{"id":232433,"date":"2016-08-22T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/news\/new-york-paris-united-global-first-aeroplan-2\/"},"modified":"2024-05-31T12:58:36","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T16:58:36","slug":"new-york-paris-united-global-first-aeroplan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/milesopedia.com\/en\/reviews\/flights\/new-york-paris-united-global-first-aeroplan\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: United B777 – Global First"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the previous article, I wrote about the first part of my trip to France between Montreal and New-York. You will now discover the second part of the itinerary, namely the connection in New York and the flight to Paris on United in first class (Global First).<\/p>\n

To learn more about how to set up the itinerary, I invite you to read this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\n<\/p>\n

New York – Paris on United Global First with Aeroplan<\/h2>\n

When I got off the flight from Montreal, around 10am, I found myself in Terminal A of Newark Airport (EWR). My next flight leaves at 6pm from Terminal C.<\/p>\n

So I choose to go… to Terminal B! Why?<\/p>\n

Newark Airport is a hub for United (and Star Alliance airlines in general). United offers several lounges in each terminal, with Terminal C being the largest. But these lounges have a rather bad reputation: often full, with poor quality food.<\/p>\n

The Lufthansa lounge is located in Terminal B. And since Lufthansa flights leave New York at the end of the day, I knew I would be safe in this lounge… even though I would have to go through security in Terminal B (and then again in Terminal C at night).<\/p>\n

As the flights in Terminal B mainly take off in the evening, I pass through security in less than 5 minutes and quickly find myself at the entrance of the Senator \/ Business Lounge of Lufthansa.<\/p>\n

\"The
The entrance to the Lufthansa lounge – Terminal B Newark<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The entrance to the lounge is divided into two lounges: on the left, the Senator Lounge (reserved for elite Lufthansa and Star Alliance First Class passengers), and on the right, the Business Lounge (Business Class and Star Alliance Gold passengers).<\/p>\n

\"Entrance
Entrance to the Lufthansa Lounge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a check of my boarding pass, I am invited to go to the Senator lounge and choose to sit at a table to work. The traditional Lufthansa First Class rose is present on every table.<\/p>\n

\"Senator
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In this mid-morning, the proposed buffet is still for lunch, even if alcohol is also offered.<\/p>\n

\"Senator
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR – Buffet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Senator
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR – Alcohols<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"YUL-EWR-CDG26\"
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR – Buffet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Senator
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR – Hot Drinks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As I had expected, the lounge is deserted in this mid-morning. The 2-3 passengers present at my arrival have gradually left the place and I am now alone for several hours which will allow me to work quietly…<\/p>\n

\"Senator
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR – Workspaces<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

… and take a panoramic photo to give you an idea of the different spaces:<\/p>\n

\"Senator
Senator Lounge – Lufthansa – Newark EWR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 6 hours of working efficiently without any noise, it’s time for me to change terminals.<\/p>\n

First “disappointment<\/strong> ” when I arrived at terminal C: first class passengers (Global First) do not have a dedicated access to the security lines. Only “Global Services” passengers – who are hand-picked from among United’s most loyal customers – AND traveling on Global First have access to a dedicated line…. empty.<\/p>\n

\"United
United Global Services – VIP Passenger Line<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You might as well say that at 4:30 pm, the security lines were full. It took me a good half hour to get through it before arriving at the United lounge.<\/p>\n

Second disappointment<\/strong> – well, I thought so: the United show is a real fair. It’s a huge lounge but still seems undersized for all the passengers who have access to it. It is therefore almost impossible to sit down, there are queues to get a carrot or a piece of salad, all this in a deafening din. In short, it was a good thing I had isolated myself at the Lufthansa lounge for most of the day!<\/p>\n

So I wouldn’t put any pictures online because at least twenty faces would have been on each one!<\/p>\n

However, two things raise the level: the view on the tarmac.<\/p>\n

\"YUL-EWR-CDG36\"
View from United Lounge – Terminal C Newark EWR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The showers which, to my great surprise, were not occupied. So I was able to enjoy a good shower before boarding my night flight to Paris.<\/p>\n

\"Shower
Shower – United Terminal C Newark EWR Lounge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Shower
Shower – United Terminal C Newark EWR Lounge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Out of this “hell”, I head for the boarding gate.<\/p>\n

\"My
My plane to Paris CDG tonight – B772 United<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Third disappointment<\/strong>: there are certainly “zones” assigned to each passenger to board (1 to 5), but no priority boarding for First Class passengers. It is thus the crowd around the door.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, United’s onboard staff raised the bar with quality service. When I arrive at the threshold of the plane, I am accompanied to my seat 2K circled in red:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
2k seat for me tonight – B772 United<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

And here it is in pictures:<\/p>\n

\"Seat
Seat 2K – United Global First – B772<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is a chair that transforms into a completely flat bed of 78 inches (1.98 meters) and 22 inches wide (56 cms). Very comfortable sizes for my size.<\/p>\n

Here are some details:<\/p>\n

\"Seat
Seat 2K – United Global First – B772<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are controls for the television and the adjustment of the chair, electrical outlets, USB, ethernet, audio. With a storage compartment under my passport.<\/p>\n

\"Orders
Orders – Seat 2K – United Global First – B772<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two huge storage compartments are located on the side: you can put a bag, shoes: a real tote.<\/p>\n

\"Storage
Storage – Seat 2K – United Global First – B772<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Storage
Storage – Seat 2K – United Global First – B772<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A small view of the business class behind us. 4 chairs lined up in the middle? I think only United can do that! This is more like Premium Economy on other airlines (however, here the seats are beds).<\/p>\n

\"Business
Business Class – United B772<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The flight attendant brings me the travel kit, which is special during the period of the Olympic Games (United being the official airline of the American Team).<\/p>\n

\"Travel
Travel Kit – United Global First<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Travel
Travel Kit – United Global First<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I put the socks on right away!<\/p>\n

\"Classy,
Classy, isn’t it?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The menu will then be distributed, accompanied bya glass<\/del> of champagne.<\/p>\n

\"The
The champagne goblet – United Global First<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is then time for us to take off, and for my great pleasure, I could observe Manhattan during all the first phase of the climb.<\/p>\n

For those interested, here is the menu proposed tonight:<\/p>\n