Trip to New Mexico part 2!

Our sampling trip is still going well!  We’ve just finished day 5 and already have over 100 lbs of rocks!  This is great.  We had to go back to Las Cruces and El Paso for some sampling and to get the drill, which just got delivered by DHL. We had some extra time yesterday, so we took the opportunity to indulge in an evening hot spring soak. (Check out magnetictothecore on Instagram for more!) 

But you’re reading for the travel side of it, aren’t you?  After our 7-hour flight and clearing customs, we had about 2 hours remaining before the next flight, UA 687 EWR-IAH.  When we were booking our flights, I specifically picked this flight, not just for the layover timing, but also because the flight is operated by a 777-200.  When I saw the seat map change from the older 2-2-2 configuration to the new Polaris 1-2-1 configuration (and that I was number 26/41 on the upgrade list), I bought an upgrade (which now also counts for PQP!)  I wanted to sleep on this flight because we still had another flight to go after this one and then a drive to the hotel.  But first, we went to the lounge to pass the time!

Since Annique and I were flying internationally, we got access to the United Club at Newark.  Our flight left from gate 75, which was right beside the C74 United Club.  I’ve been there before; it’s a hexagon shape and has the standard hummus snacks and soup one often finds in US lounges.  I like the hexagon shape of the lounge, but the middle isn’t used, so the space feels a bit inefficient to me (and there aren’t a lot of bathrooms for its size).  I did enjoy a mimosa with Annique though.  The snacks in the lounge weren’t really enough for us to have lunch, but it was a nice, big snack.  Luckily since my flight is over three hours, a full meal will be provided on the plane.

Boarding began promptly, and the announcements were largely automated.  They started the standard way with pre-boarding, and there were probably two dozen GS and 1K members pre-boarding.  Both gold (and platinum) status and first class give group 1 boarding, so the group 1 line was pretty long. 

Upon boarding, I turned left to go to my seat, 1L and was promptly offered a pre-flight drink.  I took a gin & tonic.  The Polaris seat is great for international long-haul trips, so compared to other options for domestic first class, this is by far the best hard product United has on offer.  I took advantage of the in-flight entertainment screen and watched a couple episodes of ‘Young Sheldon’.

It’s also a way better hard product than any intra-European business class product.  I’ve long been having discussions with Krister on US first class vs European business class.  I got a total of 3 windows to myself!  And had great views both on the ground and in the air.

Promptly after take-off, they distributed hot towels and then provided the first course of warm nuts. 

Next came the entrée.  Since I don’t eat beef, I went for the buffalo chicken option.  It was pretty good.  The buffalo chicken dish overall was good; the buffalo seasoning with the vegetables was different, but not bad.  The side salad was also pretty good.  I’m not the biggest fan of carrot cake or wheat bread sticks, but no complaints on these either.  With the meal service, they also offered wine, which was also good, but most white wines I’ve had on planes have tasted a bit bland, but that’s more the altitude’s fault than the wine’s fault. 

After the meal service, I converted the seat to lie-flat and then slept for the next 2 hours, waking up about a half hour before landing. The flight took place during the British evening, so I was still a bit tired. I’d asked for a pillow for the flight, but I was (extremely politely) told that on domestic, non-transcontinental services they don’t actually stock them, so she instead offered me a blanket, which I used as a pillow, which was fine. The service before and during the meal was very efficient, and the flight attendants were friendly. All around, no complaints.

One thing that was cool when we landed was that they had 2 doors open, one for the front half of first class, where I was, and one in the middle of the plane where boarding usually happens from. That was my first time seeing that on a domestic 777!

For this 4-hour domestic flight, I got lounge access (from the gold status) (3/5) and got a decent meal (3/5).  No complaints about the efficient and friendly service (4/5), and having a Polaris seat, even in the middle of the day, was excellent (5/5).  The flight had the same great selection for in-flight entertainment as our flight from Manchester in economy, but the repeated ads were still obnoxious, especially in first class (3/5).  Overall, I give it a 18/25.