Flying PPT-SFO on a United Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

February 24-25, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO – Mom and I flew here from Tahiti Island in Economy Class on a United Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the first leg on the long journey back to Florida after our three-week stay in French Polynesia.

We departed Relais Fenua guesthouse in Paea, where we had spent the last two nights since disembarking from our 12-night “Pure Polynesia cruise” aboard Ocean Marina, in a taxi at 7 p.m. The trip to PPT airport was a quick 18 minutes.

Checked in for United Flight 114 to SFO.

Dinner at McDonald’s in the food court.

Next we went to a gift shop to spend our remaining 2,600 Pacific francs ($24.78) on souvenirs. We proceeded through immigration and security to the boarding area, where Mom made one final purchase: a necklace.

We waited in the hot, un-air-conditioned gate lounge for our seat assignments.

Mom and I had been nervous about getting on the flight to San Francisco, but were saved a few days ago when the plane was upgauged from a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to a 787-9. Sadly Polaris Business Class is full even with the larger 48-seat cabin.

Boarding began 10 minutes early at 9:40. We were #4&5 on the standby list, and received Economy Class seats 38F and 39F.

On board, I noticed on the United app that Economy Plus Seat 21F became available. I told Mom, but she didn’t want to move, so I grabbed the seat with extra legroom.

Departed 15 minutes early at 10:25 p.m. and left the ground at 10:42. The time change to California is two hours forward, so we immediately jumped into Monday (12:42 a.m. PST).

I read. Pasta was served for dinner.

Continued reading, worked on blog photos, and got ready for a nap at 5:17 a.m. Watched TiVo on my phone and rested until we landed at 8:20 at SFO. Arrived gate 16 minutes early at 8:29. Cleared immigration and customs, then we headed to the United Club in Concourse E to await our connection to Orlando (MCO).

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