Catching up with the United flight in Narita

Flight details: UA800 C747-400 Dep 0940 Arr 1440HKGNRT1807 miles

I could have taken the United flight into Narita [Narita-travel-guide-283388] (NRT) instead of going via Hong Kong. But the flight was full (even on business class), considering that this is the same flight that continues on to JFK. I also had the option to take Northwest via NRT. The NW flight usually departs at 8AM. I had to leave 3 hours earlier to make up for the time in Hong Kong and continue with the flight in Narita (United used to fly many sectors out of NRT back then, as I recall).

This time around, I think I was on a 747-400 although I can't recall if I was seated in the upper deck. I prefer getting a seat on the upper deck of a 747, even though the front of the plane has the most space on certain airlines.