• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Flight Reviews • United Airlines  >  Review: United Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Honolulu – Chicago
Flight ReviewsUnited Airlines

Review: United Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Honolulu – Chicago

Matthew Klint Posted onSeptember 26, 2022September 27, 2022 36 Comments

After a lovely flight to Honolulu, it was time to head back…this time on a United Airlines 777-300ER in business class. The flight was even lovelier due to one amazing flight attendant and I slept soundly for six hours between a hearty dinner and breakfast.

In This Post:
  • United Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Honolulu – Chicago Review
    • Seat
    • Food + Drink
    • Service
    • Lavatory
    • IFE + Wi-Fi
    • Amenity Kit
    • CONCLUSION

United Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Honolulu – Chicago Review

For many years, the Chicago – Honolulu flights were numbered UA1 and UA2, signifying their signfancnce in the United route network. Long before United flew around the world, it served Hawaii. Before the flight, I noticed a special display commemorating United’s 75 years of service to Hawaii.

Boarding began 45 minutes before the flight, but Tom Stuker and I were enjoying a mai tai in the United Club and were among the last to board our flight. I love that HNL is also connected to Hickam Air Force Base, meaning you sometimes often see some cool military aircraft, not just commercial aircraft.

United 218
Honolulu (HNL) – Chicago (ORD)
Wednesday, May 4
Depart: 5:10 PM
Arrive: 6:15 AM+1
Duration: 08hr, 05 min
Distance: 4,243 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 16G (Business Class)

We faced a wait on the jetbridge and onboard, but finally settled into our seats. Both of us had previously assigned odd-numbered window seats, which are the preferred seat on the 777-300ER and frankly in any Polaris-equipped aircraft, but switched to the center section in row 16 so we could chat during the flight.

Seat

I’ve reviewed United’s 777-300ER business class before and will only note:

  • seat width is 20 inches
  • the seat converts into a fully-flat six-foot, six-inch bed
  • bulkhead seats at rows 1 and 9 have wider footwells and are the best seats on the aircraft
  • a personal storage compartment is big enough for your wallet and phone, but not much else
  • use the wheel to recline your seat
  • a power port is within reach, as are two USB charging ports

I mentioned that I was in a center section seat. If you’re not traveling with a friend or loved one, you can raise a privacy barrier between the two seats and won’t even see your seatmate.

One concern I noticed is that my particular seat did not seem to be aging very well:

Simply put, the seat is very comfortable for sleeping and I slept well. Dinner concluded with 6 hours, 19 minutes to go and I slept soundly until about one hour before the flight, awakening briefly at one point and taking the picture below, but then going right back to sleep.

United still offers a small throw blanket to business class passengers, but starting on October 5, 2022, it will offer a duvet, which represents quite an upgrade.

Food + Drink

Dinner was served after takeoff and breakfast before landing. United does not vary its menu much these days but offers a unique menu on its flights to and from Hawaii.

Pre-departure beverages were offered in a plastic cup.

Service began with a choice of beverage and mixed nuts after takeoff.

That was followed by a single-tray service, with a main course choice of chicken katsu with curry sauce, broccolini, and steamed white rice or crispy Hawaiian garlic-tofu with Huli-Huli cauliflower, sesame rice, julienne nori, garlic, Fresno chili and Thai chili sauce with chopped pineapple.

I’m thankful the curry sauce was put on the side, because the chicken katsu was fine without it. While not my favorite dish in the United line-up, it was nice to have something different.

Dinner was served with “mini Korean-style kimbap spam musubi with teriyaki mayonnaise and crispy Maui onion strings. I skipped it. The dessert was Hawaiian guava cake.

As I mentioned, I slept until an hour before landing. When I awakened, somehow Diana noticed and within moments served me breakfast, a choice of eggs with scallions, steamed white rice, Portuguese sausage, and cherry tomatoes or a breakfast protein bowl with Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, almonds, hard-boiled egg, and a side of chilled coconut chia seed oatmeal with mango. I chose the eggs, which were served with a side of fruit and croissant. Again, a nice breakfast and something different than the usual choices.

Service

The star of the flight was the lovely Diana, who took amazing care of me and all the passengers on my side of the cabin. She addressed me by name the entire flight, was incredibly attentive (like coming over to me as I was waking up). What a testament to United…and want to know something? She had been flying for United since 1968. What an amazing woman…I am going to dedicate a post to her tomorrow.

In my many years of flying United, the Honolulu-based crews are the best in the system.

Lavatory

I changed into my pajamas for this flight and found the lavatory clean. On the 777, there’s a larger lavatory (to accommodate handicapped passengers) near door 2L, but I just used the one on my side.

Deep clean needed, ironically, around the soap

IFE + Wi-Fi

Seatback screens offered movies, TV shows, games, and music.

Channel 9 (air traffic control communications) was available in theory but turned off.

I also noticed there was live news, something I have not seen in the past:

Noise-canceling headphones are not particularly comfortable or uncomfortable, but functional.

Wi-Fi internet was available, again priced at $8 for the entire flight for MileagePlus members or $10 for non-members. Messaging apps were free of charge.

Amenity Kit

A packaged amenity kit featuring lip balm, and eyeshade, and a dental kit was sitting on each seat. To minimize waste, I did not open mine.

CONCLUSION

This was a very solid flight with decent food and excellent service. My one major complaint–the small blanket–will be addressed next month with the return of duvets to this route. Hopefully United will also bring back mai tais onboard at some point. Overall, it’s great to step onto a flight in Honolulu, enjoy dinner, and wake up in Chicago the next morning.

Previous Article Delta Air Lines Invests In Los Angeles With New Intercontinental Routes
Next Article Bilt Rent Day: Up To 6X Points On Dining, 4X Points On Travel

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.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Wants Flight Attendants To Create “Wow Factor” Onboard

    March 30, 2023
  • Lufthansa First Class Review

    Review: Lufthansa 747-8 First Class Frankfurt – Chicago

    March 28, 2023
  • United Airlines Crew Hold Times

    Flight Attendants At United Airlines Asked To Self-Report Poor Service Via “Marginal Service Reports”

    March 27, 2023

36 Comments

  1. RetiredATLATC Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 1:32 pm

    I once spent an amazing two weeks at Hickam after we sucked in a bunch of endangered birds on a fly-by leaving Wake Island and had to wait for a replacement engine from NH. Good times.

  2. Vinod Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 2:07 pm

    Cool F-22A raptor in the background.

    The 75 years anniversary celebration further highlights the significant decline in meal quality and choices overt the years. Not sure that UA should be advertising the significant decline in product through the years.

    • Batchcaloupe Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 1:00 am

      I wonder how much it cost for the same flight 50,75 years ago? Oh o wonder how long it took as well. Just saying….

  3. Maryland Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 2:12 pm

    I really wanted to see the Spam offering. The description made it sound so tasty! While a lovely cultural nod, it’s fascinating that Spam is the food hill that so many are willing to die upon. Looking forward to the Diana post.

    • Island Miler Reply
      September 26, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      Right? Most of my college friends from the continental 48 refused to try Spam. But, pan-seared Spam is heavenly with steamed short-grain white rice. Bourdain agreed 😉

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        September 26, 2022 at 2:41 pm

        I have to admit, I am also afraid to try spam. It was also in the United Club…

        • Mark Reply
          September 26, 2022 at 2:51 pm

          Those rice balls are the bomb, loved them on my flight and hope they will still be around in December when I fly HNL-DEN.

        • Island Miler Reply
          September 26, 2022 at 3:25 pm

          Fear not, Matt. They’re ubiquitous here in Hawaii for a reason – it’s immensely tasty. Now, don’t make the mistake of ordering the McDonald’s breakfast platter with Spam. Instead, try the version in the club, on your flight, or buy one from someplace like Mana Musubi, Musubi Iyasume, or even Seven-11 next time you’re in town. The key is it should be pan-seared with a golden crust. “Raw” Spam straight out of the can is gross.

        • Brian T. Reply
          September 26, 2022 at 5:42 pm

          They’re tasty, for sure. Don’t think about it too hard – just enjoy the taste. If it’s fried, there won’t be a texture problem, either. The ones in the HNL United Club are pretty good.

          • Zaraheart
            September 26, 2022 at 8:37 pm

            Take one for the team Matt ! Try the Spam!

        • Batchcaloupe Reply
          September 27, 2022 at 1:03 am

          I must have been about 15,16 when I saw the Monty python spam sketch. I was so obnoxious reenacting it around the house that my mom bought spam and made me eat it. It was not so bad.

      • Batchcaloupe Reply
        September 27, 2022 at 1:04 am

        Yeah and look what happened to him….

  4. Jan Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 3:12 pm

    The Katsu dish looks nice, but it doesn’t look like it’s befitting of a J meal. Ditto that breakfast meal that looks like a leftover special….I mean I’d gladly eat it, but it’s just doesn’t look business class to me.

    • albert Reply
      September 26, 2022 at 4:22 pm

      This isn’t actually a business class flight, it is marketed as domestic first with some small enhancements.

      • Jan Reply
        September 26, 2022 at 5:32 pm

        Gotcha. As domestic first then it doesn’t look bad. The title and the post itself was a bit misleading as it said “business class” throughout.

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          September 26, 2022 at 11:54 pm

          I don’t see what the difference is…it’s marketed as “United First” but I find that far too misleading. The route was clearly specified in the headline. “First” is higher than “Business” in everywhere in the world but the USA, but UA uses business class booking codes (C, D, J) for this product.

  5. Neps Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 3:23 pm

    Nice shot of the F-22 Raptor. I watched one perform yesterday at the Miramar Airshow. Why the govt decided to discontinue production of that amazing platform (and not the F-15) is beyond me. Don’t be afraid of SPAM. It’s just SPiced hAM. I taught my son to try everything once. If you don’t like it, try it one more time somewhere else and/or prepared differently. If you still don’t like it, then you missed out on nothing,

  6. Gene Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 4:32 pm

    So be honest, could this have been a flight to a bland destination like Brussels ? No Mai Tais, no mumu’s on the flight attendants, correct ? Pathetic how un-Hawaiian flights to/from the mainland have become. And the meal ? Looks like a Y meal on one of the ME3.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 26, 2022 at 4:36 pm

      Hopefully, UA brings back menus and mai tais soon (DL, AA, AS, HA all offer them).

      • Mrs C. Reply
        September 27, 2022 at 7:44 pm

        Did they offer any alcohol?

  7. Francisco Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 7:13 pm

    Nice review, booking details would be nice to know what to expect. Signifying its significance definitely can be improved (relevance?)

  8. shoeguy Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 7:43 pm

    Nice review. UA’s hard product is quite good in what Polaris offers. The catering across the board is abysmal, and the service is very much a wildcard. Can be pleasant at best, and at worst, downright nasty. It’s good to see United having turned a corner after a botched merger and years of neglect, but the hubs remain a huge problem (EWR, ORD in particular) and it still feels like they vacillate between great and a mess.

  9. Joe Noonan Reply
    September 26, 2022 at 8:02 pm

    Hi Matt
    Enjoy your airline articles over the past few years, you always try not to down the airline that your flying but just constructive criticism. As a 38 1/2 yr retired United Airlines , who worked as a Customer Service Agent, starting in PHL and finished in RDU, I always make sure to read your comments about UAL. I know flying today is very different than when I started in 1963, probably long before you were born, it was a pleasure to go to work, no security problems then, I know United has had its problems in the past hopefully much improved today. I don’t get to travel much on United, since we always fly stand by and many times flights leave full. My family has been lucky to f
    Y in past on B 720, DC 8, B727 and stretched version, B737, B747 when upper deck was not sold as business class, B7767, B777 and DC 10, also Caravelle but haven’t had pleasure to fly B787. Any way I appreciate your views on our various airline carriers and most important pictures.
    PS great that you are recognizing Flight Attendant Diana for her great service, seniority sure shows how it us to be in old days. I can attest Mai Tai were excellent on Hawaiian flights, as my wife and I flew to Honolulu for our honeymoon (1969) and were met with Leis on arrival with glass of pineapple juice
    Hope didn’t bore you

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 26, 2022 at 9:35 pm

      Thanks for your kind words and insight, Joe.

  10. Alvin Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 5:44 am

    Isn’t the G seat not the honeymoon seat (it’s not the one where you’re butt to butt with your seatmate)?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      Yep, that’s right. I guess we were in the other seats.

  11. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 7:34 am

    I really hope you didn’t join the mile high club on board this “honeymoon” flight.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      No.

  12. Aaron Reply
    September 27, 2022 at 1:00 pm

    “I’m thankful the curry sauce was put on the side, because the chicken katsu was fine without it”

    If it was Japanese curry it would have elevated the dish for sure…

    You say there was a salad served but it doesn’t seem to be in your pictures.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      September 27, 2022 at 1:20 pm

      Right, there was no salad.

      • Karen L Cheek Reply
        October 1, 2022 at 3:07 pm

        Hi Matt! Appreciated your review of the business class section of this flight. But I have to disagree with the food. United has been serving this selection on all my HNL to ORD 2022 flights, 4 now, and I’d like more selection. I’m thinking of ordering the specialty meal next time as it looks better! Recent meals on Delta and Lufthansa were much better, granted they were international. Hope your time in Hawaii was enjoyable!

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          October 1, 2022 at 3:29 pm

          Yes, it is high time UA rotated the meal selection. It happened to be my first time trying it, but if I was a regular on the route I think I’d dread it!

  13. Doug DeNunzio Reply
    September 29, 2022 at 9:05 pm

    A beautiful flight to Honolulu it seems.

  14. Jonathan Large Reply
    October 2, 2022 at 1:36 am

    I had the identical catering on UA Flight 345 from HNL to IAD in January. While I was fortunate not to have the aged 767-400 that UA typically operates, and had a 767-300 with better seating, I found the catering, both dinner and breakfast, to be abysmal. The outbound catering was poor as well from ORD. American offers a superior Flagship product to HNL that is worth the DFW connection. UA has lost my business based on its horrible food to Hawaii, as well as having devalued its Polaris product on international flights.

  15. BDA Guy Reply
    October 2, 2022 at 4:55 am

    A lovely review. In 1983 I was on the UA ORD-HNL-ORD service, and it was truly special, giving passengers a taste of Hawaii for the long flight over.
    Just came in from FRA to ORD on the UA morning flight and was surprised by the very poor-quality meals offered: a soggy egg sandwich mess followed by a truly awful hamburger-like sandwich; hugely disappointing for a full fare Polaris class ticket, even the flight attendants commented on the abysmal quality of the product. Other than that, it was a great flight with efficient and dedicated personnel, comfortable seating and great ground service.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 2, 2022 at 6:14 am

      The food on those breakfast flights from Europe is truly atrocious.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • Faroe Islands Trip Report
    Introduction: A Journey To The Magical Faroe Islands On Star Alliance March 30, 2023
  • United Airlines Wants Flight Attendants To Create “Wow Factor” Onboard March 30, 2023
  • Homeless Man Steals Luggage
    Homeless Man Helps Himself To Luggage In Atlanta Airport March 30, 2023
  • Delta SkyMiles Schedule Change
    UPDATE: Delta Air Lines Strands Senior Citizens In Middle East After Absurd Schedule Change March 29, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines
    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant March 21, 2023
  • Delta SkyMiles Schedule Change
    UPDATE: Delta Air Lines Strands Senior Citizens In Middle East After Absurd Schedule Change March 29, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Wife Slap
    Enraged Husband Attacks Man On Southwest Airlines Flight After He Bumps Wife March 8, 2023
  • United Polaris Lounge LAX Review
    Review: United Airlines Polaris Lounge Los Angeles (LAX) March 24, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.