LAX-JFK UA 14 2pm 2/9 Business Class

This is rapidly becoming my biweekly run across the country. As usual, plane was an aging 767 with the old style biz class seats.

Still departure was on time, and in deference to my most recent experience in the back single business seats (too close to the lavs for comfort, olifactorily speaking), I selected 6E. Business seemed to be entirely populated by 20 somethings heading to the NYC fashion shows. Many copies of Glamour were dissected in detail.

To those who have expresed curiousity in the meal service, here it is, in full, with my "tasting" notes (where applicable):


Drinks and warm nuts (seconds offered without being asked)

To begin:
Gravalax with olives and lemon
(totally yummy, well seasoned, fresh, and marvelous)

Garden fresh salad Accompanied by country french or classic ceasar dressing
(Good selection of "real" greens, crisp, but the dressings are pretty boring)

Main courses: (the Pepin menu)
Beef Wellington
Filet mignon with mushroom duxelles baked in a puff pastry, enhanced by marchand de vin sauce and asparagus spears.
(this was my choice... it was delicious, notwithstanding the crust that was soggy, which is inevitable in an airline environment. It was still buttery and fairly light. The beef was very, very nice, and the asparagus was amazingly good for the time of year.)

Roasted Turkey with a mushroom suffing
Presented with Cranberry lime relish, apple cinnamon butter, and vegetables du soleil (who names this stuff?)

Chicken paella with Sea Bass, scallops, and shrimp
Featuring saffron rice with chorizo sausage and mushrooms. (clearly, the mushroom fairy has been busy in the United kitchens.)

Dessert
Eli's Cheesecake of Fluorescent Colors (my name) Pass, thanks.

Godiva Chocolates

Mrs. Field's warm Chocolate Chip cookies with a milk chaser

Besides the never-ending supply United has of Martini Merlot, they served a very nice Eschol Napa Cab (97) that was lemony and astringent, and delicious. It merged it's flavors with the sauce in the beef Wellington.

The flight crew was young, friendly, and attentive, even with a full plane in all cabins. We arrived 20 minutes early, and rolled right to the gate after a diffrent kind of approach that I have grown used to at JFK only lately... a long low right bank to runway alignment that only rolls out level about 10 seconds before landing. Like a gentle version of the old HKG approach.

For those interested in such things, NYC hotel prices turned my stomach this week, so I bid for a 4 star hotel at Priceline, and got the Regal UN Plaza at 44th between 1st and 2nd for $180 a night, $100 less than the lowest rate I could find.

Good flight, and the hotel is OK... better than the IC on Central Park of two weeks ago.

[This message has been edited by Brian (edited 02-11-2000).]

Brian ~ Is that Priceline bid $14 a night, or did you mean $114 a night?

Whoops! Fixed it... try $180 a night, and that feels like a bargain this week. The Hilton was $260.

[This message has been edited by Brian (edited 02-11-2000).]

Thanks for the report! I will be on UA 2 next Friday and this menu definitely looks good. United's food is getting better each year... it is good to see improvement.

How full was your flight?

Have a great weekend!

Carfield

So it seems that the C service in the 3-class "premium" flight is better than it is in a normal flight. Separate courses, nuts, and cookies. Only thing missing the the sundaes. Is this new? If so, maybe UA has been responding to the specific complaints of myself and others. It's certainly a welcome change if it applies to all domestic C flights.

The delicious Louis Martini wine has always been a Cabernet Sauvignon. Was it really merlot this time or was it just a slip?

You know, I recall it as being a Cab. Sauv. in the past before, but my mind is telling me it was a Merlot on this flight and the last two (2 weeks ago). I will check and post upon my return Sunday.

10F and 11F I believe are the single biz class seats with the little table next to them. 10F is next to the closet, 11F right next to the lavs, although both are close to the lavs. Otherwise these would be great seats, right?

Yup, those are the ones. There are three of them, two on the E-F side, one on the A-B side of the plane. All are too close to the lavs for my taste, although they are perfect in all other respects (at least for me. The movie is far, far away.)

I think the food quality might be a little improved on "flagship" trans-con service in C, but I have noticed very little in the way of changes in the "service format" Its been basically the same for years...hors d'oeurves and salad on a tray followed by choice of three entress, and "Eli's" cheesecake, with Godiva to follow, and a cookie before landing. But, I simply fail to see how trans-con First and Business has improved. Certainly not if you get on a 767-200.

P.S...what the heck is a "milk chaser"???


[This message has been edited by EvergreenState (edited 02-13-2000).]

On non-"flagship" 3-class flights, C class has no nuts and no cookie.

Yeah, what's the story with the nuts? On AA C they have nuts, even on non-flagship transcon (LAX-IAD). Why can't UA have nuts? These silly "party" carb bags

I loved sitting in 10F, Brian, because of the little table, extra leg room, etc. but the lav smells do kinda get in the way. I'm not sure if I'll sit there again, although I might.

personally, i am not overly impressed with the "C" class menu described here for a transcon flight. it would seem to me that they could offer a sundae on a 5 hr. flight rather than just a piece of cheesecake.
Also - I agree with the comment re: nuts.

is anyone at United listening - i doubt it.

i do know that at AA a sundae is offered in "c" on this route.

Actually, I would be more impressed if they offered Krispy Kreme donuts in business class. Yesterday, my urge became so strong that I cabbed down to the World Trade Center from 44th and 2nd just and purely to have some. Box Score: Krispy Kremes- $3.75, Cab Fares: $21.00. Someone should do something about how addictive these things are.

American Airlines offer Haagen-Dazs Ice-cream on all these transcon's C class passengers, including BOS-LAX on Boeing 767s, JFK-LAX/SFO/SAN/SEA... Also MIA-LAX/SFO

For United, no C class passengers on both international or domestic gets ice-cream for dessert. I don't foresee United changing its policy. C class passengers are lucky enough to get three entree choices, fresh baked cookie, and godiva chocolate for the JFK Premium routes. Regular transcon routes include no cookie, no nuts and no godiva chocolate policies... on its C class cabin.

In 2000, United needs to revampt its C class on its Boeing 767-200. Those 40 inches seats are pretty bad, compared to those new J class seats on AA. If not, it will be no surprise that JFK-West Coast travelers will fly with AA, not UA.

Carfield

Carfield, actually AA has Ice Cream Sundaes on a lot more flights that that - if you are on a domestic Dinner (somtimes even lunch!) flight greater than 2 hours, I have always had a custom-built Ice Cream Sundae in First (or premium, or whatever AA is calling it these days!)