Question about Polaris vs AA flagship business
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
Question about Polaris vs AA flagship business
I have a question regarding an upcoming trip to Paris, from EWR, but before I get into that, just a quick background. I do not travel for work, all my travel is leisure. As such, the whole experience of the flight (ground, air etc) is part of the experience and while I tend to be loyal to UA and *A in general (UA, AC, TK, TG, NZ), I am not captive. My first choice in flying to Paris was to fly AF as I’ve never flown them before. Unfortunately their flight times simply don’t work for me. I’m currently booked with UA in Polaris, on the 787-10 there and the 777-200 back. I was just checking around, and another option I have is with AA on the 777 there (via CLT) and the 787-8 inbound. For the return flight I’d prefer a non-stop to either EWR or PHL so that limits my choice on the inbound. My assumption is that UA is still the superior option. I feel like the ground experience both ways will be better (Polaris at EWR and *A lounge at CDG vs standard non flagship lounge in CLT and third party lounge in CDG) and the UA hard product would be better, though AA may win out on the food (this would be negated by the Polaris lounge somewhat). My question for you experts is am I making the correct assumptions? Would UA be the better option here, or should I switch to AA? Thanks!
#2
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,130
I have a question regarding an upcoming trip to Paris, from EWR, but before I get into that, just a quick background. I do not travel for work, all my travel is leisure. As such, the whole experience of the flight (ground, air etc) is part of the experience and while I tend to be loyal to UA and *A in general (UA, AC, TK, TG, NZ), I am not captive. My first choice in flying to Paris was to fly AF as I’ve never flown them before. Unfortunately their flight times simply don’t work for me. I’m currently booked with UA in Polaris, on the 787-10 there and the 777-200 back. I was just checking around, and another option I have is with AA on the 777 there (via CLT) and the 787-8 inbound. For the return flight I’d prefer a non-stop to either EWR or PHL so that limits my choice on the inbound. My assumption is that UA is still the superior option. I feel like the ground experience both ways will be better (Polaris at EWR and *A lounge at CDG vs standard non flagship lounge in CLT and third party lounge in CDG) and the UA hard product would be better, though AA may win out on the food (this would be negated by the Polaris lounge somewhat). My question for you experts is am I making the correct assumptions? Would UA be the better option here, or should I switch to AA? Thanks!
#3
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,959
I have a question regarding an upcoming trip to Paris, from EWR, but before I get into that, just a quick background. I do not travel for work, all my travel is leisure. As such, the whole experience of the flight (ground, air etc) is part of the experience and while I tend to be loyal to UA and *A in general (UA, AC, TK, TG, NZ), I am not captive. My first choice in flying to Paris was to fly AF as I’ve never flown them before. Unfortunately their flight times simply don’t work for me. I’m currently booked with UA in Polaris, on the 787-10 there and the 777-200 back. I was just checking around, and another option I have is with AA on the 777 there (via CLT) and the 787-8 inbound. For the return flight I’d prefer a non-stop to either EWR or PHL so that limits my choice on the inbound. My assumption is that UA is still the superior option. I feel like the ground experience both ways will be better (Polaris at EWR and *A lounge at CDG vs standard non flagship lounge in CLT and third party lounge in CDG) and the UA hard product would be better, though AA may win out on the food (this would be negated by the Polaris lounge somewhat). My question for you experts is am I making the correct assumptions? Would UA be the better option here, or should I switch to AA? Thanks!
The seats on AA's B777 are probably better than UA's Polaris (wider), but most of B787 seats on AA are not great.
Regarding lounge, PL at EWR (if you go there earlier for sitting down dinning) is superior than Admiral lounge at CLT, but you won't have access to EWR PL on return because you terminate your trip there.
Service on AA flights including foods is far superior than UA if you care about it.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
Yes I do, though it’s an easy drive for me to EWR, so either EWR or PHL as a starting point works equally well for me. I’m more concerned about the in flight product and ground experience, which is why I was curious if UA or AA would offer a better product. That being said, if AF magically change their times I’m going with them!! (Originally I was going in October and the AF times from EWR are perfect but oddly the August schedule is a much later departure and arrival into EWR.
#5
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,130
Yes I do, though it’s an easy drive for me to EWR, so either EWR or PHL as a starting point works equally well for me. I’m more concerned about the in flight product and ground experience, which is why I was curious if UA or AA would offer a better product. That being said, if AF magically change their times I’m going with them!! (Originally I was going in October and the AF times from EWR are perfect but oddly the August schedule is a much later departure and arrival into EWR.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
Sorry, I should have elaborated a little more. The differences between carriers is not so much that it overshadows the logistics differences of individual routes. For example, *I* would never go out of my way to connect in CLT for a lounge when I can get a lie-flat J seat nonstop.
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,487
I haven't been through PHL in years, but EWR is awful. Sure there's a Polaris lounge but the airport, particularly Terminal C, is otherwise a total cluster. There is absolutely nothing "premium" about the EWR experience.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: 4éme
Posts: 12,045
I don't think there is a OW/AA lounge available at CDG.
https://www.americanairlines.fr/i18n...-locations.jsp
https://www.americanairlines.fr/i18n...-locations.jsp
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,509
PHL and CLT don't have AA Flagship lounge. And I believe CLT lounge is also undergoing renovation leading to crowding. AA has a lounge at CDG, but looks to be closed at the moment. I suggest just picking based on price and flight times. AF would probably be the best choice if it fits within your parameters.
#10
Join Date: May 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, AF apologist
Posts: 207
I don't think there is a OW/AA lounge available at CDG.
https://www.americanairlines.fr/i18n...-locations.jsp
https://www.americanairlines.fr/i18n...-locations.jsp
"Customers ticketed in Flagship® Business and oneworld® Emerald and Saphire members with a same day departure on an American Airlines operated flight may visit the Extime Lounge in Terminal 2B."
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,487
I don't think there is a OW/AA lounge available at CDG.
https://www.americanairlines.fr/i18n...-locations.jsp
https://www.americanairlines.fr/i18n...-locations.jsp
I don't believe the *A lounge is particularly good, either.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,455
Based on your parameters, UA wins hands-down on ground experience. Admirals Clubs at PHL and CLT are weak offerings for international business class. The Polaris Lounge EWR gets crowded but I’ve always had a nice experience. At CDG, the *A lounge is pretty nice, but I haven’t been to T1 since COVID, and it is/was pre-security. The Admirals Club at CDG is closed but I believe there is access to the “Extime” lounge in 2B, which I visited and found to be comparable to the pre-COVID *A Lounge experience.
Onboard, I would rank AA 777 > UA 787 > AA 787 in terms of comfort. Flight attendants are a wash. AA wins on food, but the gap is marginally closer now than, say, 6 months ago.
If you’re looking for the “total experience”, I’d probably pick United by a slight edge given the nonstop itinerary and EWR PL.
Onboard, I would rank AA 777 > UA 787 > AA 787 in terms of comfort. Flight attendants are a wash. AA wins on food, but the gap is marginally closer now than, say, 6 months ago.
If you’re looking for the “total experience”, I’d probably pick United by a slight edge given the nonstop itinerary and EWR PL.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
Based on your parameters, UA wins hands-down on ground experience. Admirals Clubs at PHL and CLT are weak offerings for international business class. The Polaris Lounge EWR gets crowded but I’ve always had a nice experience. At CDG, the *A lounge is pretty nice, but I haven’t been to T1 since COVID, and it is/was pre-security. The Admirals Club at CDG is closed but I believe there is access to the “Extime” lounge in 2B, which I visited and found to be comparable to the pre-COVID *A Lounge experience.
Onboard, I would rank AA 777 > UA 787 > AA 787 in terms of comfort. Flight attendants are a wash. AA wins on food, but the gap is marginally closer now than, say, 6 months ago.
If you’re looking for the “total experience”, I’d probably pick United by a slight edge given the nonstop itinerary and EWR PL.
Onboard, I would rank AA 777 > UA 787 > AA 787 in terms of comfort. Flight attendants are a wash. AA wins on food, but the gap is marginally closer now than, say, 6 months ago.
If you’re looking for the “total experience”, I’d probably pick United by a slight edge given the nonstop itinerary and EWR PL.
#14
fomerly CoachBoy
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United Premier Platinum, British Airways Silver
Posts: 411
Both the AA 787-8's and 772's are a crap shoot in J as they have a mix of SuperDiamond and Concept D seating. The Concept D are the ones to avoid as they go front/back, and if anyone in an adjacent seat stands up, you feel it. You don't know what plane you'll get. I also rate the Polaris lounge above anything that's not Flagship for AA.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Miami & Leon, MX
Programs: UA 1K, DL GOLD, IHG LIFE PLAT, BONVOY'ED GOLD
Posts: 553
CLT you are dealing with a singular Admirals club (main one is undergoing renovation) therefore lines are abysmal. While I will say AA's main advantage here is the food, you are flying on their 788 and 772s, both of which have a possibility of being stuck on their "coffin" seats, with the former being a higher probability than the latter.
In this case, I would take United as you have the Polaris ground experience, both the 772 and 78X feature their polaris product, and the bedding is a lot better in my opinion. Now, if food is a big issue for you, then yes, go with American.
In this case, I would take United as you have the Polaris ground experience, both the 772 and 78X feature their polaris product, and the bedding is a lot better in my opinion. Now, if food is a big issue for you, then yes, go with American.