Best Polaris experience PHX>NRT using MP
 

What route is the best route/equipment to try Polaris from PHX>Tokyo using United miles this Oct or Nov? It looks like SFO to NRT is the only obvious route.

Polaris with the new seats is still very limited. 777-300ER is your best bet right now. I think there is one 767 in service right now with Polaris seats.

SFO-NRT is pretty much your only bet for the new seats. Only other options would be SFO-HKG or SFO-TPE and fly ANA up. Only ORD has new Polaris lounge right now and I'm not sure PHX-ORD-SFO-Asia even works for your trip.

I'd just go ahead and do PHX-SFO-NRT. Unless you want to try ANA from HKG or TPE and spend a night in one of those places. Not sure why you'd want to do that though, I wouldn't.

Your options are limited and best bet is SFO-NRT. Good luck.

Fly NH J (or F if you have the miles) on one leg.

As one who flew the new Polaris route, HKG-SFO in J the first few days it was open, I honestly wouldn't go out of my way for it. Fly a good Asian or ME carrier, and you'll have a much better experience.

I like the 787 product a lot, too, especially if you're traveling in pairs. Route via LAX for more reliability schedule-wise (SFO can be a crapshoot). New UA LAX lounge, while not a Polaris product, is quite nice and bright. Wonderful outdoor patio space to grab some Jet-A-infused fresh air, too.

SFO lounge situation sounds abysmal for the next year or so. LAX also has the nice *A lounge at TBIT - a nice walk to stretch the legs.

PHX-SFO-NRT is the pretty much the only choice if you want the Polaris seats. Book it before the devaluation hits!

+1
I wouldn't do any other routing on UA metal.

Note that if you have access to NH miles (AMEX transfer partner), their roundtrip US-Japan is an exceptional value at 95K miles.

If you don't mind a long layover, I think I'd rather do PHX-LAX-HND on UA/ANA.

PHX-ORD-NRT on ANA is also an option, same for IAH as well

do eva or nh. seriously you'd forgo those 2 for ua? ua is serving sorbet sundaes right now for chrissakes. SORBET. SUNDAES.

yes the sfo eva lounge is closing in a few months (per lounge agent) and the sfo sq lounge is really sad. but good food. is t7 now connected airside to tbit? i know 6 has been connected for a while.

hnd the best if your intention is to hit up tokyo

I did IAH->NRT a few months ago. While it did not have Polaris Seats, the Polaris service and food were exceptional.


Cheers,