Arriving at the departure area of Beijing T3:
Business class line was of course much less crowded. I did the check-in within 3min
United uses the Air China business lounge. Even only business lounge, it's still better than most of the first class lounges I have been in North American's airports:
Picked up some fried rice and meat option from the hot plates:
The lounge is on the third level (second level from departure gates) and feels extremely open rather than all the dutyfree shops downstairs:
The airbridge for Business/First class:
The pre-departure drink. United has been doing some cost-cutting, no more champagne... but rather some cheap sparkling wine
More than plenty of legroom and big screen for IFE
Soon after our takeoff comes the dinner service, first course is salad and cold appy
For entree I picked the beef. The difference between econ and bus, is that they offer one more choice, fish or pasta. So, never order in business class as it states on the menu... just tell them beef, chicken or fish. In my first business class travel I did that and my boss who was travelling with me was like... "what a noob"
The thing I like about business class seat is the flexibility. So I can really relax and enjoy the boring and long flight without feeling cramped.
One thing very thoughtful of United was offering hot option for arrival meal. It's really weird to eat breakfast stuff when I arrive to a place that's 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
