United Airlines - Economy Seating, Hot Beverage Cups

United Airline's new seats for the Airbus 319 seemingly have the benefit (for United) of no electronics - no headphone jack, no volume/channel control, no power outlets, and no video monitor.

There is a literature folder behind the tray table.
The armrests are skinnier, which may change the seat-mate armrest dueling dynamics.
The headrests raise, tilt, and have the moveable side flaps.  The seats have a leather, or leather-like, fabric.  Overall, the seats are nicer than the previous seats of blue fabric.

With wifi onboard and bring-your-own-device, United has pushed all pesky electronics problems to the customer.  United simply runs the wifi and leaves everything else, including providing power, to the customer.  The video selection was OK.
As a business traveler, I had come to rely upon inseat power so I could leave the flight with batteries fully charged - ready to go.  With the new focus on entertainment, it is feeling like JetBlue.


The hot beverages in business class are the typical ceramic.  The economy class hot beverage cups are a form of plastic, instead of styrofoam.  Made by incycle, the recycled plastic cups seem smaller in volume.