Gutted over loss of GFL
Jun 19, 2018, 11:27 am
#31
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
I've been to both the GFLs in SFO and ORD, I wasn't terribly impressed.
GF was a great product when the other prospect was barcoloungers in C, and the F lounges were fine and quiet, but its not like they had much of a spread. Aside from snootiness, I don't see how (many more people) people are worse off once they get the polaris' up and running.
GF was a great product when the other prospect was barcoloungers in C, and the F lounges were fine and quiet, but its not like they had much of a spread. Aside from snootiness, I don't see how (many more people) people are worse off once they get the polaris' up and running.
Jun 19, 2018, 12:26 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
It's always fun to have nice memories. I am a fan of primary source history as well.
Looks like according to this FT thread in the 1999 heyday before SFH there were all of 3 dedicated arrivals lounges (this is before SFO opened its new int'l terminal). The rest of the arrivals services were hotels with an agreement, or using a terminal lounge shower.
Arrivals by United
As for 'what other airline' had such arrivals amenities - Continental had an arrival shower agreement available for every international business class destination. The concierge (like UA) met the aircraft on arrival and would provide you with the invitation. They didn't have the 3 separate arrivals showers, but the two international hubs had full showers in the clubs, along with a clothes pressing service.
I have nice memories of that too - would be nice if there were still hotel agreements for biz class pax like CO and UA each had (well, UA not for biz class).
Looks like according to this FT thread in the 1999 heyday before SFH there were all of 3 dedicated arrivals lounges (this is before SFO opened its new int'l terminal). The rest of the arrivals services were hotels with an agreement, or using a terminal lounge shower.
Arrivals by United
As for 'what other airline' had such arrivals amenities - Continental had an arrival shower agreement available for every international business class destination. The concierge (like UA) met the aircraft on arrival and would provide you with the invitation. They didn't have the 3 separate arrivals showers, but the two international hubs had full showers in the clubs, along with a clothes pressing service.
I have nice memories of that too - would be nice if there were still hotel agreements for biz class pax like CO and UA each had (well, UA not for biz class).
Jun 19, 2018, 12:49 pm
#33
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA
Posts: 609
It's always fun to have nice memories. I am a fan of primary source history as well.
Looks like according to this FT thread in the 1999 heyday before SFH there were all of 3 dedicated arrivals lounges (this is before SFO opened its new int'l terminal). The rest of the arrivals services were hotels with an agreement, or using a terminal lounge shower.
Arrivals by United
As for 'what other airline' had such arrivals amenities - Continental had an arrival shower agreement available for every international business class destination. The concierge (like UA) met the aircraft on arrival and would provide you with the invitation. They didn't have the 3 separate arrivals showers, but the two international hubs had full showers in the clubs, along with a clothes pressing service.
I have nice memories of that too - would be nice if there were still hotel agreements for biz class pax like CO and UA each had (well, UA not for biz class).
Looks like according to this FT thread in the 1999 heyday before SFH there were all of 3 dedicated arrivals lounges (this is before SFO opened its new int'l terminal). The rest of the arrivals services were hotels with an agreement, or using a terminal lounge shower.
Arrivals by United
As for 'what other airline' had such arrivals amenities - Continental had an arrival shower agreement available for every international business class destination. The concierge (like UA) met the aircraft on arrival and would provide you with the invitation. They didn't have the 3 separate arrivals showers, but the two international hubs had full showers in the clubs, along with a clothes pressing service.
I have nice memories of that too - would be nice if there were still hotel agreements for biz class pax like CO and UA each had (well, UA not for biz class).
I remember ArrivalsSuite at more airports, including GRU, CDG, SYD, SFO, ORD, FRA, and LHR off the top of my head (obviously LHR and SFO still exist).
I wish I could find United's old advertisements or actual reviews with photos of all the more obscure IFL like MEX, BOS, etc and Arrivals lounges, maybe then my memories wouldn't be so rose colored?
Jun 19, 2018, 1:00 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
The nexus of United First was in 1999 with the introduction of the United First Suite - that and AMR's F were the only games in town to fly lie flat on an American carrier for almost a decade.
Hotel/airport ground facilities/arrival lounges are nice, but nothing beat flying flying flat...Well, other than flying flat into both Tokyo Narita or London Heathrow that is (on a brand new 777 or 747) - something that only United Airlines uniquely offered. The genesis of those three factors (product/route authorities/planes) went long way towards cementing the company's credentials as the US's premium-tilted pre-eminent flag carrier.
They had what everyone wanted. And they still do, sans F-class.
Hotel/airport ground facilities/arrival lounges are nice, but nothing beat flying flying flat...Well, other than flying flat into both Tokyo Narita or London Heathrow that is (on a brand new 777 or 747) - something that only United Airlines uniquely offered. The genesis of those three factors (product/route authorities/planes) went long way towards cementing the company's credentials as the US's premium-tilted pre-eminent flag carrier.
They had what everyone wanted. And they still do, sans F-class.
Jun 19, 2018, 1:57 pm
#35
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I've been to both the GFLs in SFO and ORD, I wasn't terribly impressed.
GF was a great product when the other prospect was barcoloungers in C, and the F lounges were fine and quiet, but its not like they had much of a spread. Aside from snootiness, I don't see how (many more people) people are worse off once they get the polaris' up and running.
GF was a great product when the other prospect was barcoloungers in C, and the F lounges were fine and quiet, but its not like they had much of a spread. Aside from snootiness, I don't see how (many more people) people are worse off once they get the polaris' up and running.
Specifically at SFO -
You flew out of incredibly outdated terminal (since demolished - now occupied by American) - I guess it was "exclusive" but UA in the 1990's had far less international flights so by default, less people - you took an elevator to an ok lounge, where - in my opinion - they only thing that was kind of cool was you'd be escorted to the plane and in a sense, cut in front of everyone - so no waiting at the gate (which wouldn't scale well with all the flights they have today).
You certainly couldn't get a full meal like the Polaris lounge offered - it just wasn't much more than a glorified holding area. Onboard, the Dom was a nice touch (only after takeoff) - and the carved Chateaubriand at the seat was novelty with Johnny Walker Blue - but the crappy cassette tapes and seats definitely don't compare well to today.
Jun 22, 2018, 8:34 am
#36
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
Has there been any more news about GFL closing at IAD and the building of a new Polaris lounge, supposedly in D? There were tweets mentioned above, but never saw any articles on any of the websites about it. Maybe it was never confirmed?
Jun 22, 2018, 9:10 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
Polaris Tracker - Mobile
Jun 23, 2018, 9:38 am
#39
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,115
It was to the right if you are standing at the UC entrance today. Thanks to FlightMemory, I can tell you that I was in it in May 2002, and still remember being escorted from it to my flight to NRT for boarding 
.
The MEX one was a bit of an oddball though. It was just the smaller section to the left of the checkin desk that is still there today. But it kind of followed the same pseudo-rules in place today also. If you were flying F out of MEX, you got to use it even though that was never true “three class first”. But I don’t ever recall any different amenities or food once inside. The other larger side was used for club members, elites and partners. Again, basically just as it works today.
I always had incredible memories of the UA intl F lie flat product. Then, I had a chance in 2013 to fly IAH-HNL in F on one of the last remaining planes that still had those seats after not having seen it for many years. After being spoiled with all the new products, I remember walking up to the seat and thinking “OMG how cheap this looks... and the cassette tapes!” I chuckled at how much things have changed.
.The MEX one was a bit of an oddball though. It was just the smaller section to the left of the checkin desk that is still there today. But it kind of followed the same pseudo-rules in place today also. If you were flying F out of MEX, you got to use it even though that was never true “three class first”. But I don’t ever recall any different amenities or food once inside. The other larger side was used for club members, elites and partners. Again, basically just as it works today.
Absolutely, its neat to look back over history and see how airlines, like people, change.
I remember ArrivalsSuite at more airports, including GRU, CDG, SYD, SFO, ORD, FRA, and LHR off the top of my head (obviously LHR and SFO still exist).
I wish I could find United's old advertisements or actual reviews with photos of all the more obscure IFL like MEX, BOS, etc and Arrivals lounges, maybe then my memories wouldn't be so rose colored?
I remember ArrivalsSuite at more airports, including GRU, CDG, SYD, SFO, ORD, FRA, and LHR off the top of my head (obviously LHR and SFO still exist).
I wish I could find United's old advertisements or actual reviews with photos of all the more obscure IFL like MEX, BOS, etc and Arrivals lounges, maybe then my memories wouldn't be so rose colored?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 23, 2018 at 4:23 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Jul 8, 2018, 3:56 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
IAD GFL now United Club
I am at the "new" C4 United Club at the moment. This is the first time I am visiting this lounge post conversion of GFL into United Club. As a DC based flyer who primarily travel internationally. GFL was really a place to escape from the horrible "temporary....approaching 40 years...) mid-field terminal. IAD GFL was not exactly a lounge to rave about, but it was quiet and had decent food and drinks. I am flying Polaris First to London today, and wish the GFL is still around.....
To add insult to injury, my IAD-LHR flight has been delayed by over 2 1/2 hours...and I expect it to be over three hours by the time it is done and dusted. There is no way United can turn around the incoming 3-class international flight in 27 minutes. I wish Untied can be more realistic when it comes to delayed schedule.
Since I had so much time to kill (did not get the text about the delay until I was sitting in the car approaching the airport), so I decided to check out potential locations that a Polaris Lounge could be built in the C/D terminal. ua1uaflyer had mentioned that a possible location could be in D, so I took the moon buggy to D terminal, although my delayed flight is leaving from C1.
In the D area, I can see two possible locations:
I have mentioned (in this thread or perhaps in another thread), the mid-field immigration and custom facility is located directly beneath the area from C1 to C11. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to have the lounge to be located in C instead of D, and majority of the international flights seem to leave from C as well.
I then checked out the C area, and I think turning the current United Club at C17 probably make more sense. The moon buggy station at C is no longer in use, and there is a huge area on the departure level and the area underneath that are not used. United could extend the United Club space from C 17 all the way to the end of the moon buggy station and probably can double the current United Club size.
Of course, I don't know exactly how the C/D terminals were built and whether the infrastructure can be altered to make room for the Polaris Lounge. These are just my preliminary observations.
In reality, United and Washington DC Airport Authority should come to an agreement to rebuild the almost 40-year terminal C/D terminal, but this Washington DC, and the only thing permanent about DC is that all things are temporary!
To add insult to injury, my IAD-LHR flight has been delayed by over 2 1/2 hours...and I expect it to be over three hours by the time it is done and dusted. There is no way United can turn around the incoming 3-class international flight in 27 minutes. I wish Untied can be more realistic when it comes to delayed schedule.
Since I had so much time to kill (did not get the text about the delay until I was sitting in the car approaching the airport), so I decided to check out potential locations that a Polaris Lounge could be built in the C/D terminal. ua1uaflyer had mentioned that a possible location could be in D, so I took the moon buggy to D terminal, although my delayed flight is leaving from C1.
In the D area, I can see two possible locations:
- Area between D21 and D23 - where the old AA Admiral Club was located. There are bathrooms next to D21, so it is possible to combine both space (and the level below) to turn into a Polaris Lounge.
- Area between D3 and D5, between D3 and D1 or between D1 and C27 - probably too small, but there is space for extension to push the wall further out. This stretch of area is the narrowest of the mid-field terminal, so pushing out the wall in the section is a possibility. Perhaps the entrance can be located in one the three areas and the lounge can occupy the whole space between C27 and D5.
I have mentioned (in this thread or perhaps in another thread), the mid-field immigration and custom facility is located directly beneath the area from C1 to C11. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to have the lounge to be located in C instead of D, and majority of the international flights seem to leave from C as well.
I then checked out the C area, and I think turning the current United Club at C17 probably make more sense. The moon buggy station at C is no longer in use, and there is a huge area on the departure level and the area underneath that are not used. United could extend the United Club space from C 17 all the way to the end of the moon buggy station and probably can double the current United Club size.
Of course, I don't know exactly how the C/D terminals were built and whether the infrastructure can be altered to make room for the Polaris Lounge. These are just my preliminary observations.
In reality, United and Washington DC Airport Authority should come to an agreement to rebuild the almost 40-year terminal C/D terminal, but this Washington DC, and the only thing permanent about DC is that all things are temporary!
Jul 8, 2018, 6:26 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: NYC/WAS
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL '90s PM, now FK (Flying Kettle)
Posts: 541
There's a LOT of space that could be used between where Terminal C/D is now and the 100 yards away where the train stop for it is (and where the new terminal will open at around the time that Antares Hyperspace Lines joins the Star Alliance). I always wonder why they can't build a temporary (i.e. permanent) train stop back where the terminal is now, and use the intervening space (currently the Long March tunnel) for something like a club.
Jul 8, 2018, 6:35 pm
#42
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I am at the "new" C4 United Club at the moment. This is the first time I am visiting this lounge post conversion of GFL into United Club. As a DC based flyer who primarily travel internationally. GFL was really a place to escape from the horrible "temporary....approaching 40 years...) mid-field terminal. IAD GFL was not exactly a lounge to rave about, but it was quiet and had decent food and drinks. I am flying Polaris First to London today, and wish the GFL is still around.....
To add insult to injury, my IAD-LHR flight has been delayed by over 2 1/2 hours...and I expect it to be over three hours by the time it is done and dusted. There is no way United can turn around the incoming 3-class international flight in 27 minutes. I wish Untied can be more realistic when it comes to delayed schedule.
Since I had so much time to kill (did not get the text about the delay until I was sitting in the car approaching the airport), so I decided to check out potential locations that a Polaris Lounge could be built in the C/D terminal. ua1uaflyer had mentioned that a possible location could be in D, so I took the moon buggy to D terminal, although my delayed flight is leaving from C1.
In the D area, I can see two possible locations:
I have mentioned (in this thread or perhaps in another thread), the mid-field immigration and custom facility is located directly beneath the area from C1 to C11. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to have the lounge to be located in C instead of D, and majority of the international flights seem to leave from C as well.
I then checked out the C area, and I think turning the current United Club at C17 probably make more sense. The moon buggy station at C is no longer in use, and there is a huge area on the departure level and the area underneath that are not used. United could extend the United Club space from C 17 all the way to the end of the moon buggy station and probably can double the current United Club size.
Of course, I don't know exactly how the C/D terminals were built and whether the infrastructure can be altered to make room for the Polaris Lounge. These are just my preliminary observations.
In reality, United and Washington DC Airport Authority should come to an agreement to rebuild the almost 40-year terminal C/D terminal, but this Washington DC, and the only thing permanent about DC is that all things are temporary!
To add insult to injury, my IAD-LHR flight has been delayed by over 2 1/2 hours...and I expect it to be over three hours by the time it is done and dusted. There is no way United can turn around the incoming 3-class international flight in 27 minutes. I wish Untied can be more realistic when it comes to delayed schedule.
Since I had so much time to kill (did not get the text about the delay until I was sitting in the car approaching the airport), so I decided to check out potential locations that a Polaris Lounge could be built in the C/D terminal. ua1uaflyer had mentioned that a possible location could be in D, so I took the moon buggy to D terminal, although my delayed flight is leaving from C1.
In the D area, I can see two possible locations:
- Area between D21 and D23 - where the old AA Admiral Club was located. There are bathrooms next to D21, so it is possible to combine both space (and the level below) to turn into a Polaris Lounge.
- Area between D3 and D5, between D3 and D1 or between D1 and C27 - probably too small, but there is space for extension to push the wall further out. This stretch of area is the narrowest of the mid-field terminal, so pushing out the wall in the section is a possibility. Perhaps the entrance can be located in one the three areas and the lounge can occupy the whole space between C27 and D5.
I have mentioned (in this thread or perhaps in another thread), the mid-field immigration and custom facility is located directly beneath the area from C1 to C11. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to have the lounge to be located in C instead of D, and majority of the international flights seem to leave from C as well.
I then checked out the C area, and I think turning the current United Club at C17 probably make more sense. The moon buggy station at C is no longer in use, and there is a huge area on the departure level and the area underneath that are not used. United could extend the United Club space from C 17 all the way to the end of the moon buggy station and probably can double the current United Club size.
Of course, I don't know exactly how the C/D terminals were built and whether the infrastructure can be altered to make room for the Polaris Lounge. These are just my preliminary observations.
In reality, United and Washington DC Airport Authority should come to an agreement to rebuild the almost 40-year terminal C/D terminal, but this Washington DC, and the only thing permanent about DC is that all things are temporary!
The C&D terminal funding issue is a game of chicken which won't be solved anytime soon. You can see that from the Aerotrain stop for C. When Aerotrain was designed, the planners knew for certain that the new permanent C terminal would be out there.
They couldn't even find the funds for an in-terminal Metro stop, including a bump in the Metro fare for passengers using the IAD stop so that commuters would not get dinged.
Jul 9, 2018, 12:05 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,722
I don't know about the IAD lounge but I'm not gutted in the least to see the GFL lounge at SFO go bye-bye. Yes it was a nice, somewhat exclusive, quiet (when people weren't yakking on phones) haven but the Polaris lounge has 10x better food and drink selections and is far more accessible. I can count on one hand the # of times I visited the SFO lounge (who flies paid F?) and will probably exceed that in the next year at the new Polaris lounge.
The arrivals lounges are always much less useful as I usually go straight to the hotel where I almost always get an early (or late) checkin after a TATL or TPAC.
The arrivals lounges are always much less useful as I usually go straight to the hotel where I almost always get an early (or late) checkin after a TATL or TPAC.
Jul 9, 2018, 6:21 am
#44
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UA 1K & 1MM/AA Gold & 1MM/HH Gold/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 2,924
Since I had so much time to kill (did not get the text about the delay until I was sitting in the car approaching the airport), so I decided to check out potential locations that a Polaris Lounge could be built in the C/D terminal. ua1uaflyer had mentioned that a possible location could be in D, so I took the moon buggy to D terminal, although my delayed flight is leaving from C1.
In the D area, I can see two possible locations:
I have mentioned (in this thread or perhaps in another thread), the mid-field immigration and custom facility is located directly beneath the area from C1 to C11. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to have the lounge to be located in C instead of D, and majority of the international flights seem to leave from C as well.
I then checked out the C area, and I think turning the current United Club at C17 probably make more sense. The moon buggy station at C is no longer in use, and there is a huge area on the departure level and the area underneath that are not used. United could extend the United Club space from C 17 all the way to the end of the moon buggy station and probably can double the current United Club size.
In the D area, I can see two possible locations:
- Area between D21 and D23 - where the old AA Admiral Club was located. There are bathrooms next to D21, so it is possible to combine both space (and the level below) to turn into a Polaris Lounge.
- Area between D3 and D5, between D3 and D1 or between D1 and C27 - probably too small, but there is space for extension to push the wall further out. This stretch of area is the narrowest of the mid-field terminal, so pushing out the wall in the section is a possibility. Perhaps the entrance can be located in one the three areas and the lounge can occupy the whole space between C27 and D5.
I have mentioned (in this thread or perhaps in another thread), the mid-field immigration and custom facility is located directly beneath the area from C1 to C11. Therefore, it would seem to make sense to have the lounge to be located in C instead of D, and majority of the international flights seem to leave from C as well.
I then checked out the C area, and I think turning the current United Club at C17 probably make more sense. The moon buggy station at C is no longer in use, and there is a huge area on the departure level and the area underneath that are not used. United could extend the United Club space from C 17 all the way to the end of the moon buggy station and probably can double the current United Club size.
Jul 9, 2018, 12:31 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ZRH/LUX/LON
Programs: BA GGL/ VS Gold. Former: UA 1K (10 years+) , EY partners Plat, SQ PPS Club, SU Gold, LH SEN/HON
Posts: 770
The JFK GFL ( well really FCL) was a celeb magnet, especially during the p.s days. Especially prior to award ceremonies, before and after.
I lost count of how many I celebs I saw, though I won't even forget an encounter I had with Jonathan Rhys Meyers ( from Mattchpoint, the Tudors). 10 years ago, 2007 I think.
It was early in the morning too. His entourage and him occupied the entire JFK FCL.
Lets just say he was escorted out of the building, and not allowed on the plane. I think he sought help for his drinking problem back then and has since recovered.
One wonders what happened to those customers? I can't imagine them flying United out of EWR. Not that EWR is a bad airport ( it is), crowded ( it is), the small intimate operation at JFK made it ideal for shuttling back and forth between New York and LA, which I did in those days.
I lost count of how many I celebs I saw, though I won't even forget an encounter I had with Jonathan Rhys Meyers ( from Mattchpoint, the Tudors). 10 years ago, 2007 I think.
It was early in the morning too. His entourage and him occupied the entire JFK FCL.
Lets just say he was escorted out of the building, and not allowed on the plane. I think he sought help for his drinking problem back then and has since recovered.
One wonders what happened to those customers? I can't imagine them flying United out of EWR. Not that EWR is a bad airport ( it is), crowded ( it is), the small intimate operation at JFK made it ideal for shuttling back and forth between New York and LA, which I did in those days.