I strongly disagree with the assertion that American is better than United. The lobster roll didnt even have any lobster! I'll probably avoid Delta going forward as they dont really work in DC for me and my destinations and because of their ridiculous comments regarding the Georgia voting law. See more about our ethics policies here. I cant even put into words how this thing tasted. To read more about the United Club Lounges and the access policy, click here. Yes its oily and not nutritious. How terrible it must have been indeed. That bread roll looks gross. Worst was the grandma FA, who, upon me ordering a first drink in J, remarked, that this will be my only one, because she observed me entering the plane. 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. So typically we are able to print out our boarding pass and check our bags in very efficiently. Or maybe Im just getting old. This was well communicated during booking, via email prior to the flight, and prior to boarding, so theres ample opportunity to prepare. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Healthy no, but a warm lunch anyway. I flew United First two days ago and was frankly shocked to receive the same sandwich you describe so well here. My hands were very full. I flew on one of those United 737-900s a while back, and they are essentially the same seats as Air Canada's A320/321 (and what you'll find on Rouge passing for "Premium") except they're leather on United and not on AC. Also, you may need to add 10,000 miles to that total for a premium transcontinental route. I had the snack boxes and they were fine. Some would prefer a cold one. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. I will say that on some other occasions the food has been flat out crap, so it really tends to be a hit or miss thing with United first-class dining. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As a result, all DL aircraft were filthy all of the time. My verdict - United first class was a colossal waste of money. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. While I would not necessarily ever look forward to a meal with United with great anticipation, Ive honestly enjoyed a few dishes over the past few years. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Again, not specific to flying during coronavirus, but what exactly is Uniteds deal with Wi-Fi? Huge amounts of salt are what keep commercial baked goods from going stale. Extremely fast boarding. 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. I had one bite and decided to call it a day, because it was simply terrible the bread was dry, the taste of the chicken couldnt help but make me feel bad for the sad life that the poor animal must have lived to taste like that, and the melted cheese looked like microwaved well, nevermind. Things sure have changed. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. All around the seat youll find thoughtful storage spaces for your personal items, including an in-arm tablet/laptop slot, a personal water bottle console and double seatback pockets. I used to fly first and business class back in the 80s and 90s. This was a monkey see monkey do, one person defies the rule, ignores the crew, and others follow I really don't understand why people are so damn rude, completely ignore what the crew said MULTIPLE times until the crew finally gave up, knowing these idiots just didn't give a shit! I do prefer United over Delta and American any day as the other 2 only fly to JFK or LGA while all flights to Newark require connections. It was a short flight, but we were still served this lunch because it was lunchtime. So yes, technically United was "by far the earliest" of the big three to restart "any" hot food service in first class, but that's just because American never stopped. The aircraft is primarily used on US transcontinental and Hawaii flights. ", Congratulations!! Flew a week ago from Nashville -Denver- great falls. You can check up to two standard-sized bags free of charge when traveling in United First. As mentioned earlier, many business class seats are far superior to first-class flights. Other carriers do not have a hot option on domestic (other than transcons) and Delta doesnt bother serving anything but a coach snack box. I dont get why they dont just do all snack boxes. This was my first trip in many years with United and based on this experience Id be hesitant to fly with them again, especially as a full-fare-paying customer. The roll was packaged in a wrapper with an expiration of 2022..need one say more? Our new, extra-spacious United First seat was designed for comfort and convenience, whether you want to relax or work during your flight. But when it comes to desserts, especially cookies, they usually have something very good so at least that is one consistent quality. I offered him the use of my cell phone to watch something but he just wasnt having it. Read the nutritional label on any packaged bread at the store and compare the sodium content to a standard bread recipe. Learn more about seating options. Every United domestic jet will feature a seat-back screen by 2025. non events, which for domestic travel is as good as you get. Anyway the seat I moved to had a USED tissue down the side. And if you're that worried about a wipe 1) bring your own or 2) stay home. It features beautifully contoured two-tone leather, a six-way adjustable headrest and a padded articulating seat cushion that cradles you as you recline. With that card, you can get two annual lounge passes each year along with some nice benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. Sure, if you prefer United over Delta that's fine, but I'd take Delta with a blocked seat over American or United any day. The fact you can't use the lounge with a first class ticket just brings home the notion that first class is just not worth double the cost of economy plus. NEVER UNITED. But holding our nose. You might have been able to do Tampa-Dallas-Monterey and saved some time. You really do wonder if they take their clients for fools or what? Maybe United isnt perfect but lets not punish the only airline that kept ovens in the main cabin galleys all these years. That flight was operated by a 737-900 this was an older 737 as it did not have any in-flight entertainment, however you could access a ton of movies, series, and music available via Wi-Fi for free, you must have the United App on your device or it won't work, the speed was just fine with no freezes or interruptions for the entire flight. Little weird due covid but still a great time. If no seat assignments are available, you can check back closer to departure to see whether seats have become available. It was described as a carved chicken on Italian focaccia, and it apparently had artisan focaccia, chicken, provolone, parmesan garlic butter, and kale cream cheese. Barely edible food, dumbed down and cheapened on-board experience. The seats were ok, the service again just ok. Traveling doesn't get any easier with age. On top of that the legroom and usable space was very good. 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. I never have high expectations of airline food and I am therefore never disappointed. I seriously cannot stop laughing at most of these comments about a sandwich in particular. I feel like I just read through a thread with a bunch of middle schoolers. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The wifi didn't work on any of the flights. The real treat was flying a Boeing 787-8 with new Polaris seats from Chicago to San Francisco. Why?" Was given wipes while boarding and with the pretzel/cookie/water pack (which Im sick of). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Photo by Zach Honig / The Points Guy. However, theres another food option for passengers, and thats a sandwich. So while most of their wifi may not be high speed the do offer it on select flights correct? For several years I worked with our dining staff who closely coordinated with the Cornell University hotel management staff on food choices. But, at the risk of losing all my credibility, I will venture to say that some meals that Ive eaten on United first-class domestic flights have not been that bad and actually quite satisfying. United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX first class cabin. I have flown United first class at least ten times in the past 3 months. On a smaller aircraft like a 737, you usually will see about four rows of business class seats. In exchange, they offered us 1000 frequent flyer miles. I'd much rather have a quality, cold snack box like the ones JetBlue has, over that stuff. 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. Reading some of these comments, I don't understand why people obsess over hot food items, as if it's what determines what first class or quality food should be. The planes are old and nasty. Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions! Ive struggled a lot to find open saver awards for first class flights on United so I would generally not expect to find a lot of open awards on premium transcontinental routes. I pointed it out to the flight attendant who instructed me not to touch it and came back with 2 sets of gloves, pus a plastic bag to pick it up directly and then of course cleaned it. You obviously went into this article with a preconceived judgement against United. For all who are not aware, you can bring your own food on board. When you enter this area, notice that some desks are designated for certain elite levels, such as 1K. Im beginning to strongly believe ( and I know i am correct), that it's so every obvious that some people just love today find ANYTHING to complain about. I am on an A330 tomorrow flying MEL to PER. I used to fly first and business class back in the 80s and 90s. So just because it's hot, it makes any pile of garbage "premium", praise worthy and makes United better than other airlines? Yes, Eric, people who pay a huge price to upgrade to extra legroom, a better seat and a meal are feeling shortchanged and are commenting. Complimentary headsets are available for use during your flight. But no.. American First-class passengers are offered the choice of a yogurt parfait or turkey croissant sandwich in the mornings and boxed fruit and cheese plate or turkey sandwich the rest of the day (no heated sandwich or premium snack box offering.). American left us stranded, and they just didnt care. "This year I celebrate 20 years since I last stepped on a United plane. Awful crew. United's 737-900 has 20 first class seats; five rows in a 2-2 configuration. The UA 737-800s with the dark leather seats look a lot more comfortable, but I've never had the opportunity to try one. Very disappointed and looking to other options in the future. The seats recline about 5 inches. Bigger and better service. Spike blood sugar and probably a good reason for the obesity in this country. If you want to book a first class award flight with miles, it will cost you 25,000 miles one way for a saver award. Their soft products have markedly improved at least visually, but my last flight on UA in Polaris from FCO to EWR (before the pandemic) was nothing to write home about. I knew this itinerary was the right decision when I saw my mom spending the entire flight either watching a movie or sleeping, all while reclining her seat. I made the mistake only once to bite into one. That sandwich looks absolutely disgusting. I get the desire to fly on the 787-8 with the new Polaris cabin but it seems like a circuitous way as opposed to going via IAH, DFW, etc "Let me be clear Im all for airlines reducing service due to coronavirus, and Im not even opposed to airlines offering no service to minimize the amount of time people have with their masks on. " I have a monthly Wi-Fi pass and have had no issues with it on all aircraft from ERJ170 to 77W. That said, I did get to fly in one of the old United A319s (before they put the new seats in) and I thought those were VERY comfortable - and probably the most comfortable besides an ancient US Airways 757-200 I flew on from Charlotte to Buffalo back in 2009. The food (fish) out of Cancun to Charlotte was a reincarnation of what was served in the movie Airplane. I ski there every 2 years and love it. 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. Colorado to Phoenix flew a 737. We were enthused looking forward to the experience! Some want an actual meal. I seriously cannot stop laughing at most of these comments about a sandwich in particular. United's latest business-class seat, called Polaris, is available on all of the carrier's 777-300ERs, plus a small number of 777-200s and fewer than a dozen of the airline's 767-300ERs. Its a bit ironic to me that airlines have cut inflight service to minimize contact (which is logical), and now serve you something that you basically eat entirely with your hands (which is less logical). Our new, extra-spacious United First seat was designed for comfort and convenience, whether you want to relax or work during your flight. https://clickamericana.com/topics/travel-tourism/mcdonalds-friendly-skies-meals-united-airlines-1991-1993. When my sister and I booked our flight from FL to Boston last month, we decided to treat ourselves to United first class seats. However there are ways to seek out lie-flat seats and and there are some perks that are always available like priority check-in and boarding that make the experience better. This looks disgusting. The flight experience is going to vary dramatically between a wide body aircraft and a smaller aircraft like a 737. United domestic first class. As we were heading down from the gate to the plane, the agent was walking along with us to close the door to the plane. During ticket purchase After ticket purchase At check-in At the gate Seating option details Economy Plus MileagePlus Travel Awards On a ERJ145, you get individual seats. I'm with Lucky on this: I'd rather eat hot death than fly UAL. I save the United snack boxes and sandwiches and give them to folx experiencing homelessness. Even taking into Luckys known anti-United bias I wouldve though there wouldve been enough FFs out there who wouldve tried this before. Things sure have changed. Their soft products have markedly improved at least visually, but my last flight on UA in Polaris from FCO to EWR (before the pandemic) was nothing to write home about. While this line is very convenient, I typically just go through the TSA Pre-Check/CLEAR line. Ive had this sandwich plenty of times. When flying United first class domestically, you typically will NOT have access to the United Club Lounges. I once had cold spaghetti with what Id swear was catsup on top on a Continental flight back in the 90s. As we were in the 3rd and last row of 1st Class, and I assumed that meant limited recline but there was a decent sized space between the back of our seats and the wall seperating the cabins. US carriers are leteraly the worst. Everyone would be happier. I'm moving to a place where Delta serves soon and will probably never use united again. On a 737-700, there could be as few as three rows and on a 737-900, there could be up to five rows. first class redemptions to use your Chase points on. When I approached the rep at the gate to inform her of the needed wheelchair assitance, not only did she call someone to assist him, she offered to try and get us in the same row. @Jason how was skin in Telluride? (Although it sounds Next time you are in a 5 STAR MICHELIN restaurant and receive a MacDonalds Big Mac as the entre I would suggest you might feel unhappy as well. I'm old enough to remember flying coach on American Airlines and getting served a double decker sandwich. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. I just think domestic first and business is a joke regardless for what one pays in dollars or points. I had one bite too. The Select Snackbox was perfectly fine, and exactly what youd expect. There's gotta be a "fat Americans" joke somewhere around here. By and large I've found the experience pleasantand, BTW, actually enjoy the sandwich victimized by your snarky commentsno cold skimpy snack box for me. United Domestic First Class Seats B777. People are seriously in a deep discussion about what kind of food is served in First Class My 80 year old father and I recently flew United 1st Class from Boston to LAX, with a layover in Denver. I dont know what lunch meat sandwich with melted cheese will Im kinda surprised at the shock expressed against this sandwich. And what if they don't have someone with them to attempt to get them something to occupy the time.