a plane on the runway

My early morning 737 MAX 9 flight in EconomyPlus (extra legroom economy class) on United Airlines was productive and about as good as it gets when it comes to domestic economy class in the USA.

United Airlines 737 MAX 9 Economy Class Review

These days, unless I buy a first class ticket on a domestic US flight, my upgrade rarely clears…which really makes me reconsider my perennial quest for MileagePlus elite status. Here, I even applied PlusPoints but missed the upgrade by three on a 6:00 am flight. At least my economy class ticket was cheap, at $320.03 from LAX-ORD-LAX.

Arriving inside LAX Terminal 7, a beautiful Chinese husky greeted me…with a service dog collar on. Of course…

a group of people with luggage in an airport

Speaking of service dogs, there was a whimpering service dog on my flight. Do loud whimperings provide a service to their humans?

a woman standing next to a dog
#Cute

Let’s just get to the flight review…

Boarding began on-time at 5:20 am, with those with disabilities (including the whimpering dog) invited to board first, followed by uniformed members of the military, Global Services members, families traveling with children under two, and then PRemier 1K members.

a woman standing in front of a screen

United 1332
Los Angeles (LAX) – Chicago (ORD)
Monday, May 13
Depart: 6:00 PM
Arrive: 12:05 PM
Duration: 4hr, 05min
Distance: 1,744 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 737 9 MAX
Seat: 10F (Economy Class – EconomyPlus section)

Onboard, I walked past first class (review here) and found my seat.

a row of black seats in an airplane

Seat

The economy class cabin is divided into two sections, EconomyPlus (48 seats) and United Economy (111 seats). United MileagePlus Gold, Platinium, and 1K members can reserve EconomyPlus seats for no extra charge during booking while MileagePlus Silver members can choose EconomyPlus seats during check-in at no charge.

Like most things, three inches make a huge difference. With 33.5 inches of legroom instead of 30.3, the difference is quite notable on a flight like LAX-ORD, which is over three hours in the air. All seats are 17.5 inches wide, but EconomyPlus seats recline an extra inch (three inches instead of two).

a row of seats in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a row of seats in an airplane

a seat in an airplane

a person's legs in a seat

The two pictures are from a different flight (I was not the first to board since I left my dog at home) and note that United is in the process of retrofitting its older 737 MAX 9 to install screens behind each seat:

a row of seats in an airplane

an airplane with rows of seats

Each section of three seats has two universal power outlets.

a green light on a seat

There’s also a USB-A charger on the seatback screen (bottom side):

a group of people on an airplane

Each seat also features a reading light and personal air vent.

a white panel with lights and a speaker

Mood lighting was turned on before takeoff:

a screen on a seat

IFE + Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi internet costs $8 for MileagePlus members and $10 for non-members regardless of domestic flight time. Select T-Mobile customers can enjoy complimentary access. Streaming movies and TV shows are available via the United app.

Each seat also had a seatback screen with Bluetooth connectivity (complimentary headphones were also offered), featuring a library of movies and TV shows (a great selection than the streaming service) as well as games, audio, and a moving flight map.

a screen with a blue screen

It was a cold “May Gray” day in LA, but quite beautiful during our approach to Chicago O’Hare:

 

a group of airplanes on a runway
#Axis_of_

the wing of an airplane in the sky

an aerial view of a stadium and a body of water

aerial view of a city and a body of water

an airplane wing and engine of an airplane

aerial view of a city and a body of water

an aerial view of a city and water

an aerial view of a highway and a city

Food + Drink

United Airlines offers complimentary snacks and beverages as well as alcohol, snack boxes, and warm meals (on flights over 1,190 miles). Snack selections included:

  • Undercover Snacks
    • Crunchy chocolate and quinoa snack
  • Savory Snack Mix
    • Blend of rye bagel chips, garlic bread bites, and mini pretzel twists
  • That’s It Apple + Mango Fruit Bar

All three of these are great, but I love the dark chocolate and sea salt quinoa snack with seltzer water and a lime wedge…

a blue plastic cup with a napkin and a napkin

As a 1K member, I am entitled to one complimentary food item and one alcoholic beverage when I fly in economy class. I skipped the alcohol, but I ordered a cheese omelet from the “Bistro On Board” menu. Choices included:

  • Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – $9
    • Creamy overnight oats mixed with golden apples and topped with cinnamon spice and raisins
  • Ham, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Bagel – $10
    • Asiago bagel with Black Forest Ham, fried egg patty, and apple cheddar spread
  • Three Cheese Omelet with Seasoned Potatoes
    • Swiss, cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese omelet with a side of seasoned potatoes

Several snack boxes and other snacks (like mixed nuts, chocolate-covered strawberries, pringles, and Korean BBQ jerky) were available for purchase.

The omelet was frankly a nice substitute for a first class breakfast. It was not pretty and the ingredient list was far too long, but it was a typical airline omelet and I like airline omelets…

a package of food on a box

a cardboard box with a label

a tray of food and a cup of coffee on a table

a white container with food in it

a cup and napkin in a box
#good

United has eliminated the pre-arrival beverage service, but flight attendants offered water about an hour before landing.

Lavatory

Two lavatories are located in the rear of the aircraft and one (small) lavatory just behind first class in the front of the cabin. Beware of the squirting sink…

a sink and toilet in a bathroom

Service

Service onboard was efficient. Interactions with flight attendants were limited, but pleasant. When handing me the omelet, the flight attendant thanked me for my 1K and MillionMiler status.

CONCLUSION

We landed 20 minutes early in Chicago and I was on my way via the iconic neon tunnel to the rental car center via the train.

Let’s count it up: a safe and on-time flight with an early arrival, good legroom, a warm breakfast, fast internet, and a seatback screen with over 200 movies….I’m not sure what more I’d want on a US domestic flight in economy class.

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