To celebrate my 60th birthday next year, my partner and I are flying from Toronto to New Zealand, travelling for just over three weeks ending in Sydney for my birthday before heading back to Toronto. I'm sure many of other Flyer Talkers have had the same quandary of which Airline to travel with in Biz / First,. Having done Premium Economy on Air Canada which was anything but premium, we decided Biz was the only way to do it can make the most of the trip.

We won't use any of the Middle Eastern Airlines (Human Rights and inequality laws mainly) and like any route of this nature there are many options and permutations between the US Carriers and AC. We have decided the best route O/W is with AC via Vancouver to Auckland with the best connection and shortest journey time on 789s.
However, on the return - we are tempted on the grounds of price (and something different) to travel United on a 777-300 in Polaris Biz from SYD to SFO, and then AC to Toronto. Having flown recently on a 789 and A330 with AC in biz, my main criticism is the food which is really rank for biz class and the variability of the crew from brilliant to moody. My (pedantic) pet hate is not having a drink service before lunch or dinner where AC do a joint service. (Even BA do a drinks service in economy)
Now I've read reviews on Polaris class, I'm really torn whether to give united a first chance in LH Biz or stick with a known quantity and return via Vancouver with AC.

If any of you who hop across the pacific who have used either / or UA and AC, I'd appreciate any information which tips the scales which currently wobble around the middle as I keep changing my mind. As the trip is in March 2023, I assume that pre covid service will fully resume, so it will come down to the food, the bed and the quality of service.

I apologise in advance if there are threads comparing service across the pacific, it is only one flight but I am curious about doing one leg on United but only if they're not racing AC to the bottom!

Thanks