As an economy passenger, the QF 747 is far superior despite its age. United's food is appalling, their blankets are little more than a paper towel, and I always feel like walking on board a United flight is like walking into the midwest. Undoubtedly the Polaris experience is quite a different story.

United is also starting flights between MEL and SFO, so time will tell.

There are still many flights departing throughout the night. Runways are particularly busy between 10pm–midnight with all the red-eye traffic.

Most Americans don't know anything about Melbourne (if they know of it at all), so hopefully this new route will help to build awareness in SF (and beyond).

I wouldn't say it's a struggle to sit through the 787 flight from LAX to MEL. An A380 would of course be better, but that seems like a pipe dream.