So, plan should be to ask for mattress pad and cooling pillow when you board?

Yes although the pads were in overhead bins so few people grabbed their own. Slippers, pjs and pillow are kept upfront

Just spent some time talking to Purser:
* They're all very excited but still working out kinks obviously.
* She confirmed that they only get the 4 optional items (slippers, pjs, pad and pillow) for 60% of cabin. She totally disagreed with decision but management wants them to give feedback and will increase if there's enough demand.
* Not logical since FAs can't proactively offer them since will run out. And people will get mad with FA if they do run out
* Also UA not getting credit from pax for something they do have if it wasn't offered

The wine list is a joke. It looks like they had an absolute price ceiling of $12. I guess that's better than the previous $6 ceiling. But pretty damn cheap for a $5000 ticket. H3 is what I used to drink in 2009, when I thought the economic system was going to collapse.

Contrast with Lufthansa Biz, where I can't recall ever seeing a sub $20 bottle, and where they often serve classified growth Bordeaux. I have had some absolutely spectacular Frankenwein on LH as well.

I had been getting slippers on BF/GF TPACS this year without asking.

Now we we have to ask?

Will there be Polaris soft product even in 2-4-2 cabins?

Yes

Where are they placing the amenity kits? One photo in this thread has it on top of the pillow and blanket spread, but in many of the twitter photos prior to boarding, I do not see them. Are the kits presented with the menus once the passengers settle in?

It was on seat

Just had grilled cheese and tomato soup as a snack. Very good. Will post when pics upload. Wifi little slow today

Wifes trip
 

Wife flew on 918 LHR -IAD yesterday, she is a pretty frequent international multi airline traveler and also gets my GS SO status.She hates UA,(me for flying with them) and all real estate agents so I have filter any data on either topic first, but in summary

-Nothing different on the ground
-Thought the bear was a nice first day(s) touch
-Pleased about the menu change and felt the food quality was good.
-Did not think much of wine tasting-three thimbles in a rack(her words)
-Day flight so she did not get involved with additional mats and duvets although she mentioned several people got them as much for inspection than use.
- FA's seemed happy about having more things to work with and having the Saks label on things.

Quote "Other than still being a crappy cabin it felt closer to a first world business class and would be less of a hard landing if you transferred from a good airline"

I have lived with her for a while and can attest that this overall is quite complimentary-hope they smooth it out and keep it up^

Some more pics of food..

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...omato-soup.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ne-tasting.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...ke-dessert.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...7-img-6288.jpg

I'm on IAH-SCL right now. Unfortunately we were delayed for 3 hours for mx so we were rushed getting off the ground so the crew didn't time out. No mattress pads or gel pillows on this flight but I did get my bear. Food is good although I'm not super hungry given the hour. Really like the chilled duck appetizer. I chose the express service so I can go to sleep.

I'll post pics tomorrow.

Can anyone get some pictures of the mid-flight snack options? My daughter and I have celiac disease which will limit us a great deal in their normal meal offerings...I am curious which mid-flight snack options we may be able to eat (if any).

Didn't take pics but they had: sandwiches, fruit, soup, chips, nuts, cheese, dessert type stuff

Thanks for the photos everyone! This makes me slightly more excited to fly UA business again... I'll reserve my final judgment until I get to try it out myself. Is the bear just something they're giving out now, or will they continue with it?