Review: United Airlines 737 MAX 9 Economy Class - Live and Let's Fly
Here’s a side-by-side review of a United Airlines 737 MAX 9 in economy class from Los Angeles to Chicago so that you can compare what has changed over the last couple of years and also know what to expect. . .
Here’s a side-by-side review of a United Airlines 737 MAX 9 in economy class from Los Angeles to Chicago so that you can compare what has changed over the last couple of years and also know what to expect onboard. United Airlines 737 MAX 9 Economy Class ReviewMy family had to jet to Chicago to take care of some business and we flew out on United Airlines on a nonstop afternoon flight from LAX-ORD, which was perfectly timed to give us the first half of the day at home and still arrive in Chicago before bedtime. While I’m a redeye person when I travel solo, this flight-timing was ideal for traveling with small children. Since my wife and I are both Star Alliance Gold members (as my Million Miler companion, she shares my lifetime United Premier Gold status), all four of us were able to enjoy lunch in theAir Canada Maple Leaf Loungeprior to departure. We returned to the gate at scheduled boarding time, but before the text message announcing that boarding had begun, because we were each traveling with two carry-on bags and did not want to have to check any bags. That turned out to be a big mistake, as there was a 30-minute boarding delay…we just spent it waiting at the gate and I had to pay $9 for a large coffee for my wife that Heidi could have had for free in the lounge. Boarding finally began…but we were stopped on the jetbridge (boarding stopped just after us) and told to wait…apparently in their rush to re-cater the aircraft, the caters had left behind the dirty/used carts from the previous flights (not sure how that is even possible) and so they had to be summoned again to remove them. That took another 30 minutes…But finally, we were allowed on board the airplane. United 2794Los Angeles (LAX) – Chicago (ORD)Sunday, June 7Depart: 3:38 PMArrive: 9:55 PMDuration: 4hr, 17minDistance:1,744 milesAircraft:Boeing 737 9 MAXSeat: 11A,B,C,D (Economy Class – EconomyPlus section)Another advantage to Premier Gold status is EconomyPlus seating at time of booking for you and one companion, so all four of us were able to reserve extra legrooms seats when we booked the flight. SeatsThe economy class cabin is divided into two sections, EconomyPlus (48 seats) and United Economy (111 seats). United MileagePlus Gold, Platinum, and 1K members can reserve EconomyPlus seats for no extra charge during booking while MileagePlus Silver members can choose EconomyPlus seats during check-in at no charge. With 33. 5 inches of legroom instead of 30. 3, the difference was appreciated on a flight like LAX-ORD, which is over three hours in the air. All seats are 17. 5 inches wide, but EconomyPlus seats recline an extra inch (three inches instead of two). I inadvertently chose a row without a window…#lawsuit. > Read More:United Airlines Faces Class Action Lawsuit For Selling “Window Seat Without A Window”IFE + Wi-FiEven today, Wi-Fi is still hit or miss on United without a Starlink-equipped aircraft. Thankfully, our aircraft had Viasat and the internet worked well…it was a very productive flight for me ($8 for a Wi-Fi pass). The kids were very happy to get their screen time onboard…Just a tip I’ve shared before but will repeat: bring your own headphones for young children, because the free ones do not work well…they fall out of ears and are just not great. Food + DrinkUnited offers free soft drinks and snacks onboard, with heartier meals, snack boxes, and alcohol for purchase. I had my usual staple, seltzer water with lime along with a chocolate quinoa cookie…always appreciated. I also pre-ordered a cheeseburger, but in all the catering kerfuffle, it was not loaded…so the flight attendant offered me a gratis Tacos Al Pastor instead (I’ve had them before). Once again, not bad for airplane tacos. Tacos Al PastorChipotle-spiced pork, pineapple, rice and cotija cheese on flour tortillas topped with onion and cilantroServiceFlight attendants were in a great mood and performed two beverages services…no complaints. LavatoryI did not get up to use the lavatory, but there are two in the rear and one in front of row seven…all very small. CONCLUSIONWe landed about 45 minutes late in ORD and it was late by this time…we had the underground walkway from the C Concourse to the B Concourse mostly to ourselves. It was a nice flight…smooth and productive. The kid’s loved the seatback screens and my wife and I were able to get work done. A good flight indeed. My prior review, published on May 22, 2024, is below. As you’ll see, not much has changed. My early morning 737 MAX 9 flight in EconomyPlus (extra legroom economy class) on United Airlines was productive and about as good as it gets when it comes to domestic economy class in the USA. United Airlines 737 MAX 9 Economy Class ReviewThese days, unless I buy a first class ticket on a domestic US flight, my upgrade rarely clears…which really makes me reconsider my perennial quest for MileagePlus elite status. Here, I even applied PlusPoints but missed the upgrade by three on a 6:00 am flight. At least my economy class ticket was cheap, at $320. 03 from LAX-ORD-LAX. Arriving inside LAX Terminal 7, a beautiful Chinese husky greeted me…with a service dog collar on. Of course…Speaking of service dogs, there was a whimpering service dog on my flight. Do loud whimperings provide a service to their humans?#CuteLet’s just get to the flight review…Boarding began on-time at 5:20 am, with those with disabilities (including the whimpering dog) invited to board first, followed by uniformed members of the military, Global Services members, families traveling with children under two, and then PRemier 1K members. United 1332Los Angeles (LAX) – Chicago (ORD)Monday, May 13Depart: 6:00 PMArrive: 12:05 PMDuration: 4hr, 05minDistance:1,744 milesAircraft:Boeing 737 9 MAXSeat: 10F (Economy Class – EconomyPlus section)Onboard, I walked past first class (reviewhere) and found my seat. SeatThe economy class cabin is divided into two sections, EconomyPlus (48 seats) and United Economy (111 seats). United MileagePlus Gold, Platinium, and 1K members can reserve EconomyPlus seats for no extra charge during booking while MileagePlus Silver members can choose EconomyPlus seats during check-in at no charge. Like most things, three inches make a huge difference. With 33. 5 inches of legroom instead of 30. 3, the difference is quite notable on a flight like LAX-ORD, which is over three hours in the air. All seats are 17. 5 inches wide, but EconomyPlus seats recline an extra inch (three inches instead of two). The two pictures are from a different flight (I was not the first to board since I left my dog at home) and note that United is in the process of retrofitting its older 737 MAX 9 to install screens behind each seat:Each section of three seats has two universal power outlets. There’s also a USB-A charger on the seatback screen (bottom side):Each seat also features a reading light and personal air vent. Mood lighting was turned on before takeoff:IFE + Wi-FiWi-Fi internet costs $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members regardless of domestic flight time. Select T-Mobile customers can enjoy complimentary access. Streaming movies and TV shows are available via the United app. Each seat also had a seatback screen with Bluetooth connectivity (complimentary headphones were also offered), featuring a library of movies and TV shows (a great selection than the streaming service) as well as games, audio, and a moving flight map. It was a cold “May Gray” day in LA, but quite beautiful during our approach to Chicago O’Hare:#Axis_of_Food + DrinkUnited Airlines offers complimentary snacks and beverages as well as alcohol, snack boxes, and warm meals (on flights over 1,190 miles). Snack selections included:Undercover SnacksCrunchy chocolate and quinoa snackSavory Snack MixBlend of rye bagel chips, garlic bread bites, and mini pretzel twistsThat’s It Apple + Mango Fruit BarMini natural fruit barsAll three of these are great, but I love the dark chocolate and sea salt quinoa snack with seltzer water and a lime wedge…As a 1K member, I am entitled to one complimentary food item and one alcoholic beverage when I fly in economy class. I skipped the alcohol, but I ordered a cheese omelet from the “Bistro On Board” menu. Choices included:Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – $9Creamy overnight oats mixed with golden apples and topped with cinnamon spice and raisinsHam, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Bagel – $10Asiago bagel with Black Forest Ham, fried egg patty, and apple cheddar spreadThree Cheese Omelet with Seasoned PotatoesSwiss, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese omelet with a side of seasoned potatoesSeveral snack boxes and other snacks (like mixed nuts, chocolate-covered strawberries, pringles, and Korean BBQ jerky) were available for purchase. The omelet was frankly a nice substitute for a first class breakfast. It was not pretty and the ingredient list was far too long, but it was a typical airline omelet and I like airline omelets…#goodUnited has eliminated the pre-arrival beverage service, but flight attendants offered water about an hour before landing. LavatoryTwo lavatories are located in the rear of the aircraft and one (small) lavatory just behind first class in the front of the cabin. Beware of the squirting sink…ServiceService onboard was efficient. Interactions with flight attendants were limited, but pleasant. When handing me the omelet, the flight attendant thanked me for my 1K and MillionMiler status. CONCLUSIONWe landed 20 minutes early in Chicago and I was on my way via the iconic neon tunnel to the rental car center via the train. Let’s count it up: a safe and on-time flight with an early arrival, good legroom, a warm breakfast, fast internet, and a seatback screen with over 200 movies…. I’m not sure what more I’d want on a US domestic flight in economy class.