23 HOURS in United 787-9 Premium Economy from Melbourne to San Francisco to New York
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2022
- What's it like to fly United Ultra Long Haul? Join me as I review the 787-9 in Premium Plus from Melbourne to San Francisco to Newark. Not the best experience with United, but I knew not to go in expecting too much. The food is seriously dreadful, service and crew aren't much better. The seat and amenities however, are very good which is what really matters on this long hauls. United does charge a significant price premium for this cabin, so I'd hope for the food and service to improve in the near future.
Flight Information
Airline: United Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Registration: N24976
Flight Number: UA61
Flight Time: 14 Hour 45 Minutes
Seat: 22L, Premium Plus
From: Melbourne Tullamarine (MEL) - Australia
To: San Francisco International (SFO) - Australia
Date: Monday, September 5, 2022
Social
Instagram: new.york.aviation
Email: newyorkaviation.yt@gmail.com
Equipment
Camera: iPhone12, Sony RX10 IV, GoPro Hero 10
Editing Software: Final Cut PRO 2022
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Footage or Photos:
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🇺🇸 New York Aviation 2022 - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
If we're looking for the airline with the best overall commitment to linking the two countries (and continents), it has to be United. For almost two full years during COVID our own government stranded Australians overseas, and our national airline cut all international services rather than maintaining critical links. Foreign airlines like Qatar, Emirates, Singapore and United picked up the slack and did far more for overseas based Australians than Qantas. United in particular maintained daily service from LAX and SFO and didn't overbook their flights beyond the arrival caps. I heard through several facebook groups stories of United delaying flights for passengers who would misconnect and risk having their return to Australia delayed. Now that things are getting back to normal, United is also aggressively adding capacity with 6 widebody routes into Australia by the end of the year, and a pretty competitive premium cabin. As an Australian based overseas, I would say United has earned your business. It makes me a little sad to write that paragraph. I have many happy memories growing up flying Qantas all around the world but unfortunately haven't flown them for several years now. If you're looking for them to suddenly discover how to meet the needs of US based Australians I'd say that ship has sailed.
exactly!! Qantas is so lacklustre and honestly just shifts most capacity over to Emirates.
Well said. Qantas had a huge opportunity to shine as capacity ramped up this year but they sadly failed. While I'm not Australian, I do travel between SFO and SYD very often. On a Qantas pre-pandemic flight in 2017 from HKG to SYD which by the way was my first time on Qantas, it was very lackluster and shockingly terrible. Very apathetic crew and service and the food portion was dismal. While UA isn't Emirates or Singapore by any means, I've flown UA so often between SFO and SYD that they are not actually that bad. The service and crew are decent. I've only observed one bizarre encounter by a FA and another passenger but overall, it's not bad at all.
Blame ur liberal Australian government.
As a mom, I feel obligated to tell you to eat your veggies. You might have been less cranky about the food!
23:45 the guy comforting his boyfriend as the plane lands 🥺
Thank you for sharing. I flew United LAX to LHR in June. Overal comfortable as am only 5'7" and tbh, cabin service looked a liitle better than you received. I hope when I travel the same route in January, United has upped their game. Wishing you continued safe and smooth travels. Looking forward to seeing what you vlog next. Hello from London : - )
Glad I found you're video I'm flying this exact route with united from Melbourne in march. It's good to see what my experience could be like hope they improve.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Maybe if you ate your greens the dinner would’ve been more wholesome 😊
Agree
and fruits!
Yeah this kid needs to eat his fruits and vegetables.
I really like your video because it has no music, just the natural sounds that come with the airport and plane. Also there is no non stop talking. Perfect. This is the first video of yours I've been watching and have subscribed. Well done!
I agree with you Sabine - excellent video especially without music. The only thing is I’m not a fan of the sped-up portions, but other than that it was very good.
I generally don’t like music in trip reports either, I’d much prefer to experience the flight then just watch it. The sounds change the whole feel of the video.
As a rule ,I make it a habit to sit in an aisle seat. I hate to disturb anyone while getting out of my seat,especially on a long flight.
Love flying out of Melbourne the airport easy to naviggate.Great work
Melbourne is a great airport. Thanks for watching!
I am travelling from Sydney to LA return (on my way on to Buffalo) on a United 787 in Premium in a couple months and appreciate the video that helped when making up my mind. I normally would have done Qantas, but they were ~AUD $1600 more, so I just couldn't justify it (I can justify the usual few hundred more for Qantas - but not the current crazy markup from them). 🤞
Looks like great service in Premium Economy. I just took a trip on United in economy EWR - LAX and back, and going past those purple seats makes me eager to try them. One day soon
wow i’m literally just about to buy this route, thanks!!
Great timing! Thanks for watching.
Nice review
Re: electronic locked windows on the 787...just ask to have your window unlocked. I've never been told no. The food looks good. But someone doesn't like their veggies lol!!
Loved the seat and smaller more intimate cabin but I hate being stuck over the middle of the wing! I like to see the ground lol
thanks for a great video. appreciated the complete taxi/take-off along with the sound (very creative) and the wide angle view of the meal!
Nice flight review! Flew United PP (lmao) from EWR - FCO and the food was so much better. Portions were not the biggest but perfect enough to sleep. Recommend trying that route!
Hey there, Melbourne Local here. If you come back and visit I’d love to see you do an airport walkthrough; Tullamarine is absolutely awesome; the virgin lounge looks directly out to the ramp!
I would love to do that sometime. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for sharing, booked this seat from Newark to Israel
Just flew premium economy from Rome to Newark. I agree service and meals were not great,but premier access and extra room make it worth it. I was once Global 1K ,miss those perks.
The food offered throughout the duration of your around the world trip by Unted Airlines was solid! I think you need to revisit your expectations for food and remind yourself of the marvel that is airline travel!
Getting ready for this same flight from Melbourne to San Francisco as I return home from vacation.
Nice Airline. The food didn’t look to bad. Comfort for me is # 1.
United in-flight service and food is shocking, even in business class. I recently flew United Polaris Business from Brisbane to San Francisco and I was shocked at how rude, uncaring, and inattentive the staff were throughout. At every step they made me and my family feel as if we'd done something wrong and like every simple request was an imposition on them. They also failed to deliver my wife a gluten free meal - despite booking it in advance - and were not only unwilling to apologize but were condescending and patronizing, telling here "Honey, do us a favor next time and book your meal in advance," ignoring the fact that she had. The food was poor as well, and nothing about it - except maybe the seats - felt anything close to premium. I've had much, much better service and food in Qantas economy.
Crews locking the windows is why i avoid the 787 at all costs. We flew united's inaugural flight to Tenerife and the food and crew in bith directions where top notch. Thankfully we where on a 757. When it comes to long haul Amanda and i stay on Delta as far as we can. No 787 so do not have to worry about locked windows. I knwo eventually all airplanes will be like the 787. But by that time i will be to old to fly so it will not matter.
This was a great review. I enjoyed it.
Flew in United Prem. Econ in 2019 when it was first introduced. The crew at the time actually tried to make an effort in the Prem. Econ section. We were served pre-flight drinks! Fast forward 3 years and a pandemic later, UA's Prem. Econ is basically paying for a bigger seat with the same indifferent service in economy. We are flying to Asia next February and we booked in prem. econ, just not with United. For the same fare costs, I'd rather fly with an Asian airline.
Nice
The stagnation of Premium Economy quality plus the rising costs is probably why we're seeing the phenomenon of full Business cabins on long hauls flights -- full of leisure travelers with kids too. With how expensive Premium can be now relative to what you get, might as well just go Business.
Thank you for sharing this; it's nice to see that United is still good at just one thing: being consistent.
Consistently sub-par, but consistent.
I love the Star Alliance, but I haven't missed United even once since I took my flying budget to competitors in 2017.
I always heard bad things about United , I’m British and I flew with them once from I think Chicago to London or Minneapolis to London I can’t remember lol and had a wonderful flight . They must be going down hill then as I enjoyed them a few years ago 👍
I agree, reliable but consistent, not a bad thing. Thanks for watching!
@@NewYorkAviation I'm not sure I can agree on "reliable;" weren't you delayed by a couple hours?
Flying once from Rio to Sao Paulo then US on United. For my first leg of flight, I developed a dry cough (due to Rio weather). United flight attendant rather than offering me a cup of water for my cough, he was chatting with a young lady sitting next to me and telling her he will move her seat away from me for the next leg so she doesn’t have to sit next me. That was the last time I flew on UA
I much prefer the United's catering over Qantas! I loved my meals on my Australian flights and Chicago to Frankfurt. Excellent. I also prefer the Dreamliner over the larger 777-300. United's IFE is good, but not really better than the others. Service is always professional and friendly. United has become my go to airline.
Me too!
I would love to fly the 787, but the connection time in Chicago is very short....
Today I’m flying back to Melbourne that’s were i live😁
11:51 the portion def. wasn’t small to me. Just sayin’ 😮
The meal size is fine. You should not eat too full when seated for long haul anyway. Get business class with a flatbed if you prefer a 3 course meal.😊
Butiful 💕 video
On 00:39 sec my Sikh brother , talking with an lady officer. Good to see in the starting of your Trip report. Overall good vlog. From "SIKH HOMELAND" 'PANJAB' ✊🏼😎
nice time lapse of the sun rise, bet you slept good after all that.
I envy you that you have so much fun of flying. I am fascinated by aviation but I'm afraid of flying and fly only when I have to and it's absolutely necessary otherwise I tend to avoid it because it's always stressful for me.
I know how you feel. Flying has always fascinated me, Im a photographer and love to get to the airports for some plane spotting, and i used to fly well pre-pandemic but my anxiety of flying has increase not because of covid, but because of Mentour Pilot and his crash investigations, do you follow him? I have to remind myself everyday i get in my car to work my chances of dying in a crash is 1 in 5,000 but dying in an airplane accident is 1 in 11,000,000!!!!
@@stevens8744 Thank you. No, I don't follow Mentour Pilot, although I've seen a few of his clips on YT. I know that flying is the safest way of travelling but in my case it doesn't help. If your anxiety is caused by watching Mentour Pilot's crash investigations, maybe if you stopped watching his chanel, it would help? I think this thought is worth considering...
@@adammadulski3304 Haha, the damage is done, its the way he talks through the details and knowing how easy it is to destabelise a plane during flight is crazy and so many things that could go wrong and have gone wrong, but ofcourse 99% alot of the plane crashes have happened pre 2000s. Hhis content is addictive. Im not at the point of having a panic attack, i just have a little more situational awareness of like pitch changes and engine noise thinking, oh, whats that? Turbulance makes me grip the arm rests a little than i used to, haha Its a funny thing.
Why fly United when you know you're going to have a sub-par experience for 14 hours? Those premium economy seats look relatively comfortable. Most everyone already knows that United doesn't compete on great customer service or food but generally on other factors like price and its network/frequency of flights. You get pretty close to what you pay for.
Exactly, it's more about the network reliability than anything else. Thanks for watching!
This first al began from that a380 emirates plane we had a flight on that plane from Melbourne to Dubai and its the same area. That plane is EK409 or it might be EK407 but I’m pretty sure that its EK409
United food is never good but seats are comfy. You should be eating your greens and fruits🤣
In your opinion which is the best company: United or American? (considering aircraft quality, cleanliness, interior quality, food, seat quality, etc...)
That’s why I take either Qantas or Air New Zealand to Australia. They’re the best oceanic airlines,
So glad you won't be on my next United flight!
Used to get an upgrade at checkin on EVA air from economy to their version of premium economy for $300. Quality food and drink and a nice seat. Now on this flight I’m sure there was a much more substantial price difference compared to economy . I haven’t seen ANY value paying up for any premium economy product the last decade . It’s very poor value for the high price .
Hey thanks for the review! I am about to book a flight from the states to Auckland and got a deal on their premium eco for the same price as Singapore Air in standard eco. Which one would you or any of those who read this go for?
Thx
Hi I’m flying Brisbane to EWR via SFO with a less than 2 hours layover, do I have enough time to board to my connecting since we are going to get our luggages and have to clear customs
I guess I’m not the only one who had really bad food on United transpacific in a premium cabin 😂
Absolutely not, it's very concerning. Thanks for watching, Zach!
Me too I had so much bad food the flight attendants were so rude and they did nothing and they made the first class people get Wi-Fi and TV and we didn’t United sucks from London Heathrow to Dulles international airport don’t get United not recommended
We flew from Heathrow to Ohare end of September on a 767 300 , we were quite pleased with the Premuim Plus on United. Crew was London based and very pleasant.
@@NewYorkAviation I disagree. I love the food on United. Always good meals and professional service.
Does the aisle arm rest go down into the seat?
That was the busiest I've seen Melbourne Tullamarine airport ever in international
Not a bad idea. Thanks for watching, Paul.
Could you keep all the items on the seats that they gave you?
I love being 1K
Try Indian Airlines sometime in future specially SFO-DEL or JFK-DEL Route
Plus yes...love no talking or music!!
Nice travelogue! I flew UA Premium Plus for the first time in July (MXP-EWR, 772, seat 22A. Best ride I’ve had in years. I will never go back to Economy! I have an upcoming flight, Newark-Brussels, 773, same seat.
P.S. Does Premium Plus include the head-scratch 23:56? I haven’t figured that one out!
Thanks for watching, Dave! EWR-BRU on the 773 should be great! I believe you have to pay extra for the head scratch 😂.
Only if you're 🏳️🌈😆
It looks like the passenger in the window seat was a bit fearful of flying, especially the touchdown. So his friend was keeping him calm.
12:10 oh now I know why .. LOL 😂😂
I hear The Beach Boys at @20.01
Eat the veggies, they're a big part of he meal!
I was going to say the one big problem I had was where the power ports were. OMG I didn't know the armrest flips up that like 5:41. I'm an idiot.
You should try their trans Atlantic from San Francisco, the worst in Polaris. Buy 3 seats in economy and stretch out for half the price.
In united the crew do not know when to provide drinks, they always bring alcohol and juice after we finish our dinner.
People have a low standard for united which makes me mad because I’m and frequent flyer with them and I love them
The leg-room is fine until the one in front fully reclines
Should definitely choose air canada for premium economy if ur going from Melbourne to New York
I don't think they fly to Melbourne anymore, but would definitely be a great option if the connections lined up.
@@NewYorkAviation No they do not fly from Melbourne anymore, which is disappointing
I really enjoy United overall. But I disagree. I find the catering is excellent in Economy Plus, but the seats not as comfortable as they should be for long flights. I also find the service to be exceptional and there lounges are really good, especially Polaris Lounges in Newark, Chicago and Los Angeles.
someone doesn't like their greens 😄😄😄
Where is the link to your flight from us to aus
Coming soon!
Thanks for the great video, United totally SUCKS! I’m based in SFO and only fly them domestically. All other travel outside the US is on foreign carriers. The service and food are always amazing. I’m flying on Emirates next week on their a380 business class and can’t wait! United crew act like they’re doing you a favor and they avoid eye contact lest you ask them for something. I will admit United’s entertainment can’t be beat.
McDonald's food is always good but when cooked on airplane is even better !
I flew with United a few weeks ago in Premium Plus, while I thought the product, seat, flight ect was fantastic, but I'd agree the food was horrible!
Thanks for the video and confirming UA is still serving very mediocre food. Living in Houston, I would take Air New Zealand to Auckland and then change planes to my Australian destination. I just about refuse to fly UA internationally. Or Lufthansa to Frankfurt.
Jeez, you need to lighten up on the Cranberry/Apple juice. When I was a flight attendant we knew this had the highest suger content. We called it "Crapple". NOT GOOD FOR YOU.
16:10 lol
I've watched too many videos where everyone's complaint was disgusting food and crap service.
I agree the same
I love UA's IFE, but their catering service is horrible. Actually, food on your flight was slightly better than what I have had in my UA flights.
Lots of complaining, you arrived safely. You just came back from a once in a life time destination. Think of the positives.
100%! I mentioned that I was grateful for the safe trip, because, at the end of the day, that is what's most important. However, as part of my "job" as a flight reviewer, it's necessary for me to point out the positives and negatives.
It is too much to expect better and best from any US airlines. Too many ifs, buts, exclusions, exceptions and optionals. Add advertised hyperboles and exceptional lip service. So, what you get is from A to B on their terms, at their fancy, on their time with whatever come at you. If you are ok to accept it, then you are happy dude. BUT they will preach you (if you are their employee) that “customer is the King” (with no kingdom and Vazir is wearing the crown)🙄😆🤪
Great review onboard United
Isn't really pleasant flying on a long haul flight with unpleasant food :(
No it's not, but at least the seats were alright. Thanks for watching!
Ah yes. I remember. I had the lasagna.
I would usually say to just BYO food, but for premium economy that's pretty poor. Presentation wise it all looked okay, but I'm suspicious that the catering could have possibly been done in America? The minute maid drinks are something I've never seen in Australia, even in foreign grocery stores or American candy stores... in comparison, airlines like Emirates, Singapore or Thai just use catering from Sydney/Melbourne and you can tell from the labelling.
But then again it could have all been from Melbourne...
Flying long flights over open ocean is scary. I don't want to sleep with fishes.
I am GLAD that United LOCKS the windows when they turn down the lights. When someone opens the windows it floods the entire area with light and it is annoying. I don't care that YOU want a time lapse video of the sunset. You should have some consideration for others in the cabin. And YES, opening the windows when the cabin is dark does trigger me. Big time.
thank you for being honest,I wont heckle you,just kidding,sounds like the ice cream is the only good thing.i will stick to delta
I’m flying United business from SFO to HNL soon. I’m worried. 😮
Qantas...simple...
Just wondering why you don’t narrate your videos? You have a nice voice. I (and many others) listen to videos and look up when things of high interest come up. You are missing out on subs
Your initial meal service after take off from Australia should include a cocktail beverage service following with another round of full meal with beverage service. The crews have clearly been lazy and skipped the cocktail service so they can have a few more minutes of rest in the bunk room. Also the crews are specifically been instructed not to lock the window switches, this is an violation of company policy & your right as a passenger & is not acceptable so you must report or send this video to the United managements for review.
I enjoyed the video, and it confirmed why I’ve avoided United for the past few years. An airline that needs help in providing competitive service and quality to its passengers. Delta gets my vote as the best US long hauler.
I wish Delta would fly to Melbourne, they are much better! Thanks for watching, Colin!
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🤠🤠🤠🤠🤠😎😎😎😎
I am an over 1.5 million miles member with United, from follow in love to keep staying away. The reasons is that I believe the United’s management have forgot what means “service” this keyword. Very strange seats layout, very bad quality foods, very cold faces of flight attendants …………. What kind of bad experiences in airplane industry, you all may have that from the United. Change airline’s services, should start change their management concept.
👍👍👍🤝🏽🤝🏽🤝🏽🇲🇦🇲🇦🇲🇦
so what you're saying is we should pack a meal to take on the plane because it's not going to be good. *sigh*
Green egg's?
oh boy Untied has poor food service. only 2 meals north west flew me from toyko to dtw and had 3 meals and better food
Yes, Too bad the service is so bad.
United has been subpar for many years. It’s crew are on Zimmer frames. They’d be better off buying sandwich plates from COSCO 😂
Nice review but I feel that you are being too polite in regards to what I would consider a totally unsatisfactory flight. Granted, United is certainly not known for their on board service, especially considering that they tend to hire FA's who appear to have been correctional officers in their previous jobs. 😱🤣. I have had the unfortunate experience of flying with them trans-Pacific several times years ago in Business Class(give me SQ Economy Class any day over United's BC, only because the SQ FA's are the best in the business). I just watched a TH-camr review a United flight from Tokyo to LAX in Premium Economy and he had asked the FA to "unlock" his window so he could film the views and she "read him the riot act". He later checked United's policy and it clearly states that the windows are not to be "locked". Guess the FA's can do whatever they want to do these days. In conclusion, when I fly now I always pack a picnic lunch (with enough for my seat mate if they want some). It's really a hit or miss whether one will have an edible meal or the infamous "dog food in the sky" cuisine that's so popular now. Hope you had a fun time in Australia 🇦🇺. You can't beat those friendly Aussies! Take care and have a great weekend. 👍❤️✈️🙏🌎
You're exactly right, it's unfair to go in expecting Qantas like service. But, they do owe it to their customers to offer a better experience. Thanks for watching, John!
Instead of enjoying the NZ lounge, you should have been sitting in an NZ seat!
Yes I wish! Thanks for watching, Patrick.
United's terrible food and service could be improved so easily.
Poor baby. You probably got constipated from the lack of vegetables.
US "Food" 🤢🤢🤢
Grrr! It makes me mad - plastic food is NOT premium food. I remember (I know I know) before covid flights on BA and AA, and even AC the Prem Y food was a real pleasure. Now it's barely acceptable trash. Pocket pizza before landing? Come on! I paid 1.5 - 2 x economy - at least feed me. Frankly, after UA's dismal business class meal a couple weeks ago, it would be better sent to Prem Y and a new head of catering hired. BARELY acceptable is NOT a premium feeling.