I just flew in "Polaris" on a 777-200 with another "enhancement" --- no gasper valves at the seats. Amazing. Years ago, when I worked for the Boeing company, I ran across the no-gasper option in the config database. Asking around, I found this was requested by a very small number of second-rate, 3rd world airlines for massive cattle-car flights (e.g. ultra-cheap Haj trips from SE Asia). Apparently, United is doing its best to bring 3rd world conditions to 1st world aviation.