I flew LAX-NRT-LAX in F last week (using MP miles) and took ANA over and Thai back. The service both ways was far, far better than any UA flight. And I was lucky to get the new ANA F seats which are the best in the business. After my first UA flight to NRT in 1996 (which was similar to the experience mentioned here), I said that I would never fly United to Japan again. And so far, I've held to that. There are too many better options (ANA, JAL, Thai, Singapore, and even AA is better).