UA vs. AC business class
Feb 12, 2016, 11:45 am
#31
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Plat, UA Plat 1MM, AS MVP, Hyatt Discoverist, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,938
Second the recommendation for AC in J. Single transit, much faster trip. I will choose AC over UA in Business almost every time.
Feb 12, 2016, 2:55 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Feb 12, 2016, 3:12 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
Mar 11, 2017, 7:05 am
#35
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 546
What would you prefer? UA or AC transpacific J
I've flown both many times before but never with the new Polaris soft product on UA. I previously preferred the AC product even with the connection at YYZ (with UA I can fly direct). Now with the UA Polaris product, I'm not sure anymore. I liked mattress pad and pajama that are available on some other airlines. Is the Polaris version as good? Is it worthwhile? Thanks.
Last edited by tth6133; Mar 11, 2017 at 7:20 am
Mar 11, 2017, 7:49 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,225
To me, it's much more about the seat. Personally, I find the AC seat too cramped and the seat belt bites into my side, so (probably alone on FT) I would go with UA (that said, I've never flown the pmCO planes so can't comment about those seats, but I like the pmUA ones).
The Polaris bit is IMHO massively over-hyped. I don't care about loads of pillows and blankets - ok, having a better pillow is nice, but the rest just clutters the place up. The food is somewhat better, but it does depend upon the individual FAs. I was also not that impressed with the food or wine on AC and they also suffer from inconsistent service.
In short, go with the seat and the routing.
The Polaris bit is IMHO massively over-hyped. I don't care about loads of pillows and blankets - ok, having a better pillow is nice, but the rest just clutters the place up. The food is somewhat better, but it does depend upon the individual FAs. I was also not that impressed with the food or wine on AC and they also suffer from inconsistent service.
In short, go with the seat and the routing.
Mar 11, 2017, 11:02 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Plat
Posts: 982
This is, of course, subjective... but the UA 2-4-2 config doesn't hold a candle to MOST AC seats. There is one exception, and that is the 777-HD config they run YVR-HKG. The narrower seats and the airbag seatbelt make that plane a pretty fair torture chamber.
If you're on one of the 787s or other equipment, the AC seat is generally better than the pmUA equipment.
My ranking would be:
AC 777HD < pmUA J < pmCO J < AC all other TPAC
Jury is still out on the UA Polaris 773.
If you're on one of the 787s or other equipment, the AC seat is generally better than the pmUA equipment.
My ranking would be:
AC 777HD < pmUA J < pmCO J < AC all other TPAC
Jury is still out on the UA Polaris 773.
Mar 11, 2017, 12:30 pm
#40
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
To translate -- this is the sCO configuration which is covered in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...lass-50bf.html
Mar 11, 2017, 1:48 pm
#41
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA-GS 1MM), Hertz Pres Circle, Starriott Titanium)
Posts: 1,966
Hi all -
I'm evaluating flights for a TPAC flight and essentially have UA or AC to choose from, based on my timetable.
I can choose a business class seat on a UA B744 or B789 or an AC B789.
All other factors equal (e.g., timetable, price, etc.), is one business class product better than the other between UA and AC?
Thanks.
I'm evaluating flights for a TPAC flight and essentially have UA or AC to choose from, based on my timetable.
I can choose a business class seat on a UA B744 or B789 or an AC B789.
All other factors equal (e.g., timetable, price, etc.), is one business class product better than the other between UA and AC?
Thanks.
The all Asile access is fantastic. That said, My Second choice would be the United B789 with the Contental style seats. (middle pair bulkhead if possible).
Mar 11, 2017, 1:55 pm
#42
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SJC/SFO (previously BNE, SIN, SHA/PVG)
Programs: UA GS/MM, Marriott TE, National EE, Global Entry/TSA-Pre, APEC BTC
Posts: 162
AC doesn't have Jack Daniel's which is a show stopper for me. Also last time i flew business from Vancouver to Brisbane on AC, they had no wifi? not it wasn't working, the plane was not outfitted with it?? another showstopper for me. Although i may be considered a little spoilt, I'll pay for FC 747 if i can't get UD. I'm flying UD 747 SFO to HKG today!
Mar 11, 2017, 4:55 pm
#43
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,759
This is, of course, subjective... but the UA 2-4-2 config doesn't hold a candle to MOST AC seats. There is one exception, and that is the 777-HD config they run YVR-HKG. The narrower seats and the airbag seatbelt make that plane a pretty fair torture chamber.
If you're on one of the 787s or other equipment, the AC seat is generally better than the pmUA equipment.
My ranking would be:
AC 777HD < pmUA J < pmCO J < AC all other TPAC
Jury is still out on the UA Polaris 773.
If you're on one of the 787s or other equipment, the AC seat is generally better than the pmUA equipment.
My ranking would be:
AC 777HD < pmUA J < pmCO J < AC all other TPAC
Jury is still out on the UA Polaris 773.
Apr 26, 2017, 9:55 pm
#45
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Planes have a whole lot to do with it @:-)
PMUA in Biz on 777 is REALLY crowded. Two class 767 not so bad. Polaris hard product in only available on 77W aka 777-300 and IIRC it does not fly to FRA.
I've only flown AC on 763, and was rather impressed. ALL isle access, very good service .... can't say if it's hit and miss since it was my only TATL in AC Biz, but soft service on UA is VERY much hit and miss
And while not mainline, recently got rerouted from YYJ-SFO-DFW to YYJ-YVR-DFW, and gotta say, was happy with the switch even though I got to DFW a day later. Not saying ALL flight attendants at UA are UNHAPPY, just a high percentage on flights that I'm on.
PMUA in Biz on 777 is REALLY crowded. Two class 767 not so bad. Polaris hard product in only available on 77W aka 777-300 and IIRC it does not fly to FRA.
I've only flown AC on 763, and was rather impressed. ALL isle access, very good service .... can't say if it's hit and miss since it was my only TATL in AC Biz, but soft service on UA is VERY much hit and miss
And while not mainline, recently got rerouted from YYJ-SFO-DFW to YYJ-YVR-DFW, and gotta say, was happy with the switch even though I got to DFW a day later. Not saying ALL flight attendants at UA are UNHAPPY, just a high percentage on flights that I'm on.