United Airlines runs a mix of 757-200, 777-200, and 787-9 aircraft on its premium transcontinental routes. While the 787-9 offers Polaris seating (a more spacious 1-2-1 configuration), the 757-200 (2-2) and the 777-200 (2-4-2) offer United’s older business class products that have far less personal space and no direct aisle access at every seat.
Nevertheless, when faced with waiting hours for a 787-9 or taking a 757 or 777 with a better schedule, I’ll save the time…the seat is still lie-flat and the bedding, food, and IFE onboard is the same.
United Airlines 757-200 Business Class – First Impressions
For this trip, I took an early afternoon flight from Newark to Los Angeles on a Boeing 757-200.
The B/E Diamond seats are comfortable and, if traveling with a companion, conducive to conversation.
United offers its full international bedding on these flights and that includes a pair of pillows and a comfortable duvet. However, I did not sleep on this flight…between meals I watched the latest Mission Impossible movie, which clocks in at nearly three hours, and very much enjoyed it.
Service was excellent on this flight. The two flight attendants working first class were quite junior, which in itself is neither a positive or a negative, but these two were so attentive and friendly…I know morale is down as flight attendants wait for a new contract, but these two did not take it out on their passengers.
I highlighted earlier the excellent meal onboard, which really was a treat and a very pleasant surprise.
After mixed nuts and a drink to start (and United now offers far better wine onboard), the meal began with a delicious appetizer of herb ricotta cheese with baby beets, toasted pistachios, and pineapple citrus vinaigrette..a perfect combination of flavors.
It was served with green salad of baby red oak leaf arugula salad with shaved parmesan, artichokes, and roasted red tomatoes with olive oil and vinegar dressing plus bread (garlic and pumpernickel):
For my main course, I pre-ordered braised osso buco with savory braising jus, golden milanese risotto, and char-grilled asparagus spears. Could United pull it off? Oh yes… delicious tender veal indeed and the risotto and asparagus were also fabulous. I think the appearance could be spruced up a bit (and of course, better lighting on the ancient 757-200 would help as well), but this was so satisfying. My seatmate, who ordered the same thing, I agreed.
For dessert, I enjoyed a Tillamook vanilla bean ice cream sundae with all the toppings.
That alone would have been enough, but the flight was almost six hours and a pre-arrival meal was served. I chose the Tuscan kale arugula salad with roasted sweet potatoes, baby carrots, Granny Smith apples, fresh mint, candied pecans, goat cheese, creamy avocado Italian dressing, and side of grilled chicken and fresh fruit.
What a perfect combination! I loved the falvories and how fresh this was…it is the sort of thing I would eat at home and a salad I wish United would offer on all domestic flights as a meal choice.
> Read More: United Airlines Has Upped Its Catering Game: Delicious Osso Buco, Fresh Salads On Premium Transcontinental Flight
Finally, a word on operational reliability. I flew five flights on United this month and all arrived on time or early…compare that to my last four American Airlines flights, where only one arrived on time. I feel like operational reliability should be a given, but kudos to United for the on-time flights.
This has been the year of free agency for me when it comes to flying, but United will always be my “first love” and this flight was very solid…next time I return to the East Coast I’ll try to fly United via Newark once again.
The food looks awful, typical of United
Food was delicious. Both meals.
Just out of curiosity, did they distribute a menu?