After a long layover in Newark spent in the Polaris Lounge, I flew from Newark to San Francisco on a United Airlines 777-200 in Premium Plus, United’s premium economy product.
United Airlines 777-200 Premium Economy Review
I purchased a one-way ticket from Dubai (DXB) – Newark (EWR) – San Francisco (SFO) – Burbank (BUR) for $1371.05, with the Dubai – Newark – San Francisco flights booked in Premium Plus. I then used 30 PlusPoints to (try to) upgrade both segments. Only the Dubai – Newark ended up clearing (which of course was the more important segment), but I was hoping this segment would have cleared too.
While I was offered a $699 buy-up to business class as late as an hour before takeoff, my upgrade did not clear (and frankly I was not even in the top three on the upgrade list despite being a 1K who purchased a premium economy ticket).
United Airlines 273
Newark (EWR) – San Francisco (SFO)
Thursday, April 6
Depart: 02:35 PM
Arrive: 05:50 PM
Duration: 6hr, 15min
Distance: 2,565 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Seat: 22L (“Premium Plus” Premium Economy Class)
Onboard, I found my seat in the last row of Premium Plus.
Seat
In short, the premium economy product is perfectly acceptable for a daytime flight.
The Premium Plus cabin onboard the 777-200 includes three rows of 2-4-2 seating. The seat itself is very similar in width and comfort to United’s latest domestic first class seat. However, the seat does have greater recline and a footrest. Even in Premium Plus an aisle or window seat is far better than a middle seat.
While the second and third rows of Premium Plus have a drop-down footrest to complement the footrest, the bulkhead row has a larger footrest that flips. I figured that would be the more comfortable option, though having sat in both seats I am not convinced this is the case.
Here are some pictures of the cabin from a previous trip:
The seat includes an upper literature pocket and a tray table that unfolds from the armrest. Part of the tray table flips up to create a stand for a tablet or mobile device. There’s also a power port and USB charger located just below the rear of the armrest and a coat hook beside the monitor.
In terms of bedding, only a thin blanket was offered and no pillow. There were no other amenities as well like an amenity kit or slippers.
The cabin was packed:
Curtains were closed after takeoff to keep us riff-raff out of business class!
Food + Drink
Lunch was served after takeoff, starting with a beverage service (no nuts). No hot towel, either.
I tried something new on this flight and ordered a Kosher meal. That’s because my colleague Dan (of Dan’s Deals) sang praises for Fresko, the Kosher caterer in Newark. I had tried a Kosher meal out of Los Angeles before and it was catered by a Borenstein and I found it quite acceptable, so I had high expectations for this meal.
It arrived fully wrapped, as is required:
But I was disappointed. The main course was a roasted chicken breast with red skin potatoes, mushroom sauce, and a “California vegetable blend.” It was served with a bread roll, sauerkraut-like salad, and coffee cake. The chicken was bland and tasted processed.
To be fair, my trip was over Sabbath (Saturday afternoon) so the meal had been prepared the day before, not same day. Even so, I thought it looked and tasted like a cheap frozen dinner you buy for a couple of bucks at the grocery store. However, it was not a horrible meal…just not the quality of chicken I would eat at home.
It looked better when I removed the black tray (why would I do this? I ask that myself…a little bit of OCD in me).
There was a beverage service before arrival and I was also offered another meal, which included potato chips, Matbucha, pita chips, and muffin.
It was a respectable snack…you do not go hungry on United transcontinental flights.
Lavatory
Premium Plus passengers use the lavatory behind their cabin in economy class. When United retrofitted the 777-200 with new seats it also updated the lavatory. I used the lavatory twice during the flight and both times it was clean.
IFE + Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi was available for purchase ($8 for a flight pass for MileagePlus members, $10 for non-members) and it worked well during the flight.
The 17-inch widescreen in Premium Plus was very nice and included both touch-screen capability as well as a passenger service unit (remote). Noise-canceling headphones were provided (the same as in business class). I appreciated that Air Traffic Control communications were available (it’s exceedingly rare these days to find it turned on).
United also offers the same content via streaming IFE over its wi-fi network.
It was a beautiful day to fly across the country.
Service
While by no means bad, service was much more like economy class than business class. That’s fair enough to the extent that it is economy class FAs who have to serve the meals in premium economy but don’t expect elevated levels of service when traveling in this cabin. You get a better seat and a better meal…that’s the upgrade.
CONCLUSION
My assessment of Premium Plus has not changed from when the product first debuted in 2019. So how much of a premium is United’s Premium Plus worth over Economy Plus (extra-legroom economy class)? That depends on how full economy class is and how well you sleep on planes. While I cannot sleep on that seat, I certainly enjoyed the experience and would highly recommend it if you are looking for a hybrid between business and economy class. As for me, I’ll still take business class whenever available.
While I have not had the kosher catering, I would note you got a kosher meal during Passover week, which comes with extra dietary restrictions (I am shocked the dinner roll you got looked like a roll). So, might be worth trying during the other 51 weeks of the year.
April 6 was not Pesach – it was well before.
It looks like you got a leftover Passover meal. Trust that the standard kosher (non-Passover ones) by Freshko are a lot better than this.
“(why would I do this? I ask that myself…a little bit of OCD in me).”
Oh, neat! Didn’t realize you had a background in mental health diagnostics. Fun fact, though: OCD isn’t just about organizing airline trays; it’s a serious condition that affects people’s lives daily. Maybe we could leave it out of the cute commentary? Thanks!
You poor victim.
No doubt if I ever see you in person, I will throw my feces at you for attempting to capitalize on the mental health misfortunes of others.
You may ride in the front of the plane, but you will still taste my poop seeping into your mouth.
You poor Karen
Flying similar with my son to Japan on JAL in a couple of weeks. After tons of Ana biz availability it’s dried up somewhat.
Using Hawaiian miles transferred to Alaskan for the redemption. 40k miles not bad.
This article reinforces the fact that I really just don’t understand why PE exists. I’m glad you had a OK flight, but I’m surprised people are actually paying for this.
I think it has a place. Far more legroom makes sleeping much easier. Two seats with a partner on the aisle with far more legroom vs 3 across in economy is worth it for me.
I’m finding the business class seats on a lot of planes getting more and more cramped with a small footwell and I’m wondering if I’d actually sleep better on a big armchair!
Points wise for me it’s 5k more using American miles to fly from Sydney to Asia so worth the hit. Noting that it’s only another 5k to fly business so I’ll always choose that where available.
Per seatguru.com, the 777-200 has narrow seats: only 18″ in econ. and 18″ in econ. plus ; but you only
gain 2″ if you moved up to bus. class ; its terrible they jammed so many narrow seats in ; just too narrow
to be comfortable on a long flight.
How? I especially like it for domestic transcon. It’s simply a more comfortable seat. For people that don’t need to sleep, it’s great. I go for Polaris when flying internationally in part because I enjoy the lounges and you don’t get that access when flying transcon anyway.
Buy PE or “the purple seats” all the time, too/from US and Europe. About 18 flights per year. The PE seats are great. As others have said, if you take the sides, just you and your partner. Wider, softer, greater recline, nicer entertainment, slightly better food and service. Deftly worth the premium, From MCO, RT to Europe is generally $900-1,300 in economy/economy plus. Premium Economy is generally $800 to $1,200 more. Just under double. Worth every penny in our eyes (I am 6’8″, wife is 5’10).
It’s ok for shorter daytime flights, but probably not that worth it for longer overnight trips.
Website says you should have received an amenity kit
Traveling SFO-LHR right now. Upgrade as 1k from premium economy business cleared 3 days out. Economy is pretty empty while PE full. Biz had quite a bit of space until upgrades., I suspect because they are not filling with mileage purchases these days. Off-season I would go for economy over a PE middle seat on this route if space was looking good. PE window bulkhead do have space for a bag to serve as an elevated leg rest, which I have found aids sleep greatly.
From the photos, it appears all 24 seats are full. Therefore, 24 PAX who think it’s worth wild.
As you age like me (66 yrs old); extra legroom counts!!