Swanky Seats and Cool Tech: United A321neo First Class from Chicago O’Hare to Newark
by Krish Patel
As part of a major summer domestic expansion, United began flying its sleek A321neos to its Newark hub in June from Chicago and Denver. The airline is expanding its route network for the aircraft type, which is set to become a major part of the backbone of United’s domestic fleet. United’s A321neos have a strong base at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and feature the airline’s latest domestic First Class and Economy seats. A recent flight on the United A321neo in domestic First Class was the perfect opportunity for me to experience the carrier’s latest short/medium haul offerings.
Check-in and Boarding
United operates out of Terminal 1 at ORD, with a dedicated Premier Access check-in area. O’Hare’s Terminal 1 check-in hall was packed on my day of departure.
The priority queues for Premier Access felt busy, but passengers could also help themselves to the self-service kiosks available at check-in.
Security checkpoints for TSA PreCheck and Clear are both present at ORD, with queues for PreCheck taking nearly 15 minutes to get through. At certain hub airports like Chicago, United offers Premier Access queues to clear security quicker.
The gate area for the Newark-bound flight was crowded just like the rest of the airport. Nearly every seat was taken and people were queued up to board. United First passengers receive priority boarding in Group 1 after pre-boarding.
A321neo First Class Cabin and Seat Comfort
The United Airbus A321neo has 20 snazzy First Class recliners at the front of the aircraft arranged in a 2-2 configuration. Onboard, it feels unlike any other domestic United jet, with swanky overhead mosaic mood lighting, spacious bins, and boarding music to complement the cabin.
The dark leather recliners were super plush and comfortable for sitting in, however, leg and knee room is on the tighter side at 37 inches. Each seat also comes with an adjustable headrest and offers 20 inches of width and 5 inches of recline.
All seats feature a touchscreen seatback entertainment monitor, built into which is a headphone jack. Right below the entertainment display is a seatback pocket for literature.
You’ll find a flight attendant call button, reading light, and air vent overhead.
The outer armrest is where the bifold tray table is located. It’s slightly smaller on the A321neo compared to the Boeing 737 MAX 8, but still features a built-in device holder and is quite sturdy.
Separating both seats is a pie-shaped privacy partition that only creates a small sense of privacy and isn’t anything fancy like Delta’s wing-shaped headrests. The side console also houses two storage pockets for small personal items like a cell phone or bottle of water, as well as a headphone jack, button for seat recline, and IFE remote.
Something unique that you won’t find on other domestic planes is a wireless charging pad built into the side table.
A marble side surface for drinks is shared by both the window and aisle passengers.
At the front of the aircraft is a lavatory for First Class passengers. It’s somewhat spacious and features a clean sink. However, the counter space feels limited.
United A321neo First Class Food and Drink
Shortly after boarding, a kind flight attendant went through the aisle offering pre-departure beverages, with a choice of either water or champagne. I opted for a cup of water. It’s a nice touch that drinks were offered prior to pushing back since there’s usually no guarantee if you’ll get them.
After reaching cruising altitude, I was offered a drink of choice and went for sparkling water. This time, it was served in a real glass branded with the United logo.
Because the flight from Chicago to Newark is under 900 miles, no proper meal service was offered. Instead, flight attendants went through the aisle and passed around a snack basket. I grabbed a packet of almonds and a banana, but other choices included popcorn, rice cakes, potato chips, Tates cookies, and snack bars.
Passengers could also help themselves to the snack pantry found at the back of the plane. The A321neo is United’s only narrowbody equipped with a pantry and serves as the perfect spot to grab an extra snack if you’re a little hungry.
Amenities in United First Class
Not too long after boarding was completed, each passenger was offered basic earbuds. They don’t block out the sound and are quite flimsy.
The NEO sports the latest version of United’s entertainment system, featuring a Relax Mode, Spotify music, Apple TV, intuitive search features, and Bluetooth connectivity. You can pair your AirPods directly with the seatback screen and enjoy your content.
There are also hundreds of movies and TV shows listed on the program, as well as an inflight map powered by FlightPath 3D. What’s very convenient is the flight status bar found at the bottom right of the screen’s corner. It lists details such as the remaining flight time, weather conditions, and if the seatbelt sign is on. Overall, this is one of the best entertainment systems on a domestic aircraft, with a high resolution and several unique features.
Free Wi-Fi was available inflight for T-Mobile members and discounted for those with a MileagePlus membership. United is in the process of installing free Starlink Wi-Fi on its jets, including the NEOs.
Service in United First Class
The flight attendants working my flight were all super friendly and personable. They made sure I had an enjoyable flight and provided passengers with attention and care.
Booking Details for United First Class
You can expect one-way fares in United First Class from Chicago to Newark to range between $230 and $440. United uses dynamic pricing for both its cash and mileage tickets, so prices can vary throughout the day. To maximize your purchase, try using one of the credit cards listed below to book airfare:
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Ink Business Preferred
All of the cards above allow you to earn points on your travel purchase, making them ideal choices. You can also earn MileagePlus miles if you book using one of United’s Chase co-branded credit cards, such as the United Quest Card or United Club Infinite.
Overall Thoughts
United’s flagship domestic jet provides a comfortable ride in First Class, with fresh seats and modern technology. The music during boarding (Rhapsody in Blue), stunning mosaic mood lighting, and friendly service all made this a fun flight. If you find yourself in First Class on a United A321neo, you’re going to have a relaxing flight experience.