Airline Profile: United Airlines

The Facts:

Analysis

What to Avoid: 

Boeing 777-200 ex-United non retrofitted business class: Business class is 8 abreast. These are some of the narrowest and tightest business class seats in the market at 20 inches width. After the Continental merger, United decided to retrofit its own 777s with 8 abreast seating in business class. While the seats are fully flat beds, they feature 2 middle seats in the middle section of the cabin, as it is in a 2-4-2 configuration. United is currently in the process of retrofitting its business class on the 777s with the new Polaris seat, but it should be multiple years until United rids the worst flatbed seat of its 777s.

Boeing 777-300/Boeing 777-200 Retrofit Economy: United took delivery of its 777-300ERs with ten abreast in economy class, and is retrofitting its 777-200s with ten abreast economy class, which is extremely narrow at 17 inches seat width. Try avoiding these aircraft if you are an economy traveler.

Which to Fly: 

Boeing 777-300/787-10/Boeing 777-200/767-300/ Retrofit Business: Unlike economy class, the business class on the Boeing 777-300, Boeing 787-10, retrofitted Boeing 777-200s, and retrofitted Boeing 767-300s is much better that its older business class products. It features fully flat all aisle access staggered seats in business class, which is one of the better business class seats on the market. Its 777-300s fly on scheduled services on multiple routes (see list below), while its 777-200s and 767-300s fly on pretty much random routes as of now.

Travel Classes:

Economy: 

All mainline and most regional aircraft in business and economy are equipped with wifi for purchase, which is an accomplishment which not many airlines even close to United’s size have accomplished. Also, all mainline aircraft and regional aircraft with more than 50 seats have Personal Device Entertainment or Seat-back On-Demand entertainment. All aircraft with more than 50 seats have Economy Plus, which has around 4 more inches of legroom than economy class and has more recline than regular economy. Economy plus can be purchased for a fee at booking or anytime before a flight and doesn’t feature any better service, although does have slightly more recline. Small snacks are free on most short-haul flights, with meals and snack boxes available for purchase. On long haul flights, hot meals are given out to all passengers, although you may want to bring some of your own snacks due to the fact that these meals may not be the best, due to my prior experience. On select transcontinental flights (see United Polaris), economy plus features hot meals similar to the ones you would find on international flights. 

Premium Plus

United Premium Plus is featured on All Boeing 777-300ERs, all Boeing 787-10s, retrofitted Boeing 777-200ERs, and recently retrofitted Boeing 767-300ERs and is United’s premium economy product. It features recliner seats in a 2-2-2 (767), 2-3-2 (787), or 2-4-2 (777) configuration and has seats that have leg rests, footrests, a greater seat width, and more seat recline. Passengers also get better in-flight food, a business class quality amenity kit, and better pillows and blankets. I reviewed United Premium Plus seat (with economy plus service) in December. For more information on Premium Plus, please see my complete guide to United Premium Plus.

First/Business Class (Short-Haul)

United’s premium cabin on domestic flights is branded as First Class, while on international flights to Central America and the Caribbean, United markets it as Business Class. It is featured on all Boeing 737s (2-2 configuration), Airbus A320 series aircraft (2-2 configuration), Boeing 757-300s (2-2 configuration) Embraer E170/175s (1-2 configuration), and on some CRJ-700s (1-2 configuration). On United’s short-haul flights in a premium cabin, they feature recliner seats with more legroom and seat width without a leg rest on all narrow-body aircraft. However, sometimes United uses its internationally configured aircraft on short-haul routes, where business class has flatbed seats.

Passengers receive free meals (only on flights longer than 2-3 hours; on shorter fights one only receives a snack) and have a greater baggage allowance than in economy class. Additionally, please note that passengers do not get lounge access to the United Club. A few years ago, United came out with a new first class seat which is more comfortable than their other seats because of the way the seat moves forward and reclines, giving it the illusion of having more recline and making it more comfortable. These seats are available on all Airbus A319s, all Airbus A320s, some Boeing 757-300s, and on some Boeing 737-700s.

United Polaris: 

United Polaris is United’s long haul business class and is featured on all widebody aircraft and on all Boeing 757-200s. All flights in Polaris feature flat-bed seats. On all Boeing 777-300ers, retrofitted 777-200s, and recently retrofitted 767-300s, flights feature all aisle access flatbed seats, as pictured above. Most other aircraft feature B/E Aerospace Diamond seats in a 2-2, 1-2-1, or 2-2-2 configuration. United Polaris is also featured on transcontinental flights from Newark to San Francisco and Los Angeles and from Boston to San Francisco. These flights are on mostly Boeing 757-200s or Boeing 777-200s with flatbed seats and service similar to international flights that is superior to other domestic flights.

United Polaris First seats are also featured on some Boeing 777-200s and are in a 1-2-1 configuration. However, United has stopped selling United Polaris First Class, although the former first class seats are still available on some Boeing 777-200s. These seats are available to book for United Global Services members at booking and are available to the public and check-in. Passengers also have access to United Polaris Lounges which have showers, a restaurant, sleeping areas, and lots of seating types. Additionally, United Polaris has one of the best bedding of any airline in business class and have a duvet, small blanket, two pillows, and a mattress pad. 

United Premium Transcontinental Service

United operates a premium transcontinental service from Newark to San Francisco, Newark to Los Angeles, and from Boston to San Francisco. On these flights, United uses Boeing 757-200s, Boeing 777-200s, and occasionally Boeing 787-10s. On these aircraft business class always has flatbed seats. Additionally, passengers in business class receive amenity kits, bedding (which they don’t receive on non-premium flights), and better food. They also have access to the United Club on these flights. Also, passengers in economy plus on these flights receive free meals, which is something they don’t receive on non-premium flights.

Further Reading

• Review: United Airlines Boeing 767-300 Polaris Business Class Washington Dulles – Amsterdam Schiphol Review
• Review: United Airlines Boeing 767-300 Economy Plus Amsterdam Schiphol – Washington Dulles Review
• Review: United Airlines Boeing 737-700 (New) First Class Washington Dulles – Chicago O’Hare
• Review: United Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class Portland – Washington Dulles
• Review: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 Premium Plus Seat Washington Dulles – Frankfurt
• Review: United Airlines Boeing 777-200 Economy Plus Munich – Washington Dulles
• Review: United Airlines Airbus A319 Economy Plus Baltimore – San Fransisco
• A Guide To The United Island Hopper
• A Guide To United Premium Plus
• How To Fly On The Best Business Class Seats Of American, Delta, and United
• A Guide To Upgrading With Miles and Money On United
• The Future Fleet Plans of United Airlines

Have you ever flown on United Airlines? Share about your experience below in the comments section!