Thinking there would be heaps of traffic on the way to the airport, I decided to leave my hotel rather early. Fortunately the traffic was very mild…UNfortunately I arrived at the airport about 3 hours early!



There was a flurry of activity since there is a high number of international flights leaving in the evening (Ethiad, Emirates, South African, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways, United, Delta, Turkish, etc.). From past experience, the United desk is rarely busy and this day was no exception. Even though I was holding a business class ticket, there was no one waiting in line, or even in the roped-off area…no one at all. I was quickly processed (after getting my bag hand searched…which messed up my OCD packing job!) and headed to customs. After a quick pass through the line I headed up to the lounge before boarding was called. The lounge is…interesting. You walk into, what looks like, a restaurant but after your credentials have been reviewed you’re scanned into this little private room. I should have taken a picture but I forgot. There are a few chairs and these four lounge style chairs (very comfortable by the way), looking out on the airport. Spent some time catching up on work and relaxing before boarding was called.

For those of you unfamiliar with LOS airport, if you arrive to the gate too early, you have to wait in this long corridor with only a few metal chairs. On my first trip out of LOS, I arrived too early and ended up sitting there for about 45 minutes! It was awful. This time, I waited in the lounge until they made the announcement. I had to wait in line, but better than those chairs!

Once I was on board, I was greeted by the crew and took my seat. Welcome drinks were served and newspapers passed out…amenity kits, blankets, and pillows were all on the seat. One of the things I enjoy about United’s IFE on the 777’s, or at least the ones I’ve flown, is that you start watching things while you’re sitting at the gate. That certainly helps pass time away.

Side note: I really think that UA has one of the worst uniforms for flight attendants…they’re so frumpy looking.



Soon after take-off, the crew began what was a rather quick dinner service. True, the flight does leave late in the evening (10:45pm) but I felt like I had to eat quickly or else they were going to take my plate away!



On today’s menu was:

To Begin
------------
Chilled Appetizer
Fresh Seasonal Greens (Carrots, tomatoes, and black olives with your choice of sun-dried tomato-basil dressing or red win vinaigrette)

Main Course
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Grilled Tenderloin of Beef
(Roasted garlic sauce, potatoes, bell peppers and green beans)

Seared Brest of Chicken
(Tagine sauce, vegetable fried rice and sautéed vegetable julienne)

Nigerian-style Fish Stew
(Savory sauce, rice and mixed vegetables)

Tagliatelle Pasta
(creamy chive sauce, mushrooms with julienned leek and mixed bell peppers)

To Finish
------------
International Cheese Selection
Dessert

The “chilled appetizer” ended up being shrimp on your salad. Fancy, right?


I ended up going with the fish stew. While I’ve never had an AMAZING meal on an airplane, this was pretty good. However, it still just looked like an economy meal served on a plate.


Cheese plate. The number and variety on the trip back to IAH wasn’t as good.


Dessert. For me, the highlight of the meal!


Soon after dishes were collected and the cabin cleaned up, the lights were shut off and most people slept. I’m not sure what happened during the flight or what “mid-flight snacks” were available since I slept most of the flight. I wake up about 45 minutes before they started serving breakfast.

Prior to Arrival
------------
Spanish Omelette
(Grilled sausage, baked beans and stewed squash)

Cereal and banana
(Served with milk)

I’ve never had a two course breakfast in my life, but the service was started with a fruit and yogurt tray followed by the main meal. I took the omelette.





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Again, sorry for the lack of interesting pictures and details!

Here is a pic flying over DCA on my way back home (IAH-DCA)


Let me know if you have any questions!