Disclaimer: NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. One of the exciting parts about flying first class typically is that you get to enjoy airport lounge access. They are much wider (about 4 inches wider) and give you a lot more legroom (about 7 inches more) and they have a 2-2 configuration. On international flights, stretch out your legs and enjoy a back massage, dine on delicious meals, convert your seat to a spacious bed and snuggle up in a sumptuous duvet. We probably had more luggage than necessary and both checked a bag. However, you’ll pay quite a bit more for the extensive list of privileges. If there’s a chance you’ll need to reschedule your flight, then booking with United in almost any class of service — whether United First or economy — provides some of the most flexible travel of any U.S. airline. While I would not necessarily ever look forward to a meal with United with great anticipation, I’ve honestly enjoyed a few dishes over the past few years. Either way, typically the first class cabin is going to be pretty compact. It’s a great way to give it a try without spending a lot more than economy. Another feature of United first class that can be hit or miss is the service. Flew from Seattle to Newark upgraded to First Class from Economy. First class average price. For packages (up to 13 oz), prices start at $3.80. As for lounge access, you likely will not be able to enter the United Club with a first/business class boarding pass. We took a car service from my home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to Newark (about 50 minutes) as we would be gone for more than 10 days and could save on the parking. Unitedâs First Class cabin on their 737-800 consists of 16 seats in a 2-2 configuration. Those beers, wines and cocktails that cost more in coach are complimentary in first class. « Chase Safety Deposit Box Guide: (Locations, Fees, & Rules) [2020], United Premier Gold Status Review: (Benefits, Upgrades, Lounges) [2020] ». United First â The majority of routes within the United States are served by United First class. United domestic first class lounge access. First-Class Mail ® service is an affordable and easy way to send envelopes and lightweight packages. first class redemptions to use your Chase points on. At two hours and 20 minutes or more, you’ll get a full meal service depending on the time of your flight. Like most airlines, United offers an easier and more comfortable travel experience to first class passengers. Pitch ranges from 36-39 inches, and seat width is generally 20.5 inches depending on the aircraft. If there are no passengers lined up at those desks, and you are currently waiting in line, feel free to head over to one of those desks and they should help you out. American Airlines (AA) offers a fantastic ground experience at its Flagship lounges in both New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). @Dave: âRâ is the upgrade class for business class, âONâ for international first. It’s important to note that United First is different than United Business and United Polaris, which are premium business class options available on some transcontinental and international flights. United Airlines 737-900 First Class Pandemic Review. You have a few ways to make it into a United First seat. If you are flying first class with United, you will be given United Premier Access. You’ll also have your own lavatory up front that should only be open to first class passengers though the occasional economy passenger finds their way in sometimes. If you enable âexpert modeâ under your United.com profile, youâll be able to see all fare classes when shopping for flights when signed in. you’ll find. Note: United first class on domestic routes is the same as “business class” for the most part. Here are our picks for the, Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card, Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card. (While you might expect all first-class seats to have in-flight entertainment with screens that is not case.). However, this does not influence our evaluations. Using miles for premium award seats is. My assessment of first class was much the same: great service and food but the seat left me wanting. You can read the full review of the card here. So typically we are able to print out our boarding pass and check our bags in very efficiently. Your seats should come equipped with power outlets, making it easy to keep your electronics charged up. Your luggage should be marked as priority whenever you are flying United first class. If you’re interested in business class for long-haul flights, be sure to find out how United Business and Polaris classes work. When you book first class flights on United Airlines, you can look forward to relaxing in over-sized leather first-class seats that convert to fully-flat beds. Remember, United is a transfer partner of Chase so this could be one of the easiest first class redemptions to use your Chase points on. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. For example, I looked up a first class flight from IAH to LAX and the cash price came out to $364 for both. Food was awful. I have to admit that United Club lounges are nothing special. If you are loyal to United Airlines or just find it the most convenient airline for your travels, you may be wondering if United First is a good deal. Unitedâs first class hard product is decent, the catering was tasty though not especially âfirst classâ (which doesnât bother me so much, but will bother others), and I loved how well the Wi-Fi worked. That’s because I don’t have to worry about taking my electronics out of my bag or removing my shoes among other benefits. This is true even if you are flying on a smaller aircraft like a 737 that does not have lie flat seats. One of the best parts of United First compared to coach is the food and beverage options. When you land, your bags will get priority handling and should be among the first to show up on the carousel. Depending upon the time of day, a selection of two sandwiches is available onboard . This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific product’s site. That's because as of August 2020, United does not charge change fees for most premium cabin domestic tickets (as well as economy tickets). Pretty good minus the seat. I’ve never really seen the lines very long in the Premier Access area. Here are the most common ways to book United First: Pay full price: United First is usually available at the time you book your flight. Itâs a self-service, no-mess experience that leaves one wanting more and more. Here’s your shortcut to 2021’s best travel reward programs and more. You are provided with a cozy blanket to keep you toasty at 35,000 feet. - YouTube Throughout the flight, you will appreciate the expanded legroom. This is for a United ⦠If you find discrepancies with your credit score or information from your credit report, please contact TransUnion® directly. Our partners compensate us. First class awards usually require more miles than economy. However, with a lot of routes from Houston I have found availability to be at least decent at times. United first class dining is not going to be on par with some of the more renown airlines like Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, etc. Additionally, United will allow you to join the standby list for free starting Jan. 1, 2021, if you want to take an earlier United flight on the same day. This does not always happen although I will say that the last few domestic first class flights I have had on United, I’ve received my bags very quickly. This flight was a great reminder of how the quality of a crew can greatly impact the perception of a flight. First class cabin amenities, first class seats, gourmet food, and quality entertainment are just the beginning of the perks of flying first class. Sam C October 11, 2019 . Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. Find his full bio here. To all the naysayers whoâd rather fly Singapore or Lufthansa First Class, give United a try, and youâll see the friendly skies. You can find these on various routes. The flight experience is going to vary dramatically between a wide body aircraft and a smaller aircraft like a 737. The terms are used interchangeably by many but for this article I’ll just used first class to describe this cabin. On August 2nd 2017, I flew âFirst Classâ in a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) â also known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport â on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. If you make a change to a more expensive flight class, you’ll have to pay the difference. United first class bottom line. A lot of people book domestic first class seats on United but don’t really know what to expect. The newer lounges look great but the food and drink offerings are still pretty basic. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. There is a mini tray you can pull out between the seats that is convenient for placing drinking glasses on and then a full tray table can be pulled out from your outside armrest. We donât need to check a bag after all. Smaller aircraft like the Embraer will have a 1-2 configuration. Unitedâs Global First Class product is truly excellent. Of course, some people don’t like to sit on the plane any longer then they have to so they don’t prioritize arriving to the boarding area early. But when flying on a larger aircraft like a 787, we like to arrive to boarding a little bit earlier just to get closer to the front of the line. For the most part there are two different types of United Airlines first class experiences when flying domestically. It’s a great way to give it a try without spending a lot more than economy. While these seats are a bit more spacious, I prefer the newer reverse-herringbone business seats found on a handful of carriers, such as American and Cathay Pacific, given that they offer much more privacy. United First service is available on flights in the U.S. and Canada, including Alaska and Hawaii. Contrary to what you might expect, the cash price for flying in a small body versus flying in a wide body is not always different. How Much Are Your Airline Miles and Hotel Points Worth in 2021. Your email address will not be published. What to know about United First class Thereâs a reason they call it United First. UponArriving and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Often on routes to/from IAH, I’ll find that 90% of the flights are on a 737 or similar aircraft and then there is one or two flights that are served by a wide body aircraft like a 787, 767, or 777. Share This. Enjoy a smooth start to your journey with Premier Access premium travel services at the airport, including designated Premier Access check-in counters and security lanes and priority boarding. You have to consider your budget and travel preferences when deciding how much you’re willing to pay, or if you’re willing to put in more miles, for shorter lines, free drinks and a bigger seat. In Unitedâs First Class think stretching your legs out. Anytime I ever fly first class to the West Coast or to New York from Houston, I always use Google Flights to search through the different flight options to see which of the flights are served by a wide body aircraft. When you redeem rewards for flights, your out-of-pocket costs are very limited. Economy passengers can check a bag for free with an eligible United credit card like the. Thereâs even less privacy here â w⦠When you land, you’ll be among the first off the plane, which helps you get your bags and get on with your trip or get home as quickly as possible. For example, maybe you really want an earlier flight and your ticket was booked in United First. That's because as of August 2020. for most premium cabin domestic tickets (as well as economy tickets). Also, make sure to learn more about the United co-branded credit cards and. To recline your chair you simply hit the silver button on the side of your chair and if you want you can adjust the headrests to your liking. While this line is very convenient, I typically just go through the TSA Pre-Check line (read more about TSA Pre-Check here). United Vacations is the full service vacation brand of United Airlines®. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. I’ve had some pretty disinterested and borderline rude flight attendants but for the most part I’ve been pretty satisfied with the quality of service onboard. Our opinions are our own. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. When you arrive at the gate, you should see a boarding group sign with a line designated for Group 1 (see the image below) and that is where you will line up. Economy customers have to pay $30 extra to check a bag, and basic economy customers even have to pay extra to bring a carry-on. The more you pay, the more you get in points. If you are able to fly on a wide body aircraft with lie-flat seats the experience will be much more comfortable. . For the most part there are two different types of United Airlines first class experiences when flying domestically. But keep in mind that United has been shifting to a dynamic award pricing so prices could be higher in the future. Upgrade to first class on United Airlines through various upgrading options. The configurations can vary for wide body aircraft and you might see something like (2-2-2, 2-1-2, or even the dreaded 2-4-2). Get an upgrade to United First: If you have an economy seat and want to move up, you can use miles for an upgrade to United First. When flying on a smaller aircraft, we typically arrive to the boarding area about five minutes prior to boarding and are usually about the second or third passengers in line (if not the first). Typically, you’ll get some warm nuts and then will be offered two options to choose from (assuming that both are available after the top-tier elites have chosen their meals). Today (November 8, 2017): Review of United Airlinesâ B777 domestic First Class from San Francisco to Honolulu. Please help us keep our site clean and safe by following our, Prevent identity theft, protect your credit, The difference between term and whole life insurance, How medical conditions affect your life insurance rate, Economy customers have to pay $30 extra to check a bag, and basic economy customers even have to pay extra to bring a carry-on. My biggest strike against them would probably just be the presentation of the food sometimes. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. UponArriving has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. There is the traditional first class seat that is basically a larger and more comfortable economy seat with more recline ability and leg room. You will be able to enjoy a fully lie flat seat which (while definitely not industry leading) is better than just a reclining seat in my opinion. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Since most people flying first class on a domestic route with United Airlines will be on a smaller aircraft, I’ll focus more on that. The United First experience starts on the way to the check-in counter. All paid PPlus fares (O, A and R) are fully upgradeable to business class (PN or PZ). Because the cost difference between economy and first class varies by flight, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2020, including those best for: Airline miles and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, No annual fee: Wells Fargo Propel American Express® card, Flat-rate rewards with no annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card, Premium travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express, Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, United Airlines MileagePlus Program: The Complete Guide, United Airlines Bag Fees: How They Work, How to Avoid Them, The Complete Guide to Redeeming United MileagePlus Miles. The biggest benefit of this is that you will have your own separate check-in area. United First seating also includes some level of entertainment service. Economy passengers can check a bag for free with an eligible United credit card like the United℠ Explorer Card. Whether you’re headed off for a short flight or a long-haul trip around the world, first class is virtually always the most comfortable part of the plane. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. All the way out. The first class seat on the United 777 is as good as anything offered by other airlines. So how do we make money? If you’re on the fence about trying out United First, consider using frequent flyer miles or credit card rewards to get you to the front of the plane. Those range from paying a United First fare to landing an upgrade. That said, if your new flight costs less, you will not receive a refund of the fare difference, even though there's no change fee. Service was nothing special. But in United First, you can bring up to two regular bags with no added fee. On international flights, you can indulge in a back massage. If a seat is available in economy but not United First, you can have the economy seat — but you’ll have to eat the higher cost of the United First flight. Eric Rosenberg is a California-based finance writer and travel rewards enthusiast who loves taking his family on free and discounted trips around the world. Also, you may need to add 10,000 miles to that total for a premium transcontinental route. Settle in and relax in United's over-sized leather first class seats. DirecTV is complementary in United First, but you’ll still pay extra for Wi-Fi. A partition and curtain separates the first class cabin from the economy cabin. United first class snack service. There is the traditional first class seat that is basically a larger and more comfortable economy seat with more recline ability and leg room. If there’s a chance you’ll need to reschedule your flight, then booking with United in almost any class of service — whether United First or economy — provides some of the most flexible travel of any U.S. airline. Before you book your United first class flight, you should know a few things about the aircraft and routes. On a 737-700, there could be as few as three rows and on a 737-900, there could be up to five rows. The seats are recliner seats with 38 inches of pitch and 7.5 degrees recline. , for shorter lines, free drinks and a bigger seat. Rescheduling your United First class flight. For example, it might cost you 35,000 miles one way to fly business class from New York to Los Angeles or New York/Boston to San Francisco. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. If you’re interested in learning more about the costs and perks of United First, as it calls its first class experience, keep reading to learn more about how it all works and if it may be worthwhile for you. If you upgrade from economy to PPlus, you will earn miles based on the pre-upgraded fare class. But when it comes to desserts, especially cookies, they usually have something very good so at least that is one consistent quality. Relish United's First Class Flights. That is because you can position this chair in many more different positions to find whatever is most comfortable for yourself. Buy Stamps First-Class Mail Prices United Airlines â First Class Review. Book great deals on vacation packages all over the world through United Vacations® today. Many flights also include premium meal service without an extra charge. MileagePlus Premier members have even more flexibility. Thanks for reading! Then there are the wide body aircraft that (mostly) have the lie flat seats. 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