Flying United’s 737-800 with the Next Interior in Economy Plus from LaGuardia LGA to Chicago ORD
by Krish Patel
United Airlines is underway with retrofitting its Boeing 737s with newer interiors. The 737-800 makes up a large part of United’s domestic fleet and has a major presence at Chicago O’Hare, the carrier’s largest hub. United’s Next Interiors make flying more comfortable and set the standard for future domestic travel.
The Airport Experience
United operates out of Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport, with a check-in area on the departure level. Terminal B is one of the airport’s newest terminals and feels very clean and spacious, with high ceilings and stunning artwork.
Both the regular and Premier Access queues were relatively empty, with friendly staff at the check-in counter. Flying Economy Plus doesn’t include Premier Access benefits, but you’re still able to use the Premier Access queues if you have United status or a specific credit card like the United Club Infinite. Dropping off my bags at the counter was a breeze and took very little time.
I had my boarding pass on my phone and was ready to clear security. My TSA PreCheck membership granted me access to the dedicated PreCheck security queue, which was emptier than the regular line. Once airside, I made my way to the Chase Sapphire Lounge and had plenty of time to spare before boarding.
Plenty of seats were left open in the gate area, even before boarding began. United’s Economy Plus passengers typically board in Groups 3 through 5, depending on if travelers are booked into a window, middle, or aisle seat. Of course, status holders receive priority boarding in Groups 1 to 2.
Cabin and Seat Comfort
United’s Boeing 737-800 has 150 Economy seats arranged in a 3-3 configuration, with 54 seats designated as Economy Plus.
The Economy Plus seat dimensions on the 737-800 are listed below:
34 inches of pitch
3 inches of recline
17.3 inches wide
United’s Next Interior (a.k.a. The Signature Interior) is really stunning, with plush blue seats and relaxing mood lighting overhead. Many of the airline’s 737s still have older cabins, and it was a treat to have the newer cabin design. Spacious overhead bins can be found above the seats and offer plenty of room for larger carry-on suitcases.
The Economy seat padding is very plush, making this a comfortable space to sit. Some domestic Economy seats (even those with extra leg room) have harder seat padding, but this was quite soft. The headrest is adjustable and can be moved up or down.
All seats come with a touchscreen entertainment system that features a built-in headphone jack. It’s possible to tilt the screen towards you if the person seated in front reclines their chair.
The tray table is a decent size and can be moved inwards for easier access.
Right below the tray table is the seat pocket, which contains the inflight literature. Mine was quite filthy, with crumbs and wrappers from the previous passenger.
Armrests can be found at either side of the seat, with the outer armrest housing a button for seat recline.
Per every three Economy Plus seats are two universal outlets for charging. They can be found right below the seat pocket.
Above each of the seats are individual air vents and reading lights.
There’s one lavatory for Economy passengers at the back of the aircraft. It’s very tight for the standards of a narrowbody jet, with limited space to stretch out.
Food and Beverage
About thirty minutes after takeoff, flight attendants rolled the beverage cart through the aisle offering drinks. Soft drinks, water, and caffeinated beverages are all complimentary, however, you’ll have to pay for alcoholic drinks, even in Economy Plus.
Complimentary snacks in Economy Plus include:
Daelmans Stroopwafel
Undercover Chocolate Quinoa Crisps
Savory Snack Mix
Various snack boxes are also available for purchase in the form of cash or MileagePlus miles.
I got myself a lemon and ginger tea and a stroopwafel, which was very good. If you ever get a stroopwafel as a snack on a United flight, a pro tip is to also order a hot beverage and then rest the cookie over the drink so that the steam can make the stroopwafel warm. After a minute or two, you’ll be able to enjoy a soft, warm stroopwafel.
Amenities
Prior to pushing back in New York, a flight attendant offered basic earbuds for the entertainment system to each Economy passenger. They weren’t of the best quality and didn’t block out the sound.
However, United’s aircraft with the Next Interiors feature entertainment systems with Bluetooth connectivity. You’re able to pair your AirPods directly with the seatback screen and enjoy your content.
United has a great entertainment selection, with several movies and TV shows to choose from. There are also Spotify playlists, a tab for kids entertainment, and the inflight map powered by FlightPath 3D. The screen even shows you what to expect in terms of service on your flight.
I love the Sleep Station/Relax Mode feature, where you can listen to calming music and enjoy a scenic video. I wish more airlines had something similar to United’s Sleep Station since it allows for a relaxing experience in the air.
Free Wi-Fi was available on this flight for T-Mobile members and was easily accessible. However, it isn’t complimentary for non-MileagePlus members.
Inflight Service
On my flight, our Chicago-based crew was friendly and pleasant. They always kept a smile when in the cabin and seemed passionate. Overall, I felt well-taken care of inflight and appreciated the positive energy of the flight attendants.
Booking and Pricing
One-way flights in United’s Economy Plus from New York to Chicago start at $238, with prices sometimes reaching over $300. To maximize your purchase, it’s best to book using a United Airlines co-branded credit card because you’ll be able to earn MileagePlus miles. For example, the United Quest Card earns 3 miles per dollar on flight purchases made with United.
Another option is to book using your credit card points. Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards transfer to United at a 1:1 ratio. For the same one-way flight in Economy Plus, United will charge close to 15,000 miles plus $5.60 in taxes and fees.
Final Thoughts
United has a solid domestic Economy product, especially on its retrofitted planes with the Next Interior. I appreciated the seat comfort and adjustable headrest, as well as the impressive entertainment system. However, the food and drink service in Economy Plus has no differences from the standard product because alcoholic drinks and premium snacks are only available for purchase. Aside from a few small extras at the seat, there aren’t many differences between regular Economy and the extra leg room seats. If additional leg and knee room is something you’re truly seeking, then Economy Plus is worth paying the slightly higher price.