The sad state of United Airlines 737-800 first class
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 มิ.ย. 2021
- The music I use: bit.ly/2nEhgxa - AMAZING for TH-camrs
Support me on Patreon and get shout outs!
/ sanspotter
Watch the full (unedited) takeoff of this flight:
• United Airlines 737-80...
----------------------------------------------
What’s the deal with United Airlines 737-800 first class these days? I went into this flight thinking that there’s no way that they’d be using the same old seats that have been around since the mid-2000’s, and that there must have been an upgrade of some kind since the last time I tried this. Apparently, I assume too much.
This is footage from United Airlines flight number 336 from Houston, TX (IAH) to San Diego, CA (SAN) in February 2021. I had seat 3A in first class, and...it was a lot more wrinkly (and smelly) than I was expecting.
On the flip side, I paid less than $250 for the privilege of sitting here. Do I sound like a wiener for complaining about old and wrinkly seats?
And for all you airplane nerds out there, the registration of this aircraft was N73276.
----------------------------------------------
MY FEATURED PATRONS:
▪ @Neil Smith : Moments In The Sky
▪ @sd_avgeek
▪ Aaron Slater: / roaming.submariner
▪ Jimmy Taylor
▪ Joshua Bedel
▪ Riley Wingo
▪ Elle Heiligenstein
▪ Calvin Hedler
▪ John Leon
▪ David Kelly
▪ @TaylorTravelsTheWorld
▪ Naomi Slivko
----------------------------------------------
FOLLOW ME:
Website: www.sanspotter.com
Facebook: / sanspotter
Instagram: / sanspotter
Twitter: / sanspotter
Patreon: / sanspotter
![CAMPปลิ้น | EP.76[1/2] โจโฉเปิดป่าโหดรับโอ๊ต-ป๊อบ รอบนี้พี่เอาจริง!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pNg5O7Pf-a0/mqdefault.jpg)
![[TRIP REPORT] United Airlines Boeing 737-800 (BUSINESS CLASS) Guam (GUM) - Tokyo Narita (NRT)](/img/n.gif)
Damn, I've never heard you sound so exhausted before.
This is my normal voice when I’m not trying to overemphasize every word. 😅 I was getting sick and tired of the way I was doing voiceovers (sounded too cheesy IMHO).
@@sanspotter Fair enough.
I’m loving the change 😀
@@sanspotter use your real voice we like it more
I agree, the newer “less saggy” seats are usually much less comfortable. Found this out on an Alaska 321.
The first airline to figure out how to make a slim but stylish seat that’s still really comfortable is going to make a killing. We’re not quite there yet...
It's the old CO plane that hasn't been upgraded. The interiors didn't look so bad 15 years ago. They are about to replace a large order to replace them
Being a contentinental fan it's kinda sad
Anything ex- Continental has NO priority with United.
That includes human beings.
From a 24+ years Continental employee, got out in 2011.
The 737-800 with United is a wild card. Some are 3 years old and seem brand new when others are 23 and seem like they are on their last leg.
hence the 270 order
However, one thing I will say is that the first class seats on the older 737-800s (the ones shown here) are a lot more comfortable than the ones on the 900s and newer 800s.
I flew on one of these really old 737-800s today and I thought the first class seat was extremely comfortable for what it was. The newer ones just don't compare - Air Canada uses the same seat model as on most US 737-900 (and the newer 800s) on their A319/320/321 and the backs have pretty well no cushioning.
The ones shown here in the video, on the other hand, had adequate padding in the back. Granted it wasn't as soft as what I had on Alaska last week, but I found it to be more comfortable overall.
Rumor has it they’re announcing cabin refreshes that include IFE in the next few weeks
The rumor that proved true is the huge aircraft order that will include IFE. They are about to retire a lot of aircraft so you’re not gonna see that on those
I get where you are coming from, but, honestly, I will take the older over stuffed first class seats over the space saver "firm" type first seats.
Whoa! A United 737 with a TV at least!
*TV doesn't work*
ahhh, United.
😅 pretty much
While most of the UA flights I've taken (often in first class) have felt like the planes interiors are a bit aged, the one in the "best" condition was probably the A320 I just flew on, but it was the least comfortable.
Usa first class is like premium economy for south east asia carriers
Pretty much - at least Jetblue is trying!
Still way better than business/first in Europe though.
@@nmpls yip basically a robbery that one lol
@@nmpls there is no first class in Europe.
this is the most slept on tripreport channel, i cant stand those 30 minute long videos of just text
Thanks man! 👊🏻
Always love your videos. Thanks for posting this.
...originally Continental Airlines. Terminal E as he terminal opened in 2003. United acquired Continental in 2010.
A snack...in first class. Even into the mid deregulation era we used to get full meals in coach and in First, it, was almost a banquet. I remember a first class flight on Northwest on a DC-10 in the 80s from Milwaukee to Seattle we received a three course meal and had much better in-flight entertainment.
Air travel has really hit the skids these days if people are spending around 1,200$ (the normal cost for a first class round trip ticket from the midwest to the west coast) for service more akin United's old "K" class back in the 1960s.
Substandard domestic products on the big three: 1st class on United’s 737-800, 1st class on Delta’s 757s, and American’s 1st class on the 737-MAX
Great video Scott as always and the red shoes are back!!!
Thanks Clive! I’m not sure how much longer those red shoes will be around...it may be time for a change.
Thanks for doing this video. It was very helpful. I've been doing some research on current flying experiences by watching youtube channels like yours. I've noticed that first class has been doing that seat configuration on new planes. It seems like first is starting to look like business and business (on long flights and international) looks more like first class. If you were disappointed in first class I would hate to see what economy was looking like on this flight! Thanks again!
THE man with the best shoes!!! Glad to see you again!
I particularly liked the pacing and editing on this one! :D i noticed you went for slightly different editing with the audio for the title cards and i liked the way it flowed.
Thank you! Yes, I went with a fully unscripted voiceover this time. I was starting to think that my old scripted style (spoken in an over-emphasized manner) was getting annoying - and it was hard to be satisfied with the content I was producing. This new style is much more representative of the real me!
Very informative! Quick question: how were you able to score a first class seat for $250? Was it a flash sale or you upgraded using status and/or points?
Thanks! This flight was back in February when airlines were still having difficulty filling planes - so I guess that had a lot to do with it. It’s a lot more expensive now!
Congrats on reaching 40k Scott!
Thanks Kaz! Nice to see your channel growing as well! 👍🏻👍🏻
I made my yearly trip to San Diego last week and I was pleasantly surprised to get an A330 on my Delta flight from SAN-MSP. Definitely a nice upgrade over normal offerings
I love the 330!
A lot of times Delta throws in their A350 from Phoenix to Minneapolis. When it’s less busy, it’s the A321
I hope I get to fly on the updated one when I fly from ATL to SFO. I flew the one with the old interior from SFO to LAS, which I don’t mind on such a short flight.
Completely concur with this review. Flew United 737-800 first class from SAN-IAH a few months and was saying the same things.
My family and I fly UA a lot since it’s usually the cheapest option with the best time options from Newark to Santo Domingo. For an airline that takes themselves so seriously something is seriously lacking in the way they approach the look of their planes. I’ll only pay for their “first class” if it is a day of departure upgrade for like $79.
Great vid as usual!
Thanks Alan!
Great video, been flying United for 40 years, still have my old mileage plus card from 1985. Service is definitely not what it used to be.
Those sneakers tho 🔥🔥
Hey Scott, as others have point out, your voice sounds different in this video (and I read your comment about how you're changing things up and was feeling sick (hope you're feeling better, by the way)). I don't know if I'm in the majority or minority, but I actually really like this new format; I love how you basically narrated the whole way through, and was more candid about your feelings off the cuff.
I love the old videos, too, but sometimes I found myself wanting to hear more of your thoughts than just a quick word or two, then music/montage kicks in. This new format feels more to me like we are traveling with you, and hearing what you think about the experience on the spot.
Anyway, thank you for the awesome video, as alwasy!
Thanks! Yes, I much prefer this new format as well. I feel like I was growing out of my old style - it was starting to feel too “produced “ (and stupid 😅) to me. And you’re right - it’ll be much easier to provide more info and share detailed thoughts this way. 👍🏻
Ok dude, exactly what were you expecting? A steak dinner? Seats that recline all the way back into a bed? 1st class...seats are a little more roomy than coach. More leg room. More rump room. Probably some alcohol without paying extra. In the Era of covid19, you can expect individually packed snacks and drink. In the end. You get to SAN comfortably. IAH has changed a lot the last 2 especially. Some new restaurants opened. A few have temporarily closed due to covid19. Once air traffic returns to pre covid19 levels, some of those restaurants should reopen...and Yes, I do work for United at IAH.
One thing that shocked me more than the product... you referring to it as "cheap" at the end :D
primitive inflight service
Awesome video Scott!
Thanks Ryan!
@@sanspotter You’re welcome Scott!
Never disappoint me once again, Scott!
Thanks so much Erin! 👊🏻
It's a happy day when SANSpotter uploads :D
I’m glad you’re enjoying my videos! 😁
Love flying out of Palm Springs. Unfortunately Alaska is my probable choice. There First is a real joke. Really do miss good old Continental.
Actually I’d prefer to fly Alaska over United if given the choice! I never got to experience Continental much though - just a few flights before they were absorbed into UA.
I usually need to get very drunk on domestic “first” class to counter-act the seats.
San I love your Vids! is there anyway that you can record the landings? Love a good final and seeing the landings. Again Love the content!
Thanks! Yeah, I’ve been thinking about adding landings to my bonus footage channel. Maybe!
Very tired indeed.
Thanks for the video 🤜🤛
You’re very welcome Robert!
Reminds me of a 772 i flew on from KSFO-KDEN in 2019. It was almost brown inside, saggy seat's and things jammed into the parcel racks. Kinda gross if you ask me.
I live here in Houston, I can agree Bush Intercontinental is nice!
Underrated airport for sure!
The last time I was on a United Boeing 737-800, It had a retrofitted first class cabin matching the seats on the 737-900. It caught me off guard when the seats didn’t match my expectations.
There aren’t too many of those are at the moment. You got lucky!
@@sanspotter I actually wanted to try the older seat to see how it compares to the current seats on United 737’s.
That's because some of United's 737-800s were built in 2010 or are newer than that. The reason why the 737-900ERs have a different first class seat is because they are newer than most of their 737-800s.
A premium economy cathay pacific seat looks better than this lmao
I miss flying Asian airlines! 😄
We flew the Cathay Pacific Premium Economy once...yes, better than the faux "First Class" seats of the domestic class here...especially the food and service. We flew a flight out of SAN last year on Alaska First Class...not bad, but pales in comparison to airlines in Asia.
If you want to turn off the direct tv you hit the - button which will fade it to complete black
That SAN approach seriously is one of a kind!! How often do they use opposite pattern with their runway (using runway 9 instead)?
I agree - one of the best approaches in all of the US! Runway 9 gets used only a handful of times a year (mostly in the winter). I’ve been able to experience twice each winter for the past 3 years.
I got the chance to fly on United's Premium Economy from O'Hare to San Diego and it was decent in my opinion. As we were deplaning I did take a look at the first class seats and United really need to upgrade them. IFE was also nowhere the level of my AA flight to O'Hare.
AA is removing all IFE on their domestic mainline aircraft :(
@@Jeff-ow1qq Naaahhhh for real? Well at least I got em when I got the chance :(
@@Jeff-ow1qq I got a AA 737 without IFE on my longer flight from IAD-DFW, I got an A320 with IFE for the DFW-IAH leg. Both were First Class.
Great video!!
Thanks man!
last time I flew United, I was in domestic First. What confuses me is that I got the new United First seats but with the DirecTV of the older seats
That is a bit odd. 😅
Is it possible to get lie flat seats for domestic flights? We’re going from Orlando to Boston in January and I can’t seem to find any.
WOW! This is SAD for first class!
7:50 the moment the lady next to you is concerned she's sitting next to a creep recording her LOL 😂
I had a sense that she didn’t like me. 😅
I love watching your videos, from liverpool in the UK 🇬🇧🇬🇧
Thank you - hopefully all is well over there in the UK!
Noticeable by its absence of you eating twice during the video but no sign of chicken & rice! 😂 Good to see you back Scott!. Nice to see a arrival at San Diego 👍
Thanks Peter! I’ll be doing some flying again soon and priority #1 will be obtaining quality chicken rice footage. It’s been missing from my content for far too long! 😆
The stuck screen would have been so annoying. I like to look at the flight map. All wrinkly and saggy..perfect description.
I’ve never experienced Chinese water torture but...after hour number 2 it started feeling like Chinese water torture. 😅 I could deal with the wrinkles, but the looping ads we’re driving me mad! 🤪
Haha its like a old classic Mercedes Benz or 90s Lexus car seats. I agree seats look very saggy but classy. Anyways I’m probably going to be the same seats flying from EWR to CUN.
You can turn off the screen by lowering brightness all the way down.
Jeez. First Class pricing for, at best, premium economy accomodations? 🤦
Welcome to the USA. 😆
Im flying from Dulles to Tampa and I only paid $167 for 1st class. It’ll be my first time flying so I’m really looking forward to it
I just flew on the big front seat on Spirit for $45 extra and the seat is almost exactly the same. There's no way in hell I would pay $400 extra for this which is what they are asking for on my upcoming flight.
by the way love the shoe game, what style is that?
True story..I saw one of the first live performances of Estranged 30 years ago at my 2nd concert ever 5/25/91 in Wisconsin.
Oh man that would have been incredible! Estranged is one of my favorite songs of all time. 🤟🏻
I think most airlines are trying to run their oldest planes right now. This way, they can clean less, and if COVID accumulates in the aircraft, then it's no big deal as they will hit retirement soon.
great flight
Thanks Brigitte!
I wonder if this is a 737 that was supposed to be replaced by now had the 737MAX fiasco not occurred. I also wonder what this aircraft did during COVID? Was it parked or did it keep flying?
I’m not totally sure, but my guess is that it’ll be gone soon (replaced by an incoming MAX 8). I probably should have taken a moment to appreciate flying on such an old bird. 😆
I like United 737-800 even if it has sad first class, I don’t care, I’ve had a good night flight on one.
Nice shoes!! The best part of the flight.
Haha, but they might be replaced soon… 😬
@@sanspotter I have a similar pair. I receive many compliments
Great video! I will say if you haven’t tried the newer UA first class seats, you will be wanting those old seats. Old seats are far more comfortable, especially for a flight longer than 2 hours. The new one look night, but have no cushion at all.
Thanks! Yes, I’m very much looking forward to trying the new first class seats on the MAX aircraft. If they’re anything like the new Alaska first class seats, I’ll be sure to bring some extra cushioning with me. 😄
New United first class is still better than American Airlines's new first class. The new United first class seats are the same comfort level as the new first class seats found on Alaska Airlines and Delta.
5 hours, UA, D.C.-Mexico City, in the newer slim seats, make these look like royalty!
@@bodyloverz30 UA's new first class isn't that slim, only their economy is slim like in all airlines. If you want to know what slim first class seats really are, try American Airlines 737 first class or A319 first class.
@@Blank00 5 hours was like pure hell, plus being fed near "dog food" (Feb 2020) was beyond galling!
loved the thumbnail, another case of super funny sanspotter! great video as well, as expected!
Haha thanks Vidhyuth!
🙄
you should check out the remodeled united concourse at phx, it looks much better than the original, pretty much the same experience I had on united from DEN-PHX
I forgot United even flew to Phoenix. 😂 Thinking back on it, there were a lot of UA planes there the past time I was at that airport - they must have a decent operation there.
Oddly enough I just heard that Alaska Air is having 4 new routes or at least for summer and I think I saw something of Diego or Francisco to hobby! I’ll have to that again. But seems they are looking at more routes out of Cali and Portland and always outta Sea-Tac!
To be honest I’ve totally lost track of all the new AS routes out of SAN - they’ve been growing like crazy.
We've heard some rumors about these older 737s being retrofitted with new first class seats and seat back entertainment, like what they're gonna put on the Max 8, let's hope these happen
Someone else just commented that there are retrofitted 737-800s out in the wild now. Good to know that it’s already starting to happen!
Just wondering when you took that flight Scott? I’ve been on American Airlines through the entire pandemic in First Class and they never had snack boxes. They’ve always offered a turkey sandwich or a fruit plate which is almost equivalent to Alaska’s. Currently I’m here in Cabo and flew Alaska first class down here and thought it was the same as American’s.❤️🙏✈️
Yea, this is a bit outdated (I took this flight back in February). Not to worry though, as I’ll be flying again soon and I’ll have fresh new content to share. 😁 Enjoy your trip!
I find the older seats to be extremely comfortable with more padding than the newfangled,hard new seats the airlines install now-a-days....AND seat back entertainment (helps if works however,usually they can reset it) for $200.....think perhaps are being a little over-critical IMHO....sorry
Fair enough, but $200 fares are hard to find anymore now that covid is winding down. This is fine product if you can get it for cheap, but I’d have a hard time justifying shelling out typical first class prices for it.
Oh...Red shoes...Hi Scott
I really need new shoes (again). 😅
This report is spot on. I just did a MCO-IAD return trip using accumulated miles in F class on a 753 both ways. No IFE video at all. The cabin crew were great, but honestly the F class service was very poor. Not even a snack box; just a plastic bag with a bottle of Dasani and a small bag or pretzels. While I enjoyed being on the iconic 753, being at IAD again was very depressing. United should be ashamed of this tired old terminal. I suppose they will seek a government bailout to build a new one. Sad.
This screen is crazy, I just had a 7 hours night flight on one of these and not being able to switch off the screen was really a nuisance.
I'm holding out on united because their 737-8max is gonna have brand new ptvs at every seat, maybe they'll update their 737-800s to match?
Yeah, I’m looking forward to that too! I’d suspect that many of those new MAXs will be replacing these old -800s though.
Well even though this first class has seen better days this seems a million times better than the crappy european "first class" seats we have over here with all our european carriers.
I agree with you
So you like the Houston Continental Terminal the best, I would agree.
Can’t wait to go back once the water is working (this was 2 days after that big winter storm in February and the water service was still messed up 😮).
I love your sense of humor. Yeah, UA is nothing to get excited about. That was a great fare. Do you collect award miles or just go with the cheapest fare?
Little bit of both actually - I like finding the best deal possible, but I do earn a lot of points via Amex and Chase (points that can be used on a wide variety of airlines).
They badly need to update their wide body fleet
I know this isn't wide body...but still
Have you ever done a review of Aero Mexico 🇲🇽
Jeb Brooks (in his video posted 27June2021) looking for you at one of your favorite restaurants from Boston Logan Airport
Those old Ua 737s are a complete continental throwback
It did feel a bit like a throwback to the old Continental days!
what phone and phone case is that
Yeah I’m not a fan of those seats…happily new seats coming soon with the complete fleet remodel
I flew first class from DEN-ORD in January on the United 777-200 (actually the same exact plane that had the engine failure a month after) in those crazy backwards seats. They gave me the same snack box that you got and I enjoyed, but they gave hot food to only some people and it was the ones with the best United status. I kinda understand that but at the same time it left a bad taste in my mouth.
From what I’ve been hearing about their hot meals lately, you didn’t miss out on anything great. Crazy that you got a ride on that particular aircraft though! 😮
@@sanspotter ya I actually liked the snack box a lot. The plane was a great ride, I actually had a direct view of the eventually affected engine (the backward seats :) and got a good video of it on the climb out.
Interesting- I’ve had couple domestic flights in United first lately and on a 767 as well, they definitely served hot food to all passengers in first who wanted it (I actually thought it was tasty). Makes me think it was an inventory issue that day or something. The flights (in first) that do serve food at all are sold as such- “dinner” etc.
SFO is the best united terminal because of the outdoor deck area for plane spotting at the end of the United international terminal.
Sure it's a nightmare of weather delays at times, but that's not the building's fault.
There’s an outdoor viewing deck at SFO? I had no idea!
@@sanspotter, yep. I found it because I had a 12 hour layover at SFO due to a mechanical (thanks United!). Kept me sane.
It's right by where Lufthansa generally parks, so on a good day you'll get to see an a340 and an a380 (LH no longer flies the queen to SFO unless something has changed).
If you have free access to the United Club (for the love of god, don't pay for it), the UC in the rotunda (near gate 76) is probably the nicest non-polaris UC in the system too as it used to be the first class lounge. Same mediocre snacks and drinks, but it retains a bit of an air of grandeur.
I should have left the airport and gone into the city, but nothing like spending 12 hours stuck in an airport to form opinions about everything.
Wow, this is really cool - I’m definitely checking it out the next time I’m there!
I'll be honest...
This seat model, while old, is vastly superior in terms of comfort versus most of the others out there. I flew on one of these old 800s recently in first, and found it to be extremely comfortable. I think the only recliner seat that I found more comfortable was when I flew on a very old US Airways 757-200 that had a really old fashioned first class seat with tons of padding. I know some used to refer to this type of seat as an "Eisenhower" seat.
The ones on the newer 800s and most of the 900s are awful - zero padding on the back. Air Canada uses the same seat model as those and they're equally as bad, if not worse. I would still probably take that over Y, but for a first or business class seat, those are terrible. Not sure about the F seats on the A320 or MAX planes, but maybe I'll try them one day.
If you compare those business class seats with those in Europe which are actually economy class seats and you will be happy
Can't believe there wasn't some actual food service, maybe like a breakfast sandwich? A snack box is really pathetic,
I've been to Houston before Scott I interviewed there for ExpressJet the regional airline my very first job interview for flight attendant position my second time I was visiting a girlfriend there that airport is uniquely strange and their train system is weird but it was fun and I enjoyed it looking forward to visiting that area of Texas again Houston has a lot of great barbecue
As usual your favorite mountain biker is in the terminal grab your Red Bull and your tickets time to officially fly!!!! Another sanspoter Video!!!!!!
Wow, I had totally forgotten about ExpressJet. That would have been a fun job - though summertime Texas heat would make mountain biking difficult I think. 😄 One of these days I gotta include some Red Bull footage in one of my videos and give you a proper shoutout. 🤣
@@sanspotter My guy I would consider it an honor and one hell of a birthday present next Saturday June 19th is the mountain bikers birthday so stop by there will definitely be a birthday episode on my channel and I would be honored most importantly since the covid stuff is letting up I'm going to get a ticket and catch you on one of your video days just so we can have a Red Bull in the terminal it'll be my treat!!!!!!
How often would it be The Mountainbiker meets Sanspoter!!!!!
Hey sanspotter how about you ride 737 max8 southwest from San Diego to Chicago.
I hope to get a ride on a southwest MAX 8 soon!
@@sanspotter G
Great because it is great I went on it yesterday.
If you like big, bright, beautiful airports go to Charlotte when they are done renovating the terminal, when I was there pre covid, the parts that were complete were beautiful and a lot of different food options you can't find in any other major airport (sweet potato biscuits, sweet tea, etc.) Anyways you outa do an American Flight for a change
It’s been a while since I’ve last been to CLT, and I do remember thinking how nice some parts of it was. Anyway, I’ve got lots of AA flying coming up within the next few weeks...
I really like flying United Airlines but the interior is so outdated. I honestly think United should put the Max 8 interior on all their 737-800s and 737-900s
yeah they could use a cabin redesign
The good news is that it’s already starting to happen (veeery slowly though). Hopefully they get all the planes updated before the new seats start looking old and saggy. 😆
Weren’t the seats comfy tho?
United just ordered more Max's in March and there's a rumored deal to purchase about 200 more narrow bodies from both Airbus and Boeing. Probably a good business decision not to update the interior of N73276 and concentrate on maintenance. But yeah, do something about the IFE screen!
Yeah it’s not very likely that this aircraft will ever be refreshed. Those incoming MAX planes are the the future for this airline.
It has been a few years since being there in Houston, TX international airport.
I love flying into San Diego Internation Airport. Seeing the downtown buildings are so nice while flying in the airport.
I agree - the approach into SAN is like none other!
@@sanspotter Yes, San Diego there in Little Italy for dinner was always nice for me.
@@sanspotter And I have friends and family there in Bankers Hill and Hillcrest. It was and is easy for me to see them when I have had a layover there.
Was your seatmate still breathing at the end?
Haha, it looked like she wasn’t going to make it. 🤣
@@sanspotter looks like that woman has a hang over...lol
Did this seat at least recline?
A little bit - about the same as economy.
Yes they do recline - by 5 inches, which is actually more than economy. This one also has a lumbar support unlike many others.
I'd say that United's new first class is about as comfy as Delta's first class and better than AA's new first class
I've taken United for years and it's probably the best there is out of all the Airlines in the U.S, and that's sad. United, to me, has always looked liked grandmas saggy quilt. She'll get you there but there's nothing to look at. Overall, I've had a good experience hanging out with grandma. Good review.