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Home  >  SWISS • Trip Reports • United Airlines  >  How I Returned To Germany Lickety Split
SWISSTrip ReportsUnited Airlines

How I Returned To Germany Lickety Split

Matthew Klint Posted onJune 16, 2022June 17, 2022 14 Comments

With my daughter’s U.S. passport in hand, it was time to get back to Germany and my family as quickly as possible.

My Return To Germany After A Short Night In LA

For the avoidance of doubt, this trip took place in July 2021.

After arriving in Chicago on Austrian Airlines, I flew United to Los Angeles, enjoying some cheese enchiladas but sleeping through the flight and arriving late into LAX.

At home, I checked on the garden (thankfully, it was holding up despite the summer heat) and got my work done for the next couple days, trying hard not to re-adjust to the Pacific Daylight time zone for less than 24 hours. As dawn broke, I sat outside in the cool of the morning and enjoyed a cup of coffee.

Shortly thereafter, I was off again…first up to San Francisco (hence the restaurant and coffee reviews), then over to London on United. Staying up most of the night meant I was now tired as it approach evening time in Germany.

I always try to make time for a few minutes on the outdoor terrace in the SFO International Terminal

As we took off, I enjoyed beautiful views of the city of San Francisco out my window.

Remember, this was last July (2021) so we’ve seen an improvement in meals since then, but I ordered beef short ribs, served with Asian BBQ sauce, broccolini, and jasmine rice. The meat was very fatty and therefore flavorful, though with no dessert or appetizer I was still hungry and asked if there were any fish meals leftover.

A flight attendant was happy to oblige and I soon was enjoying lunch #3 (if you count the fish tacos I had at Yankee Pier), a seared cape hake with beurre blanc sauce, baby boy chow, sautéed peppers, green beans, and lemon risotto. This was far better than the beef and remains one of my favorite meal offerings in United Polaris.

Polaris bedding is excellent and I slept for the next eight hours undistributed (with the air vent open at full blast).

I woke up about an hour outside of London, where a flight attendant noticed I was stirring and brought some delicious hot coffee (she made it extra strong which makes a huge difference) and breakfast, which included fruit, yogurt, a croissant, and egg whites with potatoes, sausage, and tomato.

The crew was just superb on this flight…London-based, but mostly American. I was offered some snacks when I got up to the use the lavatory (“Would you like some snacks for the road? These will just be thrown out.”) which I appreciated (though I did not take anything).


> Read More: The Lovely Diane, A United Flight Attendant, Sommelier, And Barista


It was a gray day in London Heathrow and I had only about an hour to make my connection (though since we landed 20 minutes ahead of schedule, I had some breathing room).

I scampered through the arrivals hall, all the way back to the UK border, cleared security for connecting passengers, then headed over to the gate for my SWISS flight to Zurich (sadly, British Airways was not operating its Heathrow – Basel service at the time).

The flight was already boarding when I arrived and I took my seat onboard in the first row of economy class (thanks to my Star Alliance Gold status).

It appeared our A320 was being provisioned for power outlets, but they had not been added yet.

I ordered some bircher muesli onboard from Sprüngli, which really hit the spot and was a far better substitute for the Yoplait yogurt I left untouched on United.

SWISS charges for most food and drink in economy class on flights with Europe, but still offers complimentary bottled water and chocolate.

We landed to a humid day at Zurich and pulled up to a remote stand.

ZRH Observation Deck

My family was waiting and we were soon on the road back to Germany.

CONCLUSION

It was indeed a whirlwind trip to California, but I’m glad I went. We recently received a package from Heidi’s mother that had been sent via Deutsche Post…six weeks earlier. I do not leave important documents to posts offices or even freight forwarders like FedEx or UPS anymore.

Reaching town, we sat down for coffee and ice cream…it was nice to be back in the routine.


This is part of my summer in Germany trip report.

Previous Article Update: United Airlines 787-9 Diverts To Honolulu Due To Disruptive Passenger
Next Article Review: San Francisco Giants Clubhouse SFO (Priority Pass Restaurant)

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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14 Comments

  1. RetiredATLATC Reply
    June 16, 2022 at 1:15 pm

    Love that Edelweiß paint scheme.

    • DCA Will Always Be Reagan Airport Reply
      June 16, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      Edelweiss, Edelweiss
      Every morning you greet me
      Small and white
      Clean and bright
      You look happy to meet me

  2. Airfarer Reply
    June 16, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    I was in Union Square last week; from 3,000 feet up is the best way to see San Francisco right now.

    • Joe Chivas Reply
      June 16, 2022 at 5:10 pm

      Do you still need a vax card to poop in the street?

    • Stuart Reply
      June 16, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      I was in Oklahoma City a few weeks ago. It looked just as dismal from the air.

  3. Joann Reply
    June 16, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    Loved your article. Someday I hope to enjoy Germany & it’s food.
    They really do things much better.

  4. ps241 Reply
    June 16, 2022 at 8:49 pm

    Glad you were able to sleep undistributed on the SFO->LHR flight. I hate being distributed when I’m trying to sleep.

    • Ken Reply
      June 17, 2022 at 2:55 am

      Serving coffee in bus. class on United in paper cup? no china cup, saucer? no cuppachino offered inflight?

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        June 17, 2022 at 2:56 am

        This was last July. Ceramic cups are back.

  5. Steve Reply
    June 16, 2022 at 10:14 pm

    I’m partial to BA when traveling from either LAX or SFO to LHR, and having just returned a few weeks ago on the 777 in both directions with the new business class going over and first class on the return. This time from LAX.
    I was. more than pleased and surprised in both cabins at the plush, hight quality offerings from the amazing seats and suites to the beautifully presented and delicious meals! No covered dishes here, and in each cabin the amount of privacy is nearly unmatched! The cabins are on the dark side, but inviting, relaxing and very BA!
    The offerings I see here by UA have absolutely no appeal whatsoever. No flair or real attempt other than just throw some food down in front of the clueless customers, right?! What do American’s know?!
    If this is Scott Kirby’s idea of UA becoming a recognized and sought after great global airline, he has a long way to go.

    • Dave D Reply
      June 22, 2022 at 10:59 am

      This trip was in 2021. Things have changed a lot since then. You really can’t compare mid-pandemic travel a year ago with a BA trip you just took.

  6. Andrew Reply
    June 17, 2022 at 2:07 am

    Yes, never going to end well when you get distributed inflight

  7. xajn Reply
    June 26, 2022 at 10:23 am

    Baby boy chow?

  8. Njambi Reply
    June 27, 2022 at 12:37 pm

    In your travels, do you ask for permission to take photos of airports and aircrafts? I know that some countries will not allow that as you could be seen as scouting those airports for nefarious reasons. Traveller beware.

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