CApreppie

I had 49B (2 seat section in the rear) on a recent flight and the legroom was fine, but the narrow seat was shocking. At least nobody bumped into the seat going down the aisle.

GuardMusic

I flew this plane to Rome in May 2017. Since I have terrible jet lag and then a back injury, I paid my employer difference to business class and was even able to enjoy the then-newly opened Polaris Lounge at ORD. My goal was to sleep on this redeye, which I was able to do. As everyone here says, it was a bit awkward with no storage at the seat and being so close/climbing over a stranger. (I was in a window seat, 6K.)

I'm now looking at Barcelona in May 2019. After pouring through so many updates and announcements, I am stunned to realize they are still flying this configuration internationally. Personally, this "Polaris" is false advertising based on having it on so few planes/lounges. While I do have some United miles (not enough for a RT trip), I started looking elsewhere. I know it's early, but United has their flights priced $1000-2000 more than American. I'd next prefer Delta, but BFF doesn't agree. Delta has more Delta One installed, but from what I understand, still not complete. American meanwhile does have their 777-200 updated with 1-2-1 and one option even takes us through their Flagship Lounge at MIA. Anyone want to tell me why to stick with United?

fumje

Are you sure you were on the 772 HD? There is no 6K. The seating configuration on the 772 HD is quite similar to the three-class 772, though, which does have a seat 6K.

In any case, to BCN I assume you are looking at a routing through EWR, which does have a Polaris lounge. IAD is another option, with the 763 but no Polaris lounge. It sounds like you may prefer AA, given those choices. Depending on where you are originating, the convenience of each would vary.

GuardMusic

Apologies for not getting the specifics right here. Yes, I was on the old 3 class. While these seats were "fine", I see far better options in the marketplace. Yes, my plan was EWR for the Polaris lounge, but 2-3 hours in a lounge vs 8+ hrs in an inferior seat is tough to argue. There's really only one 767-300 (I didn't see any 763?) through IAD and it has a 5h44m layover. This would be a little tough WITH a Polaris Lounge, which they won't have done by our flight. Sigh.

It's not that I love American, in fact I have no miles with them! For our trip, it just looks like better seat and their MIA Flagship lounge are good options for us, even if it means a longer first leg from IND to MIA (rather than PHL). I was honestly shocked there were no ORD-BCN flights. We were hoping for a such a non-stop option being cheaper, which we would have then driven the 3 hrs to ORD. Thank for helping me keep looking for other options.

fumje

Actually if you are looking at a 2-3hr layover in EWR, that sounds about perfect. Eat in the lounge, then sleep on the redeye to BCN. The 772 HD is pretty good for sleeping in my opinion. The only potential problem is the E145 IND-EWR, but that may be the same situation as for AA via MIA.

GuardMusic

alanisrox69

Taking this same flight # at the end of the upcoming September. I noticed United is stating it's a 777-200, the seat map looks like the attached. I could not find a matching seat map on SeatGuru. Any idea if the United map is accurate? It seems like Rows 39 and 40 on the United map only have 2 seats across. Currently booked in Row 40 A,B, K and L (party of 4, but only 3 on the reservation in the pic). I'm hoping this row is actually 2-4-2. 2 persons per side of the plane, versus 3 across like SeatGuru maps show.

Has anyone flown this plane before, is the United map accurate? and SeatGuru just doesn't have this configuration map yet?

Thanks!

WineCountryUA

This is one of two possible configurations for this 772. They have the same number of seats but there are differences in the locations of the bathrooms and certain rows having 2 or 3 seats on the outside rows. The wiki (top post) shows the two side-by-side for comparison.

There is no way to be sure which will be used for the fight until you have boarded (although what is shown 24-48 hours in advance is most likely.

alanisrox69

So, there's been reports of them changing the plane style? Would you suggest we move to Row 48 for the increased leg room?

findark

Yes. There's a roughly 50% chance of a swap to the other frame type, and you won't know until about 60 hours before departure.

DELee

Or sometimes closer in. Have had frame subs up to T-48.

Quite annoying if you are like me and sit in the 39B/39L aisle seats and the swap puts you/keeps you in the middle seat. Gotta be quick to catch the frame change and switch to then 39C/39K to keep the aisle seat.

David

adambrau

I just bought a ticket to BCN in a few weeks for $7k in Polaris on UA120/121 RT. Traveling with my SO who I can purchase an economy fare and and guarantee upgrade. At least we will get the 2 seats together on the side and the seats are comfortable. And I snagged 7 nights at the Little Soho House Beach Club between Barcelona and Sitges. Happy to avoid FRA or ZRH to get to Spain!

GuardMusic

Congrats on avoiding a European layover. We prioritized that as well. We did end up buying the $2700 AA fare (business out/economy return) with IND-PHL-BCN. (The kicker was my new Marriott card didn't arrive before our complimentary AA hold was going to expire. Thus, BFF put the air on her card and I'll put the cruise on mine and all will be well.) Yes, we gave up a nicer Flagship or Polaris lounge and will endure a 6hr layover, but the price and the A330-200 seats seemed like a better choice for us.

adambrau

The most important thing is to be happy with what you were able to get. I am going into this holiday with expectations in check of the flight experience so that won't disappoint. And the companion fare was $1300 and upgraded with GPU's so we are, combined, averaging out at $4k for an old but comfortable business seat and a nonstop. Pretty happy all round.

airb330

Just reporting back that 48AB had quite a bit of legroom (similar or more than E+). The seats weren't as bad as we thought. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this seat pair to anyone on flyertalk.