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
Jan 4, 2020, 7:48 am
#1037
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
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the rear section of business section is completely open. nobody has picked a seat there yet with just 2 weeks to go until the flight.
do most people prefer not to sit in the rear section?
if my upgrade somehow clears and the rear section remains relatively open, is it a good idea to pick a seat back there?
do most people prefer not to sit in the rear section?
if my upgrade somehow clears and the rear section remains relatively open, is it a good idea to pick a seat back there?
Jan 4, 2020, 11:52 am
#1038
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,606
Very irritating - besides the noise!
Jan 9, 2020, 10:13 am
#1039
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 336
At check-in, I moved from 3A to 9A.
It was totally not worth it. The business cabin was about half full. Yet it felt like that I was the bathroom attendant at a crowded bar. People were constantly going in and coming out of the lavatory. Even worse was the fact that they seemed to prefer to shut the door with a loud bang. This continues through out the flight.
An hour after I fell asleep, another loud lavatory door closing woke me again. I sat up and noticed three passengers standing there chatting.(strangely, about 401k and organic fruits...)
I finally had enough and moved to an empty seat in the center of 17. Finally, some peace and quiet and I slept for another 5 hours. My luck ran out when a crying baby woke me up. They were in PP behind me. The father stood up and walked the baby, which stopped the crying... but when he sat down, the baby started loud crying again. I don't blame the baby, of course... when I was a baby, I must have annoyed plenty of people myself.
Since I was fully awake, I went back to my original 9A seat(where I left all of my stuff). I started reading on my Kindle in the dark. Well... guess what, the lavatory crowed never stopped... one after another. Both men and women. That was when I noticed the other lavatories in business were also occupied., so a couple of people were standing around waiting again. We still had 6 hours of flight time left, according to the screen.
As if the lavatory crowd wasn't annoying enough around 9A... the flight attendants were also hanging around the galley with the light turned on. In fact, I don't think they ever left the galley during the entire 14-hour+ flight.
The reading did the trick and I fell asleep again in a semi-upright position. I kind of curled up with several extra pillows that I stole from other empty seats. I slept like that for another 4 hours or so. Only woke up once by, you guessed it, some slamming the lavatory door close.
Next thing I knew, I thought my grandma was trying to wake me up... I took off my eye mask, put on my glasses and it turned out to be the flight attendant. She wanted to know if I wanted breakfast. Apparently she already served everybody else and skipped over me because I was sleeping. I really appreciated that. I only asked for a black coffee and some fruit.
I will never sit in 9A again. On my return flight, my upgrade hasn't and probably won't clear. But if clears and the only available seat is 9A or 9L, I'll probably ask to cancel it.
(sorry for the long rant)
It was totally not worth it. The business cabin was about half full. Yet it felt like that I was the bathroom attendant at a crowded bar. People were constantly going in and coming out of the lavatory. Even worse was the fact that they seemed to prefer to shut the door with a loud bang. This continues through out the flight.
An hour after I fell asleep, another loud lavatory door closing woke me again. I sat up and noticed three passengers standing there chatting.(strangely, about 401k and organic fruits...)
I finally had enough and moved to an empty seat in the center of 17. Finally, some peace and quiet and I slept for another 5 hours. My luck ran out when a crying baby woke me up. They were in PP behind me. The father stood up and walked the baby, which stopped the crying... but when he sat down, the baby started loud crying again. I don't blame the baby, of course... when I was a baby, I must have annoyed plenty of people myself.
Since I was fully awake, I went back to my original 9A seat(where I left all of my stuff). I started reading on my Kindle in the dark. Well... guess what, the lavatory crowed never stopped... one after another. Both men and women. That was when I noticed the other lavatories in business were also occupied., so a couple of people were standing around waiting again. We still had 6 hours of flight time left, according to the screen.
As if the lavatory crowd wasn't annoying enough around 9A... the flight attendants were also hanging around the galley with the light turned on. In fact, I don't think they ever left the galley during the entire 14-hour+ flight.
The reading did the trick and I fell asleep again in a semi-upright position. I kind of curled up with several extra pillows that I stole from other empty seats. I slept like that for another 4 hours or so. Only woke up once by, you guessed it, some slamming the lavatory door close.
Next thing I knew, I thought my grandma was trying to wake me up... I took off my eye mask, put on my glasses and it turned out to be the flight attendant. She wanted to know if I wanted breakfast. Apparently she already served everybody else and skipped over me because I was sleeping. I really appreciated that. I only asked for a black coffee and some fruit.
I will never sit in 9A again. On my return flight, my upgrade hasn't and probably won't clear. But if clears and the only available seat is 9A or 9L, I'll probably ask to cancel it.
(sorry for the long rant)
Jan 9, 2020, 10:17 am
#1040
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,425
Yeah... unfortunately it's hard to get good bulkhead seat advice because your sensitivity to something like the "loo queue" is such a YMMV situation. For me, I probably wouldn't have noticed any of that and hence I have no problems flying in Row 9, but as you experienced, others' sensitivities to noise or light while sleeping may vary.
Jan 9, 2020, 1:44 pm
#1041
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,484
Why would you do that?
Yes, there is a fundamental divide on this issue. Having just flown 8D on the sCO 772, I can't understand how anyone would ever recommend that seat. I feel the same about rows 1 and 9 on the 77W, and 1E on the 789.
My basic view is if someone is asking about noise/light from the lav/galley, that is a strong indication they will not be happy in any of those seats. People who are not bothered, won't ask the question.
Yeah... unfortunately it's hard to get good bulkhead seat advice because your sensitivity to something like the "loo queue" is such a YMMV situation. For me, I probably wouldn't have noticed any of that and hence I have no problems flying in Row 9, but as you experienced, others' sensitivities to noise or light while sleeping may vary.
My basic view is if someone is asking about noise/light from the lav/galley, that is a strong indication they will not be happy in any of those seats. People who are not bothered, won't ask the question.
Jan 9, 2020, 2:56 pm
#1042
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 336
Why would you do that?
Yes, there is a fundamental divide on this issue. Having just flown 8D on the sCO 772, I can't understand how anyone would ever recommend that seat. I feel the same about rows 1 and 9 on the 77W, and 1E on the 789.
My basic view is if someone is asking about noise/light from the lav/galley, that is a strong indication they will not be happy in any of those seats. People who are not bothered, won't ask the question.
Yes, there is a fundamental divide on this issue. Having just flown 8D on the sCO 772, I can't understand how anyone would ever recommend that seat. I feel the same about rows 1 and 9 on the 77W, and 1E on the 789.
My basic view is if someone is asking about noise/light from the lav/galley, that is a strong indication they will not be happy in any of those seats. People who are not bothered, won't ask the question.
however, I can't stand those people who just hover around my seat and chit-chatting while waiting for the lavatory. somehow the flight attendants even joined in on their conversation. come to think of it, the people standing around 9A could have been UA non-revs because I got the distinct impression that the flight attendants knew them personally. some of there were evening leaning on the bulkhead in front of me.. like I said, I wasn't really sure what the problem was... all of the lavatories in business seemed to be occupied in business class at all times. I also noticed that most people spent well over 5 to 10 minutes inside doing something.
(rant part 2 over)
Jan 13, 2020, 9:00 pm
#1044
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
If you don't need the leg space 2x seating is good for a couple -- just be prepared for a slow process leaving the plane. And have your own food as the alternative choices will be long gone. Occansiona crowding due to bathroom.
Jan 13, 2020, 11:46 pm
#1045
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 336
Jan 15, 2020, 5:16 am
#1046
Join Date: May 2000
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,069
Am set to take my first 777-300 flight in Polaris (the daytime UA85 from TLV). I can choose 5L and pretty much any seat behind it. I'm hoping to nap for a few hours and tend to be a light sleeper. Is 5L the safest bet in terms of balancing distance from galley, lavs, and the engines?
I realize 9L may have a little extra space but if I'm 5'8" and lean, would that make much of a difference?
I realize 9L may have a little extra space but if I'm 5'8" and lean, would that make much of a difference?
Jan 15, 2020, 8:44 am
#1047
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,484
Am set to take my first 777-300 flight in Polaris (the daytime UA85 from TLV). I can choose 5L and pretty much any seat behind it. I'm hoping to nap for a few hours and tend to be a light sleeper. Is 5L the safest bet in terms of balancing distance from galley, lavs, and the engines?
Not to me. I don't find the footwells in Polaris confining.
Jan 19, 2020, 2:52 pm
#1048
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 336
I volunteered to give up my seat. The agent said the compensation was $1200.
they originally started at $600 and there were no takers. the announcement was met with blank stares.. most people didn't even look up.
When it reached $1200, I agreed to it!!!
However, just before she started typing, I asked her to see what types of seats were available on the next day's flight. All middle seats. Nothing in PP or Polaris.
I said "NO THANKS!" and withdrew myself. The lady behind me looked so happy to accept the $1200.
I sat in my original 45A exit row seat.
However, I can't help but wonder if I would have been fine in a middle seat on 777-300ER in exchange for $1200. The flight was 13 and half hours. Well... maybe not. Then again, $1200? That's like being paid $1.50 per minute to sit in middle for 800+ minutes. On a 777-300ER, that would have been like getting stabbed 800 times?
they originally started at $600 and there were no takers. the announcement was met with blank stares.. most people didn't even look up.
When it reached $1200, I agreed to it!!!
However, just before she started typing, I asked her to see what types of seats were available on the next day's flight. All middle seats. Nothing in PP or Polaris.
I said "NO THANKS!" and withdrew myself. The lady behind me looked so happy to accept the $1200.
I sat in my original 45A exit row seat.
However, I can't help but wonder if I would have been fine in a middle seat on 777-300ER in exchange for $1200.
The flight was 13 and half hours. Well... maybe not. Then again, $1200? That's like being paid $1.50 per minute to sit in middle for 800+ minutes. On a 777-300ER, that would have been like getting stabbed 800 times?
Last edited by Vangrovsky; Jan 19, 2020 at 3:00 pm
Jan 19, 2020, 3:30 pm
#1049
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I volunteered to give up my seat. The agent said the compensation was $1200.
they originally started at $600 and there were no takers. the announcement was met with blank stares.. most people didn't even look up.
When it reached $1200, I agreed to it!!!
However, just before she started typing, I asked her to see what types of seats were available on the next day's flight. All middle seats. Nothing in PP or Polaris.
I said "NO THANKS!" and withdrew myself. The lady behind me looked so happy to accept the $1200.
I sat in my original 45A exit row seat.
However, I can't help but wonder if I would have been fine in a middle seat on 777-300ER in exchange for $1200. The flight was 13 and half hours. Well... maybe not. Then again, $1200? That's like being paid $1.50 per minute to sit in middle for 800+ minutes. On a 777-300ER, that would have been like getting stabbed 800 times?
they originally started at $600 and there were no takers. the announcement was met with blank stares.. most people didn't even look up.
When it reached $1200, I agreed to it!!!
However, just before she started typing, I asked her to see what types of seats were available on the next day's flight. All middle seats. Nothing in PP or Polaris.
I said "NO THANKS!" and withdrew myself. The lady behind me looked so happy to accept the $1200.
I sat in my original 45A exit row seat.
However, I can't help but wonder if I would have been fine in a middle seat on 777-300ER in exchange for $1200.
The flight was 13 and half hours. Well... maybe not. Then again, $1200? That's like being paid $1.50 per minute to sit in middle for 800+ minutes. On a 777-300ER, that would have been like getting stabbed 800 times?Or would you have tried to upgrade to PP or Polaris?
What was the flight, a TATL?
Jan 19, 2020, 5:37 pm
#1050
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I find you should take the compensation and work out the seat later something normally pops up when someone else gets upgraded then a good E+ seat opens up