LAX-PVG on 11/23:

MUA - PP to J, cleared at 1 AM on 11/18. No status on UA, but I was still #1 on the upgrade list. I had similar luck flying LAX-HKG last year, with both upgrades clearing several days in advance. Not sure what this means for the future of UA TPAC flights out of LAX, but I will take advantage of it as much as I can in the meantime. If demand from LAX to Asia is indeed low (aside from TYO), it would be nice to see the absurd post-COVID PE/J airfares start to get dialed back a bit.

I used to avoid USA airlines like the plague when flying to Asia in Y/PE, but I will happily take Polaris anytime, anywhere, even if the meal is subpar (that's what the lounge is for). Nice change of pace from the LAX-LHR flight a few months ago, where I went from #3 with 7 seats two weeks out, to #10 with one seat remaining on the week of the flight.