Sorry it took so long to update, I've been incommunicado in the depths of Mexico!
On the lounge:
The desk attendant at check in told me that, no, I could not enter the SQ lounge, and that I was to use the AirNZ lounge. I decided that I'm not one to be told what to do, so i'd give it a try and see what I could get. I walked upstairs to the SQ lounge and asked politely if I was eligible to enter - the lounge attendant smiled warmly and welcomed me in, and recommended one of the dishes was quite nice for breakfast - A nice touch I thought.
On the hard product:
Unfortunately I missed the post about it not being true Polaris before I took the upgrade - it was the older J product, which has 2-2-2 format. The issue here of course is when your seat mate (if unknown to you) puts their seat down, and you are in window, your stuck. Lucky for me my seat mate woke up around the time I needed a bathroom break, she then offered to swap as she wasn't sleeping well in the aisle. I took her up on this offer and it was a smooth ride for the rest of the way.
The product is interesting, it's not old and worn, because it's new into the 787's, but it's clearly outdated tech. That being said, it was comfy and I got some shut eye, watch some great movies and had an all-round good ride.
The service:
Those that have read my last TR know that I had a great experience in Y on my last UA flight. It was a flight that was made exceptional by the service of the crew. Sadly, the service this time wasn't up to par, which given I was in J this time, was not ideal. To be fair, the plane was absolutely full - not a spare seat to be had. I think this seems to be the trigger in which UA crews struggle. I would expect in J to have outstanding service, with the staff going the extra mile - after all, there is a plethora of airlines flying trans pacific these days and they need to compete for your dollar.
The coughtail service was nice - they had a trolley come around (a bar trolley, not your typical airline food trolley) and offer either a mimosa or a bloody Mary. the Bloody mary was done with all the trimmings (sadly except tabasco) so I opted for that. Where I felt let down is later in the flight when I asked for another BM, I was given a pre-mixed can and a bottle of vodka - meh I guess, but it's those little touches - even VA J domestic will make the drink for me...
The meal was decidedly average. Having recently flown Y on UA, I can say there is essentially no difference between the two when it comes to the grub on board. Wine wasn't offered and when you asked you got a bit of a foul look. Very odd given it's J (and that in Y, they smile and bring it over...). Later in the flight I buzzed for another bloody mary (3rd in 6 hours so we aren't going crazy), which was bought over, and then I asked if there were any snacks - the FA simply pointed to the front near 1K where there was a basket and said 'get it yourself over there'. Hmmmmm
One nice touch was before the flight, the captain walked the J cabin, introduced himself, and took us through the flight path on an iPad, explaining where there would be turbulence and where it might be rough or smooth. He then gave us his card with a hand written note (ink smeared a bit on the card and his hand) saying thank you - the contact details were only an email address, but I must say that was a nice touch (on the reverse it had all the deets of the 787's).
On arrival:
Arrivals, surprisingly into LAX, was a breeze. Bags came off in record speed, through TSA without needing an interview and through to transfer (flying to Houston). Dropped my bags at TBIT and walked (after being stuffed in a cabin for 14 hours) over to terminal 7. Straight over to the lounge and admitted (despite flying Y the rest of the way) for a nice 3 hour layover. Now, to be clear, the UA lounge in LAX is rubbish. Nothing more than a glorified high-school cafeteria. No showers, no nothing. I would have killed for a shower, but alas that had to wait till I got to mexico.
The flight to Veracruz was uneventful, on a small regional, despite being an international flight. Long wait at the airport to get through customs in Mexico. That awkward moment when they expect you to sign a customs declaration and it's in a language you don't speak...
The flight back:
All uneventful, except for the pure bliss of having a 1/3 full flight back - a whole row to yourself - the seats fold up nicely and I slept for 12 hours - what a treat!
