For the past five years I've flown SEA->NRT->TPE on UA875/UA881 five or six times per year. With UA cancelling UA881 NRT->TPE, I decided to give the UA codeshare from NRT->TPE, NH1083 a try. Here are a few impressions comparing what I was used to with UA881 to NH1083. I was booked into Y.

Lounge:

There has already been a lot of posts on the NH lounge vs. NRT RCC. I had never used the NH lounge before and decided that I might as well go for the full experience. The NH lounge is nice and my take is that if you want natural light, lame snacks and the beer machine, take the RCC. If you want decent food, take the NH lounge. I did not use the showers in the NH lounge, so I cannot comment on them. Advantage: Even (NH if you are hungry)

Boarding:

Being booked into Y, and not knowing the NH boarding process, I had visions of no overhead space for my carry-on bag. So, when I got to the gate, I was happy to see that NH allows *G to board early with their premier customers through a seperate boarding lane. Just make sure you have your *G card out. Advantage: Even

Aircraft:

The flight was on an older NH 767-300, configured in two classes: Business and Economy. The overhead bins were typical 767 small. I sat in row 17 and the seat was cramped compared to UA E+, although I thnk it's probably on par with what you would get in UA E-. There was no seatback PTV - projection screens throughout the cabin. On the four hour flight they showed a couple of episodes of Fraiser, and some travel-related documentatries that I did not pay attention to. Overall, the UA 777 with E+, seatback PTV and large overhead bins is vastly superior. Advantage: UA

Service:

Service was good, but I cannot say it was way better than what I was used to receiving from the Asia-based UA crews that flew 881. During our four-hour flight, the FA's were professional, friendly and attentive. They came through the cabin often with water and green tea. There were two drink services, and we received a hot meal. After landing, the FA's closed the curtains between the cabins, and economy pax had to wait until the business class cabin cleared out befrore we could deplane. On balance, I would give a slight nod to NH here. Advantage: NH

Final tally is that I am going to miss UA881. The 777 is a much more comfortable aircraft to fly, especially with E+ available. I often received courtesy upgrades on 881 as well, which I will never get on NH. But, the NH flight will be a workable substitution for me. My other alternative (on UA) is to fly to SFO and take the direct flight from SFO to TPE, but for some reason that option does not appeal to me.