Never flew UA international F at the time. But did fly F overseas on AC, CP, BA, CX and QF back in the 70s and 80s.* Yes, the seats left much to be desired, but the inflight service and meal services were like French service in a good restaurant with roast beef or lamb racks carved at your seat! Veggies spooned out and gravy poured from a Sunday's best porcelain "boat". Ah, those were the days...and we dressed for the occasion too!
* The 90s saw the introduction of business class on international flights and a slight differentiation in seats between F and C. F seats had leg rests that pulled out (but not controlled pneumatically) and thus more pitch, C took over the F seats from the earlier decades, and fancy names like Connaissuer, UA's C.