We hear a lot of bad things about the Boeing 737 MAX 9, so I was surprised at what a positive reception the aircraft received by passengers around me on a recent flight.
Earlier this week, I flew from Los Angeles to Houston and found myself on 737 MAX 9 for the first time. I was in an exit row with 1Ks on either side of me and across the aisle from me. The plane was almost full, with a just a few open middle seats.
While the Boeing 737 MAX 9 lacks any built-in seatback in-flight-entertainment (IFE) system, economy class seats feature special stands for mobile phones or tablets. Complimentary movies and TV shows are available on-demand from the aircraft’s wi-fi intranet system. In-seat power outlets are also conveniently located under the seat in front of you rather than under your own seat (there are two outlets per three seats).
Looking around, the majority of passengers had taken advantage of the setup to stream IFE from their mobile devices. And you know something? No one complained. No one said how inconvenient this was compared to built-in screens. The guy next to me showed the guy across the aisle how to use it and you should the seen the smile spread across his face.
1K #1: See how that works? This is a great new plane!
1K #2: Your’e right. Wow, that’s a great thing!
Of course I would love built in-screens, but I cannot blame United or other airlines for going the streaming route. Less weight, less expense, and once they adapt, happy customers. Everyone has a smart phone these days and although it represents a new era in IFE, I think most passengers are going to make the adjustment just fine.
But the Mid-Cabin Lavatory…
Of course I cannot write about the Boeing 737 MAX 9 without mentioning the tiny lavatory located just behind first class. I had to try it…and it was truly horrible. It was big enough for me to turn around, but water sprayed all over the counter, mirror, and door the moment I turned it on. That’s just poor engineering…
CONCLUSION
I would never go out of my way to fly any 737, but it was nice to finally try the MAX 9. I think United’s next-generation IFE selection is an appropriate solution that consumers are quickly adjusting to. But Boeing needs to go back to the drawing board on that horrid little lavatory…
Although I most fly on paid first class and private jet wherever I travel to, like the fascinating Qantas Qsuite and Air China Club World, occasionally travel on lower premium cabin just for interest , but I would never be on those one star sH*t US economy products just like the face of Trump.
“Although I most fly on paid first class and private jet wherever I travel to”.
Debit, you sound an awful lot like “Andre”. Are the two of you best buds or something?
Please go back to OMAAT.
Is it really the MAX 9 that gets the hate, or the MAX 8? Most of the ire I’ve been seeing is directed at AA’s MAX 8. I’d also say the issue isn’t the IFE situation (though as someone who loves playing Golf Simulator on the seatback screen, not having one does suck) as much as those horrid slimline seats. Also bear in mind UA’s seat pitch isn’t nearly as tight in the MAX – 31″/35″/38″ in Y/Y+/F vs. 30″/33″/36″, respectively.
In any event, I’m torturing myself with a ride in deep coach on AA’s MAX 8 next month and I’ll report back on the amount of pain and suffering endured…
Can’t you just download Golf Simulator on your phone/tablet?
I’m sure you can. But I just find it a lot easier to play these types of games on a seatback screen, rather than a small phone screen.
In any event, my point was, I don’t think it’s the IFE situation that annoys people about the MAX as much as the horrid seats and the “densified” configuration.
It’s not the game itself that counts. In fact, I could download the game on my phone right now. It’s the novelty of playing it on a seatback screen 35,000 feet in the air that has so much appeal and customer attraction power.
I like the Max9 with United. Engine noise is less and seems to be smoother. I have only flown in first, so have not had the opportunity to use the mid-cabin lav, though have been in similar tight ones in the past – nobody cares for this, but unless we all want to pay higher air fares, the carriers have to continue to squeeze out all costs they can.
Matt – It appears that you were seated in 21C, which, together with 21D (my personal favorite), are (I believe) the finest seats on UA’s narrowbodies, better than all other narrowbody seats (including F seats) other than transcon lie-flats.
If the feedback is only coming from you guys in Row 21, I would honestly discount it significantly, because they’re great seats on all of UA’s aircraft.
And to clarify, I’m not saying that 21C/D on the 737 Max are the best seats, I mean that 21C/D on any narrowbody are the best seats on that plane (other than lie-flats).
Except for the shorter seat pan which is incredibly uncomfortable in a lack of support for the legs…precisely the reason I gave up row 21 with slimlines in full effect
I can deal with the smaller lavatories. In most cases you don’t even spend more than 5 minutes in them.
Loss of IFE is unacceptable to me as a consumer. Less value for more money. And streaming entertainment is reminiscent of LCCs.
Completely agree. There are competitors that offer this, it’s a surprise and delight feature, and it brings value people remember. I’ve had streaming not work more times than its worked, and I also don’t like watching movies on my phone. Bleh. Disagree, Matt.
I love the Boeing B-737 aircraft. I think it is a great plane for short-medium haul flights.
Each Airline configure the aircraft interiors.
Reduced legroom is a very important issue.
Portable electronic devices power plugs, should be on each seat, next to the table, for an easy access.
This aircraft range is 4045 miles / 6510km, so, having a real IFE would be a nice feature.
I agree that the mid-cabin lav is way too small, but I appreciate having an option at the front of economy instead of having them all clustered at the back. It’s annoying when seated at the front of economy to have to go all the way to the back and be blocked by the cart.
There’s one part of IFE I do not miss: people behind me constantly poking their fingers into my head rest. I don’t notice it nearly as much with these mount-your-tablet setups. Perhaps it’s because most vermin, I mean, children, can’t reach that high and hold their tablet in their lap.
Now if only United could do something about the baby shark song. *sigh*.
I’m not jaded. Honest!
Ugh, couldn’t think of a worse seat than the one just to the right of that lavatory door. What horrible/cheap dumbing down on United’s part.
Shitty plane. Especially in first class. Why pay all this money for nothing? I will not fly on this plane and try to avoid United when I can. I had horrible seats, on other planes all in first class with United.
I’ve had it with United. We just came back from Hawaii on their 737 max 9. No warning on missing IFE. Worse was moving our seats from bulkhead to back of plane while we were ready to board saying due to weights and balances nobody could sit in first two rows. Then we see people sitting in our seats during the flight. It was noted on my reservation that I needed to be there for my disability. I made reservations 11 months prior. You’d think they’d move latest reservation out. Sitting six hours in pain without IFE was the last straw.