Guava
Mar 29, 02, 11:46 am
I will try to be short and concise without missing any important details. This trip was done in mid-March so except UA operated portions which I have menus and stuff, everything else is by memory only.
Flight AC 787 Montreal-Chicago in Business Class
The flight was scheduled at 5:20PM for ORD. The security check was tighther than I expected as it took me more than half hour to get from check-in to Maple Leaf Lounge. Check-in was done by a friendly AC agent in Executive Class section although the ticket is booked under UA codeshare. UA Int'l First Boarding pass from ORD to GRU was also issued by the AC agent and it says United Airlines International First on it even though the boarding card is AC's usual white and red format.
The Maple Leaf lounge was adequate but nothing terribly interesting. It had the usual alcholoic and non-alcoholic drinks, some chips, nuts and 2 computers. Grade for this Business Class lounge for Transborder flights would be: B
Meal service: When got into the cabin, was told there is no meal service on this flight prime time for dinner and longer than 2 hours. The strange thing is I put in a request for a special meal and was reconfirmed at check-in. It turned out, the FAs made a mistake, there were indeed meals for Business Class except my special meal is no where to be found - either they forgot or they simply ignored it. Before take-off,drink order was taken but no drinks offered until the plane is actually in the air. Choices were cold plates or chicken or salmon. I choose salmon, it came with some salad, one chocolate maybe also a small plate of pre-cut fruits and hot breads. The salmon has the tinnest portion you can imagine, I am sure less than 30g. I don't eat a lot but the salmon portion is extremly small. Presentation of the plate is however quite nice. Grade: B-
Service and Entertainment was adequate. Except the small mistake the FA made earlier, they maintained a friendly attitude throughout the flight. Two efficient and young female FAs serving the Business Class cabin. Other than that, there was nothing special or worthy of mentionning. Newspapers were offered, news on main screen, and head set was offered too. Grade: B
Equipment was an Airbus 320. 2 X 2 in Business Class. Seat pitch about 39~40". Couldn't recline very far back. Comfort was O.K., typical AC seats. Grade: B-
After about 2 hours of flight time, the plane landed in ORD on time. Overall, the flight was nothing special or particularly enjoyable. AC's attitude in catering was very obvious ~ let's cut, cut, cut! Apperantly, Economy had no meal at all, only a breverage service. Welcome on board Air Canada. Even Business Class really felt like an upgraded Economy class, maybe this is the way AC views the passengers in Business Class as well.
Flight UA 835 Chicago-Sao Paulo in First Class
There was no concierge at the AC gate to welcome me or anything. I thought others have reported Concierge would be waiting at the connection gate to walk you to the lounge but it didn't happen. Had a long walk because there was change of Termianl from domestic to international.
UA First Class Lounge (ORD) was smaller than I expected. There were 3 concierges sitting in the front desk. Once she saw my boarding pass, it was immediately reissued because she said the machine won't be able to read AC issued boarding pass. The new boarding pass was gold color with United First on it. Surprisingly, this lounge is not that much better than Maple Leaf lounge. With the exception of food (some sushis and some other hot and cold choices), I actually think this lounge is worse than Maple Leaf lounge - shower is for arrival only, absolutely no computers, one TV in an open space as opposed to real closed home theater in MLL lounge, no massage chairs, mostly just seats, some working stations but there is really nothing else. And this is UA's main hub? This is not even at the level of what an Int'l First Class lounge should be.
Before take-off, after the concierge walked us to the gate, she asked each passenger in First if they have any questions or concerns. She noted I plan to use the arrival lounge facilities. The flight was quite open in F the day before yet we had a full flight, must be some last-minute upgrading using SWU at the gate. A pre-flight drink was offered.
Meal Service was quite satifsying overall. Here is the menu:
TO BEGIN
*Warm cumin shrimp and scallops with lobster sauce, creamy mushroom risotto
or
Black Forest ham with a peace and strawberry, asparagus and Dijon mustard
Garden salad with Sesame soy or Parmesan pepper dressing and an assortment of speciality breads from the bakery
MAIN COURSE
Filet mignon with garlic onion ragout, creamy mashed potatoes and vegetable medley
*Roasted duck confit with demi-glace, sweet potato mousse and green beans
Tuscan strascinati pasta with grilled vegetables, tomato basil sauce and fresh Parmesan cheese
DESSERT
International cheese sampler, Double Gloucester, Castello Blue and Swiss Gruyere
Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream with sundae toppings
Fresh seasonal fruit
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
Seasonal fruit appetizer with breakfast breads
Scrambled eggs Benedict with smoked Salmon, Hollandaise sauce
* indicated my choices
Surprisingly, the meal served was up to what you would expect from Int'l First Class. I guess the best way to describe it would be like the quality of food you would expect from a quality restaurant in any major American cities. The presentation of the shrimp-scallop lobster sauce appetizer was good, although portion was small. It was very tasty however. The roasted duck with sweet potate was also very tasty and interesting. Never had such dish before. The portion of desserts were bigger than average, but I wouldn't say there was anything special about them at all. The breakfast was good too, but it was not really smoked salmon but rather cooked salmon.
Service and Entertainment were very good actually. The FAs were all quite friendly and efficient. Always a smile. All female FAs in their 40's I think. Once I woke up during my sleep to go to the toilet, the glass of water was already refilled and the purser asked me (before I go back to sleep) if I needed anything else. You probably wouldn't expect a service like this from UA but it happened. For a first timer on UA, I was impressed. Entertainment wise, it was also quite good. Basically you choose from a small library of videotapes to be played in your personal video. It's quite similar to video on demand. It had airshow as well. Selections weren't that interesting however~about some 10 choices in English. There was no video games. I choose Jurassic Park III as I never saw it. Just to give you an indication how elaborate the meal service was, I started watching the movie like 20 minutes before the meal service started. When the movie ended (I didn't fast-forward at all), we were only at desserts. In any case, you can't be bored on a 777 First Suite.
Equipment was impressive, there is very little contest here. The first suite is quite comfortable as it lies totally flat into a bed. The seat width is somewhat small, which made it diffuclt to turn left or right. The cabin really isn't private enough as I can see through into the Business Class cabin in the back and vice-versa. The personal video screen could have been a little bit bigger.
Arrival service is maybe the highlight of UA flights. I don't speak Portuguese, only Spanish and most Brazilians to my surprise barely understands Spanish. After a short walk before going through the immigration, I was intercepted by UA concierge who basically took my passport and documents and clear immigration for me without me having to go through the long, long lines at all. After that, I was brought to Red Carpet Club for showers and some rest. The concierge, her name is Gloucia, was excellent, extremly polite, friendly and always a very sincere smile. Her English was very good too. Can't ask for anything better.
Overall, this first flight ever on UA was impressive. I think UA's service level is comparable to the best of the world if you happen to have a crew like the ones I had. While there are definitely rooms for improvement in equipment such as a wider seat, additional entertainment features (e.g. video games), BETTER LOUNGES PLEASE and even some upgrading in food; the concierge service can make up quite a bit of ground for UA.
[This message has been edited by Guava (edited 05-18-2002).]
Flight AC 787 Montreal-Chicago in Business Class
The flight was scheduled at 5:20PM for ORD. The security check was tighther than I expected as it took me more than half hour to get from check-in to Maple Leaf Lounge. Check-in was done by a friendly AC agent in Executive Class section although the ticket is booked under UA codeshare. UA Int'l First Boarding pass from ORD to GRU was also issued by the AC agent and it says United Airlines International First on it even though the boarding card is AC's usual white and red format.
The Maple Leaf lounge was adequate but nothing terribly interesting. It had the usual alcholoic and non-alcoholic drinks, some chips, nuts and 2 computers. Grade for this Business Class lounge for Transborder flights would be: B
Meal service: When got into the cabin, was told there is no meal service on this flight prime time for dinner and longer than 2 hours. The strange thing is I put in a request for a special meal and was reconfirmed at check-in. It turned out, the FAs made a mistake, there were indeed meals for Business Class except my special meal is no where to be found - either they forgot or they simply ignored it. Before take-off,drink order was taken but no drinks offered until the plane is actually in the air. Choices were cold plates or chicken or salmon. I choose salmon, it came with some salad, one chocolate maybe also a small plate of pre-cut fruits and hot breads. The salmon has the tinnest portion you can imagine, I am sure less than 30g. I don't eat a lot but the salmon portion is extremly small. Presentation of the plate is however quite nice. Grade: B-
Service and Entertainment was adequate. Except the small mistake the FA made earlier, they maintained a friendly attitude throughout the flight. Two efficient and young female FAs serving the Business Class cabin. Other than that, there was nothing special or worthy of mentionning. Newspapers were offered, news on main screen, and head set was offered too. Grade: B
Equipment was an Airbus 320. 2 X 2 in Business Class. Seat pitch about 39~40". Couldn't recline very far back. Comfort was O.K., typical AC seats. Grade: B-
After about 2 hours of flight time, the plane landed in ORD on time. Overall, the flight was nothing special or particularly enjoyable. AC's attitude in catering was very obvious ~ let's cut, cut, cut! Apperantly, Economy had no meal at all, only a breverage service. Welcome on board Air Canada. Even Business Class really felt like an upgraded Economy class, maybe this is the way AC views the passengers in Business Class as well.
Flight UA 835 Chicago-Sao Paulo in First Class
There was no concierge at the AC gate to welcome me or anything. I thought others have reported Concierge would be waiting at the connection gate to walk you to the lounge but it didn't happen. Had a long walk because there was change of Termianl from domestic to international.
UA First Class Lounge (ORD) was smaller than I expected. There were 3 concierges sitting in the front desk. Once she saw my boarding pass, it was immediately reissued because she said the machine won't be able to read AC issued boarding pass. The new boarding pass was gold color with United First on it. Surprisingly, this lounge is not that much better than Maple Leaf lounge. With the exception of food (some sushis and some other hot and cold choices), I actually think this lounge is worse than Maple Leaf lounge - shower is for arrival only, absolutely no computers, one TV in an open space as opposed to real closed home theater in MLL lounge, no massage chairs, mostly just seats, some working stations but there is really nothing else. And this is UA's main hub? This is not even at the level of what an Int'l First Class lounge should be.
Before take-off, after the concierge walked us to the gate, she asked each passenger in First if they have any questions or concerns. She noted I plan to use the arrival lounge facilities. The flight was quite open in F the day before yet we had a full flight, must be some last-minute upgrading using SWU at the gate. A pre-flight drink was offered.
Meal Service was quite satifsying overall. Here is the menu:
TO BEGIN
*Warm cumin shrimp and scallops with lobster sauce, creamy mushroom risotto
or
Black Forest ham with a peace and strawberry, asparagus and Dijon mustard
Garden salad with Sesame soy or Parmesan pepper dressing and an assortment of speciality breads from the bakery
MAIN COURSE
Filet mignon with garlic onion ragout, creamy mashed potatoes and vegetable medley
*Roasted duck confit with demi-glace, sweet potato mousse and green beans
Tuscan strascinati pasta with grilled vegetables, tomato basil sauce and fresh Parmesan cheese
DESSERT
International cheese sampler, Double Gloucester, Castello Blue and Swiss Gruyere
Ben&Jerry's Ice Cream with sundae toppings
Fresh seasonal fruit
PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
Seasonal fruit appetizer with breakfast breads
Scrambled eggs Benedict with smoked Salmon, Hollandaise sauce
* indicated my choices
Surprisingly, the meal served was up to what you would expect from Int'l First Class. I guess the best way to describe it would be like the quality of food you would expect from a quality restaurant in any major American cities. The presentation of the shrimp-scallop lobster sauce appetizer was good, although portion was small. It was very tasty however. The roasted duck with sweet potate was also very tasty and interesting. Never had such dish before. The portion of desserts were bigger than average, but I wouldn't say there was anything special about them at all. The breakfast was good too, but it was not really smoked salmon but rather cooked salmon.
Service and Entertainment were very good actually. The FAs were all quite friendly and efficient. Always a smile. All female FAs in their 40's I think. Once I woke up during my sleep to go to the toilet, the glass of water was already refilled and the purser asked me (before I go back to sleep) if I needed anything else. You probably wouldn't expect a service like this from UA but it happened. For a first timer on UA, I was impressed. Entertainment wise, it was also quite good. Basically you choose from a small library of videotapes to be played in your personal video. It's quite similar to video on demand. It had airshow as well. Selections weren't that interesting however~about some 10 choices in English. There was no video games. I choose Jurassic Park III as I never saw it. Just to give you an indication how elaborate the meal service was, I started watching the movie like 20 minutes before the meal service started. When the movie ended (I didn't fast-forward at all), we were only at desserts. In any case, you can't be bored on a 777 First Suite.
Equipment was impressive, there is very little contest here. The first suite is quite comfortable as it lies totally flat into a bed. The seat width is somewhat small, which made it diffuclt to turn left or right. The cabin really isn't private enough as I can see through into the Business Class cabin in the back and vice-versa. The personal video screen could have been a little bit bigger.
Arrival service is maybe the highlight of UA flights. I don't speak Portuguese, only Spanish and most Brazilians to my surprise barely understands Spanish. After a short walk before going through the immigration, I was intercepted by UA concierge who basically took my passport and documents and clear immigration for me without me having to go through the long, long lines at all. After that, I was brought to Red Carpet Club for showers and some rest. The concierge, her name is Gloucia, was excellent, extremly polite, friendly and always a very sincere smile. Her English was very good too. Can't ask for anything better.
Overall, this first flight ever on UA was impressive. I think UA's service level is comparable to the best of the world if you happen to have a crew like the ones I had. While there are definitely rooms for improvement in equipment such as a wider seat, additional entertainment features (e.g. video games), BETTER LOUNGES PLEASE and even some upgrading in food; the concierge service can make up quite a bit of ground for UA.
[This message has been edited by Guava (edited 05-18-2002).]