United Polaris 767 8 hrs vs 787 10 hrs
May 16, 2024, 12:17 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 324
True. But when you have to make a connection to get to a major airport, your only choices from the west are to leave early in the am and arrive early in the am. The worst is showing up at 7am with almost not sleep and not being able to check in until afternoon.
May 16, 2024, 12:24 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 58,306
Something to consider- ORD-LHR is a quick flight, IMHO. (Not as bad a EWR-LHR though) It'll be 2 hrs into the flight before the cabin lights go out then they'll wake you up 90 mins before landing. That means ~4+ hrs to be left alone to sleep. I'd take the longer flight if I was a west-coaster, personally.
May 16, 2024, 12:49 pm
#18
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May 16, 2024, 1:26 pm
#19
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I usually just deal with the shortened amount of sleep and use it to fall back to the early European time zone, but still prefer a West Coast TATL if an option.
May 17, 2024, 9:04 am
#23
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Also, the amount of sleep one needs is hereditary. I need about one hour less than my hard-working wife. The CO of my Navy ship, who went on to command an aircraft carrier and make Vice Admiral, thought anyone who needed more than four hours was lacking in self-discipline. 
Obviously, knowing how much sleep one needs is an important factor in choosing which UA flight to take.
Obviously, knowing how much sleep one needs is an important factor in choosing which UA flight to take.
May 17, 2024, 10:25 am
#24
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,867
Is taking the late SFO-LHR flight (departing around 7pm) not an option? If it is that would be a slam dunk from a timing/schedule perspective.
May 17, 2024, 2:36 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 4,244
Depends on the person. Whats a slam dunk for one is a bad start on dealing with jet lag for another. 7PM in California is 3 AM in the UK which likely means going to sleep as late as 5 AM UK time.