halls120

NH pitch is not optimal. But not having a sore back after 12 hours was refreshing, and yes, their food and beverage service is better.

But yes, all things being equal, I'd take E+ on UA.

ORDnHKG

NH IAD-NRT had switched to some IOJ 77W on some days of the week already, which means non-reclining fixed back Y seat ! Some like it but most hate it. And despite they have 34" in Y for IOJ seats, if you recline, the seat will slide forward and you end up losing 2+ inches of legroom ! It is good if you decide not to "recline", but how many people like to sit up straight for 12+ hours ?

Also, food may be better on NH, but if you are hungry and want a second offer, don't think NH will be that flexible to give you a second even there are many leftovers. They go strictly by the rules, one meal per passenger ! UA however doesn't care, as they know the meals will end up in the trash anyway after the plane landed. Their mid-flight snack is as pathetic as UA, rice crackers, bananas, and kit kats. NH's non-alcoholic beverages in Y are also weaker than UA, no ginger ale, no cran-apple, and definately no full can. For intra-asia flights, you don't even get Sprite, just Pepsi.


If you buy as UA codeshare NH, you can't pre-assign exit row in advance no matter on ANA's website or calling ANA diectly, you can only choose or switch seats 24 hours prior to departure. All they will ask is preference for aisle or window. You can only choose seats advance on NH not unless you buy it from NH directly. *G is totally irrelevant.

Not to mention, most people hate the non-reclining fixed back sliding seats.

If you decide to go for DEN-NRT on the 787, howabout NH SEA-NRT instead ? NH is also running a 787, the seats in Y will be less narrow compare to UA's 787, as NH's 787 is 2-4-2 compare to UA 3-3-3, one less seat per row.

And you do realize the UA DEN-NRT 50% RDM bonus has a restriction of fares right ? It is only H and above, which means Q/V/W/S/T/L/K/G/N all excluded !

I had checked for IAD-SIN/BKK between the cheapest ticket (L class) to a H class ticket is more than $1000, does it worth to pay $1000+ to only get 2500 miles ? You can't choose H for DEN-NRT only with the rest of the segments in L.

andrewwm

ANA meals are probably a bit better but have suffered cutbacks lately. I wouldn't really decide based on this.

No restriction on using the ANA lounge when flying UA. I have to say, though, that I am not a fan of the ANA lounge that doesn't have any windows.

I know the food offering is better in the ANA lounge, but, tbh, I'd much rather have what's in the terminal than some instant udon that you get served in the lounge.

Most cheap SQ fares don't earn miles. If he's buying a more expensive fare, then he could also likely afford a W fare on United.

wayan

First, THANKS!! for the great detail. I love FlyerTalk.

I *may* be able to get the company to pay for W, this is for a conference, so not sure if the sponsor will pony up for W. I don't see any R inventory now, but .bomb isn't usually showing R inventory at all for any flight these days.

So... What are the upgrade lottery chance on ORD-NRT, DEN-NRT, SFO-NRT, IAD-NRT these days for a 1K in W?

restlessinRNO

Remember, 1 GPU will potentially upgrade you all the way to BKK or SIN.

uastarflyer

I would pick E+ on United and route via ORD or IAD to get PMUA.

I have flown SQ mostly the past few years as they are far better on fees and itinerary change policies.

But like in the NBA you can't teach height, in Y you can never compensate for more space. SQ is very cramped. E+ is positively luxurious by comparison.

mongobot

I have the option of flying either the 3-3-3 config 777 on United or the 787 on ANA from SEA - NRT. While I've flown the UA 777 numerous times I've yet to fly on the Dreamliner of any config or carrier.

I'm not a big fan of the newer, thinner seats on the 777 but from reading, it seems like the 787 would be similar in this regard.

I have no status with ANA other then *A Gold but being PP on United is not going to get me much more on an international flight in terms of service or amenities.

Considering the above, which would you choose?

andyh64000

I just chose UA (flying on Monday). I was able to choose a good E+ seat (as could you) and can hope for then 1% chance of an op up.
I flew ANA 787 business and didn't notice much atmospheric difference (and I hated the ANA C seats) so I am guessing that UA E+ is superior to ANA E even on a 787.

mongobot

Thanks for the feedback, Andy

uastarflyer

The new pmUA 777 seats are indeed thin - I use the pillow as a cushion for the tush.

mongobot

lol - I know what you mean. I've got one of these as a backup for long haul flights on the new pmUA 777

bpe

I flew BKK-NRT-SJC last week, first on a UA 777 and NH 787, and I personally found the 787 seat more comfortable. That being said, I'm not especially tall, and if you are (say) taller than 5'9" or so, E+ on UA is probably better, with more leg room and proper recline (the NH seats slide forward, which I find more comfortable but give you even less overall leg space). Padding on both seats are a bit thin but not bad.

A few other thoughts:
- The IFE monitors are bigger on NH, but the video/TV/music selections are much better on UA, if you care about IFE
- NH has a foot rest that I like but, again, taller people might not
- NH always keeps the cabin warmer than UA does; I didn't use my blanket at all on NH
- The NH 787 is 2-4-2 but the UA 777 is 3-3-3, which is slightly more crowded

Overall, I'm happy with either one, but it mostly comes down to how tall you are, if you can get a good E+ seat on United, and just personal preference.

Phoenixtinct

I've read on FT that one of the easiest, if not the easiest upgrade, is the SEA-NRT route.

halls120

Which will change once the 777 is replaced by the 787.

roadkit

Drinks -- including beer and wine -- cost $ on UA. I know because I flew NRT-IAD last month and about choked when I was asked for my credit card for a glass of wine.

ANA has an endless and completely free flow of whatever booze you want. In some cases, that can make up for the loss of E+.

The idea that UA charges for drinks on a 14-hour TPAC is indicative of the money-grubbing nature of the airline.

Oh, and let's not forget ANA's FAs who are on average a third the age of UA's and seem completely engaged and are courteous to a fault. I used to think E+ was the end-all, be-all. There are other things a lot more important IMHO. And you won't find those things on a UA TPAC.