Dec 9, 2016, 2:37 pm
Last edit by: drewguy
United is rolling out the 777-300ER to its fleet. These planes will be the first to feature the new Polaris business class seating, with direct aisle access.
Information about the plane from the United website is here
The plane features 60 Polaris class seats, 24 Premium Plus seats, 62 Economy plus seats, and 204 Economy seats. All economy seating is in a 3-4-3 format (except for 2-4-2 in the last two rows of the plane).
Seat width in economy is 17", down from the 18" in the sUA 777-200, and slightly narrower than the 787 width of 17.3". Bassinets are provided in 20EF, 30EF, and 46EF - the center seats on the three bulkhead rows.
Polaris seats have their own power outlets; Economy seats also have power (2 outlets per 3 seats or 2 per 4 seats; all bulkhead seats have their own power). Each seat has a dedicated USB power port as well.
Detailed seating plan: AeroLOPA -- https://www.aerolopa.com/ua-boeing-77w
From sbm12:
I flew on the media preview flight this week and wrote up a detailed report on which seats are good and bad on the new United 77W. Here's a summary of my thoughts.
Polaris Seating
General notes
Economy Plus
Economy
Information about the plane from the United website is here
The plane features 60 Polaris class seats, 24 Premium Plus seats, 62 Economy plus seats, and 204 Economy seats. All economy seating is in a 3-4-3 format (except for 2-4-2 in the last two rows of the plane).
Seat width in economy is 17", down from the 18" in the sUA 777-200, and slightly narrower than the 787 width of 17.3". Bassinets are provided in 20EF, 30EF, and 46EF - the center seats on the three bulkhead rows.
Polaris seats have their own power outlets; Economy seats also have power (2 outlets per 3 seats or 2 per 4 seats; all bulkhead seats have their own power). Each seat has a dedicated USB power port as well.
Detailed seating plan: AeroLOPA -- https://www.aerolopa.com/ua-boeing-77w
From sbm12:
I flew on the media preview flight this week and wrote up a detailed report on which seats are good and bad on the new United 77W. Here's a summary of my thoughts.
Polaris Seating
General notes
- Accessible lav at 2L is the largest on board and useful for PJs changing.
- Row 1 has no overhead bins in the center.
- Galley at 2L/R handles crew meals so will be busier than the forward galley throughout the flight. There is also a "passthrough" at 2L/2R that is not a galley but has shelves for food prep and snacks. As a result, the front row of the second cabin isn't quite as directly exposed to galley noise.
- Bulkhead seats remain the best choice for foot well reasons. "Straight" seats are second best while angled seats have a tapered foot well for the last 10 inches of the bed length.
- The downside of the "straight" seats is the 9" notch to slide in through but overall those will remain my seats of choice. Avoid 6/7/8 for noise reasons IMO.
- Even-row "window" seats are a bit of a misnomer. The window, if any, is across a utility table and not well-positioned for viewing. They're more semi-aisle seats.
- Row 16 has no window. Row 18 has one window far to the rear and part of another forward. The angles are such that you can barely see out of either.
Best Window Seat (best to worst):
- 9A (good seat, but proximity to galley/light/noise and lav should be considered)
- 9L (good seat, but proximity to galley/light/noise and lav should be considered)
- 1A (good seat, but proximity to galley/light/noise should be considered)
- 1L (good seat, but proximity to galley/light/noise should be considered) Picture from 1L
- any other odd-numbered A/L (slight preference to A over L)
- any other even-numbered A/L (slight preference to A over L)
- 7A/L
- 8A/L
- 6A/L
- 16A/L
Best Center Pair Seat (best to worst):
- 9D/G (slight preference to D over G)
- 1D/G (slight preference to D over G)
- Any other odd
- Any other even
- 18
- 6
Economy Plus
- AVOID 30
24A/L [seats renumbered with addition of PP at all costs. Freezing cold in flight and the narrowest seats on board. Plus no window. - Aisle seats are a smidgen narrower and the center 4-block has legroom issues.
- Bulkhead seats have good legroom, very similar to what extending your feet on a normal row would offer.
Economy
- Row 56
50outside pairs are some of the best, though all the way at the back. A little extra space (especially under-seat stowage) and still some overhead space, something 57 lacks. Row 57 also has a misaligned window. - Aisle seats are a smidgen narrower and the center 4-block has legroom issues.
- Baby Bassient Positions in Business: 9A & 9L, PP 20EF, E+ 30EF, 46EF
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 777-300ER
Aug 31, 2017, 9:45 am
#301
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,482
I think SQ would be the better choice if fares are comparable.
Aug 31, 2017, 10:28 am
#302
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
And while I hate the seat assignment rules that airlines are putting in (looking at you LH) so far I have not been burned by them.
But these issues are just an example of why IMHO United was so short sighted to have not made E+ 3-3-3 on this plane. Had they done this no one would have complained, and they would still be in the mix for a lot of travelers. I am now booking OALs in either Y (where the seats are good, not bonecrushing like on UA or say ChinaAir) or in PE for family trips.
Aug 31, 2017, 2:46 pm
#303
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Wales, UK
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 693
Quick question. Reading that the access to the straight seats in j can be tight for a larger person, does this apply to 9D as well, or does the bulkhead location mean a lot more space for getting in and out of the sear.
Sep 1, 2017, 12:33 am
#305
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: South Wales, UK
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 693
I know there is plenty of room in 9A because others have commented on that, but 9D appears to have a larger bassinet built in front of it extending to the aisle. That's why I'm asking specifically about that seat (or it's partner).
If 9A was free I would have booked it, but it's booked already.
If 9A was free I would have booked it, but it's booked already.
Sep 7, 2017, 9:31 am
#308
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: United global services, BA gold,
Posts: 839
Auckland to SFO Polaris business class
I am flying with my husband from Auckland to SFO in Jan. in the 777-300 Polaris business class. I actually don't mind the 787 business class on UA if in first row with extra footwell space and can side sleep pretty easily.
SInce I am a side sleeper - can I do row 9 or row 1 which has extra foot well space or do I need to do an even row since I like to sleep on side with knees up a bit? From the reviews it seems there is no room to sleep on side in odd number seats but wondering if true and same applies to rows 1 and 9. Also to those rows if we are seated together in the middle section.
SInce I am a side sleeper - can I do row 9 or row 1 which has extra foot well space or do I need to do an even row since I like to sleep on side with knees up a bit? From the reviews it seems there is no room to sleep on side in odd number seats but wondering if true and same applies to rows 1 and 9. Also to those rows if we are seated together in the middle section.
Sep 10, 2017, 7:28 pm
#309
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SZX/HKG/BWI
Programs: UA 1K 1.1MM, CX Diam 1.0MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC, MGM Pearl
Posts: 2,637
Economy Plus- It's still pretty bad
I took UA 871 yesterday SFO-TPE in 19E. The upgrade list was 20 deep with only one Polaris seat empty by T-24 so my odds were pretty bad on getting that seat.
I'm not an overweight person, nor am I skinny. However, I could not place a 500 ml of Fiji water next to me in my seat without feeling squeezed (in comparison, this would be ok on an UA 788 and other 2 aisle long haul aircraft). So this and my Kindle ended up behind me.
The two people sitting next to me were also well proportioned, that said, I was sitting with my arms crossed for almost the entire flight. Also, the TV and the tray table out at the same time, I was sitting at a slant in order to eat comfortably.
The way I positioned my knees, I had to constantly apologize to pax sitting in 19D and 19F. Both pax were more than understanding and accomodating, but I cannot imagine if I encountered one that wasn't.
I'm not sure if what I'm about to say makes sense but I believe that the only reasonable E+/E- seats are any A and L seats in the mini cabin (excluding rows 24 and 39, and 50 and 51). The aisle is so narrow that any C, D, G, J seats risk beverage carts bumping into elbows.
In my opinion, if this airplane has a captain that abuses the seat belt on sign for long periods, it is absolute torture. There were many times throughout the flight where the FA came on the horn to indicate that the seat belt sign was on and pax had to sit down.
That said, I was free to congregate near the emergency exit area to stretch my legs and it made things bearable.
Verdict- It's bad and if you can, avoid this 777-300ER if you are sitting behind row 18. Or else, seats 19A, 19L, 24A, 24L, 39A and 39L are the only reasonable seats on this aircraft
I'm not an overweight person, nor am I skinny. However, I could not place a 500 ml of Fiji water next to me in my seat without feeling squeezed (in comparison, this would be ok on an UA 788 and other 2 aisle long haul aircraft). So this and my Kindle ended up behind me.
The two people sitting next to me were also well proportioned, that said, I was sitting with my arms crossed for almost the entire flight. Also, the TV and the tray table out at the same time, I was sitting at a slant in order to eat comfortably.
The way I positioned my knees, I had to constantly apologize to pax sitting in 19D and 19F. Both pax were more than understanding and accomodating, but I cannot imagine if I encountered one that wasn't.
I'm not sure if what I'm about to say makes sense but I believe that the only reasonable E+/E- seats are any A and L seats in the mini cabin (excluding rows 24 and 39, and 50 and 51). The aisle is so narrow that any C, D, G, J seats risk beverage carts bumping into elbows.
In my opinion, if this airplane has a captain that abuses the seat belt on sign for long periods, it is absolute torture. There were many times throughout the flight where the FA came on the horn to indicate that the seat belt sign was on and pax had to sit down.
That said, I was free to congregate near the emergency exit area to stretch my legs and it made things bearable.
Verdict- It's bad and if you can, avoid this 777-300ER if you are sitting behind row 18. Or else, seats 19A, 19L, 24A, 24L, 39A and 39L are the only reasonable seats on this aircraft
Last edited by mjcewl1284; Sep 10, 2017 at 10:59 pm Reason: minor corrections to errors
Sep 10, 2017, 8:09 pm
#310
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Mileage Plus Global Services 2MM
Posts: 1,201
I am flying with my husband from Auckland to SFO in Jan. in the 777-300 Polaris business class. I actually don't mind the 787 business class on UA if in first row with extra footwell space and can side sleep pretty easily.
SInce I am a side sleeper - can I do row 9 or row 1 which has extra foot well space or do I need to do an even row since I like to sleep on side with knees up a bit? From the reviews it seems there is no room to sleep on side in odd number seats but wondering if true and same applies to rows 1 and 9. Also to those rows if we are seated together in the middle section.
SInce I am a side sleeper - can I do row 9 or row 1 which has extra foot well space or do I need to do an even row since I like to sleep on side with knees up a bit? From the reviews it seems there is no room to sleep on side in odd number seats but wondering if true and same applies to rows 1 and 9. Also to those rows if we are seated together in the middle section.
Sep 10, 2017, 8:31 pm
#311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,339
I am flying with my husband from Auckland to SFO in Jan. in the 777-300 Polaris business class. I actually don't mind the 787 business class on UA if in first row with extra footwell space and can side sleep pretty easily.
SInce I am a side sleeper - can I do row 9 or row 1 which has extra foot well space or do I need to do an even row since I like to sleep on side with knees up a bit? From the reviews it seems there is no room to sleep on side in odd number seats but wondering if true and same applies to rows 1 and 9. Also to those rows if we are seated together in the middle section.
SInce I am a side sleeper - can I do row 9 or row 1 which has extra foot well space or do I need to do an even row since I like to sleep on side with knees up a bit? From the reviews it seems there is no room to sleep on side in odd number seats but wondering if true and same applies to rows 1 and 9. Also to those rows if we are seated together in the middle section.
I would pick row 9 because it is quieter than row 1. I have found seat 1G facing the galley can be quite noisy.
Sep 11, 2017, 5:40 pm
#312
Join Date: Aug 2013
Programs: UA
Posts: 24
How bad are the seats on new UA 777 in economy?
May have to take a trip between PEK and SFO on the new 777 and see that they've squeezed in another seat going across. How bad are the economy seats on this plane for a 12+ hour flight? I've got some other routing options available if it's going to be like flying in a can of sardines.
Sep 11, 2017, 5:50 pm
#314
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,861
May have to take a trip between PEK and SFO on the new 777 and see that they've squeezed in another seat going across. How bad are the economy seats on this plane for a 12+ hour flight? I've got some other routing options available if it's going to be like flying in a can of sardines.
Comes down to leg you prefer, leg space or seat width -- there is much discussion of the seat width in this thread. If seat width wins for you, you need to find a non-10x 777 option.
If you have options for premium economy or business, that is preferable of course.
Sep 11, 2017, 5:58 pm
#315
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: AA 1.6MM EXP; UA GS; SPG LTG,Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,477
May have to take a trip between PEK and SFO on the new 777 and see that they've squeezed in another seat going across. How bad are the economy seats on this plane for a 12+ hour flight? I've got some other routing options available if it's going to be like flying in a can of sardines.