UA57 EWR-CDG B787-8 30NOV19
Aircraft: N14001
A last minute schedule complication required me to change my originally scheduled flight from IAD-CDG, to a DCA-EWR-CDG routing, as this was a positioning flight to catch another outbound flight from Paris. With the Dulles flight being sufficiently delayed to question my ability to connect, a change was needed. Luck being on my side, I was now moving from the old school 787-8 to the new, Polaris equipped 787-10, and a first look at the Polaris Lounge, since IAD is last on the list to get one of those, as well.
We were delayed in boarding, as the inbound flight from Tel Aviv apparently required extensive cleaning. I appreciate the humor that the gate agent at EWR deployed, in reporting that, seemingly, “every row seemed to have had multiple children who had extensive parties while en route”. As such, we were delayed in boarding, resulting in about a 30 minute delay.
Having made a last minute switch, I was rewarded with the last available seat in Polaris Business, which, today, was 11F. 11F is a middle-aisle, with the seat positioned directly alongside 11D. For couples travelling together, this would be one of the preferred seats. Still, with a divider that can be raised, it does afford the ability to bring some privacy into play when it is time for some sleep, or if you just don’t like them
Immediately prior to departure, the person assigned 11D arrived, having come up from coach. He was approached by the purser, who observed him coming up from coach, and the passenger was politely challenged as to if it were, indeed, his seat. Apparently, there are poachers who will jump classes of service unofficially when they see an opportunity. This was not the case, as he indicated he was back getting his wife and 2 year old situated in coach (!), but that he was going to bring the little one up after takeoff, so she would sleep better. As a parent, I can appreciate this, but as a fellow seatmate, well, it isn’t how I envisioned my Polaris flight going. Fortunately, the purser advised that, since the child was ticketed in coach, she would need to remain in coach. The passenger did not seem happy, but did resign to that fact. After dinner, he spent most of his time shuttling back and forth to coach, and in fact, was in coach when we landed. As an aside, I cannot fathom the ass-kicking I would have personally received, had I booked (or been upgraded) myself, and left everyone else in the back. But I digress.
Meal service begin shortly after take off. I requested a glass of red wine, though was surprised to find that, on a flight to FRANCE, the offerings were from California and Australia. Fortunately for United, the menu leaves them an “out” by suggesting you ask the Flight Attendant to see what catering decided to throw on at the last minute…
I was also kind of tickled to see that, even though I was not on the Star Wars plane, itself (which made an appearance at DCA while I was there, incidentally), the amenity kits were Star Wars themed. A sturdy zippered case, with all of the usual items, some of which were Star Wars themed (Jedi Toothbrush, anyone?)
The appetizer was the Thai-style Lemon Grass Shrimp. Not being a seafood person, I had low expectations, but they were actually “ok”. Not heavily shrimpy, I ate them both, though the mango and papaya were not sweet, and I didn’t care for them. The spinach salad was ordinary, though tasty, and they were a reasonable complement for each other.
The beef short rib was tender, with a rich sauce, and the mustard potatoes were fluffy and lumpy, suggesting they might not be instant. It was a pleasant meal, and I was most pleased to be able to succumb to the sundae cart as it made its way by shortly thereafter.
Arrival at CDG was efficient, and, unlike many European airports that park your aircraft somewhere nearby, and bus you to the terminal, we pulled into a gate with a jetway. There was a little bit of confusion getting to Passport Control, as the directional signage stopped about two turns short. However, continuing on the original path, we eventually got to Passport Control. Seat 11F was 3rd off the plane, so there was no waiting. Baggage Claim started before the time on the monitors, however my “Priority Luggage” must have missed the first baggage cart, because it came at the very end. A lesser issue, had I not had another flight to catch, but it all worked out.