I have not flown on United for many years and having seen many recent poor reviews I expected to be disappointed, but I was pleasantly surprised with these flights. Both SFO-PEK and the return were spot on time. All UA personnel from check in to the cabin crew were universally cheerful and helpful and with a completely full economy cabin on the 777s for both legs the flight attendants were working almost constantly to attend to passengers. Meals were nothing special but at least hot and edible and the crew made routine passes with water and/or drinks and snacks throughout the flights.

Where United lets down is with the aircraft itself; the 777 cabins were clean but quite frankly a bit worn and tatty. The seat-back PTV screens are tiny and essentially un-viewable if the seat in front is reclined at all, and the audio jack at my seat for both flights worked intermittently or not at all. This was not a big deal for me as I had my own music player and prefer to read but it would have been an issue if one wanted to use the audio/video. I'm 5-11 and 200 lb and the seat comfort and legroom with an aisle seat was just tolerable but a much longer flight or a middle seat would have been problematic.

All in all United was just average and didn't compare especially well with my last long international flight (on South African Airways, also economy). But it was acceptable for the price paid which was several hundred USD less than other options and I would consider United again if cost was a factor.