Which aircraft for Polaris to Europe for a couple, 787-10 vs 763
 

Looking for advice on 2 issues.

1-
Husband and I are traveling from AMS-PHX (home) in April 2022 (already decided on outbound flight PHX-ZRH). Which aircraft would be preferred for the trans-atlantic portion in Polaris (we have never traveled in Polaris before):
UA Flight 71- showing 787-10 (1-2-1 configuration, we would sit middle odd)
or
UA Flight 908- showing 767-300 (1-1-1 configuration, would most likely sit at windows one seat behind the other)

2-
Flight 71 connects via EWR with a connection time of 2 hours/24 minutes
Flight 908 connects via ORD with a connection time of 2 hours/ 55 minutes
We have never come through either EWR or ORD internationally. Is one easier to get through customs based on time allowed for connection?

Thank you in advance.
deb

Do you want to be able to carry on a conversion while seated? Or fine to be "separated"?

My preference is the B787-10; however, there’s no guarantee that a substitute won’t occur before the date of departure.

It’s probably best to tell him what he thinks before you ask him.

767 (if Polaris-ized) has wider seats. I’d book that. My wife and I are happy to lean/stand/walk to chit chat with each other and are otherwise ok not being in constant contact for 7 hours!😂

And ORD is generally a more pleasant/modern airport. Although, the bus/train is a pain. We O/D at ORD so we don’t have to endure that.

Both seats are slightly narrower then the 772s -- maybe an inch
You have window views on the 763
787-10 is a bit quieter and pressurized for a lower altitude. Some feel you are less jag lagged as a result

This may help
Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 767-300 (30/46/138)- Polaris seat - FlyerTalk Forums
Everything you want to know about where to sit on the 787-10 - FlyerTalk Forums

I prefer the longer TATL which would be an advantage for ORD

In April, neither airport has a weather delay advantage

International connections -- it can be OK or bad at either airport depending on the other arrivals. Assuming the train is finally back by April at ORD, it is a toss up on my mind, EWR might have a small edge


Note the aircraft used in April 2022 may not be the aircraft you are booking, Aircraft assignment can/do change and schedules can change

Is height or footwell size an issue?

If it's helpful, I would also consider IAH, which pre-Covid was flown on a 772. You get Polaris seating with center pairs if that's what you and/or your partner prefer, a longer TATL flight and thus shorter flight in domestic F, and an easier international-to-domestic connection experience than ORD or EWR. At ORD you definitely need to switch terminals using a landside train (assuming the train modernization project is finally complete by April 2022), and at EWR there is a chance you would need to make a similar switch (the customs area at terminal C is currently closed due to reduced traffic, and even when it is open some UA international flights arrive at terminal B due to gate constraints).

This is worth emphasizing. With all the covid disruptions to international flights and uncertainties about what will happen to travel demand between now and April, the only thing you are locking in by booking now is the price. Schedules and aircraft will change many times between now and then.

I did see this flight. My only concern is that Seat Guru shows a 4 class 772 with Polaris being 2-4-2 with some having the backward facing seats. I know that Seat Guru isn't always accurate, but I would hate to be on this aircraft. If it was the upgraded, I would definently be interested. It does show the upgraded configuration on United's site for this flight so guessing I should trust that more than Seat Guru. Plus wondering if 1 hour 45 minutes may be tight for our connect back to PHX. Thank you

SeatGuru is not to be trusted. That plane still exists in the fleet, but it's mostly being used on Hawaii routes. The seat map on United.com should be more representative in this particular case, and it's showing 1-2-1 Polaris, which is what I'd expect on that flight when it actually departs. (I'm not saying that the 2-4-2 config is 100% impossible, just unlikely).

1:45 at Houston is plenty of time.

ETA: hehehe, you checked the same thing I did while I was composing my reply. :tu:

Good to know the connect (if departing on time) is "do-able". Don't really care about spending time at the lounge as I know we would have lounge time at Star Alliance in AMS. Thank you

We are trying this in 2 weeks. 763 on the outbound in 1 F/L and return 781 in 1 D/F. We'll see what we like better :)

Awesome! let me know your thoughts.