In February, I traveled to London on United Airlines to attend a funeral. My outbound journeying was via Chicago O'Hare and entering journey via Washington Dulles. Both flights were on a 787-8, though I had the old configuration on the outbound flight to London Heathrow and new configuration on the inbound flight to Washington Dulles. Rather than write two separate reports, I volition consolidate both United Airlines flights into this single 787-8 business class review.

In This Post:

United Airlines 787-8 Polaris Review

Outbound: UA931 – United Airlines 787-8 Polaris Concern Class Chicago to London (One-time Configuration)

My trip was on Sunday, February 7th. After arriving from Los Angeles, I crossed the very crowded neon-lit underground walkway to my gate to London.

The gate area was practically empty at boarding time, with less than 10 passengers waiting to board. Up until deviation, I was the only rider in concern class. At the last infinitesimal, 1 other rider upgraded or purchased a ticket.

That meant ii passengers in business class and 12 in economic system class…on a 787-eight aircraft with 36 seats in business concern class and 183 seats in economy form.

United is in the process of retrofitting its 787-eight fleet, but work is not complete. This flight featured United's erstwhile Rockwell Collins (B/E) Diamond business organisation class seat, configured in a 2-two-2 configuration. The business grade cabin was divided in half, with iii rows (xviii seats) in the front cabin and three rows in the rear. A galley and lavatories dissever the two cabins.

I chose seat 3L, the window seat in row iii. The other passenger chose seat 1A. I could take moved to the rear cabin and had totally to myself, just there was actually no need…I could not even see the other passegner.

The crew was London-based and most had British or European accents. Gun, the purser, welcomed me onboard and took wonderful care of me during the flight. She deserves a postal service of her own, and so stay tuned for that. The entire crew was lovely and circumspect (though that was to be expected in a 36-seat motel with only ii passengers).

As nosotros took off from Chicago, I explored the in-flight-entertainment options. Along with dissonance-cancelling headphones there was a selection of movies and Idiot box shows. My objective, nevertheless, was to eat and so sleep, so I did non partake in any viewing.

Amenity kits were present at each seat, but I did not carp to open mine and left it behind…I've got more enough at dwelling. Contents include Sunday Riley lip lotion and skin cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen, ear plugs, socks, and eyeshade.

Dinner choices were salmon, beef, or pasta. No menus were distributed. I chose salmon and it turned out to the same dish I had from San Francisco to Sydney in late 2019, served with Thai coconut risotto. Packaged bread, mixed nuts, and a salad were likewise served, with mango ice cream for dessert.

Subsequently dinner, I changed into my pajamas (I commonly won't practice that for a short transatlantic flight, but since I knew there would be no expect for the lavatory prior to landing, decided to change) and then went to slumber.

United offers Saks Fifth Artery bedding including a plush pillow, cooling gel pillow, and soft duvet. Slippers were proactively offered and a mattress pad is available upon request. For this flight, I grabbed an extra pillow from the seat next to me and really made myself a cocoon.

Highlight of the flight: I slept until 36 minutes prior to landing. Gun and then gently nudged me awake and served breakfast. Talk about personalized service! I've been on far besides many flights where the pre-arrival service begins ninety minutes prior to landing, which may be necessary when the motel is full, but robs yous off a lot of sleep on a brusque seven.v-hour flight.

Breakfast choices were an egg and leek quiche in a tortilla cup with mushrooms and sausage or French Toast. I had both! Coffee was stiff and served in a nifty to-become cup. I skipped the fruit cup, yogurt, and croissant. United, please bring back fresh fruit! Still, information technology was a squeamish breakfast.

We landed in London earlier the sun rose and I was before long on my way downward to Winchester for my funeral.

Note: the arrivals lounge was closed.

Entering: UA919 – United Airlines 787-viii Polaris Business organization Class London to Washington (New Configuration)

The post-obit twenty-four hour period, I headed back home…yes, it was a very curt trip, simply I was honored to exist part of the funeral for a very special man. My original plan was to fly via Newark onboard the 777-300ER and so connect to LAX on the 787-x, only I opted to sleep in instead, take breakfast with my family, and then take the later on flying to Washington Dulles, fifty-fifty though it meant a 737 from Dulles to Los Angeles without lie-flat beds.

It was snowing outside! First time I've always seen snowfall in London…

I took the Tube to the airport, which was a painless ride and I had the carriage to myself for most of the journeying.

I did not leave much fourth dimension, which turned out to be a good thing. Arriving at T2 I presented my negative COVID-nineteen test at the bank check-in counter, obtained my boarding pass, and passed thru security with bolding set up to commence only minutes afterwards.

Although its website indicated the Lufthansa Lounge was open, information technology was actually closed. The just lounge in the final that was open up was the Plaza Premium Lounge, which I accept reviewed in the past.

Today, I had no fourth dimension and proceeded directly to my gate, where boarding had non but commenced, but was consummate. The door shut behind me as I walked onboard.

This flight featured United's new business organisation class onboard the 787-8, with 28 seats in Polaris business class (seven rows in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration) also every bit a 21 Premium Plus (premium economy) seats and 194 seats in economic system grade. Yeah, United has squeezed a lot more seats in its retrofitted 787-8s at the expense of business grade and EconomyPlus (actress legroom economy).

I find the new Polaris seats much more than comfy (and obviously more than individual) than the older seats. I settled into my seat, took my shoes off, put my slippers on, and sat back.

Prior to takeoff, the shipping was de-iced, which took over 40 minutes. Information technology seems they are not used to this at LHR!

During that time, I browsed the IFE library which included an updated interface compared to my outbound journeying and a more responsive system. The film and TV pick was the same.

Again, the flying featured a London-based crew, though these were all Americans (based upon accent). Non that it mattered…they provided excellent service as well.

I was up late and up early on to go my work done prior to the flight, then again the goal was to maximize slumber on this flight.

Later on takeoff, dejeuner was served. I ordered beef, which is usually very good out of London (and very bad out of other European stations). The repast arrived covered on ane tray with mixed nuts, a salad, packaged bread roll, and the main form, with carrots, potatoes, and parsnips.

The cabin went out most half full. I was yet hungry and asked if I could take a pasta besides and was cheerfully obliged. It was cheese ravioli with tomato sauce and asparagus.

The vanilla ice cream for dessert was very good and frankly far better than the onetime ice cream sundae service (ameliorate quality water ice cream).

Inflight wi-fi was bachelor, though I did not demand to connect. A flight pass without data cap cost $31.99.

After using the lavatory, I slept for the next several hours.

Prior to landing, a light repast was served, with a choice betwixt hamburger Wellington or vegetables with couscous and pesto sauce. I had not seen the vegetables on the menu before and ordered that. It was succulent! A perfect, simple, light, heathly dish.

I left the muffin, but ate the assistant. This new dish is a winner.

I noticed that United has installed permanent hand-sanitizer stations in its motel. Expect these onboard all flights eventually.

We landed in Washington Dulles on time and some other United trip across the swimming and back was in the purse.

Conclusion

Although the meals are not nicely presented, this was a actually dainty trip on United. The crews were fabled, the food tasty, and I slept like a baby on both flights. It's a neat time to wing internationally. The 787-8 in either configuration is recommended, though if traveling solo you'll appreciate the retrofitted cabin much more.