SFO terminal 1 has had a very recent renovation, in the old days, the terminal was like a dungeon with no shops, virtually no food options and recently a bar that didn't stay open beyond about 9:30pm. I was very pleasantly surprised by the choices now available and settled myself at the bar, ordered a pint of Anchor Steam and fired up the laptop to watch Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere Ep1. Given how funny it is, I of course received several glances from other patrons, but who cares I'm watching the kind of comedy that Americans are clueless about. I was of course introudced to the delights of Max and Paddy on VS601 in January.
Boarding was smooth, with hardly anyone getting in line at the wrong time. Plane was an A321, so 26 seats in First, the rest coach. The seats were leather, and quite comfy. Seats 7A and C appear to have limited recline due to the bulkhead behind, but I was very comfortable. The shared armrest / drinks table protruded a little further than was maybe necessary, leading to some gymnastics to get out of my seat when 6A and C were reclined. As we took off I was out like a light and woke about four hours later. We landed on time and had the obligatory 30 minute wait for bags. This seems to be compulsory at Charlotte and of course is multiplied by the number of incoming flights, I have waited an hour and a half in the past.[:(]
Return flight on the Sunday was pretty much the same. Caveat emptor for you Brits travelling in the US, a first class ticket does not get you into the US or for that matter United lounges, you need membership to get in.
