Global First or new 773 Polaris
Mar 27, 2017, 6:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 155
Global First or new 773 Polaris
Hi Folks,
Have an upcoming trip from EWR-HKG. I'll be buying business class and have some options which I'd appreciate your thoughts on. For discussion purposes let's assume all flights are the same price.
Option 1 - EWR-HKG on the sCO 772. I've done this flight a few times when it was BF service. It's definitely my easiest option but I'm interested in doing something new.
Option 2 - EWR-ORD-HKG. This would be on the sUA 772 (both legs) and there is currently ON space open so I'd upgrade to Global First.
Option 3 - EWR-SFO-HKG. EWR-SFO on 752 and SFO-HKG on 773 with new Polaris hard product.
So, really I'm debating Option 2 or 3 comparing Global First with the new 773 hard product. Thoughts?
Have an upcoming trip from EWR-HKG. I'll be buying business class and have some options which I'd appreciate your thoughts on. For discussion purposes let's assume all flights are the same price.
Option 1 - EWR-HKG on the sCO 772. I've done this flight a few times when it was BF service. It's definitely my easiest option but I'm interested in doing something new.
Option 2 - EWR-ORD-HKG. This would be on the sUA 772 (both legs) and there is currently ON space open so I'd upgrade to Global First.
Option 3 - EWR-SFO-HKG. EWR-SFO on 752 and SFO-HKG on 773 with new Polaris hard product.
So, really I'm debating Option 2 or 3 comparing Global First with the new 773 hard product. Thoughts?
Mar 27, 2017, 6:49 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Obviously 1) is the fastest choice. If time isn't an issue, I would personally go with 2), just because I have not been to the Polaris lounge in ORD, and that is the one thing I have not checked out of all the options listed.
I am in the minority (I think) in saying that I would prefer flying the new Polaris seat over legacy GF, though. GF is worn down, and depsite being spacious, it's a very open seat. Grab an odd-numbered window seat on the 77W and you will have much more privacy.
I am in the minority (I think) in saying that I would prefer flying the new Polaris seat over legacy GF, though. GF is worn down, and depsite being spacious, it's a very open seat. Grab an odd-numbered window seat on the 77W and you will have much more privacy.
Mar 27, 2017, 6:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BWI
Programs: UA 1MM & 1K, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 255
If you haven't done GF before, its a good chance to try it out since its going away eventually, plus you've got the Polaris lounge at ORD while SFO only has the UC and the GFL (which you won't be able to access on the 773 flight). The Polaris seat is more private, especially if you get one of the window seats. I've only done the 773 EWR-SFO so I have no idea how the mattress pad that's supposed to be provided compares to the GF one. But the 773 is new and shiny.... Tough choice 
Mar 27, 2017, 6:58 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 155
Another good suggestion to try GF one way, and the 77W the other.
Mar 27, 2017, 7:46 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Platinum Elite, National Executive, United Gold
Posts: 1,181
I'd personally go with Polaris first on the outbound and the nonstop on the way back. The full Polaris service will eventually make its way through the longhaul network, and I think the old GF seat is pretty nice. The sUA 772 EWR-ORD run also gives almost a 4 hour connection in ORD, which is ample time to explore the amazing Polaris lounge. Nonstop on the way back to avoid clearing immigration in SFO or ORD.
Mar 27, 2017, 7:56 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2001
Location: exUA1K, UA MM, lifetime UA1P, AA MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,731
I found the ORD Polaris to be really nice; what a business lounge should be...
But I would not want to waste 4 hours in transit just to experience it.
Take the NS and check out the ORD lounge another trip.
But I would not want to waste 4 hours in transit just to experience it.
Take the NS and check out the ORD lounge another trip.
Mar 27, 2017, 8:08 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: UA GS ,QF Plat
Posts: 686
Hi Folks,
Have an upcoming trip from EWR-HKG. I'll be buying business class and have some options which I'd appreciate your thoughts on. For discussion purposes let's assume all flights are the same price.
Option 1 - EWR-HKG on the sCO 772. I've done this flight a few times when it was BF service. It's definitely my easiest option but I'm interested in doing something new.
Option 2 - EWR-ORD-HKG. This would be on the sUA 772 (both legs) and there is currently ON space open so I'd upgrade to Global First.
Option 3 - EWR-SFO-HKG. EWR-SFO on 752 and SFO-HKG on 773 with new Polaris hard product.
So, really I'm debating Option 2 or 3 comparing Global First with the new 773 hard product. Thoughts?
Have an upcoming trip from EWR-HKG. I'll be buying business class and have some options which I'd appreciate your thoughts on. For discussion purposes let's assume all flights are the same price.
Option 1 - EWR-HKG on the sCO 772. I've done this flight a few times when it was BF service. It's definitely my easiest option but I'm interested in doing something new.
Option 2 - EWR-ORD-HKG. This would be on the sUA 772 (both legs) and there is currently ON space open so I'd upgrade to Global First.
Option 3 - EWR-SFO-HKG. EWR-SFO on 752 and SFO-HKG on 773 with new Polaris hard product.
So, really I'm debating Option 2 or 3 comparing Global First with the new 773 hard product. Thoughts?
Personally I would go with 2 ,you will get a better seat and better service,Polaris food is what is what ever you travel on.I have not been on or seen the UA hard product yet ,but UA are a fairly late adopter of 300er and the seating model and I have traveled many times in similar cabins on OW and Star carriers, while much better on the privacy front in general the seats are tighter and the service slower and less personal.If they had done half a job with soft product there was not a lot wrong with GF IMHO
Mar 27, 2017, 8:12 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
I would just go GF on the 772 nonstop, especially since GF will no longer exist in a couple of years when the retrofits complete.
Mar 27, 2017, 8:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
But that's not an option. the NS EWR-HKG i on a PMCO 772 with no FC.
Non of the options has a late departure which would be preferential to me. Of the 3 options I'd go stop in ORD on the way there in GF and then nonstop on the return.
Non of the options has a late departure which would be preferential to me. Of the 3 options I'd go stop in ORD on the way there in GF and then nonstop on the return.
Mar 27, 2017, 8:34 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Route 3 only has a 1 hour connection, so not a lot of time on the ground to stretch out and refresh before getting on the second leg. 20 hours of flight time is pretty brutal without a little break.
Mar 27, 2017, 8:58 pm
#12
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,603
If you haven't done GF before, its a good chance to try it out since its going away eventually, plus you've got the Polaris lounge at ORD while SFO only has the UC and the GFL (which you won't be able to access on the 773 flight). The Polaris seat is more private, especially if you get one of the window seats. I've only done the 773 EWR-SFO so I have no idea how the mattress pad that's supposed to be provided compares to the GF one. But the 773 is new and shiny.... Tough choice
Mar 27, 2017, 9:22 pm
#14
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,976