You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
10 Nov 20	UA 646	4A	757-200
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Business Class	88181	English	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Welcome to another series and this time I will be flying to MIA as my final destination. This trip will consist of different segments that are mostly on UA except for the MIA-LAX leg on AA.

This trip was an award redemption from my TK Miles & Smiles account for 12,500 miles in a premium transcontinental flight within the US. It is one of the best deals for free award travel considering that I paid about $5 for taxes only.

TSA check was very quick and painless.

Nice to find a bookstore inside the airport.

On my way to the UA Club.

No more exhibit displays.

Food court rotunda.

The UA Club by F11 entrance.

This club is a reminder of the pre-merger UA.

Reception.

The buffet was suspended so you had to ask for snacks from the staff behind the bar.

Why is UA making pax line up for snacks here while at EWR people can grab them on their own. Besides at AA clubs you can also grab your own snacks.

Snacks behind the bar.

The empty buffet area. I did not stay long and decided to leave to the gate.

The gate was not crowded at all.

My 757 plane at the gate.

Boarding.

There was no FA at the entrance yet. I turned left.

The Y cabin.

The J cabin.

FA took orders for lunch. Chicken mac and cheese OR vegetarian raviolis.

A FA soon positioned herself at the door.

My seat 4A.

FA distributed sanitizing wipes to every pax.

Safety card but no magazine. I got this for you Seb. ;)

Pillow blanket and amenity kit at every seat.

Seat features.

FA distributed water bottles.

Screen.

A bit tight.

This area under the footrest needs attention.

Door closed and there is no neighbor.

Ready to taxi out.

Lots of AA planes at SFO.

Bye SFO.

SFO downtown.

OAK downtown.

Bay Area

Reaching cruising altitude.

Beverage before meal service. I had the "usual". ;)

Chicken mac and cheese.

Running out of silver spoons?

FA's made several passes with the snack baskets before arrival.

Arriving in NY.

========== San Francisco Intl Arpt (SFO) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 10/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

========== United Club ==========

Staff Service: 7/10

Entertainment: /10

Business Center: /10

Food: 6/10

Lounge Design: 10/10

Spa and Bathroom: 9/10

Wifi: 10/10

========== United Airlines - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 10/10

Crew: 10/10

Entertainment: 8/10

On-time performance: 10/10

Appetizer: 0/10

Starter: 7/10

Main Meal: 8/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 9/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 0/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Newark Liberty Intl Arpt (EWR) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

Summary:

UA offers a OK product on its premium transcon flights although it is preferable to fly this route on a widebody instead of the 757.

Service by the crew was attentive and very efficient. When a FA saw my empty glass he poured more from the can without even asking.

Meal was OK. I still find that having 2 choices for this market is very limited compared to AA which offers up to 4 main dishes and a proper appetizer. A salad is not an appetizer.

20 Comments

Casper — Nov 15,2020

Amazing value of your TK miles.
How many you've got left?
Thank you Panda for this review on this aircraft.
Not sure if it will stick around for long.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi Casper,

Apologies for the late reply to everyone. I had issues with my personal laptop and I'm in the process of getting a new one.

Yes it's really a good deal for the miles. I think I have about 36.000+ miles that are due to expire at the end of this year. I might try to redeem them for a trip and it's too bad that TK did not extend them.

I think the writing is on the wall for the 757. Might as well enjoy it while you can.
Thomas — Nov 15,2020

I wish I could spend my MS miles in this fashion..
I former CO/UA Business Lounge, the Polaris was much better but it makes sense not to offer it even if the restaurant inside would have been better.
On board it's still great to see a real Business seat to cross the country.
Thanks my friend for this report.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi Thomas,

Better find a way to spend those hard earned MS miles. ;)

It's too bad that the Polaris lounge is not open. Definitely will qualify for access flying this route but as you said it makes sense to just offer the UA Club instead.

It's always reassuring to fly in a J cabin with lie flat seats on a domestic flight.
AAFlyer — Nov 15,2020

Once again, a delightful report. No bonus this time around ? The lounge is boring at best, no wonder why you did not stick around.
Take care Panda.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi AAFlyer,

EWR was just a connection. ;) I will include the hotel on my next segment EWR-MI
GG_007 — Nov 15,2020

Thanks for sharing this TR

The lounge spread is a disgrace, even more if you have to queue

Gorgeous pictures at take off

On board limited offer for the main and it's not appetizing at all

At least a good crew

See you soon
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi GG,

The UA Club is hardly an enjoyable place these days. I saw it advertised for the special price of $39 for a one day pass.

For a premium transcon product I think there should be at least 3 choices for the main dish. In that sense AA has the edge when it comes to transcon premium product.

An efficient and attentive crew makes a difference.
Emile — Nov 15,2020

Thanks Panda for sharing this report.
What a crap lounge and onboard it does not seem to be great either. Loved the pics after take off and before landing.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi Emile,

A sign of the times I guess. :P Thanks
samlecorsaire — Nov 15,2020

Hello Panda
Thanks for this very complete TR.
The seat seems old to me but I liked the catering.
Great pictures from NYC.
See you
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi Sam,

It's a comfortable seat and the catering is OK. There is room for improvements for sure.

NY is a photogenic place. ;)
Nomascoach — Nov 16,2020

Hi and thanks for this full report.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi Nomascoach,

Thanks for your visit and hope to see you around.
Vendredi13 — Nov 16,2020

Woof ! JetSet' !

The airport terminal looks brilliant. The lack of people allows for beautiful pictures.
I'm more confused with the ornementation of this lounge. Something looks wrong. The Lack of food, perhaps.
On board, the service is interesting. You make my mouth water with your remarkable aperitive. I should try it !
I am less convinced by your packed swimming burger.. The FA's efficiency, with these multiple passes is a real plus.
Beautiful view on the Bay area.

A great thanks, Panda for this outstanding ytr. See you soon !
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Oauf mon cher,

It's always great to be in an empty terminal. That's actually a contradiction. :P I might as well enjoy it while I can.

You are right about the feeling of the lounge. It seems soulless. It's too bad that all they can offer are vending machine snacks and on top of that have guests request them from the staff.

Definitely try the combination of cranberry with orange juice. Some people like it with a splash of vodka. I think the cocktail is called "The Madras". ;) Cheers!

The meal tasted good but I don't think it is "premium" enough. :P

Good thing that the crew made a difference.
Capoune — Nov 16,2020

Hello Adan!

Not as good as AA, but for a US "domestic" flight it's not so bad!
The lounge... But onboard despite being a old 757 you have a real J cabin with a very nice seat, the same as KL on their world business class!
Thank you for the safety card Panda, lol!
Really nice pics as always and amazing view of NYC.

Thank you for sharing Adan.

Take care.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 22,2020

Hi Seb,

Wait until you see the AA report coming up. ;)

You are very welcome. When I stepped inside that 757 knowing that it will not be flying for too long and saw that safety car I thought that you might like it.

NY skyline is amazing day or night.
AntoinePil — Nov 23,2020

Very nice YTR ! and pics at night are just great!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Nov 24,2020

Thanks Antoine. Good thing I had the right camera. ;)