You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
09 Jul 21	UA 58	56B	777-300ER
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Economy	78972	English	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Hello and welcome to this exciting trip that marks my first international trip since Nov. 2019.

Throughout 2020 I only flew domestic trips within the US and you can't imagine how great it feels to finally board an international flight again.

I planned this trip to Toulouse in order to visit a friend and this portion was an award redemption from TK. Unfortunately there was no J inventory so I had to settle for Y. It's not so bad considering that I only paid USD 5 in taxes.

I tried to check in at the Premium counter and was advised that because I was flying internationally I had to go to the Intl terminal to check in.

Once at the Intl terminal I waited at the *A Gold line for a long time. There seemed to be a computer issue and the wait was longer than expected.

Once the agent checked my docs and verified that I was fully vaccinated I was given my boarding pass.

The UA Club at the intl side was still closed so I had to walk all the way to the domestic one.

This particular lounge has been reported several times before so I won't bother with the details. It was very crowded and I was able to find a quiet corner in the back.

The buffet has improved slightly and there are now fresh salads and wraps available.

My lunch selection.

After the lounge I headed to my gate.

Gate.

Boarding.

Received a friendly welcome from the FA at the door and proceeded all the way to the back.

The flight was about half empty and I was able to move to a middle row and convert it into a "lie flat" bed.

New pillows at UA. I think they are similar to the ones that Etihad uses from the reports that I have seen.

Seat pocket contents.

Take off.

I like the nice sink at the WC's.

Time for dinner.

Chicken or pasta. I had chicken which was served in an Alfredo cheesy sauce.

Mango sorbet.

Poor man's J bed.

Mid-flight there was a snack service consisting of a turkey sandwich and M&M's chocolates.

I tried to sleep and can't remember if I actually was able to. Maybe I got 1-2 hrs.

About 1 hr before departure a "breakfast" was served. I was shocked at this second meal before arrival. They used to offer a choice of 2 hot breakfast items before covid.

We parked in a remote gate and had to take the bus to the terminal.

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

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

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

Staff Service: 8/10

Entertainment: /10

Business Center: /10

Food: 8/10

Lounge Design: 9/10

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: 8/10

Main Meal: 8/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 9/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 8/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 2/10

========== Frankfurt Intl (FRA) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 7/10

Access and parking: 8/10

Services and activities: 8/10

General cleanliness: 9/10

Summary:

I was glad to take this flight and see how intl travel has changed since covid. Nowadays you need to arrive earlier tin order to avoid any surprises and be really careful about checking entry requirements as these can change constantly.

The UA Club experience is somehow improved with more fresh food choices but it's really inconvenient to use the domestic lounge when you are taking an intl flight. It's a good 10 min. between these two terminals and not very practical. It would be great if they can open the UA Club at the intl side.

The onboard experience was nice with a friendly crew that seemed to enjoy their work. I was lucky that the rear section of the plane was empty and take a middle row to stretch out. It can't get better than that. The dinner was fine but waking people up for a mid-flight snack seemed inconsiderate. The biggest surprise was the petty breakfast that we got before arrival. A yogurt and cookies won't cut it. It's really disappointing to see how far cost cutting has gone these days.

21 Comments

Emile — Jul 24,2021

Wonderful review Adan. I'm happy to read you again.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 25,2021

Hi Emile,

Thanks for your comment. Always a pleasure.
SERGE13 — Jul 24,2021

OMG the food... Thank you for yours pictures and your report. So interesting.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 25,2021

Salut Serge,

Yes, the food is quite "memorable". :P Thanks for visiting.
Thomas — Jul 24,2021

Great report my friend!
It feels to good to fly abroad!
Yeah the lounge is getting better but still a far cry from where we're coming from.
Good to have all the row for yourself to stretch your legs.
Thanks buddy and see you around.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 25,2021

Hi mon ami,

You can't believe how ecstatic I was to step aboard an intl flight no matter what class I was flying. I was really suffering from withdrawal symptoms. :)

We all know that with UA Clubs there is always room for improvements. This last visit was so much better than just vending machine snacks.

Flying an empty flight is the ultimate luxury these days and it's great to have a row for yourself to stretch. I also know people in F who have gone to an empty row in Y just to sleep believe it or not.

See you soon for another YTR.
Bibopaul — Jul 24,2021

Such a nice review Panda, it's a good thing to fly. You're my Y mate.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 25,2021

Hello Paul,

Flying is part of every avgeek. :) Right on about being a Y mate and let's add some more TR's in the back to balance things out. :P
Casper — Jul 24,2021

Damn, it's so nice to read you again. A good trip Panda.
Gracias Amigo
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 25,2021

Hola amigo,

Con muchisimo gusto! Thanks for visiting and commenting as usual. Es un enorme placer.
Vendredi13 — Jul 25,2021

Woof ! Panda !

A really beautiful flight.
Your report is absolutely complete and captivating. worth reading and "living".

Thanks, Adan, for sharing it with us.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 25,2021

Woof mon ami,

I don't know if the food is to everyone's liking. :P Overall it was a good flight. Any empty flight is a great one these days.

Stay tune for more. ;)

Vendredi13 — Jul 25,2021

Woof !
I hope so my friend :)
AAFlyer — Jul 25,2021

Lucky you to fly abroad! Thanks for sharing.
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 26,2021

Hi AAFlyer,

Yes I really consider myself lucky to be able to travel. There is more coming at the end of the year if everything goes as planned.
Capoune — Jul 25,2021

A very good report Adan, it must be so good to fly to other places. J in Y ;)
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 26,2021

Hi my friend,

I'm happy to board a plane no matter the class. If I'm in the back I try to improvise. You know the saying "when life give you lemons make lemonade". ;) I even brought snacks just in case. :P
Nomascoach — Jul 25,2021

Not that bad flight. Thanks for sharing!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jul 26,2021

Hi Nomascoach,

The empty back made this trip. Glad to share.
samlecorsaire — Jul 28,2021

Hi Adan
It feels so good to lfly long haul!!!!!
seems to me that catering was quite good.
thank you for sharing
bye
Reply