The best way to set the tone for this United 737-800 Economy Plus review to inform you that it has taken me 3 months to muster the strength to get it done.
Sure, I liked the extra legroom. Being seated near the front of the aircraft was pretty sweet too.
But F me it’s an interesting product to write about.
UA2309 San Diego, CA (SAN) – San Francisco, CA (SFO) Monday, April 29, 2024 Aircraft: 737-824 Registration: N78511 Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes Seat: 10A (Economy Plus)
United Airlines 737-800 (N78511) side view illustration by NorebboStock.com.Our route from San Diego to San Francisco this morning as UA2309.
A quick ‘n dirty review of United 737-800 Economy Plus from San Diego to San Francisco
This is going to be a little bit different from my normal airline reviews. Instead of doing it “nerdy trip report style” (showing the entire process from arrival at the departing airport to the arrival at the destination), I’m only going to focus on what matters most: the seat and the service.
Those of you just dying to know what the entire experience was like can check out the video:
Seat overview
“Economy Plus” is United’s enhanced economy class product. It features approximately 3 additional inches of leg room over a standard economy class seat, which (in my humble opinion) is quite noticeable.
Ready, set, inhale! The extra few inches of legroom in these Economy Plus seats is noticeable compared to what you saw in my United 737-800 economy review. But that still doesn’t mean you’re gonna look all graceful and sophisticated trying to wedge yourself in to one of these bad boys.Pro: under seat storage space is better than what you saw in my United A321neo first class review. Con: it’s friggin’ worse than what you saw in my review of United Embraer 175 first class. Come on, man!Seat width is about what you would expect (as long as you’re expecting something narrow and anti-thunder thigh).Leg room? Those of you who read my United 737-900ER Economy Plus review will not be surprised. Those of you who didn’t should consider yourself lucky (and possibly surprised about the generous leg room).It’s economy class. Plus a little extra room to take the kinds of pics which makes your seatmate think you’re getting crotch shots for Onlyfans.Video screens! They’re not touchscreen though (which makes navigating through the menu items a horrific experience), but it is somewhat modern technology nonetheless.In-flight magazines too! She probably took one look at that video screen said “Nope. F that.”Don’t let the fact that you can see the first class cabin from Economy Plus discourage you. First class on the United 737-800 isn’t all that much to be envious about IMHO. The amount of leg room up there is exactly the same as it is back here.
In-flight entertainment in Economy Plus on the 737-800 is exactly the same as it is in first class and basic economy. There are video screens at every seat featuring live television channels via DIRECTV.
The fact that there are credit card slots next to the video screens is an indication of how vintage this video entertainment system is. I’m guessing peak Limp Bizkit era (2005ish)?These old 737-800s feature DIRECTV, which I’ve never been a fan of. It’s like watching cable TV (just like how we used to watch Limp Bizkit – and Nickelback – in 2005).Making matters worse is that the only way to navigate the menus on the video screen is via these very finicky remote control “button pads” integrated into the armrests.Nothing screams “this was a bad idea!” more than ending up with a cramped hand and a sore thumb after scrolling through every channel after realizing that there is nothing on that’s worth watching.That moment (ok, one of the many moments) when you forget that it’s not a touchscreen. “Sh*t – I did it again!”See? I keep forgetting. Anyway, the fact that you won’t even get a video screen in United 737 MAX 9 Economy Plus is a rare (but solid) flex for the 737-800 IMHO.
If you’re like me and you hate the idea of being forced to watch Live TV, you’ll be happy to know that there’s an entire catalog of streaming movies and TV shows you can access via your personal device. Hallelujah!
My advice? Save your precious thumbs and take advantage of the streaming in-flight entertainment option.A rare instance of me listening to my own advice? It happens sometimes.
These older 737-800’s are also Wi-Fi enabled. Text messaging is free, but you’ll have to pay for Internet access.
Snacks and drinks
I’m of the age that I remember when they actually served premium snacks in Economy Plus. Those days (just like my hairline) are long gone.
There is no meal service in Economy Plus. The only thing you’re going to get is a basic snack and a basic drink (alcohol is available for purchase). On some flights, you’ll be able to purchase a slightly more substantial snack from the in-flight menu. It wasn’t available on this particular hop up to SFO.
The body language of these two ladies tells me that they’ve eaten in the United Economy Plus before. They know what’s up.“What’s up” is a drink and a napkin. No meal. No premium snacks. Hell, no snacks at all. What’s this “plus” sh*t they keep talkin’ about?Ya’ll starting to understand why I decided to make this an abbreviated review?
Pros and cons
Other than having nearly the same amount of leg room as first class, there aren’t many advantages to sitting in Economy Plus on the 737-800 IMHO. Especially if you’re 5’-10” and under. It’s an out of date experience in desperate need of a refresh. Thankfully, that refresh is coming soon.
Pros
What’s not to like about extra legroom (unless you’re 5’-4”)?
Being able to board before lowly basic economy passengers is cool I guess.
These are the seats you want to sit in if you’ve got a tight connection and you need to get off the plane ASAP.
Cons
The seats are just as narrow as the ones you’ll get in basic economy.
Food and drinks are exactly the same as well. Which isn’t saying much.
hello scott! i just recently flew on united 737max8 economy from den-pdx and it had very big and responsive screens also the food sucked on that 2h30m flight too! all i got was a choclate quinoa crisp and a coca cola. the overall flight was good though. on another flight on delta from pdx-slc on a 737-900er i got served a much better snack chedder cheese sun chips almonds and dark choclate cookie squares plus since i was a skymiles member i got free wifi! i think united might have to step up there game to compete with delta!
You’re lucky for having the opportunity to fly on a United MAX 8 – I still haven’t been able to do it yet. Sounds like I’m not missing much though if the quality of onboard service is the same as everything else.
But you’re right about Delta IMHO. It’s usually a better experience – even in economy.
im going to leave for panama city florida on the 14 pdx-atl-ecp did you make a review of delta a321neo comfort+? also when is your next trip????? a suggestion for your next trip to hawaii is going to be a delta one a330-300 nonstop from atl-hnl you should also fly the longest island hopping route from koa-lih when your there next time.
No review of Delta A321neo Comfort Plus yet – but I’ve been trying! Hopefully soon.
I’m headed off on another trip to Asia soon. I’ve got a lot of fun flights scheduled, and the reviews for all of them should be really fun to put together.
Sounds like some good ideas for my next trip out to the islands! ATL-HNL sounds pretty fun actually.
Ozzy
hello scott! i just recently flew on united 737max8 economy from den-pdx and it had very big and responsive screens also the food sucked on that 2h30m flight too! all i got was a choclate quinoa crisp and a coca cola. the overall flight was good though. on another flight on delta from pdx-slc on a 737-900er i got served a much better snack chedder cheese sun chips almonds and dark choclate cookie squares plus since i was a skymiles member i got free wifi! i think united might have to step up there game to compete with delta!
Scott (SANspotter)
You’re lucky for having the opportunity to fly on a United MAX 8 – I still haven’t been able to do it yet. Sounds like I’m not missing much though if the quality of onboard service is the same as everything else.
But you’re right about Delta IMHO. It’s usually a better experience – even in economy.
Ozzy
im going to leave for panama city florida on the 14 pdx-atl-ecp did you make a review of delta a321neo comfort+? also when is your next trip????? a suggestion for your next trip to hawaii is going to be a delta one a330-300 nonstop from atl-hnl you should also fly the longest island hopping route from koa-lih when your there next time.
Scott (SANspotter)
No review of Delta A321neo Comfort Plus yet – but I’ve been trying! Hopefully soon.
I’m headed off on another trip to Asia soon. I’ve got a lot of fun flights scheduled, and the reviews for all of them should be really fun to put together.
Sounds like some good ideas for my next trip out to the islands! ATL-HNL sounds pretty fun actually.