Mongolia
An unexpected cancelation of the original connecting flights from Hong Kong to Mongolia meant my 2,000,000 mile flight on United ended up switched from UA 820, LAX-HKG, to UA 805, SFO-ICN. This close-in change apparently did not deter anyone from joining me on my 2MM, and it actually made it easier for a few more to join the pre-flight celebration at SFO, notably John, Warren and Amy. Special thanks to Amy in particular for all the 2MM flight gifts, from the signed card to the model airplane (thank you Amy!).
Philip, Fazal, Scott, Dan, Will, Erick, Carl, and Kathie all were onboard UA 805 with me to celebrate. Philip made celebratory chips, Kathie had full on gift bags, Carl brought a new million miler keychain, Warren supplied a stuffed animal, Erick did a mug/Boeing luggage tag/remove before flight keychain, I did the big vinyl banner and more keychains, Captain Ed supplied the million miler challenge coin and signed navigation map, and United Airlines at SFO provided the 2MM certificate and thank you note. And super apologies if I missed anyone else-- it was a ton of stuff, and quite unexpected.
Purser Heidi and her crew ensured a great flight, although they couldn't help the mediocre food. Bulgogi beef was more like Texas barbecue, but at least the USA 250 ice cream sundae (blueberry compote, whipped cream, cherry, sliced almonds) was delicious as always. After dinner service was done, we did a celebratory 2MM group photo in the galley, then it was time to get some sleep as UA 805 leaves at nearly midnight, and arrives early in the morning, so to avoid becoming zombies, sleep was necessary.