A little background, have about 1.7M miles on UA and wife has 980K. We have been AA/OW fliers for several years now, a little while after UA stopped flying NRT-BKK which was our most frequent long-haul destination. We have mostly been doing QR for our BKK routes, so not really a fair fight when comparing UA.

Due to the recent trouble in the middle east we made a last minute change to our travel, having missiles fly that close to our transfer point of DOH a couple of days before our departure got the wife a bit nervous. I must say, I love UA's technology. I was able to book flights and see miles upgrade availability and actually secure the upgrades easily on the web site. Couldn't find a way to do it on the app though. Also, we were able to check-in and get boarding passes for out international flight in the app, bag drop at IAD was a breeze. We go through IAD when flying QR but it is a different experience with regards tot the terminal area, UA's terminal areas are just depressing. We went through there a lot in the past and never held it in the highest regard and that isnt going to change. The Polaris lounge was very nice and the dining experience was very nice, crazy crowding in the lounge and terminal area overall though.

We had a pretty decent (by Y standards) flight from IAD-SFO, I was under no crazy illusions that we would be getting upgraded on that route as a Gold on a mileage upgrade but surprised to see we were even at number 12 and 13 on the list though.

Now to the SFO-HKG flight...... We used to fly ORD-HKG flight a lot back in the day as we liked the HKG airport and city overall and it was a nice little stopover city on our way to BKK sometimes. The crews on those flights back in the day were some of the most senior and never very good in my opinion, as a matter of fact I considered them down right onery at times. We would typically purchase C/J and upgrade to F back when F was a thing. So, almost always flying in F. I would not rate this crew as onery by any stretch, but they weren't going out of their way either. I know you can't make determinations on one flight but they are important data points for the future. A few musings from out SFO-HKG Polaris experience.

• While not the crews fault, we did have to return to the gate to offload someone with a medical problem. This was of course in the life happens category and not really a big deal but the fact that UA couldn't get the jet bridge retracted for what seamed like longer than the offloading and retrieval of the sick pax's bags seems a bit crazy to me.
• I have since learned that you need to be proactive to ask for pajamas. I told my wife after the flight that the guy in front of me asked and received, we were both amazed that such a thing could be available and not be offered.
• The FA seemed to be jumping around to take meal orders. I was completely left out and this was kind of crazy given the almost two hours of delay that we had on the ground. Due to the delay, I just cut my losses and didn't eat as I was tired and the late departure was very late at this point.
• The meal choices did not include any Asian meal options and didn't see any noodles on the mid flight snack list. Unless we missed it.
• No menus handed out. I mean, I found it on the app but this is another thing that I find low rent in biz.
• Beyond the meal service at the beginning and the end, you definitely needed to be proactive if you needed anything. Definitely brought back memories after flying with QR so much lately.
• While I didn't like that the window seats that are closer to the aisle make it almost impossible to see out any window, I liked the seat itself and found it to be very comfortable. The controls are different but I figured it out. Found the shoulder room to be better than most so the seat is decent enough.
• While I found the crew "nice enough" they really didn't seem to be very polished and possibly not very well trained. As we were landing, about a few minutes before touching down and I noticed on the bulkhead rows seats was stacked blankets and even a pax had their backpack up there. Surprised that either would be allowed. Posting a pick of that but might be difficult to see in the darkness.

So, while not a disaster by any means, it doesn't make me want to pay MORE to fly UA over other carriers in business class. I can typically find QR less than UA on the Asia route. It was nice to get reacquainted with UA on an international route though. I do wonder if there is was typical for this route or if it was just a one off? Will get another chance to judge in 10 days....