The business class experience on an OP is, IMHO, only marginally better than coach. None of the bells and whistles you'd hope for (as chiangi points out...personal video and seat gadgets are key on such long flights...and as I've REPEATEDLY pointed out, a working EMpower socket is really, really important) but also with sooo many F and business pax, there seems to be less "special attention" (eg, meal service is on a cart, etc.)

I flew OP ORD-NRT and hated it. I now route trans-pac via LAX for the better planes AND more miles...

BTW, DTC, there is no reason you cannot "force" a RIC-IAD-LAX-NRT. It is not a choice that is immediately apparent since thru IAD they want to steer you to the ANA nonstop, but on the PC software, if you keep hitting "more flights" eventually it will come up. On the web you can build it as a "multi-city" option. This option would keep you on UA colors, add segments AND miles and more or less assure you a 747-ob trans-pac LAX-NRT and back...This is what I would do for sure...


[This message has been edited by kokonutz (edited 07-25-2000).]