by Krish Patel

When you think of spending seven hours on an aircraft, the 737 MAX isn’t the first aircraft that comes to mind. However, it is capable of flying long distances compared to many other narrowbody jets. One of United’s longest domestic flights is a seasonal route from Newark Liberty International Airport to Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport, clocking in at around seven and a half hours. Despite the flight’s long length, the offerings on this route are similar to those that can be found on a three to four hour domestic flight. 

Ground Experience at EWR

Most of United’s domestic departures at their Newark hub are out of Terminal C. One of the perks of flying in First Class on United is Premier Access, which includes priority check-in, dedicated security lanes at certain airports, and priority boarding. 

The Premier Access check-in area at EWR is located on level three, where waiting times are minimal, however, I checked in for the flight on the United mobile app, so I went to the dedicated ‘bag-drop shortcut’ lane to drop off my bags. If you didn’t check-in ahead of time, you can use one of the self-serve kiosks to check yourself in for the flight. 

Premier Access security isn’t much different from the regular line, aside from the fact that it moves faster. If you have TSA PreCheck, I’d recommend using the TSA lane instead because you won’t have to remove large electronics and shoes and belts. 

As sad as it is, a domestic First Class ticket won’t grant you lounge access to the United Club if you’re flying United. However, those who have elite status, a credit card that gains entry, or a paid membership can access the lounge. I was traveling with someone who has the United Club Infinite Card ($525 annual fee), so I was able to join as a guest. 

United’s First Class customers are allowed to board in group one. Even as boarding piled up, the gate area wasn’t crowded and it was easy to find a seat. It’s a nice touch that there are charging ports at almost every seat near the gate area, making it easy to get some work done if you don’t have lounge access. 

First Class Cabin and Seat

On the Boeing 737 MAX 8, United installed 16 domestic First Class seats that are arranged in a 2-2 configuration. Each First class seat offers 37 inches of pitch and 20.7 inches of width. Above each seat are 60-inch overhead Space Bins that can accommodate four bags when laid flat or six bags when placed on their side. The 737 MAX 8 also features Boeing’s Sky Interior, which includes mood lighting that can be adjusted based on the time of day.

Located in front of you is a large touchscreen IFE, which can also be controlled by using the IFE remote. United’s entertainment selection has always impressed me. There’s a good selection of movies and TV shows, as well as live television. You have a variety of genres to choose from in terms of TV. If that’s not enough to impress you, there’s also a selection of music, podcasts, and games. I love the relax mode feature, where you can play calming music or watch videos of scenic and relaxing destinations. One of the coolest parts of United’s entertainment on the 737 MAX 8 is Bluetooth connectivity, where you can pair your AirPods with the IFE screen. This is a much better alternative than using the wired headphones provided.

Beneath the entertainment screen is the seat pocket which houses the inflight literature. The outer armrest is adjustable and houses a button to recline the seat. Beneath the armrest is storage space for a laptop.

The inner armrest houses the tray table and a side table for drinks that extends out for additional space. Below the inner armrest is storage space for your small personal items and charging outlets, as well as a headphone jack.

Above each seat is a reading light, individual air vent, and a flight attendant call button.

On the 737 MAX 8, there’s one lavatory in First Class at the front of the aircraft. As expected on a 737 MAX, the lavatory is very tight and doesn’t feel spacious, nor does it offer any notable amenities. I wish that there is more space for your legs and knees to stretch out and for your head. 

Food and Drink

After settling in, pre-departure beverages were handed out, and I opted for a cup of water. Champagne was also a choice available. The water was served in a plastic cup. Seriously!  

In the air, the food and beverage service commenced with warm nuts and a beverage of choice. Unfortunately, hot towels weren’t offered. 

On the United app, I pre-ordered the Campanelle pasta with pomodoro sauce and mozzarella for my lunch. As expected from United, the pasta was uninspiring and tasted bland and mushy. To make matters even worse, the entire meal was served on a single tray, along with a bread roll. The salad tasted as boring as it looked, and the blueberry cheesecake for dessert tasted more like low-fat blueberry yogurt. Dressing often improves the quality of salad, but that isn’t always the case. Other choices available for lunch consisted of breaded eggplant, a fruit and cheese plate, or braised chicken. However, passengers could also pre-order a special meal if wanted. 

Mid-flight, flight attendants came through the cabin to offer mango and apple fruit bars to each First Class passenger. Don’t you wish for a more substantial mid-flight snack?

Before arrival in Anchorage, a selection of snacks that are available for purchase in Economy Class were handed out, such as snack boxes and chips. I opted for the Tapas Snack Box, which includes hummus, asiago cheese spread, olives, almonds, crackers, and a cookie. This is an example of something I would expect on a shorter flight and not on a journey that’s seven hours. 

Amenities

In United First Class, not much is provided in terms of amenities. You’re only given a blanket, which feels more like a thin shawl if you ask me. Earbuds are also distributed before departure, and they're the same ones given to those in Economy Class. I wish that United provided an amenity kit and a pillow, as well as a thicker blanket. 

The in-flight literature consists of a safety card, a paper that highlights the co-branded Chase credit cards United offers, and the Hemispheres magazine. United is one of a few carriers to still offer an inflight magazine, which features information about the airline, news articles, and information about destinations United serves. Interestingly, there was no air sickness bag in my seat pocket. Maybe it was missing. 

Service

No matter how good the food is, no matter how comfortable the seat is, and no matter how good or bad the amenities are, people will always remember how you made them feel. The United Airlines crew on this flight made me feel great. Flight attendants were through the cabin regularly to check on passengers. If you want the attention from a flight attendant or more offerings, flying First Class might be a good option.

Booking United First Class/Pricing

For one-way First Class fares from Newark to Anchorage on United, prices start at around $780 per person on off-peak travel days. On peak days, the prices are usually over $1,000. It’s worth checking the price calendar on the United app for the best fares. 

In miles, prices usually start at around 80,000 MileagePlus miles one-way. You’ll also have to pay a certain amount in taxes and fees in addition to paying for your ticket. On peak travel days, the price for your ticket is usually around 100,000 miles. 

Are you looking to rack up United miles for a future trip to Alaska? Well, consider applying for the United Club Infinite Card. The card currently has an 80,000 mile welcome bonus after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of your account opening. If you’re not a United loyalist, you can transfer your Chase Ultimate Rewards at a ratio of 1:1. Cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Preferred have welcome bonuses that can go a long way towards your travels. United Airlines First Class is also bookable through Star Alliance loyalty programs such as Air Canada Aeroplan or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, so if you’re loyal to another airline, you can book through a partner carrier.

Overall Thoughts

United Airlines First Class has its pros and cons. The ground experience was smooth, although having no complimentary lounge access was a big minus. Onboard, the 737 MAX cabin feels modern and spacious, with large overhead bins and wide seats offering generous legroom. However, it’s disappointing that the seat isn’t lie-flat on a seven hour flight. United’s IFE has always impressed me, especially the relax mode feature and the ability to connect your AirPods to the system, rather than having to use the low-quality wired headphones. However, the service from a friendly cabin crew made the experience feel special. Both the food and amenities were lacking on this flight, with minimal amenities and bland dishes. If I were to fly to Anchorage again on United, I would consider taking a stopover in San Francisco to enjoy premium service and a spacious lie-flat seat, rather than having to experience the same service offered on a shorter flight. If you really want to fly nonstop to Anchorage from Newark, then I’d recommend flying in Economy Plus, as there isn’t a big difference in legroom. Plus, your ticket will cost less than First Class. 

If I were the CEO of United (Scott Kriby), I would try to fix three major parts of the First Class experience:

1. Give complimentary lounge access to passengers on a domestic flight
   

2. Inflight catering needs a lot of work (inspiring meals are needed) 

3. Upgrade the Newark to Anchorage route to a Boeing 757 or Boeing 767 with lie-flat seats in the premium cabin and a larger lavatory for passengers to use