It was like rewinding the clock back over a decade, but I had the chance to fly on a United Airlines “high density” 777-200 in business class on a recent transcontinental flight. While not a bad seat by any means, you should be aware of what to expect if you choose this aircraft.
United 777-200 HD: Eight Across In Business Class
Prior to the Continental merger in 2012, United’s entire longhaul fleet had seats like this. In fact, I have flown around the world in these seats, including multiple trips to Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East.
But it was the first time since before the pandemic that I had flown with this particular configuration and it brought back many happy memories…and a rather humorous negative reaction from others. I chuckled as passengers boarded and appeared horrified that the business class cabin felt more like dorm bunks than a true premium cabin.
Not only do the window seats not have direct aisle access, but there are four seats in the center section, meaning if you get those two middle seats you are really wedged in.
Furthermore, these are called “coffin” seats because they are extremely narrow.
Additionally, the odd-numbered rows are rear-facing and the even-numbered rows are forward facing, so you look right at your seatmates as you sit.
And last but not least, these seats have no personal storage.
No, this is not an ideal situation in 2023. On the other hand, my sources tell me that United is considering ripping out these seats and putting in standard recliners in their place. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather have these “coffin” seats which are well-padded and comfortable than a standard recliner.
So my hope is that these aircraft stick around awhile longer as is, though certainly if I am flying on a transcontinental flight I deliberately seek out a Polaris seat instead of this one.
By the way, the flight was productive. I had cheese enchiladas for lunch and spent most of the flight working.
You can find this aircraft flying on select transcontinental, Hawaiian, and hub-to-hub flights. When booking, check for this seat map:
CONCLUSION
I flew on United’s “vintage” business class from Los Angeles to Washington, which was certainly a blast from the past. I’m old enough to remember when these seats were cutting-edge over a decade ago.
While these seats are now totally uncompetitive on a longhaul flight, I welcome them over a standard recliner on a domestic flight.
Totally agree with you that if the choice is these seats or standard domestic first class style recliners I’ll take these every time.
The only reason I’d advocate their removal is so that United would be able to achieve standardization across the fleet. The ideal of course is that when you buy a seat in a class of service you should get the same seat and the same experience in that class every time no matter what the aircraft or route. But I think the length of the Hawaii flights for example really merits a better seat and these fit the bill pretty nicely so I’d leave them as an exception.
OMG, I thought only TG operated this awful config on the 772 and they got rid of it about 20 years ago!
20 years ago there were few if any airlines that had lie flat seats in business class
Travelling mostly Europe to South East Asia and Australia, by 2003, lie flat seats were the norm, they may in the main have been angled but recliners, at least on the airlines I travelled on were gone.
I very clearly recall the complaints when these seats came out that they were already well behind the state of the art. Both United and American were slow to adapt to the changing demands of business class passengers.
I’d beg to differ. The only lie flat I recall on a RTW One World trip – all in business – I made in 2003….was British Airways.
Qantas, Cathay Pacific – big recliners…not lie flat.
Sorry but I flew Qantas in 2002 and they had full lie-flat seats…that were awesome.
Not the best seats, sure, but in your case, they’d be decent if you’re traveling with your wife and kids, no?
I’ll be in the minority here but these seats are still very comfortable. While I hate the idea of being trapped in the middle or window and having to step over my seatmate to get out, its a comfortable seat and I’d gladly take this over any recliner.
Flown this plane in business/ first (row 2) between Denver and Washington Dulles this year. Always fine, normally good service, and I’ve never heard/ seen anybody remarking on the configuration. This configuration – the high density domestic 777 – has been around for several years now, so not sure why it’s being reported as a novelty. Separately, I too flew around the world in these biz seats for years. Though not the best, still better than coach!
Agreed… these are not new… and they are not business class (except the occasional route to Lima and Cancun, I guess).
These replaced the old intl business class recliners about 6 or 7 years ago (if I remember right). I recall the previous recliners as a throw back to my ORD-HKG Bejing and Shanghai in the 2006 timeframe with 747 and 777 with “recliner” business seats. I am guessing they were reused as other planes got Polaris seats. These planes are used for hub to hub, some Orlando and Cancun routes, and some Hawaii routes (from SFO, DEN). The upgrade ratios/odds are the worst on these Hi density 777s
Did you ever fly the first class seats when United first took delievery of the 777? They were recliners but very wide. If I remember it was 2x2x2 in first, 2 rows. Seats were very comfortable. Then around 2000 they came out with a 1x2x1 3 row configuration with lie flat seating. Pretty much got my 1MM status flying these ORD-LAX and back. Then the Global First pods came out maybe around 2008? Of course it was United back then, not Continental. Wish I had a photo! Have this aircraft booked later this year.
There ain’t no global first in 2008, that is not even the name that used by original united but after merger excon exec used that name from 2010. The United international first suite were announced back in 2006, it was called IPTE, alongside putting 2-4-2 in C class being horizontal flat seats, as back then CO was still using recliners for their BusinessFirst same with DL Business elite, NW world Business class was angle flat.
IPTE – United’s first flat beds in business – was announced in late 2007, not in 2006.
Seem like they use space really well. if you could stuff enough of these into domestic widebodies to cut the cost in half, i’d take these on non-redeye 4 -6 hour domestic trips.
Sure. It seems like just yesterday that there were L-1011’s ATLMCO and DC-10’s SEADEN.
But those planes had seat/mile costs that would make one cry compared to a 737 MAX.
I got to fly on one of these a while back, and it was a real bucket list item checked off for me, because I had always wanted to experience flying “backwards”. I had a blast sitting in that window seat and seeing things from that perspective! Sometimes it’s the little things in life. 🙂
These seats are fine for flights of up to 8 to 10 hours, particularly to heavy leisure destinations like Hawaii where you have a lot of couples and families. I think the seats themselves are much more comfortable that a standard narrow body first class seat by far. They are also more comfortable than the standard PE seat as well. The only thing I didn’t care for was the reverse facing seats where it is difficult to not make eye contact when you are directly facing someone only a few feet away for hours on end.
My vote would be to keep the seats, but come up with an arrangement so that they are all forward facing, and then run these on the appropriate routes like to Hawaii and longer transcontinental flights. (I also very much dislike that the airlines have decided that they will only fly narrow bodies on domestic routes no matter the length of the flight or the traffic demand.
One of the things that rarely gets mentioned: these seats are still to this day extremely plushy. The cushions have more than held up for 15 years of use! Even compared to the new Polaris seats which while still incredibly comfortable and especially private are moderately harder.
These seem perfectly fine for domestic transcons, or Hawai’i flying, where you probably have a large number of couples and families that prefer to sit together. Now, those ghetto birds that Air France still flies TATL on the other hand…
I call this the sardine can business class. The seats are ok. I find it difficult to open the tray table. Just can’t get used to it. They definitely beat a recliner, especially the newer hard plastic recliners United put on their planes. The older 2×3×2 nicely padded recliners were much more comfortable than the hard plastic.
The high density configured 777’s are the old A-model (non-ER) 777s. They were some of the first ones off the manufacturing line. CX may have gotten the first 777 produced, but UA got the first 777 to enter revenue service (N777UA). I hope these birds keep flying for many more years to come, but I suspect they’ll be retired with these types of seats.
This plane is either the original 777-200 non-ER from the mid-1990’s, or the oldest ER’s. In any case, it’s over 20 years old and is only still around because it’s here. United isn’t trying to offer anything cutting edge in the domestic markets it serves. It’s all about just having a lot of Y seats.
That there even is some semblance of a premium cabin against, for example, Alaska Airlines 737 is just a happy coincidence.
I have never been on one, but looking at the pictures, it looks like the video screen is in front of you and it looks to tall to see over. How are you looking at the person in front of you? Just curious.
Across the aisle from you, they are facing the other direction, so you are looking right at one another.
Ah, ok, so not directly across, but within your vision. Thanks.
these are actually one of the most comfortable business seats for sleeping in existence– in my opinion. (And I’ve flown everything, on every airline, including some great proudcts). The focus was on having a comfortable bed– even though it’s narrow, it feels great to lie on it.
Yes, overall the new polaris seats are a lot better. But I prefer these old UA seats over the old continental-style lie-flat pods.
Those seats were never cutting edge, even when they debuted.
I flew these seats twice Dubai to Washington.
They were narrow but otherwise comfy (which didn’t bother me since I’m not average US business person girth ..)
I can remember getting decent sleep as long as the person on the inside did not step on you when going to the bathroom.
YUCK, reminds me of a KLM flight in BIZ years ago. sad
Have you rode on these? It’s not nearly as bad as it sounds.
Although I must admit I do t really care for the reverse facing seats. It feels a bit disoriented.
That does bring back memories! Had a very comfortable flight years ago with the fam of 4 taking the middle section from syd to lax. Used a trick to book in economy then request business class (had to be done on the phone). Can’t remember the mechanics but it put us all at the top of the waitlist and we all got upgraded.
Also flew the first class on United a couple of times. Sometimes it was cheaper than biz!
Some of those old seats are indeed comfortable. Bulkhead on the older non Polaris United planes were the best sleep transatlantic. Sure, less privacy though. Would take one of the middle two seats.
I know many people hate this seat, but I will take this seat rather than the SQ business class seats. Yes, it’s 8 in a row. However, these seats are comfortable in every position and the cushion is among the best in the industry. Yes SQ business seats are wide but I don’t like to sit on a bench. Not to mention the strange angle to sleep that even I am a short person, my leg / ankle would get “cut” due to the small footrest space. On the other hand, the soft product on SQ is amazing and on UA…..
No, Please keep these off the Hawaii runs! I “commute” 6+ times per year and I am no fan of this configuration! Give me the 1-2-1 or even 2-1-2 of the 767 or 787 every time! They have the guts to charge pretty the same for May of these, as well as the standard 757 from DEN or west coast. Not the same product at all.
An FA told me that crew and pax generally dislike this ridiculous 2-4-2. I don’t mind facing backwards but it is narrow and I definitely want direct aisle access for 9-12 hour flights.
UA discontinued the EWR-HNL non stop about 8 weeks ago. It was usually 767 which is my favorite. They are blaming FAA but a pilot friend reports that UA just totally messed up maintenance schedule on the 767 and had to pull a lot of them. I don’t mind stopping in LA in one direction (grandkids) but I’m not happy losing the nonstop in other direction.
I’m million miler and 1k, so I don’t want to switch airlines but UA please ban this 2-4-2 until configuration is changed and get me my 767 back- or I’m good with 787.
Of course Polaris would be preferred, but don’t you prefer the 777HD over the 753 or 739?
While they’re not all really Polaris but yes I do take the 2-4-2 over narrow bodies but it doesn’t make me happy. But the narrow body is only for stops- I need my nonstops ewr-hnl back
And I’ll go back to avoiding HD like a plague
Please feel free to book the recliners and I will gladly take the lie flats. Of course the Polaris pods are better, but I’ll take these over a recliner 1stbckass any day.
-1k based in Honolulu
I’m surprised that nobody’s mentioned the complete lack of storage. I’m guessing everything has to go into the overhead bins for takeoff and landing? It doesn’t look like you can put anything under the ottoman, and there doesn’t seem to be any in-seat storage, either.
Those middle seats look awful. With such narrow armrests and zero separation, you’re literally rubbing elbows with your neighbor!
You are right! I forgot about the (lack of) storage.
You’re not rubbing elbows in these seats.
These are far better for sleeping than the narrow footwell Polaris seats
Agreed. Not a fan of the small foot area of the Polaris pods.
Aren’t these foot-wells smaller than the one you find in Polaris seats?
Yep – zero storage in these is the biggest issue by far.
I flew these between Japan and the US back in the day when ANA wasn’t available. They were so comfortable but zero storage and it seemed like every seat had a direct view into the galley or a toilet.
I flew a couple of times to London on UA’a 777-200 in Connoisseur Class in 90s and early 2000s. It was 2-3-2. Was the 2-4-2 after Connoisseur class or around at the same time. Connoisseur Class had excellent seats. They were really more than enough except if you need a long sleep, but you could probably get a niee rest on those seats.
Took these on the old HKG-SIN flight. Very comfortable and being used to flying BA ying yang the config didn’t seem too outrageous!
My work had booked me on an overnight in economy so I used some miles to book this instead. The seat map was empty so I was most surprised to find a full flight when I boarded – not sure if it was upgrades or non revs
So glad my flying for business days are over. Would never take a “backwards” seat.
Flew on one of these bad boys from Beijing to San Francisco back in 2017. Was perfectly fine for a long haul flight.
Could always be worse. AA’s Phoenix to Maui non-stop, for instance. That’s an Airbus 321-neo, new plane, disaster of a business class. I urge you, Matthew, to fly that sometime and offer a review. AA should be ashamed.
I’ve been regularly flying all business carriers NYC SFO offering a layflat “international” product: United, Delta, American, JetBlue. JetBlue wins hands down if one gets a MINT “1” in their “2-1-2-1-2” configuration. American first is claustrophobic compared to the direct aisle access singles on United or Delta business. For these singles, it is imperative to get a seat parallel to the window; the angled seats are less private, and will make you feel like you’re falling out of your jeans into the aisle.
United wins the “skimpy blanket” competition. Their blanket is so pathetic that I bought a Rumpl 1-person (not travel) down puffy blanket for United flights. Rumpl is widely regarded among travelers as the best travel blanket, though few review sites recommend them because they don’t give affiliate bribes. This is a minor quibble one needs to bear in mind flying United.
@Matthew
When you say these seats may be ripped out for recliners, are we talking the old barcaloungers, or the current domestic F seats?
I don’t mind 1A on a domestic flight, but no other seat. The first time I ever took my mom in business class, we had the two middle seats in this nightmare configuration. To this day, whenever I take us on a trip, she refuses to go unless I let her sit in coach as she still has nightmares about that flight. She won’t even fly any business or first class fearing it will be similar to that awful configuration. She was stuck for 8 hours having to go to the lavatory with no way to get out over the drugged and sleeping person next to her; she was crying in pain and embarrassment by the time we landed. I climbed over the Ambien guy next to me, but my mom isn’t tall or young enough to do that. We weren’t allowed even a book to read as there’s absolutely no stowage and the FA made her stow everything in the overhead (I hid my small purse under a blanket so I got to keep that). She had to stare at some strange man the whole way. I had an ice cream sundae and some alcohol to help make the flight a little less awful. She didn’t have that type of service on her side of the plane so no dessert over there.
Yuck. Having just done Polaris business class for the 15 hour flight to and fro South Africa (very good seats!), I would never consider paying for these “business class” seats for a 7+ hour flight on which I intended to sleep. While I have no problem being the guy who steps over a sleeping person next to me, these seats just don’t justify the United’s business class longhaul price point.
I suppose I might consider them on a shorter east coast to Europe overnight flight if the business class was 50% cheaper than Polaris–but I don’t see them as much of an improvement over premium economy for that length of flight–at least those seats have storage under the seat in front of you for your book, ipad and noise cancelling headphones.
TBH, When I saw 1st pic, I thought the lidded thing was a toilet..
The narrow width and lack of storage cancels out the padding benefit IMO, and the pricing is a joke. Should be priced closer to Premium Plus than J. This was not a competitive product a decade ago, let alone in 2023.
3-4 hours probably ok. Long haul where you want to get up to stretch or use the restroom give me v the 787 Dreamliner. Just flew on a BA 380 and all the window biz class seats you had to climb over the aisle seat to get out. For the price of Biz class, make the seats as comfortable and user friendly as possible.
I flew in those seats on the second deck of the old United 747-400 to and from Beijing/Shanghai and SFO.
The best thing about them is they were comfy and way more affordable than the newer seats.
Zero storage, super narrow. No aisle access if you aren’t on the aisle. If you want to sleep you had better stay on your back because on your side you will be right in your neighbor’s face. I hate these seats. It’s about the width! I could live with less length – they truly feel like a coffin, to the point that I’ll probably start flying Hawaiian for my HI trips.
I have flown these three times this summer – HNL/DEN roundtrips. The seat is fine. It is the lack of storage and privacy that is my issue. Once I had the aisle seat in the 4 abreast section and a mother tried to shame me into giving up the aisle seat because somehow that was going to allow her to sit next to her son and spare me. As it turned out – she was already next to her son but just wanted the aisle side. She said “well, you’ll have to deal with my son then,” which I did – he was a fun 5 or 6 year old. And she slept through it all – letting a strange old man interact with her boy for a 6.5 hour flight. But that is the kind of risk you take on the flight – an odd-ball seat mate. As to storage – yes, that is an issue, but if you are on the aisle, putting everything overhead for take-off and landing is not that big a deal.
I feel sorry for the poor person that may have a bladder issue that gets stuck in one of the TWO middle seats in their ‘business class row…actually, I feel sorry for those aisle passengers. Once again, U.S. carriers are behind the curve in comfort: “pack’em in like sardines so we can make more bank”. I can deal with the backward seating (I have flow Aeroflot in the day). But this 2 4 2 configuration is just barbaric to say the least. I could respect them if they said, No more business class seats…just these premium economy seats. As far as I am concerned, I will pay half the price and board a Qatar\Emirates\Ethiad\Ethiopian\France, just about any other foreign carrier flight with their individual lay flat pods in business, any day.
I’d still take this over Euro Business on LH/LX/BA/AF etc.
So any comments on the rear facing seats when traveling on a red-eye flight SFO-IAH? Or would you just stick with front facing seats? We scored this flight after a schedule change at no additional charge, and the new schedule worked out for us, but since the seats are currently wide open, we are at an advantage to reserve whatever window/isle seats we want at this point in time.