Going home after a superb trip is never fun, but it’s definitely more fun in business class. Although United’s “fake Polaris” has been well reviewed, it never hurts to add one more! I want to acknowledge the superb United customer service that went into being on this flight. Originally, we were on Lufthansa via Munich for this trip, until Lufthansa cancelled our saver award ticket for no reason – and no notification. United created saver award space for us and rebooked us on Polaris on a direct flight, which was awesome of them and greatly appreciated. Thanks to the great work, you get to read another United Polaris business Barcelona to Washington review.
As a reminder, for internal “house” reviews, we score on the same 1-3 scale we use elsewhere. A 3 indicates that a given category exceeded reviewer expectations, a 2 indicates it met expectations, and a 1 failed to meet expectations. We evaluate the categories we believe are most relevant to the flight, hotel, or lounge experience.
For this trip, we were flying on an older 767-400, with a 2-1-2 configuration. The window seats lack direct aisle access. Our plane was definitely showing its age – the question is, of course, how did the soft product measure up?
Details
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Flight Number: UA 141
Flight Date: 9/15/19
To/From: BCN to IAD
Carrier: United
Class of Service: Business
Duration: 9:05
Aircraft: 767-400
Price: 60,000 United Miles per ticket + fees
Seat: 4K, 4L
Seat – 2/3
The 2-1-2 configuration is fine… particularly if you’re next to a loved one or friend so they are less angry when you climb over them for the 50th time after drinking too much and needing to use the bathroom. The seats lack a lot of storage, but have reasonable space for smaller articles (Kindles, phones, wallets, etc.). They do get a bit cramped when all of your bedding is still in packages and if you have a larger laptop, however. That said, they do the job both in sitting and sleeping positions.
Drink – 2/3
I feel like a broken record when I review United – but the drinks are solid if unremarkable. Drinkable wines (I tried two of the whites on this trip) and a solid liquor collection will help you numb yourself to the level of your own choosing. My favorite touches are always the port and the amaretto on the wine cart. Having spent a week exposing my liver to the best of Spain and Portugal, I just went with the amaretto this flight instead of the doubleheader, which has destroyed me on past flights.
Food – 2/3
This was one of the better United meals I’ve had. I was shocked that the starter (as United does not offer a choice) was a chicken and pork terrine. Pork – particularly when it’s blended into something – is rare on aircraft meals since many people avoid it. To have it blended into something really surprised me because if your don’t eat pork, you’re out of luck on this starter. That said, the terrine was quite good. Both Mrs. PTI and I went with the halibut. The vegetables were overcooked, but the fish and the potatoes were quite tasty – Mrs. PTI especially liked the halibut. Dessert was great as well.
And now… the highlight of the United Polaris business Barcelona to Washington review: the hamburger Wellington. While probably 2000 calories, this was one of the best meals I’ve had with United. I expected the pastry to be soggy… nope. Whatever they did, it was awesome. A+ would hamburger Wellington again.
Mrs. PTI and I argued over this rating, because this trip was probably as close to perfect as United gets with their catering. It was all very good… for United. So while everything was good, it was in the “good for airplane food” vs. the “good for real food” category – hence the 2/3.
Service – 2/3
The service was pretty good on the flight – everyone was polite and pleasant, and the service was straightforward. Nothing special, but nothing bad.
IFE – 2/3
The “hard product” of the IFE – i.e., the screens – was showing the age with a smaller low definition screen. As is usual per United, the selection was fantastic, with numerous new movies available.
Other Characteristics
The lavatories were pretty sub-par – while clean, the age of the aircraft was showing as the lavatories were beat up (1/3). Wifi was not reviewed. Bedding was the super Saks Fifth Avenue bedding – comfy as always (3/3). The amenity kit was one of the nicer ones I’ve seen from United, aside from the kitchy Spiderman kits. A full-sized toothbrush, tissues, and extensive lotion/lip balm/froufrou kit was quite nice (3/3).
United Polaris Business Barcelona to Washington Review Overall – 2.5/3
Every time I write one of these reviews, I feel like a broken record. That said, the United experience delivers consistently. While I would have preferred to have a “true” Polaris seat for this flight, the food was better than average, and everything else was quite nice. Having just flown TAP Portugal on an A330-200, it put into perspective that United does know what they’re doing. If I had a complaint, it’s that United seems to have gotten quite good at being just good enough to get the job done to be pleasant, but unremarkable. But there’s something to be said for consistency. Now, when saver awards vanish, will this flight be worth the miles? That’s a far, far more interesting question.