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, and 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 flavors 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.
You look awful. Typical of you.
Just out of curiosity, did they distribute a menu?
Unfortunately, no printed menus.
How did you gather that it was “baby red oak leaf arugula salad” and “golden milanese risotto”…?
Did they issue you any press material around this flight?
I said no printed menus. Digital menus are available on the United website (pre-orders too).
And to be clear, I do NOT converse with United about my travels.
On the United App under the flight status the detailed inflight menu for each cabin is available.
This looks excellent. I’m incredibly frustrated that only Delta offers premium transcontinental service on DCA-LAX. United will seasonally offer one wide body a day with regular first class catering.
AA and UA should offer flat beds on the their DC transcons.
I do think that at least with DCA, folks would pay the premium.
Matt gets paid by United. These are promo articles.
I wish. Is there an introduction you can make?
Thee food looks pretty good to me, particularly for a US domestic flight. I’m not sure what some people expect. This is a relatively short flight in business class, not a fifteen-hour trip in SQ or EK first. Adjust your expectations, people.
Id honestly prefer that seat for an overnight to Europe. Privacy less. Footwell size and bed comfort much nicer! I had lots of good flights on that to London back in the day.
United’s catering has improved dramatically and is continuing to get better. Wine selection is getti getting an overhaul and every meal shows greatly improved quality.
It’s impressive how they are taking food and service seriously
I generally agree, but there are still duds. Had the pork schnitzel last week, DEN-MUC, and it was inedible. Too bad, as the beef I had DEN-LHR, three weeks previous, excellent.
Flew that plane ORD – IAD. The foot wells are very small. I couldn’t stretch out at 6′ 3″
No doubt these seats are from the last generation, but still a big step up from a regular recliner.
Hey Matt,
Out of curiosity how did you know the crew were junior?
I’m curious because I get mistaken for being junior quite a bit because I look youngish I suppose even though I’m going on 20 years of flying.
I’d still consider 20 years junior! 😉
The purser was in his mid 30s or else immensely blessed with aging gracefully and the galley FA was in her early 20s…had to be.
> My seatmate, who ordered the same thing, I agreed.
> I loved the falvories
English. You should try it. Fragments and made up words aren’t part of the language.
Ironic as your statement includes at least two fragments.
Better than AI? Pick your poison…I still write my stories.
I flew this product in July as I had a overnight flight from LAX to IAD. I appreciated the lie flat seat, but also found it rather narrow, short (I am 6’4″), and a bit ‘old. My meal was great and the flight attendants were engaged and helpful.
It was definitely better than the average business class seat you find with United but nothing to get too excited about. Their best option is still the Polaris 787 plane.