Greetings fellow Flight-Report #avgeek fans. They say if you fall off a horse the best remedy is to get right back on. Well after my last disaster trip I got right back on. This trip came a whisker of being cancelled, but the opportunity to fly Lufthansa and Asiana first class was too much to pass by. Then as I like to say, the stars aligned when United's 777-300 with Polaris seats became available the day I was headed home.
The original plan:
ORD-FRA United 777-200 Polaris First
FRA-DUS Lufthansa A320 Business
DUS-NRT ANA 787-9 Business Staggered
NRT-ORD Japan Airlines 777-300 First Class
turned into this:
ORD-FRA Lufthansa 747-8i First Class
FRA-ICN Asiana A380 First Class
ICN-TPE China Airlines B777-300
TPE-ICN China Airlines A300 Business Class
NRT-SFO United 777-300 Polaris Business ClassSFO-ORD United Airlines 757-300 First Class
The brightest star in the constellation of Ursa Minor sure aligned with Reward Flying today.
UA838 from Narita was due in at 10:40am. The next flight to Chicago was at 11:40am on a 777-2 but it's not a valid connection. The first valid was not until 1:28pm on an ancient 757-300. I wasn't cherishing the thought of a 3 hour layover in San Fran then that. Previously I had checked to see how many business class seats were available on the 11:40 in case of an earlier arrival. None.
UA838 wheels touched SFO's 28R 45 minutes early. AT&T received my login signal immediately. I opened the UA app and searched flight status for SFO-ORD then selected the 11:40 flight and clicked on the seat map.
IT'S THE SEAT MAP OF THE 777-300!
AND THERE ARE SOME OPEN SEATS!
SFO-ORD United Airlines 777-300 Polaris Business Class - This Flight Report
The domestic 777-200 has 28 business/first class seats, the 777-300 has 60! So I called United and got an agent who said there were no saver award seats available on this flight. You're no help. I hustled to the United Arrivals lounge. "Good Morning, Is there any availability on flight 794 to Chicago in business class this morning", handing her my 698 boarding pass. The attending agent was super friendly. "What seat would you like?" "15A if you have it?" "Would you like to take a shower while I make the flight change and print your boarding pass?" "Yes please."
The dreaded 757-300 horrible first class experience was now a new 777-300 Polaris business class experience. And this plane was even newer than the brand new Tokyo aircraft, a week into the fleet on what was probably it's 10th revenue flight. Polaris shines!
I profusely thanked the Arrival's lounge attendant and headed to Gate 89 stopping only to waste $5 on a bottle of water.
Ugh, reality. This was Group 1. Didn't matter. My fortunes on this day couldn't be dampened.
In this report I will try not to be repetitive with regard to features of the Polaris business cabin. However the lighting was much better as the window shades weren't drawn such as they were in Tokyo. Entry through door two.
I was able to get some photos of the front cabin this time.
Very pleasant cabin mood-lighting mid-flight.
The ceiling above a lavatory entrance and self-serve galley.
Center bulkhead walls in both cabins.
Mesh curtains separate the cabins.
The missing window for row 16 seat A.
The best seats for this aircraft in my opinion are:
Solo or Window gazers:
Row 1 A/L - Extra legroom
Row 3 A/L
Row 5 A/L
Row 9 A/L - Extra legroom
Row 11 A/L
Row 15 A/L
Row 17 A/L
Couples
Row 1 D/G - Extra legroom
Row 3 D/G
Row 5 D/G
Row 9 D/G - Extra legroom
Row 11 D/G
Row 15 D/G
Row 17 D/G
Seats to Avoid
Row 7 A/L - Galley
Row 8 A/L - Galley
Row 16 A/L - No window
Caution:
Row 18 A/D/G/L cabin noise
All other seats that angle to aisle have reduced privacy.
The center angled seats appear to have a smaller side table and it's certainly not as easy to reach as it's partially behind your shoulder as you sit, as is the light switch.
Center seat forward facing.
There have been comments about the lack of legroom. Listed legroom when lying flat is 75 inches.
However when sitting in an odd row window seat, crossing your legs may not be so comfortable.
The mystery of the button below the light switch. What is it? I asked the FA and he didn't know. He said that United doesn't train them on the features of the seat and a co-worker was wondering what the button did was as well.
I looked for a placard that might explain the seat. Ahhh, you're in the age of technology, remember? The IFE System has a complete instruction guide. I learned that little button controls the brightness of the light.
Time to go. We departed 80 minutes behind schedule, not that I cared as I was still ahead of the game. In the descent towards ORD we went into a hold. The captain announced there was an ATC issue at the airport. The hold lasted for 5 minutes. Later on when I checked the flight status on United's app, the reason given for the delay was listed as "ATC delay". I'm sorry, we left 80 minutes late and the ATC delay was 5 minutes. The reason for being late is SFO ground had no idea on how to board the aircraft.
Little towel plates are so much nicer.
Today's amenities. I suspect there was a pillow around somewhere.
Of course there were no menus.
Something different!
It might have been good. It might have just been hunger. Whichever, it was consumed.
False advertising. I never saw a dessert cart on any flight.
Wi-Fi was available and you can stream movies with United's app. The tray has a cutout to hold your tablet upright for viewing.
Clicking around the IFE system I found information on United's fleet. Something missing?
The IFE system had airport specific arrival information. Unfortunately for me the Captain chose not to have Channel 9 available on this flight.
It was a beautiful day for flying, especially on a brand new aircraft. You can tell as it's sparkling clean.
I can never tire of this view.
Parallel approach, racing AA737. My engines are bigger, he won. Wrigley Field again.
Today's flight path. Notice the hold, a good reason for being an hour late don't you think?
While waiting for departure I snapped a few familiar aircraft.
Flying United's new 777-300 back to back was truly a treat. While the aircraft is stunning, what new aircraft isn't? The seats are very good, the same as ANA's business class seats and those are quite comfortable. I think United squeezed a few too many in the cabin however. Still it was private unlike the cattle call on Swiss' new 777-300. I'm sure as these planes age and the seats become worn I won't be as enamored the way I am now.
Forward facing seats on the window and in the center are private and nice. Angled seats on both sides of the aisle lack privacy. You are completely exposed to the aisle. Otherwise with the Polaris bedding for international travel the seat is great. You can get a good sleep and that is the main consideration.
If they want sixty seats in a business cabin then they have to staff it. I've flown other airlines that have five attendants for thirty people in a business cabin. On these two flights I took there were two attendants in the back cabin. Assuming one in the galley for prep work, that's three flight attendants for a thirty person cabin. They need more help to serve the customer properly in a premium class environment. On international flights I've generally had great crews. The Tokyo flight was the worst crew I've had in over thirty trips.
Rewardflying ratings and complete report with this link
Upcoming:
Singapore Airlines A380 Suites from JFK to SIN via Frankfurt kick off the next trip. Then the elusive Thai A350 is scheduled. But I've had it scheduled before only to have it changed, so when it's parked at the gate I'll be confident. That ride is followed up by a visit to Thai's Royal First lounge in Bangkok and then the least expensive first class reward you can get on Thai's B747 down to Sydney. A repeat of NZ's 787 and Emirates' A380 will be the choice for crossing the Tasman and back. The flight home is in first class on American's flagship 777-300 aircraft.
Hello Rewardflying and thanks fro taking us to the end of this journey.
" I opened the UA app and searched flight status for SFO-ORD then selected the 11:40 flight and clicked on the seat map.
IT'S THE SEAT MAP OF THE 777-300! AND THERE ARE SOME OPEN SEATS!"
-It's these "victories" that we need to recall when things go sideways in future trips. Hopefully there is symmetry there. I also admire your persistence to HUCA.
"The attending agent was super friendly. "What seat would you like?" "15A if you have it?" "Would you like to take a shower while I make the flight change and print your boarding pass?" "Yes please.""
-Excellent service. The service culture is in there somewhere....you just have to poke around until you find it. Doyou know which agent was "correct" by the rules? Was the club agent doing you a favor by changing it or was the phone agent just misinformed/poorly trained?
"Ugh, reality. This was Group 1."
-There are no elites when everyone is an elite.
The bulk heads/cabin separators on this airplane are really snazzy. In fact I might say this is the best looking airplane I hope to never fly on. ;)
Thank you again for such thoughtful and thorough reviews. Your upcoming trip...OMG...can't wait to read about it. Happy flying indeed.
Hi SoCal, and thanks for your comments as well.
-Actually both might have been right. The Premier agent probably was correct in stating there weren't any saver fare seats on the flight. I don't think they can assign seats for standby. The airport agent in the Arrivals lounge obviously had the authority to change the flight, as I would assume there is a lot of that at the international arrival lounge. So airport personnel can do standby and call center can't. Similar to assigning 1K on JAL.
-So true
-You were looking for a way back from Asia on your trip. I bet you can find a seat from HKG or NRT. Come on, give it a try! Have some Dappier! I know you won't, but have a great time on ANA and I look forward to your thoughts on the Polaris lounge.
Happy safe reward flying!
Wow, the United Polaris cabin on the 777 looks great. Thank you for sharing!
Yes it is, Thanks for reading 757Fan!
Greetings, Rewardflying, and thank you for this FR.
Fantastic how you Polaris-ed (excuse the pun) yourself from Tokyo to Chicago via San Francisco. The plaque you photographed upon entry looks great in that lighting.
Probably the only instance I can think of when one should consider a cabin class downgrade from First to Business.. moral of the story is that time and opportunity allowing, give up a seat in US Domestic First for a Polaris Business?
"Mesh curtains separate the cabins."
-Can you even call that a curtain?
"Something different!"
-Something that doesn't look very fresh..
"I think United squeezed a few too many in the cabin however."
-I think this way they command a higher yield per seat? Maybe it's just more profitable for them to load 60J than say 8F 34J?
It occurred to me earlier today that UA put HKG as their first True Polaris international destination out ex-SFO because SQ and CX are players covering the route as well. Now, all 3 carries operate 77W between the two cities. My question is, which airline would you choose for a flight in business class? Which do you think offers the best soft product, hard product, or best value for price tag?
Thanks again for this FR. Cheers!
Hi Razza,
-Absolutely. UA domestic first is terrible and the wide-bodies they've reconfigured have the old reversed business class seats 8 wide. Until the schedule begins for other routes in the fall they are randomly replacing 777-200.747-400 flights with the new jets. In fact today they received the last of the initial 14 ordered. Some some people are getting nice surprises. But it's luck of the draw unless you fly the SFO-HKG or NRT routes.
-No
-A flight attendant (off duty) once told me that salad is the worst thing you can eat on a plane.
It occurred to me earlier today that UA put HKG as their first True Polaris international destination out ex-SFO because SQ and CX are players covering the route as well. Now, all 3 carries operate 77W between the two cities. My question is, which airline would you choose for a flight in business class? Which do you think offers the best soft product, hard product, or best value for price tag?
-Good question. Personally I think they are making a huge mistake cutting FC from these 10-15 hour oversea flights to Asia. But Continental is running the show and they never (well at least for 20 years) had an international first cabin. Back when they got their 777s in the late 90's it was all business class. Smeisic hated first class and Munoz is from the Continental board. Maybe United management would have kept it. 60 business class seats is a good thing for award tickets and upgrades and they did a good job with the 2 cabin layout. The issue, from my experience is FA staffing. Maybe once the crews are familiar with the plane it will get better.
As far as the best. I'd probably say the Cathay Cirrus seat are the best for sleeping. SQ probably the best for food (I'm not a big fan of their seat, you sleep on an angle), but United has the corporate accounts. I'm always amazed at the fares they charge and must get them because the planes are full. Bottom line tho, if it's SFO-HKG I would take the lowest fare. The single most important factor for business international is sleep. United is good here so if that fare was competitive SFO has lots a places to eat before you fly :) My 2 cents.
Thanks for your support and comments over this series of flights. Safe travels.
"But Continental is running the show and they never (well at least for 20 years) had an international first cabin."
I'm not as savvy as you are when it comes to UA/CO post-merger. Help me understand this bit. Did United Continental Holdings purchase the new planes under CO's management and hence the layout, was SFO-HKG Continental's route taken over under by UA under the UA/CO umbrella, or is CO 's team managing the company post-merger and now UA is all but name and flight crew contract?
The later sir. United is gone. Only name, legacy aircraft, I think they've finally converted all the union contracts although they can't implement some of the FA changes until end of next year due to a new crew scheduling software. (Recently they moved their CO legacy 767-400 base back to (CO legacy) Newark from (UA legacy) Dulles because of the difficulty scheduling CO flight attendants on these aircraft.)
This was not a merger, this was Continental buying United. At the onset the majority of new corporate officials were Continental people. The board was mostly Continental. They kept the United name and kept the Chicago headquarters. They painted all aircraft in Continental livery with United's name. Over the years most of United's upper management that stayed are now gone, like the CFO (I think his name was Brace). Smiseck was the CEO and Tilton from UA was on the board, he's now gone with his paycheck. Nonetheless they've been under Continental's culture since day one of the merger. Actually I viewed it as a positive at the time as Continental had a great reputation. That was under Bethume. Smiseck changed things for the worse. Munoz was on the Continental board for many years before being named CEO.
The 787 aircraft were all ordered by Continental before the merger. Hence the same business class seat (BE Diamond) as in their legacy 777's. United ordered A350-9 before the merger. Afterwards UA/CO, or Continental management converted and delayed this order to A350-10s. Recently they've further delayed them. Last year they bought 14 777-300's from Boeing. Here's the thing. Continental has never purchased an Airbus aircraft from Airbus. They are Boeing loyalists. I'm sure they got a great deal on the 300's. But where does that leave the A350? Now they've ordered another 4 777-300 for 2018. They don't need (or want) the A350 so I believe it's a matter of time before the order is cancelled.
Then they've made the decision to install these new Polaris seats in their 20 year old 767 (as well as 20 year old 777's) The only thing that can mean is they are waiting for Boeings MOM plane that would come out mid 2020's, assuming it gets built, which it will if UA/CO wants it.
United also has the 787-10 on order. Guess who ordered that, Continental management after the merger.
Anyway, it's all Continental Airlines. United Airlines is long gone. Some say for the better. I'm not so sure. My 1MM miles were pre-merger. I also flew a lot during the bankruptcy. I think it was a better airline back then. But Continental was a better airline than United at the time. I often flew their route from Newark down to Florida. Great seats, excellent food. Things have changed. Personally I pin the reason on the CEO that got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. My opinion.