Here’s a side-by-side review of a United Airlines 737 MAX 9 in economy class from Los Angeles to Chicago so that you can compare what has changed over the last couple of years and also know what to expect onboard.
United Airlines 737 MAX 9 Economy Class Review
My family had to jet to Chicago to take care of some business and we flew out on United Airlines on a nonstop afternoon flight from LAX-ORD, which was perfectly timed to give us the first half of the day at home and still arrive in Chicago before bedtime. While I’m a redeye person when I travel solo, this flight-timing was ideal for traveling with small children.
Since my wife and I are both Star Alliance Gold members (as my Million Miler companion, she shares my lifetime United Premier Gold status), all four of us were able to enjoy lunch in the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge prior to departure.
We returned to the gate at scheduled boarding time, but before the text message announcing that boarding had begun, because we were each traveling with two carry-on bags and did not want to have to check any bags. That turned out to be a big mistake, as there was a 30-minute boarding delay…we just spent it waiting at the gate and I had to pay $9 for a large coffee for my wife that Heidi could have had for free in the lounge.
Boarding finally began…but we were stopped on the jetbridge (boarding stopped just after us) and told to wait…apparently in their rush to re-cater the aircraft, the caters had left behind the dirty/used carts from the previous flights (not sure how that is even possible) and so they had to be summoned again to remove them.
That took another 30 minutes…
But finally, we were allowed on board the airplane.
United 2794
Los Angeles (LAX) – Chicago (ORD)
Sunday, June 7
Depart: 3:38 PM
Arrive: 9:55 PM
Duration: 4hr, 17min
Distance: 1,744 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737 9 MAX
Seat: 11A,B,C,D (Economy Class – EconomyPlus section)
Another advantage to Premier Gold status is EconomyPlus seating at time of booking for you and one companion, so all four of us were able to reserve extra legrooms seats when we booked the flight.
Seats
The economy class cabin is divided into two sections, EconomyPlus (48 seats) and United Economy (111 seats). United MileagePlus Gold, Platinum, and 1K members can reserve EconomyPlus seats for no extra charge during booking while MileagePlus Silver members can choose EconomyPlus seats during check-in at no charge.
With 33.5 inches of legroom instead of 30.3, the difference was appreciated on a flight like LAX-ORD, which is over three hours in the air. All seats are 17.5 inches wide, but EconomyPlus seats recline an extra inch (three inches instead of two).
I inadvertently chose a row without a window…#lawsuit.
> Read More: United Airlines Faces Class Action Lawsuit For Selling “Window Seat Without A Window”
IFE + Wi-Fi
Even today, Wi-Fi is still hit or miss on United without a Starlink-equipped aircraft. Thankfully, our aircraft had Viasat and the internet worked well…it was a very productive flight for me ($8 for a Wi-Fi pass).
The kids were very happy to get their screen time onboard…
Just a tip I’ve shared before but will repeat: bring your own headphones for young children, because the free ones do not work well…they fall out of ears and are just not great.
Food + Drink
United offers free soft drinks and snacks onboard, with heartier meals, snack boxes, and alcohol for purchase. I had my usual staple, seltzer water with lime along with a chocolate quinoa cookie…always appreciated.
I also pre-ordered a cheeseburger, but in all the catering kerfuffle, it was not loaded…so the flight attendant offered me a gratis Tacos Al Pastor instead (I’ve had them before). Once again, not bad for airplane tacos.
Tacos Al Pastor
Chipotle-spiced pork, pineapple, rice and cotija cheese on flour tortillas topped with onion and cilantro
Service
Flight attendants were in a great mood and performed two beverages services…no complaints.
Lavatory
I did not get up to use the lavatory, but there are two in the rear and one in front of row seven…all very small.
CONCLUSION
We landed about 45 minutes late in ORD and it was late by this time…we had the underground walkway from the C Concourse to the B Concourse mostly to ourselves.
It was a nice flight…smooth and productive. The kid’s loved the seatback screens and my wife and I were able to get work done. A good flight indeed.
My prior review, published on May 22, 2024, is below. As you’ll see, not much has changed.
My early morning 737 MAX 9 flight in EconomyPlus (extra legroom economy class) on United Airlines was productive and about as good as it gets when it comes to domestic economy class in the USA.
United Airlines 737 MAX 9 Economy Class Review
These days, unless I buy a first class ticket on a domestic US flight, my upgrade rarely clears…which really makes me reconsider my perennial quest for MileagePlus elite status. Here, I even applied PlusPoints but missed the upgrade by three on a 6:00 am flight. At least my economy class ticket was cheap, at $320.03 from LAX-ORD-LAX.
Arriving inside LAX Terminal 7, a beautiful Chinese husky greeted me…with a service dog collar on. Of course…
Speaking of service dogs, there was a whimpering service dog on my flight. Do loud whimperings provide a service to their humans?
Let’s just get to the flight review…
Boarding began on-time at 5:20 am, with those with disabilities (including the whimpering dog) invited to board first, followed by uniformed members of the military, Global Services members, families traveling with children under two, and then PRemier 1K members.
United 1332
Los Angeles (LAX) – Chicago (ORD)
Monday, May 13
Depart: 6:00 PM
Arrive: 12:05 PM
Duration: 4hr, 05min
Distance: 1,744 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737 9 MAX
Seat: 10F (Economy Class – EconomyPlus section)
Onboard, I walked past first class (review here) and found my seat.
Seat
The economy class cabin is divided into two sections, EconomyPlus (48 seats) and United Economy (111 seats). United MileagePlus Gold, Platinium, and 1K members can reserve EconomyPlus seats for no extra charge during booking while MileagePlus Silver members can choose EconomyPlus seats during check-in at no charge.
Like most things, three inches make a huge difference. With 33.5 inches of legroom instead of 30.3, the difference is quite notable on a flight like LAX-ORD, which is over three hours in the air. All seats are 17.5 inches wide, but EconomyPlus seats recline an extra inch (three inches instead of two).
The two pictures are from a different flight (I was not the first to board since I left my dog at home) and note that United is in the process of retrofitting its older 737 MAX 9 to install screens behind each seat:
Each section of three seats has two universal power outlets.
There’s also a USB-A charger on the seatback screen (bottom side):
Each seat also features a reading light and personal air vent.
Mood lighting was turned on before takeoff:
IFE + Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi internet costs $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members regardless of domestic flight time. Select T-Mobile customers can enjoy complimentary access. Streaming movies and TV shows are available via the United app.
Each seat also had a seatback screen with Bluetooth connectivity (complimentary headphones were also offered), featuring a library of movies and TV shows (a great selection than the streaming service) as well as games, audio, and a moving flight map.
It was a cold “May Gray” day in LA, but quite beautiful during our approach to Chicago O’Hare:
Food + Drink
United Airlines offers complimentary snacks and beverages as well as alcohol, snack boxes, and warm meals (on flights over 1,190 miles). Snack selections included:
- Undercover Snacks
- Crunchy chocolate and quinoa snack
- Savory Snack Mix
- Blend of rye bagel chips, garlic bread bites, and mini pretzel twists
- That’s It Apple + Mango Fruit Bar
- Mini natural fruit bars
All three of these are great, but I love the dark chocolate and sea salt quinoa snack with seltzer water and a lime wedge…
As a 1K member, I am entitled to one complimentary food item and one alcoholic beverage when I fly in economy class. I skipped the alcohol, but I ordered a cheese omelet from the “Bistro On Board” menu. Choices included:
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – $9
- Creamy overnight oats mixed with golden apples and topped with cinnamon spice and raisins
- Ham, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Bagel – $10
- Asiago bagel with Black Forest Ham, fried egg patty, and apple cheddar spread
- Three Cheese Omelet with Seasoned Potatoes
- Swiss, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese omelet with a side of seasoned potatoes
Several snack boxes and other snacks (like mixed nuts, chocolate-covered strawberries, pringles, and Korean BBQ jerky) were available for purchase.
The omelet was frankly a nice substitute for a first class breakfast. It was not pretty and the ingredient list was far too long, but it was a typical airline omelet and I like airline omelets…
United has eliminated the pre-arrival beverage service, but flight attendants offered water about an hour before landing.
Lavatory
Two lavatories are located in the rear of the aircraft and one (small) lavatory just behind first class in the front of the cabin. Beware of the squirting sink…
Service
Service onboard was efficient. Interactions with flight attendants were limited, but pleasant. When handing me the omelet, the flight attendant thanked me for my 1K and MillionMiler status.
CONCLUSION
We landed 20 minutes early in Chicago and I was on my way via the iconic neon tunnel to the rental car center via the train.
Let’s count it up: a safe and on-time flight with an early arrival, good legroom, a warm breakfast, fast internet, and a seatback screen with over 200 movies….I’m not sure what more I’d want on a US domestic flight in economy class.
This is something that peeves me so much about United – no second beverage service, and no alcohol for E+ passengers along with a paltry 33.5’ legroom.
They spend all this money on retrofitting aircraft, having great Polaris, etc etc – and then nothing on the everyday niceties that economy / economy + passengers get on delta, Alaska, hell even american.
The breakfast looks the same as Holiday Inn Express’.
Weird coincidence: I just flew UA in EconomyPlus, ORD-LGA, was also third on the upgrade list, got my free 1K benefit snack box (nomeals due to flight length), and I’m staying at a Holiday Inn Express. I don’t eat eggs, though.
Is the elimination of pre-arrival beverage service an official new thing? I hadn’t heard that but was surprised by my recent EWR-SEA and SEA-EWR flights. On the first flight they did do a pre-arrival beverage service (so a total of two), but never came through the cabin with water. (Thankfully I always have a large bottle with me). On the second flight there was only the one beverage service, and then they came through the cabin with water only once. Crews were nice enough but I’ve been used to two beverage services and at least two water passes on these pretty long flights.
The second service was not eliminated but it is not always done. The water passes are sorta up to the crew, I believe it’s technically supposed to be every 30 minutes. Personally, I’ll alternate between trash and water when I walk thru the cabin on longer flights.
And you wonder why I went to Delta…
Can’t blame you for doing your best to avoid UA’s ghastly economy section I suppose but Matthew y0ur review title is wrong. You weren’t in economy class, you were in economy-plus. Reckon one day you’ll have to take one for the team and actually review a full flight in the real economy cabin.
I switched to United after being booted from AA Concierge Key. I’ve since requalified for 1K, and on my way to lifetime status (which can’t be done for EXP on AA of course). I have been incredibly impressed with UA’s flight attendants, particularly over the past six months. It’s very obvious they have a customer sat initiative ongoing, based on their continual surveys of passengers. It’s working! Flight attendants have been great, with very few exceptions. Food on UA; well, not a lot of good to report there for first class passengers. But in coach, UA is the best…snack boxes available on almost all flights, and hot items available on longer flights. Really impressed!
Hmm. 737 Max-9.
Let me guess, you got a deal on the ticket due to a blowout sale?
I guess the service dog must have taken your upgrade…
Not doing a second beverage service is ridiculous. That’s definitely a Change I Don’t Like.
Imagine how much more triggered Matthew would have been had it been a really overweight/obese person with a service dog boarding before him…
Dog was in economy class…
I’m a paltry United gold, but 100% because of transcon flights and flight spending, not credit card
There are no upgrades ever, basically. This week sealed the deal for me. On a rare coach flight cross country, an Ewr-Lax flight up gauged to a 789 from a 75w about 10 hours before flight time- but went out with 20 open business class seats (I counted). There are no upgrades on “premium” flights. Ridiculous.
The only reason I even book United is T7 at LAX is more convenient for my family picking me up. But this last flight, with American-caliber bad FA attitudes, and Newark customer service is enough to send me back to Delta regardless of the ridiculousness of SkyPennies
Matthew, I do not get upgrades like you but pay to go economy plus which I did !$300) from Ewr/San . A six hour flight. I specifically chose a seat the reclines but there was a plane change and got a no recline seat. I was in boarding group 2 and had to gate check my bag but groups 4 and 5 were allowed to carry on! I had to pay for my food and drinks. I do not think that United’s product is up to par with Delta’s service. I do agree with you regarding “service” dogs as I see fake ones on every flight. One even sat straight ip on a passenger seat and was given First class food!!!!
UA has not eliminated the pre arrival service. It’s supposed to be done 90 minutes prior to arrival on flights with over a 3 hour flight time. It really depends on the crew though…good luck finding an EWR crew who wants to do it. ORD crews are usually pretty good about doing the second service 🙂
Curious about the elimination of the pre-arrival beverage service as well. I haven’t seen or read anything about it, but experienced it myself the other day after mostly flying internationally.
Good Leads the Way. It seems as though both flights were good. Not great, not average, not bad. Good.
Extra legroom economy for the win, as usual.
For aviation enthusiasts → The second UA jet, prominently featured in the first photo accompanying the article, is a 0.5-year-old B737 MAX 9. It is currently en route from MIA to SFO.
For aviation enthusiasts → The UA jetliner featured in the twenty-seventh photo accompanying the article, is a 6.9-year-old B737 MAX 9. It is currently parked at IAH.
Greetings to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at LAX!
A pleasant family flight from home to the Windy City.
Those economy extra leg room inches make such a difference with family. Can put backpacks at kids feet. Just feels so much more comfortable.
Our family just flew economy on Garuda from Sydney to Bali (wife got the only flying blue redemption in biz). I’ll have to check the seat pitch but guessing 32 inches. Made the longish flight (6 hours) so much more bearable.
I’m prying, but what’s the business you do in Chicago? And why did the family have to come? Or just a little summer getaway?
The former Meigs Field is visible in the two pictures of Soldier Field, but that’s a sad story for another day.
I’ve grown to like United’s MAX planes. I find them comfortable for my frequent LAX-BOS and back flights.
I noticed that the earlier review had you leaving LAX at 6:00 PM and arriving at ORD at 12:05 PM on a 4:05 flight. I assume that was a 6:00 AM LAX departure, not PM?
6am indeed.
In the meantime, here’s another in-flight incident involving UA → https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/man-boards-united-flight-newark-220000071.html
Closing on a home in the Chicago area? I think in a previous post from a few months ago, you may have alluded to your family moving to the Windy City.
I am glad that the flights were pleasant.