• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Home » United Airlines » Yes Gary, I Would Fly 1700 Miles in a Regional Jet
United Airlines

Yes Gary, I Would Fly 1700 Miles in a Regional Jet

Matthew Klint Posted onNovember 20, 2017November 14, 2023 20 Comments

United Airlines Meal Prioritization

Gary Leff asks, “Would You Fly 1700 Miles in a Regional Jet?” My answer is…depends on the jet. But in answer to the specific jet referred to in his question, the answer is YES.

United is adding several new domestic routes, including a 1,731 flight from Fresno (FAT) to Chicago (ORD). The flight will be operated by an Embraer E175, a regional jet featuring 12 seats in first class, 16 seats in EconomyPlus, and 48 seats in economy class. First class pitch is 37″, EconomyPlus is 34″, and economy class is 31″.

That’s a long flight…no doubt about it. But here are three reasons I prefer this aircraft to a mainline 737 or 757 on the same route.

1. No middle seats

Almost always, I am alone when I fly or fly with one companion. Even when I’m traveling with my wife and son, Augustine does not take up his own seat. I like not having a middle seat. The economy class seats, especially in EconomyPlus, are just as comfortable as the economy class on United Mainline.

I will concede that the lack of a power port behind the curtain is concerning for a flight that may stretch four hours, but I can get through a flight of that length if my devices are fully charged prior.

2. First Class is surprisingly comfortable + great upgrade ratio

First Class is configured 1-2 and your upgrade ratio on this aircraft is better than on most. The seat is comfortable and contains power ports. Furthermore, I find the tray tables particularly sturdy on this aircraft…there is nothing more annoying than a sagging tray table on an old mainline aircraft.

The downside is that sometimes the meals come out looking particularly bad. There are no ovens onboard so all meals are cold.

food on a tray with a napkin and a glass of water

3. Gogo Wi-Fi

These United Express aircraft offer Gogo Wi-Fi, usually a more reliable alternative than United’s own proprietary system found on most mainline aircraft. I like the ability to use my American Express Business Platinum passes. Messaging is also free for T-Mobile customers.

CONCLUSION

I flew from Minneapolis to Los Angeles on the same aircraft earlier this year, a 1,536-mile flight. It was no problem. This new flight will not be a problem either. And arguably, it will be an even better in-flight experience than a larger mainline aircraft.

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article United Polaris Shop: If You Can’t Steal It, Buy It…
Next Article Would You Upgrade Chicago to LA for $159?

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • a screen on a plane

    Fly Cheaper From Newark: Runway Ready, Fares Falling

    June 2, 2025
  • United JetBlue Partnership

    JetBlue Talked To American And Delta—But United Made The Offer It Couldn’t Refuse

    May 31, 2025
  • a person holding a dish of ice cream

    United Airlines Adds Aperol Spritz, Caramel Sundaes, And New First Class Meals

    May 30, 2025

20 Comments

  1. Matt Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Not really the point of this post but Gary’s is the single most unreadable blog in any field I’ve come across. Plus he’s a bag of dicks ok byyyye.

    • IADDan Reply
      November 20, 2017 at 10:56 pm

      Gary’s blog has seriously gone downhill recently. Thought leader of travel is a joke. This blog has surpassed Gary’s

      • Matthew Reply
        November 20, 2017 at 11:56 pm

        I respect Gary as both an aviation expert and friend. Let’s not insult him here.

  2. YYZFlyer Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

    I prefer the Embraer aircraft compared to the 737 and A320 aircraft. The 2-2 configuration in economy and the 1-2 configuration in first class is for sure my favorite part of these aircraft. I have flown the YYZ-SEA (2061 miles) flight on AC in Y a few times on an E-190 and it was much more pleasant than the A320 I have flown from YYZ-YVR where it feels much more cramped. The one downside when flying the Embraer on long flights in economy is the lack of washrooms. There are only 2, one for business class and one for economy and the lines for the economy class washroom can get very long near the end of the long YYZ-SEA flight. AC also at least has USB ports in economy on their E-190s.

  3. Geoff Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 10:24 am

    Thankfully the 50 seaters can’t go that far, right?`

  4. Brad Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 11:15 am

    Matthew, how have you been able to use T-mobile free wifi on United gogo flights? I never have. Their splash page doesn’t have the TMO click through option that I’ve been able to find.

    • Matthew Reply
      November 21, 2017 at 12:00 am

      Hi Brad, I’ve never had a problem using it. I just login to my Gogo account and the option to use my AMEX passes pops right up. I have some screenshots I can send you.

      • Brad Reply
        November 21, 2017 at 8:52 am

        Amex passes sure, but T-mobile free messaging? I’d love to be able to use that.

    • Kyle Stewart Reply
      November 22, 2017 at 9:30 am

      I haven’t and I am not happy about it.

  5. MeanMeosh Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 11:16 am

    I’ve flown about that far in an E-175 (AS from DAL to PDX, which clocks in at 1,627 miles, and DL from JFK to DFW, at 1,392 miles). The first in coach, the second in F. DL F was better since you get power ports, but Y really wasn’t that bad. The lack of power is a real problem, and the seatbacks on that particular aircraft were rock hard, but the overall experience was no worse than standard Y in a 737 or A320. And as you point out, no middle seats and a good upgrade ratio are major pluses. So yes, while I still prefer larger aircraft, I’d do 1,700 miles in an E-170 or E-190 series without much hesitation.

    Now, doing that in a CRJ is another story. I also once had to endure JFK to DFW in a CR7, and that was borderline torture. No thanks.

    • Matthew Reply
      November 21, 2017 at 12:00 am

      I agree that a CR7 is a whole different ballgame.

  6. Kacee Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 11:42 am

    Thanks Matthew, that piece deserved this response.

    I think most frequent UA flyers agree the E175 is preferable to UA’s A3xx and B737 for the reasons you list. The only downsides are the lack of hot food (no ovens), reduced overhead space, and sometimes hit or miss Express service.

  7. Donald Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    If they could figure out a way to serve hot food they’d be just about perfect. Sitting in the solo seat in business class is a great way to travel domestically. Like a different world compared to UA’s disgusting EJ145’s.

  8. Jeff Hedrich Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    I’d be content in the CRJ900 with the upgraded cabins for that distance.

  9. Brian Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    Flew the E175 from YYZ – ORD last month in FC. I had seat 1A which is the first seat on the side with the singles. I’d definitely fly the E175 any day.

  10. John Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    It’s been a couple of years, but B6 used to fly RJ’s nonstop between MSY and BOS. WAY better in Y than replacement 737’s on same route (and not even serving meals!).

  11. AL Reply
    November 20, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    don’t forget seat width on the ERJ is 18″ vs. 17.3″ on a 737 in Economy

    • Matthew Reply
      November 21, 2017 at 12:01 am

      Good point!

  12. UA-NYC Reply
    November 21, 2017 at 1:28 am

    To be fair those seats in Y are plywood covered with pleather. They are a big step down from the regular UA mainline blue slimlines.

    But agreed the rest of the E75 experience is solid ..

  13. Marissa Reply
    November 21, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Absolutely yes. Had many flights between 3 and 4 hours on these planes up front and no complaints especially if I get a single seat like 2A, 3A, or 4A.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for May

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • a group of airplanes at an airport
    Fair? Condor A321 Misses Munich Curfew By 10 Seconds, Causing EIGHT-HOUR Detour June 4, 2025
  • a row of monitors on an airplane
    Dreamliner To Rome: Alaska Airlines Confirms First Europe Route June 4, 2025
  • Hong Kong Photo Essay
    Photo Essay: Resilient Hong Kong June 3, 2025
  • Capital One Venture X Lounge Access Changes
    Capital One Venture X Lounge Access Changes (Mostly Negative) June 3, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Aegean Airlines Feast
    A Feast Fit For A King On Aegean Airlines May 23, 2025
  • United American O’Hare gate dispute
    United Airlines To American Airlines: Fly More, Sue Less May 6, 2025
  • American Airlines 737-800 First Class Pathetic
    American Airlines 737-800 First Class: Pathetic May 6, 2025
  • Israel Flight Cancellations
    Major Carriers Extend Flight Cancellations To Israel: Here’s The List May 14, 2025

Archives

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.