Originally Posted by
Kacee
Unless it's a guaranteed Polaris aircraft, this nine-year 1K would absolutely choose UA last. Polaris excepted, it's the weakest overall product, particularly if you get stuck with a 772 HD. $4 airplane meals really aren't that important to me right now, especially in a no-seats-blocked cabin.
I did several Mint RTs last year. The appeal of that cabin wears off quickly IME.
Delta wanted $1,700+ one-way (advance purchase rate), and offers its "premium" customers with a snack box for a 5-6 hour flight consistently with the worst long haul equipment (763) in its fleet. AA's barebone schedule barely sees daylight - ONE flight a day from each coast - evening departure from the east coast gets in late, and offers only a red-eye from the west coast.
Sidenote: DL no longer blocks J seats. I was on a flight from LA, and all 26 seats were occupied (at least 19 gate upgraded).
With UA, there are still flights throughout the day from both coasts, you'd get a decent meal, and fares are relatively inexpensive if you know your schedule ahead of time,
On the hard product side, there is generally at least one true Polaris plane a day, sometimes more than one. I happen to like 789 (pre retrofit) seats very much. UA is also running its Polarized retrofitted 789 on its transcon route, along with 78J and Polarized 772.