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Home » Trip Reports » Review: United Airlines 757-300 First Class Honolulu To Los Angeles
Flight ReviewsUnited Airlines

Review: United Airlines 757-300 First Class Honolulu To Los Angeles

Matthew Klint Posted onMarch 4, 2019November 14, 2023 31 Comments

a sign on a wall

Your choice of aircraft matters greatly when flying to Hawaii. While widebodies will generally result in premium cabin lie-flat seating on American, Delta, Hawaiian, and United, narrowbody aircraft usually feature only recliner seats.

Since I reviewed my Hawaiian Airlines flight on the way out, I thought I would review my United inbound flight as well. While United’s 757-300 does not offer lie-flat seating, it does offer United’s latest refresh to domestic first class.

Originally, I had booked a redeye flight home, which would have been on a 737-800 with similar non lie-flat seats. But when I completed my work a bit earlier than expected in Honolulu, I looked toward options that would get me home in time to sleep in my own bed.

I noticed UA1231, which was originally supposed to leave at 8:00 AM but had still not left five hours later. The app would not confirm me on this delayed flight, but a quick call to United landed me on it.

a screenshot of a phone

I headed from the Hyatt Regency to the airport at about 1:15 PM and made it in 15 minutes. The airport was like a ghost town at this time of day, and the PreCheck line was deserted.

While proceeding to the gate, I received notification that my upgrade had cleared. While it was “only” a 757-300, the upgrade would certainly make the return trip more pleasant. Boarding began at 2:10 PM. The United gate area is currently under renovation so I did not even bother to head up to the United Club.

a screenshot of a flight schedule

a screen with a picture of a city and a plane

United 1231
Honolulu (HNL) – Los Angeles (LAX)
Monday, February 18
Depart: 08:00 AM (2:33 PM actual)
Arrive: 03:20 PM (9:38 PM actual)
Duration: 05hr, 20min
Aircraft: 757-300
Seat: 2F (First Class)

I was first to board and the FAs seemed unprepared for passengers. I waited at the jetbridge for about 30 seconds before stepping on to the plane. I’m not sure where everyone was behind me, but I still had time to snap a few pictures of the first class cabin.

United Airlines 757-300 First Class Seating

United recently refreshed the seating in its 757-300s. The older, bulkier first class seats were replaced with seats that offer more easily accessible power ports, a built-in stand for tablets or phones on the tray table, and more personal storage. The seats also have an articulating seat pan (meaning instead of only the seatback sliding back, the seat cushion also moves forward to give the illusion of greater recline). While not my favorite seat, it is a comfortable seat and I actually managed to sleep for most of the flight.

a woman walking in an airplane

an airplane with rows of seats

a row of black chairs in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a seat with a black object on it

a rectangular object on a keyboard

a seat arm rest on an airplane

a close up of a power outlet

a close up of a laptop

a close up of a device

a seat on an airplane

Although originally assigned an aisle seat, the window seat passenger never showed up. I moved over to the window and a passenger from economy class was brought up to take 2E.

United offers no pillows in domestic first class (except on premium transcon flights) and only a thin blue blanket.

United Airlines 757-300 First Class Dining

This flight was originally catered as a breakfast flight and had to be re-catered before we took off. After we departed, the pursuer took lunch orders, which were a choice of apple cider-glazed chicken or vegetarian pasta. I opted for the chicken.

One thing I love about United over Hawaiian is that United uses large-sized, nicely-scented hot towels in first class. Hawaiian did not offer towels of any kind on my flight over.

a white towel on a table

Next came warmed mixed nuts with choice of beverage. I appreciated that there were macadamia nuts in the mix, which only happens on flights catered in Honolulu.

a bowl of nuts and a glass of water on a table

a bowl of nuts and a glass of water

Although the purser initially indicated that no mai tais were loaded, he eventually found one and offered it to me without the usual pineapple and cherry stick.

a glass of liquid with ice and a glass of water

The main course arrived on one tray and included a side salad, pretzel roll, and the cider-glazed chicken breast with bulgar and yucca sticks. These yucca sticks reminded me of the tamale chicken breasts United used to serve in premium cabins, which were extremely tasty. But I must admit this meal was also very tasty. The chicken was only lightly glazed and I could taste more thyme than apple cider. Furthermore, the chicken was moist and tender, but not at all rubbery.

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food on a table

a plate of food with a glass of wine

a bowl of spinach and oranges

a piece of bread on a plate

a container of salad dressing

a plate of food on a table

Dessert included an ice cream sundae. The ice cream was rock hard and took a good 20-minutes to melt: it would have been good to pull it out early.

a bowl of ice cream with a spoon

a cup of ice cream with chocolate syrup

Usually United will serve a warm chocolate chip cookie prior to landing. Now I may have slept through it if it turned out to be a midflight snack, but I awoke about 90 minutes prior to landing and there were no cookies.

United Airlines 757-300 First Class Service

I was a bit concerned that the service would be surly on the flight. The purser took orders briskly, did not address passengers by name, and was very quick to let me know there were no mai tais boarded.

But it turned out I was too quick to judge. The purser later found the mai tais, brought me one, apologized he had not seen it earlier, and told me, “I’ve got four more for you!”

Well, one mai tai is quite enough and frankly, one mai tai is probably one mai tai too many on United, which uses a Trader Vic’s mix that is far too sweet. Every time I drink one I ask myself why afterward…

United Airlines 757-300 First Class Pictures

Here are some pictures from out the window, something I always like to share on Hawaii flights. I particularly love that people are surfing/paddling right next to the airport. That looks to be a cool spot for plane spotting!

a plane parked at an airport

airplanes parked at an airport

a plane on the tarmac

an airplane on the tarmac

an airplane on the runway

a large gray airplane on a runway

an airplane on a runway

a runway with a large field and buildings in the background

a road next to a beach

a road with a body of water and a beach

a road next to the water

a ship in the ocean

clouds above a body of water

an aerial view of a city at night

CONCLUSION

With the exception of the macadamia nuts and mai tais, there wasn’t anything Hawaiian about this flight. Still, it represented typical United; a decent meal, comfortable seat, and good service. If you’re looking for those special Hawaiian touches, fly Hawaiian, but I walked away from United flight perfectly satisfied.

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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.

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31 Comments

  1. Howard Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 2:45 pm

    You’re really living on the edge with that battery life.

    • Josh Reply
      March 4, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      I was thinking the exact same thing!

  2. Jack Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 2:46 pm

    United flies flat beds to Hawaii from select east coast airports.

  3. Drank Sinatra Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 3:13 pm

    *purser

  4. brandon Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 3:17 pm

    included a side salad, pretzel roll, and the cider-glazed chicken breast with and yucca sticks

    you seem to be missing something there

    • Matthew Reply
      March 4, 2019 at 5:51 pm

      Missing world bulgar. Fixed it. Thanks.

      • Donald Reply
        March 4, 2019 at 6:08 pm

        Looks like the other B word. Barley.
        Bulger is chopped up wheat.

  5. Frank Doyle Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 3:53 pm

    For some odd reason, you used “pursuer” 3 times instead of “purser.”

    • Matthew Reply
      March 4, 2019 at 5:52 pm

      That appears to be an auto-correct thing. I’ve fixed it.

  6. Jared Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 4:44 pm

    Seeing military planes is my favorite part about HNL, last time I saw F15s, F22s, B2, KC 135, C17 upon landing. Sit on the left side of the plane for your best chance.

  7. J Henriksen Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 9:03 pm

    What this review excels at, Matthew, is balanced perspective. As a frequent traveler on United, you knew what to expect on both your original 737 equipment type and the extended length 757-300 you were able to be accommodated on (although ending early gave you the option for a quick cab ride to the Kahala to have afternoon tea and a sunset libation, and you declined!!) . Rather than write a review that compared it to Singapore Suites or an LAX/NY transcon, it was reviewed with the understanding that it is a domestic first class product — much like you would see LAX/ORD or ATL/SEA. What it seems we expect from such a product in 2019 is a clean and well maintained seat and surroundings, working IFE either in seat or streaming, decent WIFI speed if available, crew service that meets the standard set by the airline for that route, and, weather permitting, an on-time arrival. Your review covered all of those areas always — never whining about what your product didn’t have nor should have based on that flight — something that I often read from less experienced travelers and/or self proclaimed travel review experts. Well done.

    • Matthew Reply
      March 4, 2019 at 9:12 pm

      Thanks for your comment!

  8. Nick Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 10:16 pm

    Matthew – I always struggle to take quality pics out the window on departure/landing, but your picture quality is great. What camera do you use?

    • Matthew Reply
      March 4, 2019 at 11:08 pm

      iPhone XS Max.

  9. Debbie Miller Reply
    March 4, 2019 at 10:51 pm

    I was a flight attendant for United and have served the apple cider chicken , yes it is good!

  10. Paul Reply
    March 5, 2019 at 12:17 am

    “it would have been good to pull it out early.”

    That’s what she said…

    • ptahcha Reply
      March 5, 2019 at 11:12 am

      I’m glad someone read my mind and transcribed it.

      • Paul Reply
        March 5, 2019 at 11:40 am

        Haha, great minds think alike!

  11. Aaron Reply
    March 5, 2019 at 4:10 am

    “Doing the same thing and expecting a different result sounds like a textbook definition of insanity to me”

    “Well, one mai tai is quite enough and frankly, one mai tai is probably one mai tai too many on United, which uses a Trader Vic’s mix that is far too sweet. Every time I drink one I ask myself why afterward…”

    • Matthew Reply
      March 5, 2019 at 9:41 am

      Yup.

  12. Esteban Reply
    March 5, 2019 at 4:57 am

    I flew on a CO 753 years ago but U remember the plane being bright and spotless. This UA plane looked drab and outdated, perhaps because of the awful lighting and the age of the plane.

  13. Justin Reply
    March 5, 2019 at 7:59 am

    “Every time I drink one I ask myself why afterward…”

    I feel the same way. I miss their Moscow Mule by Crafthouse Cocktails. That was an all-around win, considering that Crafthouse is a brand from a local award-winning bartender in Chicago, and a high quality cocktail to boot.

  14. FNT Delta Diamond Reply
    March 5, 2019 at 10:01 am

    Interesting. United’s catering out of HNL looks pretty good. Certainly better looking than Delta of late. Does United not use tablecloths on the tray table?

    PLEASE ADD A SUBSCRIPTION BY EMAIL OPTION.

    • Matthew Reply
      March 5, 2019 at 12:49 pm

      It is there. Should pop up as you scroll down the homepage. If not, try opening in private mode. I’ll work on adding a sign-up link directly to website.

  15. Alex Reply
    March 5, 2019 at 2:58 pm

    This particular “United First” cabin would be called “Premium Economy” on many airlines in East Asia. Service is indeed a couple of notches above a typical “Premium Economy” but arguably on par with that on China Airlines.

    • Greg Reply
      March 7, 2019 at 10:06 pm

      still beats Euro biz class with just a blocked middle seat

  16. Ryan Reply
    June 7, 2019 at 12:00 pm

    The flight was originally scheduled to depart at 8 am, which means it presumably was a breakfast flight. Impressive that UA recatered it as a lunch/dinner flight. I am not convinced that American would have done the same thing.

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