United Airlines will install larger overhead bins across its SkyWest-operated Embraer E175 fleet.
Larger Overhead Bins Coming To United Airlines Embraer E175 Fleet Operated by SkyWest
These new bins will be available on 50 aircraft with a 76-seat configuration by the end of 2024. By the end of 2026, United “may” expand the larger overhead bins to 150 aircraft. The new bins will accommodate up to an extra 29 carry-on bags on each jet, which represents an 80% increase in space.
United estimates that with the installation of these larger bins, more than one million passengers per year will be able to avoid gate-checking a bag who currently must do so.
Linda Jojo, United’s Chief Customer Officer, explained:
“Customer sentiment for the new overhead bins and signature interiors has been extremely positive. By helping to eliminate the need to gate check bags, we are seeing an increase in gate and boarding satisfaction. This is just the latest way we’re working to create an industry-leading experience for all our customers – whether they’re on an international or regional flight.”
I greatly welcome this move. Currently, the bins on the port/left side of the plane are so small that most bags do not fit. There is not sufficient space on the right side for roll-a-boards, meaning many passengers are forced to gate-check their bags.
United is also in the process of enlarging overhead bins on its older mainline aircraft as part of a project it calls United Next.
> Read More: United Airlines Will Modernize Mainline Jets With New Interiors
A Request For Ovens
As long as United is retrofitting these planes, can I make a suggestion as well? How about installing ovens in the front galley? Some of these aircraft are operating flights that exceed three hours. It would be quite appreciated if meal service in first class on these routes could more closely resemble United mainline. Alaska Airlines has installed ovens on its larger regional jets. Air Canada has too.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines will begin installing larger overhead bins on its fleet of E175 aircraft operated by SkyWest. This is a big customer-pleaser and great news for passengers flying out of smaller airports. Avoiding gate-checking a bag is a welcome change.
image: United Airlines
Newer AA CJ-900 and E-175 have larger bins, but not as large as those UA is considering. I assume AA will do the same especially wiht the new E175 on order. Since we are Exp Plat I was pleasently surprised about the overhead space on my American Eagle flight when sitting in the MC. Like wise, the space in FC allows for about 8 rollerboards. Hopefully, this trend continues, I rarely check a bag and gate check is the worst,
Looking at the photo, it looks like both sides can fit rollaboards except in first class, where it’s one side only.
I have an overnight trip planned and am debating whether to bring a rollaboard on a E175 or a soft sided smaller bag.
I’d venture to say installing ovens is a longshot…granted UA does own a lot of these E-175s but there are several regionals operating them and I just don’t see it happening.
I can live without warm meals on the RJs; when they started serving meals on Express flights in lieu of snackboxes, the cold pasta or entree salad were more than sufficient….in some cases superior to what was being served on mainline. I will continue to push for UA to improve what is currently being served in F (AS/DL should be the bar they are trying to match) not to mention restore meals on DEN-west coast and EWR-midwest sectors.
Unfortunately they just raised the bar and not in a good way. United like other carriers now only serves meals on flights over 900 miles, it use to be 800 miles but instead of standing their ground United decided to match AA and DL and changed to 900 miles. So a lot of flight no long have meals instead you get a snack basket in first class. Clearly a cost cutting move at all these airlines seeing that none of them have drop the price of a first class ticket.
Agreed.
Matt if United when they ordered these E175s didn’t have any intentions to install ovens then there is no wiring behind those walls in the galley to power an oven.
Now United could still install ovens on their E175s they could but it would involve a lot of work and a lot of money and it would be a very long process to roll it out fleet wide. They would need an STC certification from the FAA because it would involve major changes to the aircraft. I don’t see United wanting to spend that kind of money due to the fact there probably isn’t any significant ROI.