FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - United we go to Europe (Part 2)

Aug 9, 2013 | 2:32 pm

cxny1090

Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: JFK, EWR, LGA

Programs: UA Premier Silver, Star Alliance Silver, jetBlue TrueBlue, CX Asia Miles, & Delta SkyMiles

Posts: 68

United we go to Europe (Part 2) – CDG-EWR on UA in J with pics

Hello FlyerTalk!

This is a continuation of my trip report of my trip to London and Paris. This part will focus on my return journey on United (CDG to EWR) on BusinessFirst. Here is the link for the first part:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...ua-y-pics.html

Thanks for reading!

United Airlines flight UA 55, August 3rd, 2013
Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) to Newark-Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Gate – 42
Seat – 3F (BusinessFirst)
Departure (Scheduled/Actual): 1:10pm/1:04pm
Arrival (Scheduled/Actual): 3:40pm/3:16pm
Aircraft – Boeing 757-200 (N21108/#3108)

I arrived at T1 of CDG via the RoissyBus from the Opera House (I highly recommend this – only 10 Euros!). Everything was a bit chaotic and I found it a bit hard to find the UA desk. I did find the desk but found more chaos. There was a long line for Y class and the Premier Access line was no better. It was about a 10-minute wait before I reached the desks. Before, there was an agent scanning passports, asking security questions, and putting security stickers on luggage and passports. I noticed that most people on the Premier Access line were not flying Business/First class but rather had the Mileage Plus credit card or UA Premier status. Once I reached the desk, the friendly agent asked my destination, quickly printed out my ticket. She informed me of the Star Alliance Lounge, right past immigration. I asked where the VAT refund desk was and she told me it was the level below. I had to ask, as the signs were not clear.

After hitting the VAT refund desk, I headed to immigration/security. I then realized that I was not given a pass or told of a premium cabin line for immigration/security. I also did not notice a separate line for Business/First passengers. In fact, once I reached immigration, I had to tell someone that I was flying business class. Thankfully, he let me skip the line. Once past immigration, I headed straight for the Star Alliance Lounge.

The lounge was easy to find. I was greeted with a ”Bonjour” and the agent scanned my boarding pass and led me downstairs to the business class area (first class area is on the same level as the entry). The lounge was pretty nice. Thankfully it was not crowded at the time (as I have heard stories of overcrowding). I was able to find a seat easily. After settling down, I grabbed some food (today dishes was a Moroccan cuisine theme), which was couscous and chicken tagine. It was actually good. Drinks section was great, ranging from French wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks. Also in the lounge were magazines, newspapers, and TV’s showing news channels. I appreciated how clean the lounge was. I noticed that there were no attendants rather than cleaning crews to take plates. However, it did not bother me. I stayed in the lounge for 45 minutes before leaving for the gate.

Once I reached security, there was no premium line but thankfully there was no line. A UA agent asked me if I was on the IAD flight, as it was about to leave. The area I was in was busy and it looked like it was going to be a full flight to EWR. After 10 minutes after I arrived, boarding started.

I was excited to fly UA international BusinessFirst again (I flew BF last when it was CO on EWR-LHR three year ago). However, things started to fall apart. When I reached the boarding door, no one was there to greet me. I had to find my own seat. I noticed that FA’s and ground crew were preoccupied (they were eventually trying to fix the IFE system). However, it came across to me as if they were fighting. Once at my seat, I settled down and starting placing my iPod, phone, and other things around. I also noticed that the window in front of me was a bit broken and let some light in. It didn’t bother me but it did bother the person next to me. The FA working J today came by and handed me a menu but rather than handing it to me it gently tossed the menu to the cocktail table. I also thought he take drink orders but did not. He also did not introduce/welcome me. I also noticed that the amenity kit was placed in area above the shoulder, where the power and plugs are. The amenity kit could have been hard to find or not noticed at all. This amenity kit had less than the old CO one, but was still nice and practical.

Unlike other airlines, like Cathay, none of the FA’s introduced themselves nor did they remember or greet any passengers by name.

Only until all J passengers were seated that pre-departure drinks were served. Choices were water, orange juice, and champagne. I took the champagne choice and it was a bit dry but tasty. In addition, the FA finally welcomed me aboard (after 15-20 minutes). Before the door closed, the FA took lunch orders by status (I noticed he jumped from the first row, then to the last then to the second before going from the rear to the front). I also noticed that the ground staff did not come by to thank J passengers for flying United (last time I flew BF – both from ARL-EWR and EWR-LHR, there was a ground staff to thank the passengers for flying UA). Soon after, we were airborne.

Below is the lunch menu for the flight:
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TO BEGIN
Warm roasted nuts
Chilled Appetizer – Ginger prawn with sweet chili sauce
Fresh Seasonal Greens – Tomato, kalamata olives, almonds, and croutons with your choice of creamy yogurt dressing or balsamic vinaigrette

Freshly baked breads and assorted rolls with butter

MAIN COURSE
Tenderloin of Beef – Marsala wine sauce, chive mashed potatoes, carrots, and sugar snap peas
Peruvian-style Brest of Chicken – Vegetable quinoa, sautéed spinach, and bell peppers
Fillet of Salmon & Shrimp – Balsamic vegetable sauce and herbed couscous
Four-Cheese Ravioli – Pear and honey sauce with Parmesan cheese

TO FINISH
International Cheese Selection – Grapes and crackers with Portal Lake Bottled Vintage Porto 2008

Dessert – Ice cream with your choice of toppings

MID-FLIGHT SNACK
Fruit and light snacks are available at any times following the meal service.

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
Chicken Flat Bred Wrap – Fresh fruit appetizer, ratatouille salad, marinara sauce, and chocolate
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I chose the salmon choice and surprisingly it was tasty and juicy. I’m always afraid the main course will come out dry. I noticed that UA does not do three small warm appetizers for J class anymore (CO used to have a small soup, and two hot appetizers for BusinessFirst). But the chilled appetizer was still good. My only complaint about meal service is how long it takes. I know you can ask for an executive option but I wanted to take my time eating.

After meal service, I watched some movies. However, because there was a problem with the IFE, the movie choices were the same as the previous months choices. I was a bit disappointed as I was looking forward to see some of the August movie choices. But it was no big deal. Also, my headset was not working on one side. I would have asked for another one but I just ended up using my own Beats headsets. After watching a movie, I turned the seat into a bed.

About 2.5 to 3 hours before arriving in EWR, I awoke to the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies. I wasn’t sure if they were handing them out or you had to ask for it but I didn’t get one. Oh well. I watched another movie before pre-arrival meal service started. It was a chicken wrap with a side of fruit, and ratatouille salad. It was pretty good but small for a “lunch.”

Before landing, the head FA (did not work J class) went around to shake hands with J passenger and thanked them for flying UA. We landed early but used Terminal B instead of Terminal C. However, this was a blessing since the immigration line for US citizens was short. However, bags took a while to come out. When they did, some non-priority bags came out first.

Overall, I had a great time with UA BusinessFirst. However, there are some things that have changed for the worst. It seems as if there are still teething problems with the UA/CO merger. Service should have been better (someone at the door to greet, welcoming J passengers, etc.). The BF seat was good and bed position was comfortable. However, I think that the recline could have been better. Hopefully some of these teething problems are fixed the next time I fly premium UA.

I welcome any comments or questions. Thank you for reading my report! I will post pictures of Paris on another thread.

Below are pictures of my trip!