Comparing American's 777-300 and United's 787 Business Class
I thought I would highlight some of the features and differences between the newest wide-body birds in the U.S. mainline market: American's 777-300 ER and United's 787 Dreamliner. I recently flew on on both planes, and below are a few photos and comments of my experience.
Starting with the Dreamliner, United's 787 felt spacious and modern upon entering (although United didn't opt for the open floor-plan that Boeing touts for this plane). American's 773 entrance is relatively similar, with the addition of a walk-up snack bar on the right side. The 773 boasts cleaner and sleeker lines, while the 787's interior is more curvy.
Entrance to United's 787.
Entrance to American's 773 with walk-up snack bar. Photo credit: AA.com.
On the 787, I sat in the mini cabin up-front, so I made a left turn upon entering the plane.
United's 787 business/first mini-cabin up in the front.
On American's 773, I sat in the "second" business class cabin and made a right turn upon entering the plane. Note: The 773 is a three class configuration, unlike the 787's two class configuration.
American's 773 business class cabin.
Here are a few differences between the two business class seats:
The 787 seats are relatively private, but not walled off suites like American's 773.
United's 787 business/first seat.
American's more private 773 business class "suite."
United allowed me to view in the in-flight entertainment during takeoff and landing, unlike on Amercan's 773. For me personally, this is a huge benefit, especially during long delays on the runway.
For all of the "feet-on-the-wall-haters" out there, I was able to rest my feet on United's 787 foot-appropriate ottoman with the seat fully upright during takeoff and landing (I am 6' tall). This wasn't possible on American's 773.
My feet are size 12 and they were a bit too big to fit in the 787's little space, so my shoes came off fast. Contrastingly, the 773 had very generous room for my feet.
United's 787 feat on ottoman while fully upright with in-flight-entertainment running (allowed during takeoff and landing).
American's 773 more generous foot space, but disabled in-flight-entertainment.
United allowed me to stow my "personal item" bag under the 787's ottoman during takeoff and landing unlike with American on their 773. This is odd considering the 773 has a larger space to stow one's personal item.
My "personal item" stuffed underneath United's smaller ottoman.
I found United's 787 seat recline controls to be very buggy--I had to push the buttons several times before the seat would move at all. I did not have this problem at all on American's 773.
American's 773 features a walk-up bar offering delicious snacks and drinks during the flight. American Airlines is the only US carrier to offer this service.
So which business class product is better? It depends on your personal preferences. On a longer flight, I might prefer the more roomy foot space, privacy and walk-up snack bar that American's 773 offers; however, United's 787 might win me over because of the in-flight-entertainment ability during long delays.
