LHR-West Coast: Polaris 787-9 vs 777-200; LAX vs SFO?
May 9, 2024, 12:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,185
LHR-West Coast: Polaris 787-9 vs 777-200; LAX vs SFO?
Seeking the collective wisdom of the group: Ms.747FC and I are traveling from London to Honolulu. We have a choice between two equally-priced award itineraries that leave and arrive about the same time:
1. Polaris 789 connecting in LAX
2. Polaris 772 connecting in SFO
Both flights currently connect with a Hawaii-configured 777-200.
The connection time is roughly the same.
The 777 has a wider seat, which would seem to tip the scales.
Any other considerations that would move the needle in the direction of the 789?
Many thanks!
1. Polaris 789 connecting in LAX
2. Polaris 772 connecting in SFO
Both flights currently connect with a Hawaii-configured 777-200.
The connection time is roughly the same.
The 777 has a wider seat, which would seem to tip the scales.
Any other considerations that would move the needle in the direction of the 789?
Many thanks!
Last edited by 747FC; May 9, 2024 at 1:22 pm Reason: added info
May 9, 2024, 1:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,571
The 787-9 is a more comfortable plane to fly compared to the 777, and I would say that LAX would be an easier connection, as your departure gate would be closer to the Polaris lounge. The width difference in the Polaris seat between the 777 and 787-9 has not affected my flying experience in the past.
May 9, 2024, 1:38 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,227
<Answered above>
I live closer to SFO, like the airport, and am pro 777, however LAX might have better Polaris food? SFO PL is beautiful hard product but the food is not great.
So 789 with more humidity and newer LAX PL with maybe better food might be the tiebreaker?
I live closer to SFO, like the airport, and am pro 777, however LAX might have better Polaris food? SFO PL is beautiful hard product but the food is not great.
So 789 with more humidity and newer LAX PL with maybe better food might be the tiebreaker?
May 9, 2024, 2:27 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,670
I much prefer SFO overall, but I would probably choose LAX here. In addition to points already raised, if you're checking bags, they can be super slow at SFO international arrivals these days.
May 9, 2024, 2:53 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,185
The 787-9 is a more comfortable plane to fly compared to the 777, and I would say that LAX would be an easier connection, as your departure gate would be closer to the Polaris lounge. The width difference in the Polaris seat between the 777 and 787-9 has not affected my flying experience in the past.
<Answered above>
I live closer to SFO, like the airport, and am pro 777, however LAX might have better Polaris food? SFO PL is beautiful hard product but the food is not great.
So 789 with more humidity and newer LAX PL with maybe better food might be the tiebreaker?
I live closer to SFO, like the airport, and am pro 777, however LAX might have better Polaris food? SFO PL is beautiful hard product but the food is not great.
So 789 with more humidity and newer LAX PL with maybe better food might be the tiebreaker?
One additional consideration: Not sure whether if there is more of a chance for a down gauge on the flight into Hawaii if flying from SFO or LAX. Any thoughts?
May 9, 2024, 2:56 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,639
The late afternoon/early evening flights to HNL from both SFO and LAX have been reliably a 772 for over a year now. If for some reason there is a downgauge, you should be able to change to another routing that preserves lie flats all the way to HNL due to a "change in seating configuration" (according to UA's CoC).
May 9, 2024, 3:09 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: FLL, WAS, MEL, SIN
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,401
Another vote for LAX. I am getting SFO fatigue, and have been skipping the Polaris Lounge at SFO.
LAX Polaris Lounge, IMHO, is the second best PL in the system (behind IAD). Agents are super helpful.
Better food and shorter walk to the gates. If you have time, check out the outside area of the United Club. It has a nice view.
No doubt, better and quicker luggage claim experience at LAX.
The question is more about aircraft 772 vs 789. There is less of a chance of technical related delays with the 789 than 772. Some of the 772s are getting up there in age between 25 and 30 years. I prefer the 789 over the 772 if there is a choice.
LAX Polaris Lounge, IMHO, is the second best PL in the system (behind IAD). Agents are super helpful.
Better food and shorter walk to the gates. If you have time, check out the outside area of the United Club. It has a nice view.
No doubt, better and quicker luggage claim experience at LAX.
The question is more about aircraft 772 vs 789. There is less of a chance of technical related delays with the 789 than 772. Some of the 772s are getting up there in age between 25 and 30 years. I prefer the 789 over the 772 if there is a choice.
Last edited by UA_Flyer; May 10, 2024 at 12:29 pm
May 9, 2024, 3:22 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,043
Another vote for the 789 via LAX, unless the seat sizing is an issue. While I am okay with the Polaris seats on Dreamliners, they are noticeably (even for me) smaller than the versions on the 777s.
May 9, 2024, 3:27 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,435
