Shocked at how US airlines have overtaken Club World
Nov 15, 2019, 6:01 am
#91
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I fly UA J a lot. The Polaris seat is great, although it is narrow and you need to decide which side of the aircraft you want be on depending on which side of your body you prefer to sleep. But an unrefurbished 777 2-4-2 is no great fun if you’re in the middle.
Nov 15, 2019, 7:17 am
#92
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
To be fair this is one report, and you seem to base all your Polaris stuff on one flight. I'm glad you liked it and we should all do what we like in regard of travel choices.
Nov 23, 2019, 4:08 am
#93
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, AA Gold, A3 Gold, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 1,251
Don't worry, the photos while depicting a scene from the Somme are not representative examples of what we typically find on board. binman had a bad trip 18 or so months ago and every so often since likes to remind us of it. Its like switching on E4 to discover the same episode of Big Bang Theory is playing.
As it happens the outbound flights suffered IRROPS and I was rerouted on Air France in Premium Economy. Compared to World Traveller Plus, Air France Premium Economy was a big improvement. In my experience I would say food is usually marginally better on BA World Traveller Plus vs Air France Premium Economy, but on this trip, of the 3 choices on the menu only 1 was available by the time they got to me, so I had the illusion of choice and the only option available was pretty poor.
Would I choose Air France in future? On product alone, yes. If I had equivalent status on Skyteam, yes, But I have no status on Skyteam, so lounge access etc based on status is nice and probably tips the balance...but only just.
Nov 23, 2019, 9:03 am
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
I pretty much agree with the comparisons above between UA and BA, flying both regularly (although UA more so). I find BA's existing CW seat worse than anything UA has to offer, even in its most outdated 8 across in a 777 (BA also being 8 across). UA's 787s are quite comfortable but don't have all aisle access whereas Polaris is excellent - comfortable, all aisle access and tons of privacy (not so good for couples). The LHR lounge is far better than the standard BA lounges at LHR (not been to the Concorde Room) and the Polaris lounges in the US are excellent also. Also I find their operational reliability to be better, the IT, especially the App is streets ahead, and the 1K line is excellent, answering rapidly even in meltdown situations (but the App is so functional that you rarely need to call).
But after that UA falls apart badly. Individual FAs can of course be excellent, but it's rare to find a flight where you are not served at some stage by a grumpy one (and don't even dare venture to the back, or even PE, where they are super-unpleasant. The food on board is very poor - vast quantities of over-sweetened mush. And the wine is "red or white". Having said that, often decent wine is loaded (recently the Champagne has been Ayala NV, which I really like, and they've had a good line in 2010 Cru Bourgeois) but the FAs don't know what it is and don't care. They are reluctant to show you the label and find offering a choice of different reds, for example, to be an affront to their sense of self worth.
If all you want is a comfortable seat and can avoid speaking to the FAs, go UA. For the overall experience, go BA.
But after that UA falls apart badly. Individual FAs can of course be excellent, but it's rare to find a flight where you are not served at some stage by a grumpy one (and don't even dare venture to the back, or even PE, where they are super-unpleasant. The food on board is very poor - vast quantities of over-sweetened mush. And the wine is "red or white". Having said that, often decent wine is loaded (recently the Champagne has been Ayala NV, which I really like, and they've had a good line in 2010 Cru Bourgeois) but the FAs don't know what it is and don't care. They are reluctant to show you the label and find offering a choice of different reds, for example, to be an affront to their sense of self worth.
If all you want is a comfortable seat and can avoid speaking to the FAs, go UA. For the overall experience, go BA.
Nov 26, 2019, 3:41 am
#95
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
Now come on !!
This is either a deliberate piece of sarcasm ....... OR you genuinely do not realise that the current (or ’weird’, as you put it) CW is not an all-aisle access product. Hence the launch of the new Club World Suite, to specifically address this shortcoming.
Given that you say you have “heard such poor reviews” about CW, I’m going with the sarcasm theory.
This is either a deliberate piece of sarcasm ....... OR you genuinely do not realise that the current (or ’weird’, as you put it) CW is not an all-aisle access product. Hence the launch of the new Club World Suite, to specifically address this shortcoming.
Given that you say you have “heard such poor reviews” about CW, I’m going with the sarcasm theory.
Nov 26, 2019, 7:14 am
#96
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York City
Programs: JGC
Posts: 445
In most window seats you have to step over someone's legs to get out of your seat. Some window seats have direct aisle access, e.g. exit rows or bulkheads.
Nov 26, 2019, 5:46 pm
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,127
Don’t waste your time, many of us have spent many an hour tilting at that particular windmill.
Apparently it has something to do with the restrictive foot space. I’m lead to believe that their exists a subset of people who would fly on a board, under a rag to avoid a ‘foot coffin’
Apparently it has something to do with the restrictive foot space. I’m lead to believe that their exists a subset of people who would fly on a board, under a rag to avoid a ‘foot coffin’
Nov 26, 2019, 7:21 pm
#98
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 19,175
I have just flown CW here to New Orleans. Mr seat was so distressingly old that I slept soundly for five hours. I had a delicious lunch. The beef while cooked to well done was succulent and tender. The crew were stellar. I have been looked after by people rather than automatons. Elderly automatons at that. I cannot argue about seats and tosh but As I am neither fat anywhere nor gigantesque at all, and like most normal people disinterested in stupid lounges as long as one is provided I am delighted with the service that I have received.