United introducedPolaris on December 1, 2016, which is the name for their new first & business classexperience. This includesnew airportlounges,improved food & beverages,better bedding, and alsonew seats.
Continue reading: United To Fly 777-300ERs Between San Francisco & Tel Aviv
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
No love for UA's IAD or IAH hubs. Aren't there some high-yielding flights out of there that deserve the new Polaris?
One correction: UA currently runs a 787-8 on SFO-TLV, not a -9, so the change is even more significant! Between this and El Al starting nonstops there will be a lot more capacity on this route!
Pity ICN doesn't get any love, be it from EWR (OZ went back to 1 daily to JFK) or SFO (KE is double daily 77W I believe)
Well I have to say, it looks nice, even more so considering this is just a US airline.
@Lucky:
Given your recent (amazing) experience on El Al despite its shoddy reputation, it’s be great to see a head-to-head comparison of the SFO-TLV flights by El Al and UA. I think we can all generally agree UA is just plain awful, but since it looks like they’re trying to keep up with the Joneses (El Al) maybe they’ll up their game a bit considering El Al has markedly improved. You always do incredibly thorough trip reports so I’d love to read your thoughts on the soft product since it looks like their hard product is nearly identical.
It may have been a one-off but there was a 777-300ER flying IAH-LHR a few evenings ago, as UA880.
That’s also an awfully long journey in United’s ultra cramped and uncomfortable 3-4-3 economy seats, with a torturous 3 inches of recline (compare to standard 5-6 inches).
We should be aware the the majority of the passengers on this route are suffering in inhumane conditions.
United has been operating the IAH-LHR UA880 flight and vice verse on Sundays, according the Flightradar24.
I fly this route 3-4 times a year, all with points through ultimate rewards, on economy saver rate 85K miles round trip, and I don’t like this change at all. The 787-8 has a much nicer economy cabin and seats compared to the 777-300ER.
I always upgrade to economy plus on the 787 and that makes it a very easy flight. I’m a little uncomfortable now when I see this will be changing.
@Lucky:
How do they operate the flight daily with only one 77-300ER if its like a 16 hour flight, does that mean they use 2 777's for this route?
Also where did you credit your miles on your elal flights?
United.com shows one of the SFO-LHR frequencies to be a 777-300ER during the summer, I haven't found the boundaries of the dates, but mid July it's Daily. Flight 901 on the outbound and 949 on the return. It's clearly a shared plane with another route because 901 takes off from SFO before 949 lands.
Think of the flight attendant roulette you'll play flying this route. Will you have a wonderful, caring FA who will happily and with a smile bring you that extra orange juice or mid-flight snack.... Or will you get the lazy, "leave me alone" do-nothing who hides in the galley?
And think of the lavs after 16 hours with no crew monitoring or cleanup?
No thanks. I'd rather connect with a non-US based carrier than take a UA long haul nonstop.
@Lucky:
I've been looking at routings for a New York - Istanbul trip I'm planning for March or May, and I also see the 77W with Polaris seat map on the EWR-FRA route daily as UA960 beginning May 15. No official announcement, but it's loaded into the timetable for all flights May 15 and onwards.
Part of the reason for capacity increase may be the competition from Turkish Airlines. I have taken the SFO-IST and LAX-IST several times and talked to several passangers connecting to TLV.
WHY SFO? What the hell...LAX needs some love!
Also if this isnt rolled out by August ill fly to Newark just to use El Al's new business class to TLV!
I fly the London Heathrow to Tel Aviv route ELAL 2 round trips a month 4 flights- usually 787-900.
I fly only Business Class .The actual seat is uncomfortable -difficult to get in and out.This is 4-5 hours think 16!
What was not mentioned is that United is increasing the fare in Business class on the SFO-TLV route by more than 40%. The new fare is standing at over $9,000 RT. Check a few dates in October and see what you get...
I am about to book tickets for the United SFO-TLV round trip for fall 2018. The tickets says that the aircraft is Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and the seat selection map is also for this aircraft. Is this a mistake, give that your article says this flight has started using the 777-300ER starting from May 23? What's a good way to find out? I want to make sure to select seats for the right aircraft.
I think it depends on the dates you chose. For example: mid September to beginning of October the nonstop flights seem to be the 777-300ER. At least for the dates I checked. Later it changes back to the Dreamliner. However, the airlines can always change the aircraft without alerting you (sad but true)
I'll be flying the 777-300 in business from TLV to SFO and back in late July. Is there anything specific you'd like to know?
Ephi - how do you rate UA 777-300 on the TLV-SFO route? I am thinking about flying them next month, but usually, avoid USA based airlines as there service/product isn't normally good?
I like it a lot in the Business/Polaris section. I like the configuration; the service was good and responsive, nice flight. By the way, the new Polaris lounge in San Francisco: a great upgrade!