After the meal service, I arranged the duvet & pillows (both FA's saw me doing this in the process as they passed along the aisles but didn't even try to fake helping out) and settled in to watch a movie using the personal video set.

Initial cruising altitude was 31,000 feet - flying time 12'19''. About half way into the flight, we passed over Anchorage and turned west towards the International Date Line. We were now as 34,000 feet but visibility was still amazing, and the views to the snow & ice-caps simple spectacular. I went back to the galley area where I could see better through the windows on the doors - breathtaking. At that point, I again cursed myself for not having my digital camera with me…

The F cabin had only 6 suites occupied (1 pax was a UA employee travelling without uniform - but with her ID tag around her neck). Service was OK, although I did notice the contrast between the excellent service provided by the ORD F lounge concierge and the in comparison passive attitude of the FA's. While the concierge was very proactive and detail oriented, the FA's just seemed comfortable playing things by the book. It's a real shame that UA cant seem to have its on-board service come close to what always (and IMO still is) one of the best on the ground services in the industry.

I skipped the meal service before landing as I was looking forward to having my customary fried dumplings & Asahi beer snack at Narita. I was very upbeat about Narita as I really enjoy passing through this airport. UA ground staff service is excellent (they are IMO the best in all the system), plus I like the airport shopping as there is always some new gadget that the Japanese have on display that convinces me to part with my money... .

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Gaucho100K