When we last left off, I had enjoyed my retro Continental experience for my trip to Chicago where I spoke at United’s commercial leadership team event. When it came time to go home, however, I got the experience I was hoping to try. I flew in Unitedʻs old pre-Polaris business class seats on the domestic 777.
[Disclosure: United provided flights, hotel, and ground transportation for this event]
I was staying at the JW Marriott in the loop. The night before I had to leave, I went to the front desk asking how bad they thought traffic would be the next morning. With a flight at 8:46am, the lady at the desk said I should leave no later than 6am. No way. That was entirely too early, even knowing that traffic on the Kennedy Expressway is always bad. Instead, I left at about 6:45am.
Traffic was terrible as usual, but I guess it wasn’t THAT terrible, because we made it in just under an hour. Itʻs not great, but it could have been worse… as I remember from having to do that drive every single weekday back when I worked for United in Elk Grove twenty years ago.
The line at security was long, and the sign said it would be a 10 minute wait for TSA Precheck. But it moved faster than that, and once on the other side, I paused just for a second to take in the iconic B concourse roof.
Memories came flooding back as I walked by and had to resist the urge to snag some Garrett popcorn for the flight home.
My flight was in the C gates, so I descended the escalators into the tunnel with that oh-so-familiar light show.
There was no twisted version of Rhapsody in Blue playing — how long has that been gone? — but the lights were working overtime as always.
The gate was not far, so I just went over there and found a seat. The gate area has been set up with a variety of different types of seating options now: little couch-type things, some high chairs for working, etc. It was easy to find a place to sit despite the huge capacity of the aircraft.
Boarding came early, because this was one of United’s domestic 777s with 364 seats. Unlike when I flew the airplane in deep coach to Honolulu in September, this time I was 45 rows further up in the First Class section.
It is on the domestic 777s that United has installed the last of its old pre-Polaris long-haul business class seats. This is the 8-abreast, alternating forward- and rear-facing configuration that was created when I worked at United 20 years ago. I was excited about this because, strangely enough, I had never actually flown in this seat.
United 1584
November 13, 2024
From Chicago/O’Hare
➤ Scheduled Departure: 846a
➤ Actual Departure: 847a
➤ From Gate: C20
➤ Wheels Up: 906a
➤ From Runway: 9C
To Los Angeles
➤ Wheels Down: 1051a
➤ On Runway: 25L
➤ Scheduled Arrival: 1120a
➤ Actual Arrival: 1105a
➤ At Gate: 77
Aircraft
➤ Type: Boeing 777-222
➤ Delivered: January 22, 1996
➤ Registered: N775UA, msn 26947
➤ Livery: 2019 Blue Globe Colors
Flight
➤ Cabin: First Class in Seat 3A
➤ Load: ~80% Full (First was full)
➤ Flight Time: 3h45m
They boarded us from two jet bridges, so I entered from the front one and turned right. I had specifically chosen to sit in an odd-numbered row, so I could face backwards, because, well, itʻs just different. I’ve only flown backwards a handful of times. Of course, I remember the old days in Southwestʻs lounge seating. Or there is the rear-facing row in the ATRs. The most comparable experience, however, came after flying a handful of times on British Airways in the old Club World seat.
The eight-abreast configuration is pretty jarring to see upon boarding. There are just so many seats in such a small area, and the idea that a quarter of the seats are in the middle is… pretty insane. This is a terrible product for long-haul business class, but for domestic? It’s probably the best dedicated domestic product outside of Americanʻs A321T transcon airplanes. I found seat 3A and took a look around.
I had my own headphones, but this still has the two-prong connector so I used the headphones they provided. There were no pillows or blankets. I sat down with my laptop case, only later realizing there was no storage and I had to put it up in the bin, but I forgot to put my headphones up. This would come back to haunt me.
The screen is good-sized, and itʻs a touchscreen, but it’s so far away you really can’t touch it. Considering how old the product is, it was actually in pretty good condition, certainly feeling less worn that my Air France flights this summer.
We pushed back a minute late and then taxied out to the runway. After a short takeoff roll we were climbing to the east. It was a cloudy day, but the clouds were high so I had a nice view of the airport as we circled around back to head west. You know what, I’m going to include a video I took, because it’s not every day you get to look backwards on O’Hare while climbing away.
The flight attendants told us they had to stay in their seats on the climb out, but they would get to service as soon as they could. They did get up once we were above the clouds, but the seatbelt sign stayed on for awhile for the rest of us.
They first came around with a hot towel, and that was followed by the breakfast tray. I had pre-ordered a banana bread pudding which was really, really good. But it was also really sweet, so I couldn’t finish it without going into sugar shock.
The seatbelt sign came off, and the flight attendants announced that if anyone needed to get up, they should do it now, because the pilots told them weʻd be running into turbulence in half an hour that would require everyone to sit back down. We didnʻt even get the full 30 minutes. Shortly after, the bumps picked up and the sign went on. In the meantime, I just couldn’t stop staring out the window at the clouds below.
I kept trying to watch movies, but nothing was really grabbing me for more than a few minutes. I decided to log on to wifi with my phone since that was free, thanks to T-Mobile. But also, remember my computer was still up in the overhead bin, and I couldn’t get up to get it even if I wanted it. I’m glad I didn’t pay, because the Panasonic wifi was downright awful on this flight. If it seemed to not be very fast on the way out, this was absolutely crawling. I could barely get a text message out.
How bad was it? Well, the upload speed wasn’t bad…
Scrolling through the entertainment system, I found a relic of the old days… Channel 9. Sadly, the pilots had not turned it on, but I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.
As we approached the Rockies, the snow blanketed the edge of the plains. Winter is coming.
The bumps were supposed to pick up right around the Rockies, but that’s actually when it smoothed out. That was weird. But once it did, they flipped the sign off and we were good for the rest of the flight. I have to applaud the pilots for their seatbelt-sign game. It was on point.
Once things smoothed out, I tried the recline. It is a pretty short bed, and there’s a noticeable bend where the seat back and seat pan come together.
It’s also quite narrow, even with the armrest raised to give a little more room. This was unsurprising since there are 8 seats in each row.
Even within my little coffin, I could clearly see my neighbor.
Again, for a domestic flight, it’s great. But this was United’s flagship product for far too long.
I came back up into the relaxing position and ordered a Sleigh Bell Spritz, which is a seasonal cocktail combining a cranberry spice Sprite and vodka.
It’s supposed to come with actual cranberries, but they must not have boarded them, because I just had a lime on mine. It wasn’t bad, but I think the broader point of trying to help people get into the holiday spirit if they want is always good. It helps create a positive association for those who want it.
The flight attendants were friendly and attentive throughout the flight, at least, when they were able to stand up. But unlike on the previous flight, nobody came through to thank us individually for flying United.
It was a really nice day in LA, but I was struck by the view as we came in over the San Bernardino Mountains. Behind me was the expanse of the Coachella Valley with a clear view of the Salton Sea. It’s just not a view you often see since you’re usually facing forward.
We landed early, but we had to wait just a few minutes for our gate to free up. They had just pulled the jet bridge back when we arrived, so it wasn’t a long sit. And once the 787 was pushed, I got a nice little view of him.
We still blocked in 15 minutes early. As I got up to walk off the airplane, I completely forgot that my headphones were still sitting there tucked into a cubby on my side. I hadn’t used them the entire flight, and so, I left them. Damnit. Once I figured it out, I filed a lost item report but they haven’t been found. I guess I should be happy that this happened right before Black Friday, so I could get a decent deal on some new ones.
Remarkably, my wife had to fly out that afternoon for work. She was also booked on United, and she was scheduled to go two hours after I landed. So, she just drove her car up to the departures level, handed me the keys, gave me a kiss, and then she walked in while I headed home. I’ve never had something like that work out, but in the end, it made both our days much easier.
As for United, I enjoyed my retro ride. Now I just need to find a reason to get on the A321neo, because that sounds like the best product to actually judge the airline on.
43 comments on “A Retro United Ride Back Home From Chicago (Trip Report)”
A bit of an offtopic, but apparently AC is launching a new route very soon and is announcing it on Thursday. Supposedly it’s MNL given a picture that’s floating around has the Rizal Monument (a Manila landmark), but it’s not been confirmed yet. I know it’s offtopic to this post, but it might be worth keeping in mind if it turns out to be true, for the usual weekly roundup (which by the way I missed seeing last week due to the Thanksgiving break!)
Cool video !
“Now I just need to find a reason to get on the A321neo, because that sounds like the best product to actually judge the airline on.” : isn’t that a good enough reason for an avgeek ?
Fair enough, Chris! Problem is that it doesn’t do much in the west.
Mostly goes to Chicago with a little Denver from here. What I really need is just a quick hop to SFO.
I guess if you’re really desperate you could try flying the A321neo to Chicago and connecting there on your next trip to Indianapolis, but I assume that wouldn’t be the most direct option and may not be worth the hassle just to check that box.
It’s definitely frustrating as an avgeek when you really want to try something new but can’t quite make the other sacrifices/inconveniences worth the novelty factor of trying a new plane/plane configuation/airline. I’m definitely in that boat for a few airlines and plane models.
The bulkhead rows on Delta’s Convair 440s were rear-facing seats. (Yeah, I’m old. But my dad worked for Delta so I was riding them while I was a kid.)
CF,
A dumb question but I have a real bad back. If I sat in a rear-facing seat would it kill my back during takeoff and landing? From your pictures it looked very uncomfortable.
I don’t know, obviously, but it doesn’t seem like it should be much physically different from a front-facing seat. Either way, one of takeoff/landing will push you back into the seat and the other will pull you forward. Landing deceleration is more rapid than takeoff acceleration, so a rear-facing seat will pull you out of the seat more gently on takeoff, and push you back more firmly on landing, compared to front-facing.
Having flown backward several times in that seat, it’s only awkward for 30 seconds or so during the initial rotation and climb, after that it’s hardly noticeable.
I for one actually prefer the rear facing seat for sleeping, as your head is slightly higher than the rest of the body due to the seat and slight nose up aptitude of the plane.
Angry Bob – Not uncomfortable at all. As was mentioned by another, it is a different sensation on takeoff but it’s not particularly uncomfortable.
And it is a nicer experience in the flat bed with the head slightly elevated. I’m a fan of flying backwards in general.
Don’t hold your breath on the A321-Neos. The first class compartment is cramped and uncomfortable unless you are in Row 1.
Flown them in and out of Orlando several times.
Not a pleasant p[lane to fly but that’s the way of the world today.
Davey – Some have said that, but United tells me that airplane has the highest satisfaction scores around, at least in the narrowbody fleet. So some people really do like it.
Cranky — I suspect the satisfaction comes from the fact they are brand new airplanes and, candidly, everything works. I’ll also admit that the seat pitch probably is the same on an A321-Neo as on other newer United jets, which is sadly disappointing.
If you travel enough, they’re just another airplane. Nonetheless, hope you get one before too long and would look forward to your Trip Report on it.
Flying back from Rome in 2022, I was on a domestic United 777 for my EWR-SFO leg that I am fairly sure was a 200 and it had the new Polaris seats. I do recall, however, that the seat was older and had a few less bells and whistles compared to the seat on the 773 or 787 I flew on. I guess they retrofitted a few of their 772s?
While not ideal, I agree that a flat bed in front is likely better than the standard F seat. I wonder how long these will be kept around?
Hov – You then flew on an international 777-200ER and there are a lot of those out there, a little more than 50 I believe. That has the standard Polaris cabin onboard, and it should be the same as the other aircraft.
Maybe it was just coincidence, but I am surprised you got two flights with UA’s (CO’s) legacy seats.
Eric – The first one was a coincidence since it was an aircraft swap, but the second one was planned since I knew that was a domestic 777 the whole time.
I hear you on the sweet food. I know airlines think serving yogurt is ‘healthy’, but many times it is loaded with sugar. Even Chobanni. According to Chobanni website, there is 14- 16 grams of total sugar in one cup of their Vanilla yogurt.
I wish airlines would have a ‘low sugar’ option on food.
Diabetic Meal would probably be the low sugar option, at least on long haul international flights that still offer special meals for preorder.
I remember these seats fondly. I flew in them several times on United in the late 2000s. The were a definite upgrade over the previous lazy-boy business class seats. With this many seats, it was easier to use a Global Upgrade certificate as a 1K. Though the seats are dated now and wouldn’t be acceptable for Polaris in today’s world, it would be sweet if they moved these back and made them the Premium Economy seats so you could actually lie flat.
Came here to say essentially the same thing:
> This is a terrible product for long-haul business class
When you consider when the product was launched and what it replaced, it actually was a very exciting new product. I remember going to some launch event somewhere at SFO before they ever installed it. And as a 1K, the significantly improved upgrade chances (using SWUs) for me made it worth having to deal with the claustrophobia and potentially having to climb over a travel companion. Back in those days I mostly traveled with my wife on those longhauls, so we managed …
I’d love to see something like this as a Premium Economy product :)
I remember those Southwest backwards facing seats. (There are also the AA rearward-facing J seats on the 78s, but those may be gone.) The coffins/dormitory seats weren’t United’s flagship product, the flagship product was the six or eight first class seats up front with a -50% margin.
Not sure about the 787s, but American still has some 777-200ERs with rear-facing J. Flew on one earlier this year Madrid to Charlotte when the app offered me a $500-ish upgrade that was too good to pass up. I wasn’t sure what to think about flying backwards but, like Cranky mentioned elsewhere, other than a few seconds on takeoff it really doesn’t seem that different.
Love the departure video, thanks for sharing it. You might actually see your headphones again…I lost my iPad one time at EWR and filed the report, thought it was gone for good. Three months Iater I get a call from United in a Houston office…iPad found and returned to me!
You will probably be contacted by the BRC office in Houston. These are dogged, persistent people. if they can’t find your headphones they will send you a flight credit for the original price (at least that is what they do on missing or stolen luggage}
Narita – I doubt it. They have been good at regularly sending updates saying they haven’t found it yet, but ultimately this is completely and totally on me. It’s different than a mishandled bag situation.
A few thoughts:
1) I loved the Downtown JW in Chicago when I stayed there; beautiful rooms, fantastic old building, and close to the Sears (sorry – “Willis”) Tower. I hope it’s still nice.
2) Can’t believe you got to ORD in less than an hour at that time of day! The gods were with you.
3) I still love that UA terminal. I worked for AA when it was being built, and we were putting Terminal 3 through a years-long renovation when UA building it. I recall thinking that UA built their “Terminal of Tomorrow” faster than AA took to renovate their “Terminal of Yesterday”.
4) Cranky – how could you resist Garrett’s? I still try to connect in ORD – despite the weather – just to score some.
5) I disagree with JB14. As a tall, broad-shouldered guy, those UA coffins were the worst. When I flew IAD-NRT, I recall that every part of my body was touching a wall when trying to sleep. I finally slept on my NRT-BKK flight in the Barca-Lounger. At least it was wider!
6] Great vid of ORD. Thanks for that, as well as these trip reports ?
Wildcat – 1) Yep, it’s still really nice, and I had a good stay 4) I don’t know. I’ve never been successful before, but somehow I was able to do it this time. Probably because it was early in the morning.
@Wildcat, I’m a side sleeper, so I was able to get away with it!
Any particular reason you didn’t take the “L” between ORD and downtown? Blue line straight to Monroe Station? and short walk to the hotel. Easy peasy, even in the cold.
Yep, United provided me with ground transport, so I just did that.
I’ve clocked it and the blue line is usually faster than Uber… even with walking to the station. And so easy to use with Apple Pay now.
Totally agree – it has been a revelation taking the plunge to use the L when visiting Chicago through ORD, and saved me hundreds of dollars (and hours of time).
The blue line could be more pleasant & competitive if the CTA could eliminate slow zones. The blue line has gotten even worse this year. It’s really not acceptable and a shame. This is the latest slow zone map: https://www.transitchicago.com/assets/1/6/Slow_Zone_Map_-_November_2024.pdf
I flew backwards only once – British United BAC 1-11 from EDI to LHR many years ago. The entire aircraft was backward facing seats. The story at the time was that the aircraft could be used for military charters and the army felt that their men were better going backwards when the aircraft had a crash landing. Don’t know how true that was.
USAF used to have backward facing seats on their KC-135’s. Reason was safety for passengers. SAC flew them all over North America in between their 26 bases.
I flew on RAF VC-10’s and L1011’s and all their (passenger) seats were rear-facing – got told exactly the same reason for it, too.
Glad the swap with your wife worked out so well. I tried that about a decade ago on ASA out of SJC. I have a great shot of my wife’s delayed arrival aircraft sitting on the taxiway while we pushed back. (It wasn’t supposed to work out like that). Thankfully her gate was next to mine, and the gate agent was kind enough to take the car keys and then welcome her to SJC with them.
Also channel 9 is far and away the best in-flight entertaiment option ever!
Rhapsody in Blue still plays sometimes. It was on in October, the last time I was in the tunnel.
Back in the day. I flew many times on southwests rear facing front bulkhead seats always had plenty of legroom for my6’5” frame my feet between the front facing row feet. Once you get through the awkwardness of facing row 2 it’s ok.
Worst fight was from LAX to Nashville it was a long uncomfortable flight.
Hey Cranky,
Channel 9 still lives.
I have found it not only on United’s 777’s like you did, but it is even on their newer 787’s and 737 Max’s. It is now called “From the Flight Deck” and is under their audio entertainment section.
I usually have to ask nicely (and have sometimes had to grovel) to the captain to see if they will switch it on. For an av geek…. it is the best!!
Next time you are in Chicago, you need to let all of us know. Maybe a small (or not so small) cranky “meet and greet”?
Keith – Would be fun to do a meet-up, if I have the time on a future trip.
You can still sit backwards on a Boutique Air PC-12 on one of their two remaining EAS routes MSS-BOS in the Northeast or PDX-PDT in the Pacific Northwest. Sad to see how much this promising upstart airline is barely holding it together. When I was working there back in 2018-2020 we had 20 EAS routes and nearly 30 aircraft. Now I believe its
now down to maybe 10 PC-12’s?
First of all, I may date myself as among the oldest here, but I remember as youngster flying LGA to MYR on Piedmont! There were 1-2 Stops and a change of plane! Baut at the front of the plane there were rear facing seats and a table between that down and next row. Great for cards- this was decades before laptops, for sure.
I’ve flown many segments on this 777-200 with 2-4-2, especially EWR-HNL connecting in LAX or SFO when the nonstop isn’t running. While it’s better than the back of the bus, I really don’t like it due to no storage space and lack of privacy- you’re staring into space of someone across the aisle For 6 hours. I asked a seasoned FA and she said pax and crew don’t like it either but no upgrades planned until they get retired as they are better for “leisure markets” with real Polaris for business. My travel is all business but so be it. The nonstop on the 767-400 with 1-2-1 is back for the seasons and that’s my favorite on UA so gar