, odd for an airline primarily serving Americans) and that – in this internal United photo – look horrible.
I like to think I am the world's foremost expert in airline pajamas. So it is my great pleasure to break news on @united's new look, as well as new sizing. What do you think @ZachHonig? pic.twitter.com/J873omuHEq
— Brian Sumers (@BrianSumers) June 20, 2019
United will no doubt dispute that this is a cut, but it’s hard to see it any other way. The pajamas United introduced with Polaris are great, and these new ones look anything but. With each cut the airline has made to their business class soft product they’ve claimed they weren’t really cutting but of course that’s what they do.
They eliminated the bloody mary and mimosa carts when they found they were way over expected cost on wine. The airline points out you can still have these items on board. By not bringing them by your seat, though, fewer passengers take them. That may be better for service flow. It cuts down on cost. And it also eliminates the special, indulgent quality of the product, the permission to indulge and sense of being spoiled as flight attendants encourage you to try what’s offered.
United even cut a flight attendant out of business class and made it easier for the rest of the crew to cover by pre-plating meals that could just be re-heated. There’s no question that meal presentation has declined markedly.
And it’s not just the plating, one customer notes “I enjoye[d] the hot bites when they started. The wraps and snack carts looked tasty. Now they look like picked over leftovers and they are almost always “out” of the soup and grilled cheese.” Another points out, “there is “bare bones” sparse roundtrip provisioning of wine. They’ve decided it’s ok to say “sorry, we don’t have it”, have the FAs in apology mode, and go from there.”
United’s President Scott Kirby described their approach to product as ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ and described how he sees the schedule (that they fly) as their product.
American Airlines has offered pajamas on just four flights in business class (Dallas and Los Angeles – Hong Kong and Los Angeles – Sydney and Auckland). Last year Delta eliminated pajamas in business class from the four routes where they were offered. So cuts to pajamas are an easy call for this management at United.
Didn’t realize Delta dumped pajamas – more vapor ware.
Why didn’t that get a. full story?
They also downgraded wines outside LHR CDG and don’t offer hot bites.
Not to mention no lounge dining service.
Actually eliminating PJs a bigger deal than cutting the style (yes they look bizarre)
It looks like a glorified t shirt. I do find pajama sizing way too large (even on foreign carriers) so maybe this will match sizing in real life?
the size of the branding is beyond tacky. SMH as they seemed like they were finally starting to get it.
When will the new pajamas be rolled out. I am flying to Sydney tomorrow will I have the old or new pajamas
I know there are people who like pajamas on airplanes but, honestly, to most people, they’re just weird and go unused. The idea that I’m going to go into a small lav to change into my pj’s to sit in my business class seat (where I’ll then look absolutely ridiculous) is just bizarre. Just wear comfortable clothing. Problem solved.
I’ve seen more stylish prison uniforms.
Do they not realize most of their clientele are oversized American middleaged men?
Why reduce the size of the L/XL??
This will be great – more large “businessmen” parading through the cabin in tight PJs.
Fire Scott Kirby before he makes United any worse. Then turn around and undo all the decisions he made. That’s how United can be successful.
Kirby’s remarks accurately capture the UA brand. They are a big airline that flies lots of routes, seats are okay, but are third-rate in quality of product. Service is mediocre, food is worse. Doesn’t mean I won’t fly them – I fly them a lot. It just means they will not likely get the business if another airline competes on the same route. And they cannot charge a premium.
Did they partner with Old Navy on this? 😛
Can’t stand tight pajamas. Also detest hot polyester and scratchy, rough fabric in a pajama. Dark colors are much better, too. My BA navy 100% cotton ones are my favorite. Big baggy, comfy for wear around the house. during cooler months.
Don’t understand why the sizing has been slimmed down. Are there actually people who like the “tighty whitey” and “wedgie” experience?
@chopsticks I do notice that most people don’t wear PJs in long-haul business, and I just don’t get it. You are in this nice seat where you can actually get some sleep. You probably have been wearing the same clothes all day, now you want to sleep in them?? why not be the most comfortable you can? Who cares how you look, you won’t see these people ever again.
I always bring my own PJ when flying up front. I’ll even bring it to Singapore premium economy later this year – it’s a long flight.
@Bill – The prison uniforms probably fit better, too.
I don’t understand why people DON’T wear PJ’s on long flights. I was just on a Qatar plane for over 19-hours, so that at least the clothes I deplaned in were fresh. I put on the PJ’s as soon as I board; I’ve sat on planes easily for 1 to 1-1/2 hours before lift-off with delays & long taxis.
I totally 100 and 10% agree with chopsticks. PJ’s on a plane do look ridiculous.
Hell, those slippers that AA provides are to small for my size 10’s. A good pillow and blanket – I’m out cold.
How much does a pair of airline pjs cost? I’d think less than $20. Apparently business-class fares must be too price sensitive to cover that cost. For a $20 (or more) difference in fare, I’d always pick the airline with pjs because of the pjs and because providing pjs suggests an overall higher level of service.
At first I poo pooed first-class pjs. (There were few if any airlines that put them in business class then.) Now I really appreciate them. I feel markedly better on arrival when wearing pjs most of the flight.
But there are problems with pjs in business class. Imagine 52 people trying to change out of and into clothes on an American 777 or 94 on a Korean Air A380. Also most business cabins don’t have room to hang clothes. Lavatories for those with certain disabilities are the only ones big enough to change in.
@Ziggy — I guess there are pajama people, and non-pajama people. There haven’t been many studies of pajama use, but the general consensus is that about 1 in 10 American men sleep in something like pajamas. It stands to reason that if you’re not using pajamas at home, you’re not changing into them on an airplane! I’m actually surprised that airlines bother to furnish them at all. I kind of think it’s more for the prestige (“look, we’re got a great business class — we offer pajamas!”) than the practicality.
Why don’t the just offer some nice over-sized, natural cotton, comfortable sweats…with expected one-time use. People will love them.
Why anyone would want to wear pajamas, let alone any provided by an airline, is beyond me. I haven’t worn pajamas since I was a kid. Prefer to sleep nude which is much more comfortable and, when I fly, just wear comfortable clothes (including on AA DFW-HKG flight where I was offered pajamas and quickly turned them down). BTW on that flight (AA’s longest) I didn’t see anyone wearing the offered pajamas so expect AA to follow DL’s lead and eliminate them as they should