Award availability using Star Alliance miles on the Seoul to Chicago segment is generous at the moment in the OZ First Suite. Huge amount of dates to pick from.

I didn't know they were leased birds from EK. Yes, indeed... hand them back and bring on some new ones with the lie-flat config.

The only sad news about this upgrade: "However a Virgin Australia spokesperson told Australian Business Traveller that those first two A330s, which were bought 'pre-loved' from Emirates and currently fly Sydney-Perth, would not be upgraded to install the new seating or remove the middle seat." ...

Excellent trip report & review, John.

There are actually two versions of the A320 flying around at United. Yours pictured and those that were previously low-cost "Ted" airplanes that have a partition ahead of 1A & 1B instead of a closet. There's no foot cutout on that version.