Mr. Jones and I recently met up in Taipei, Taiwan. Thanks to 160,000 of his United MileagePlus frequent flyer miles, I traveled in First Class. (Just one of the many reasons that I love this man.)
My long trip started off on a terrific note at the Kansas City, Missouri airport (MCI). When I checked in at the airport counter and handed my passport over to the customer service agent, he looked at it and started singing …. “Me and Mrs. Jones” … and continued with the serenade the entire time he checked my bag to Taipei.
Soon I was on my way to San Francisco. Upon landing, I was treated to another surprise as soon as I stepped out of the plane into the jet way: there was a woman waiting with a sign with my name on it. She escorted down the stairs of the jet way, where another United employee met me and grabbed my bag. They led me to a Mercedes that whisked me around the airport to a doorway with an elevator. The woman took me up the elevator and delivered me to the United Club (which was right next door to my departure gate.) I spent a short while in the club before heading to my flight on the Boeing 747-400 plane pictured above.
This flight was UA 893 from San Francisco (SFO) to Inchon (ICN) airport in Seoul, South Korea. The flight was scheduled for 12 hours and 15 minutes. I was in seat 2A in First Class which was by windows # 3 and #4 from the nose of the plane in the photo above.
Seat 2A is a window seat with two windows, a flat screen entertainment system, and plenty of leg room. Since the flight leaves San Francisco at 10:35 am, and arrives at Seoul at 2:50 pm, it is a completely daylight flight. Everyone kept their windows closed after take-off, for a dark cabin for sleeping.
A nice touch: the amenity kit was wrapped with two postcards of historic United aircraft.
Inside the kit: eye-shades, socks, breath mints, tissue, a comb, eye-glass or phone cleaning cloth, a toothbrush and paste — conveniently stored inside a quart-size plastic bag for TSA — and, a mini bag of Cowshed brand moisturizer, lip balm, refreshing towelette and a special offer coupon.
On international flights, I always appreciate the flight map that shows the planes’ route and progress. This view gives one a unique perspective of just how far the state of Alaska extends through its Aleutian Islands.
Finally, we arrived in Seoul, South Korea. Here I had about a 2.5 hour layover before my continuing flight on Thai Airways from Incheon to Taipei. (Thai Airways is a United Star Alliance partner airline.)
This airport reader board was a little overwhelming, but it rotated to English.
Once I cleared through security for transfer passengers, I headed to the Singapore Business Class lounge, another Star Alliance partner. Later, I found that there was a second, larger, Star Alliance lounge in the same area of the Incheon airport.
My 2.5 hour flight on Thai Airways went by quickly, with the fantastic Royal Silk Service. I enjoyed a glass of fine champagne, and then was surprised that a three-course dinner was served on a flight with only about 2 hours of time in the air.
This was the first course of the meal. It was salmon with black sesame seed. I did not try the little packet of kimchi served with the crackers and cheese. There was a choice of four main course entrees. I chose the prawn with hot spicy sauce, served with broccoli, carrots and steamed rice. It was outstanding.
Full, I planned to skip dessert, but those delightful Thai flight attendants convinced me to try the apple cheese crumble cake, which was deceptively addictive. And, it was the perfect with hot tea.
Now, after 23 hours of flying, I was ready to face immigration at Taipei and meet Mr. Jones.
If you have 160,000 United MilagePlus award miles, or have someone who will gift them to you, flying to Asia First Class on United Airlines and its Star Alliance partners is a fabulous way to travel. NOTE: On the return trip, I flew on Star Alliance Partner EVA Air and United. Watch for my future post of that trip.
Have you flown United Global First? How was your experience?
Check out these other trips we’ve made using United MilagePlus Award Miles:
- A Look Inside Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Chicago
- Getting from Kansas City to Belfast
- A Flight Problem but We Got to Singapore via United First Class
- Experiencing Lufthansa First Class Mumbai to Frankfurt
- Experiencing Air China’s ‘Forbidden Pavilion’ First Class Flight Service
- Making Best Use of Frequent Flier Miles: Kansas City to London via Halifax, Nova Scotia
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