After flying from Kona to Chicago in United's Boeing 787-9 business class, it was time to connect from Chicago to Boston in United's Boeing 737 MAX 9 first class. I was curious to experience this product, as I hadn't yet flown a United 737 MAX. Now, unfortunately only United's 737 MAX 8 aircraft feature the…
Continue reading: Review: United Airlines 737 MAX 9 First Class (ORD-BOS)
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What exactly do you feel makes United’s first cabin better than AA’s? I think they are different but more or less equal. The device holder on AA with the USB makes a difference for me.
Was boarding a fight of the fittest? I always had domestic US boarding with people taking to much luggage and try to beat everyone so they can get space for it in the overhead bins. Come on people I pay good money for my ticket and want to store my (mostly only small back pack) above or very close to my seat. Often, I also see people put luggage in first and move on to sit in economy.
Fair comment about the sandwich but there are no microwaves on planes, FYI. Those MAX ovens do a great job at *reheating* the food, which has been a huge improvement.
Everybody values amenities differently, and while I appreciate the device holder and USB on AA, I very much do like the cabin finishes on UA much better. It has some flavor vs AA just looks bland.
Alaska’s food is great. On a similar flight length (SEA-SJC) for breakfast I had a protein platter with hard boiled egg, cheese, overnight oats, fruit and turkey. Much healthier. Plus the snack basket.
If you get the chance you definitely need to check out the United 7M8, besides the lavs they are such nice planes
There's perhaps no better sign of how much we're in a Want F Buy F environment than no 1Ks getting upgraded (doubtful that there were 18 GSs onboard).
I'm pretty sure I'd take the breakfast snack box Delta (e.g. banana bread, yogurt, berries, and trail mix) offered until recently over that sandwich.
People fixate on "it's a hot meal". To them that sandwich, which is barely at the level of what you get at a sad gas station (let alone a Sheetz or Wawa or Cumbys) saw the inside of an oven for a few seconds so must be superior to anything cold.
Am I the only one who at first glance saw the fruits as the dreaded variety cheese cubes making a come back.
I think you're being a bit generous on the cabin. No TVs, nor usb sockets but you get "two seat back pockets in first class"? Are you being sarcastic? Hope so!
Those sandwiches are gross (there is a "chicken and cheese" option as well that is somehow LESS appetizing) and for anyone offered them, please know you can just ask for a snack box or something else that they sell back in economy. A much better option!
That breakfast looks absolutely disgusting! Seriously gross. And I am disturbed, as I'm based near ORD and UA is my go-to airline. That United Club you visited is my usual starting point for a trip. So, I could very well end up with that atrocity that you got for a meal and I find this disturbing.
That sandwich looks so, so gross. But that's probably a result of people obsessing over getting "hot food" back, and somehow seeing this sandwich as a victory no matter how much worse it is than almost any other cold item. Like others said, I'd take one of those snack boxes over this calorie/fat/sodium bomb.
I just fly a Max 9 from PHL-SFO. 6 AM departure. First time on a United Max since most of my routes seem to be a 738 or a 772 domestically. I am a 1K and was #4 on the upgrade list and just missed the cutoff, which I was sort of happy about as I had exit row 20 to myself which I think I'd rather have than sitting next to someone in FC, and I get free food anyway, and I think the Asiago breakfast bagel sandwich looks better than that stuff.
It'd be nice to have a breakdown of what your star ratings mean, and maybe examples of each from your travels over the years (flights and hotels). Like this all sounds like a 3-star review, as in perfectly fine and inoffensive, but nothing special.
Jesus effing Christ that breakfast is disgusting, and so unhealthy. Who at UA looks at that and says yeah...let's serve that on our flights? Just looking at the description on the outer wrapping, I would have been hesitant to open it.
Took another look at the wrapper. 580 calories and 59% of your daily sodium from a single 6 oz sandwich. I hope they have a defibrillator onboard.
To Ben why don't you fly the economy it would have been much cheaper on this trip what about us people that cannot afford to fly business or first class why don't you do an economy review especially for an overseas trip to Asia or even to Europe I promise it will not be the worst thing since sliced bread I know there are other readers who think like I do or who would agree with me thank you for your time
Instead of a nutrition label on that sandwich, just print a skull and cross bones next time.
Your suggestion of easier and possibly less deadly food should be given greater emphasis. I too have eaten the cheese thingamajig. It is scary awful. I would give anything for a bowl of cereal or yogurt. And instead of those awful sodium-laden lunches how about a sandwich of cheese or turkey or tuna fish. None of these are expensive and BTW have actual taste without slowly killing the passenger. And BTW I always try to bring on my own snacks just in case.
After Retired from GE Aircraft Jet Engine Inspections for 28.6 Years and numerous Overseas Assigned Assignments.
Looking fwd shortly to flying on United to Massachusetts to visiting my Great Great Grand
children…Oh when I use to Travel was often with United which always was Top’s as far as up to speed on Comfortable Consideration and Crew were TOP NOTICED.
Regard’s. Gerald George
Hesperia Ca.
Vietnam Veteran
USAF TSGT
AIRCRAFT JET ENGINE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC
I don’t get UA 's "snack" on domestic flights. I had the chicken sandwich twice in one weak and it was worse than vile. I refused it on 2nd flight but funny enough the older couple across from asked if there were any extras. There were plenty because most people know how disgusting that sandwich is. They both ate two of them! Given their size it was not a surprise!
I just flew United first class to Quito last week on this plane.. I was very surprised with the lack of an entertainment monitor and no info was given about the wifi. It was very clean and comfortable. I returned from Quito on Delta first class. The food was good- a real dinner I was able to select before the flight and entertainment. Seats very comfotable. When tray table had some problems steward took me aside, profusely apologized and sent me a $50 credit on the spot. Given the choice, I definitely chose Delta.
It's one of my favorites. Reminds me of NYC, but how did you see "Rhapsody in Blue" playing in the tunnel? Was it on a screen?
Wow! The 70 grams of carbs in that sandwich will raise the sugar level of a non-obese diabetic man or woman about 350 mg/dL! As normal is between about 70 and 100 mg/dL...that's sorta like a suicide pill/sandwich. And there is no alternative but to bring your own food. As a diabetologist and in a country where well over 13-15% of the population have diabetes mellitus...this is criminal. Just saying.....
I also flew on a United 737 MAX 9 in First Class, but from LAX-OGG after riding on a B789 flight from ORD. Seats were comfy and reclined quite a bit. Was also disappointed at the lack of seat back TVs and a bit peeved that United chose to use a single-aisle jet on a 5+ hour flight. Food was bad; the chicken and orzo were a downgrade after my amazing berry compote waffles on the 789. The chicken was too juicy and I was questioning the cook on that thing. The orzo was so dry and clumpy that it stuck to my throat. Service was great; even played a “Halfway to Hawaii” game with the captain on our way there. They even served a complimentary hot chocolate cookie upon landing, which was super nice. I had roughly the same experience as you, except mine was a tad bit better as I had a longer flight.
That sandwich looks like one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen, I would not have eaten that in a million years
Ummm.... I'm sorry to be gross but that "snack" pic looks like a photo of your meal AFTER ingestion. Good thing you weren't connecting to one of AA's "turkey sandwich" flights?
I wonder if booking a special meal gets you better quality food.
We are planning to fly United this summer, as they are the only airline that has direct flights from our closest major city to our destination. Our daughter is vegan, so we will request a special meal for her...but maybe we should all request special meals.
It is an undeniable talent to make food look so incredibly awful but equally, on a short haul domestic flight, a sparkling water, a tea made with a decent tea bag or fresh coffee with a 'real' biscuit is all that is required.
I totally disagree. When you're paying $215 for a first class ticket instead of $75 for a (non-basic) economy ticket, that should include more than a biscuit. The flight is over 2 hours, enough to serve 20 people. If airlines don't want meals on the plane, at least give lounge access. I know grizzled business travelers regularly turn down perks, but if they aren't there I'll look elsewhere or go economy.
I've seen some revolting plane food, but that slab of gunkified bread is just the worst! It's kind of ridiculous to call it a "covid" measure as a defense. Better off buying economy food instead 🙁
Yawn. Everything about the aircraft interior and product offerings was so unbelievably bland. I have to question the author’s credibility if he’s noting varying textures in this mundane cabin as a stand out feature.
American offers a snack basket in F on this route, except for the pilots, who get meals.
580 calories for the sandwich is actually OK and sodium doesn't matter for the vast majority of healthy people who actually exercise, but the macros are, well...eh. Would be nice to hit the magical 20 grams of protein and bring down the get a tad. The problem is that pile really won't keep you full and you may end up in a surplus.
Hopefully, the slow end to COVID will get United to stop boarding this crap - which was actually the "meal" not all that long ago. They may well be trying to sell out the stock they bought from their caterers.
Everyone complaining about that disgusting and unhealthy sandwich should remember there's a giant airport full of food options available before the flight. I know Americans have an all-or-nothing mentality and won't turn their head at a free meal, but it's ok to decline things once in a while. You just might survive a 2-hour flight without food.
We just took a long haul flight to Anchorage to and from Houston (about 7 hours on a UA 737 Max 9), and the seats are very uncomfortable after just a couple of hours, and bare bones is a very apt description. No foot or leg elevation, and limited recline. I much prefer 777 or 787. The WiFi and entertainment were fine.
The food was OK - one meal each direction. The United staff was friendly and efficient. Checking baggage in Anchorage was a slow nightmare but very efficient in Houston; it all arrived at our destinations.
There are two seat pockets that are so tight and hard to get into they may as well not be there. Useless!
OMG, what has happened to aviation and US airlines?
What were the times when Boeing 747 and DC-10 flew domestic American flights and the first class was still a first class according to the standards of the time.
With respect, but what is shown here in the article (many thanks for this to the author) is honestly a joke.
It used to be a joy to fly to and through the U.S., because you often flew, after precise planning, planes that were simply still planes, with appropriate service.
Nowadays, narrow-body planes dominate with Layouts that don't match what you pay for. Unfortunately, United has not evolved to its advantage, which I regret.
Seats - not really worthy of a first class. This is business class national at most
Meal on board - honestly a cheek and as commented before, look at the calories, not really your serious.
In the nineties I got a steak and a crisp salad in economy on Delta Airlines on a flight from Atlanta to Boston, in comparison now this? Not really serious, dear United
Lounge - the one shown here, also a bankrupt statement to American aviation
You have to realize what a First Class ticket costs and what you get for it in relation.
No thanks!