United First Class Domestic: The Honest Verdict
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- čas přidán 7. 07. 2024
- So how does United Airlines First Class compare? Join me as I fly United First on one of their Airbus A319 aircraft from San Francisco to Seattle and we'll find out.
This is United First - which is the equivalent to business class elsewhere in the world. So how does United First compare to business class with Qantas in Australia or with other full service airlines in Europe? Very well in some areas and very poorly in others.
On this United Airlines Flight Review I give you the honest verdict on United First Class Domestic service ranging from the airport experience through to boarding, pre-departure drink, the seat, the service, inflight catering and inflight entertainment system.
This flight was filmed in early July 2022 and was a connecting flight included in my Air New Zealand long haul business class ticket.
Links to other reviews mentioned:
Air New Zealand Business Class Part 1: • Testing Air New Zealan...
Air New Zealand Business Class Part 2: • 12 hours on Air New Ze...
United Airlines old 777 First Class to Hawaii: • United Airlines 777 Bu...
#unitedfirst #unitedairlines #flightreview
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Plane Spotting
02:00 Boarding
02:44 Take Off
03:19 The Seats
04:23 Inflight Entertainment
05:03 Meal
05:34 Landing
06:28 The Verdict
American champagne 😂
Great to see another video from you!!
I really enjoy your reviews. Fun and informative at the same time.
Fantastic trip report Dennis!
Thanks for making me smile Dennis!!
Thanks Lisa, always good to smile.
Fabulous review.
Amazing video as always 👏 👍
Hope you got some rest following this trip! Lucky to get such a stunning approach!!
slept about 12 hours straight when I got to Seattle :)
That’s fortunate! 😊
Thank you, Dennis, for your video.
Thanks mate, really appreciate the support.
Love the music for this great video!! 🎉
Glad to see you're travelling again.
It feels so good to be back in the air
Fondling your seat mates headrest gave me great anxiety on your behalf, it's appreciated what you do for us.
😊😂
Love your videos and humor! I've seen the town you're from in the Netherlands! Heading to Holland soon and cannot wait!
Thanks Dennis 😊.
Great to see you - Kevin & Cyndy UK
The highlight of today 😊
Thanks!
Reminds me of my first United flight in 1981 on a brand new 727 on it's first day in service. Overnight flight San Francisco to Cleveland. The other passenger on the flight (yes, just 2 of us!) agreed on the non-service from the 4 cabin crew. Coke and pretzels just after takeoff then didn't see anyone until just before landing 5 hours later. Nice to have 3 seats to stretch out on though.
Good to see you again Dennis... was in Adelaide only last week!
Thanks mate, hope you enjoyed my home town.
US Domestic catering, United in particular, leaves much to be desired. Literally 10 min longer of a flight and you’d have received meal service. I also agree on the Club access rules - so much so I caved in and bought the annual subscription for $600 US. well worth it for frequent fliers for sure.
Thanks for this review!!
Hi Dennis: Nice to see you!!
Another good safe flight, mission accomplished.
Love your videos mate. Regards Andrew
Thanks mate, appreciate the support.
great Vlog Dennis....I liked pun on the "Elegant" Seat headrest demo😀
Thanks :)
hope you enjoyed your time in Seattle!
great video as always keep up the great work cheers Kurt Australia
Thanks mate
Great to see you getting out more and more
I'm counting down till Japan opens up (fully) myself, keen to be back at Brisbane international departures
Great video! Maybe someday try one of those themed airlines?
I went to Seattle in 2023 I was there for three days before I got on a Norwegian Cruise line ship and went on a cruise around Alaska and I must say Alaska was very beautiful and I actually got to see some Bald Eagles and they were amazing such majestic creatures
The Loganair Westray to Papa Westray route is definitely one you should review if you're ever in the area.
Great video Dennis!
Awesome to see you back doing reviews again. Say hi to Sacha for me.
Mick Sincock
Hi Dennis, great review! Can you please do a virgin Australia Sydney to Perth business class flight review? Thanks!
Nice review again Dennis! We offer sparkling wine in J class as a welcome drink on VA after 1100, and before on request! Please fly with us sometime, I’d love to meet you! 🙏🏽😊
Nice review. Note that United offers "meals" vs "snacks" in first class on some flights that are a little longer (not just transcontinental). Appears you were on a "snack" flight. Might want to consider finding a slightly longer flight where United calls out a "meal" service so you can review that as well. Knowing what both options are (snacks vs. meals) could be helpful to know. Thanks!
Sparkly in a plastic cup. Clearly first class.
😂😂
Maybe they've changed it post-covid but United gave that small water bottle and a Stroopwafel to everyone on the plane the last I flew with them (I was in the 2nd-to-last row). Kinda surprising to see you got the same thing, but some extra pretzels, in Business class. I would expect a lot more than that!
Flying Qantas Business class Melbourne to Sydney soon. Maybe I should try United seats after all? Great review Dennis.
Great video Dennis! Can’t wait to see what you get up to at The Museum Of Flight in Seattle… Also I like the music used in the video, also Wingin’ It Paul Lucas just used that song on his recent trip to Johannesburg with Lufthansa on their 747-8! 😎
Catering on US airlines is always sort of a gamble too… Especially now after all the COVID meals for the past two years I’d say you we’re lucky to even get a Stroopwafel for a “meal”
Anyways great video 🎉
Cheers 🥂
Wishing You Blue Skies & Tailwinds my friend 👍
Thanks for the ❤️ Dennis!
Would be great to see you on board of Polish Airline LOT. Greetings from NZ/Poland.
I flew United domestic first class between New Orleans to San Francisco, with a change in Denver just two days ago. I received hot meals on both flights. It's a little disappointing that you received the snack box. My review is that United has gotten better, but it's still a very bland product overall. The seats are good with plenty of legroom, so if that's a key factor in your purchase decision, you can easily stretch out. Also, I absolutely love SFO. It is a great airport.
love the "boost up your ego"! We both middle age men, I totally get it!
It's kinda sad how that was considered First Class. Our airlines in the US all could use a customer service and in flight service upgrades.
Always great to see a Dennis video
See video, click play, hit thumbs, leave innocuous comment for the google algorithm. Job Done. :)
Thanks mate, really appreciate it.
Hope enjoy the museum of flight and I was surprised to find that the CEO was (when I was there) an Aussie !!! Don’t squash Jones’s hat on the Sunderland ha ha
Hope to see an Alaska airlines review since you’re in Seattle.
Give us a review of a LOT Polish Airlines flight, Dennis. It's my local airline and I've used them a....errrr...lot: be interested to get your expert opinion! Thanks for your channel, most enjoyable!
Great review! The first class looks decent. The size and space of the seats is a big plus for me. I don't really care much about food on a plane for domestic routes. I can eat before the flight or bring little snacks. I'm not a fan of paying for wifi, so, I will just download my own movies on Netflix. This video has narrowed down my choices of either United or Delta. I just watched a video on American first class and they look horrible!
Love your videos Dennis you will love the Museum of Flight fabulous place and the Boeing factory Seattle is great for us aviation geeks also take the opportunity to fly on a scenic tour of Seattle on a seaplane with Kenmore Air they depart from South Lake Union, enjoy ✈️✈️✈️😘😘
I'd love you to review Aer Lingus - come to Ireland! 🇮🇪
Ahhh Dennis. Love the positive slide on the mediocrity that is the American air travel experience. Hopefully the next one doesn’t mean you have to work so hard. Always love your work. Happy travels.
i have found delta equal to or superior (BA) than any intra-European flight.
American domestic first class is all about the seat, the included baggage allowance, and the ability to board and offload first. When I fly domestic first, I get on the plane as soon as they allow, so I can put my carry-on above my seat before someone in economy gets their bag in the bin. For the record, I have no problem with economy passengers using the first-class bin after the first passengers get their items packed away. I understand the bag bins are not reserved for first-class passengers in the USA. If I do my part and get on the plane, I will get my bag put away and there are no worries.
In certain cases, first class is only about $100 more than economy if you check in two bags, making it a good option even for a budget-minded traveler.
There is nothing glamorous about flying domestically in the USA. Airplanes are pretty much buses that get you from point A to point B in less time than an actual bus. Our rail network is a joke outside a few areas (mainly the NE USA) so it is either plane, bus, or self-drive for most of our country. As much as it seems service is better in other countries, I recommend flying if you can afford it.
Oh shucks, Dennis! As a Seattleite I would have loved to meet you at the Museum of Flight. Next visit, put the Flying Heritage collection on your list.
Hi Dennis, would suggest you fly back to SF on an Alaskan Airliner and have your J boarding pass handy for a Qantas hop across the Big Pond......just to experience the difference!
With the prices Qantas is charging at the moment and their limited route network and availability means I won't be flying them long haul anytime soon.
Flew Southwest domestically recently on a v short flight from LA to Vegas. Flight was full so they were asking people to volunteer to check in baggage. Seriously? Obviously don't check as they go. Got a choice of drinks and snacks. Plane was a little dirty, but did the job. I think in Aussie and NZ we have it pretty good in terms of food, service and cleanliness.
Well yes, what were you expecting? An aircraft that has space for 180 something bags? The reason they ask for volunteers is because it saves a lot of time and agony for everyone involved. If it doesn’t fit ground staff will have to require passengers to check-in the bags and that has then to be done at the aircraft door. This will slow down the departure process and progress, meaning most likely that flight will leave late, which is inconvenient for everyone and cost an airline a lot of money.
San Fran used to have showers in the public area (I have used them), perhaps a temporary (?) COVID casualty. I do feel your pain not being able to have a shower. If you come to NZ for a holiday you could review Sounds Air.
May I suggest to do Brussels Airlines? It's a nice alternative airline with lot's of destinations as well.
Within the same theme, I would like to see a review about "SATA Azores", Ponta Delgada - Lisboa (PDL-LIS) (executive class)
Dennis as always a great vlog but I rarely fly the unfriendly skies
Dennis I challenge u go fly air canada rouge basic economy trans canada or to the US
Alaska offers lounge access for paid first class passengers. Additionally, if you have oneworld Sapphire or Emerald from any airline other than Alaska or American you're also entitled to access the Alaska lounge when flying on any other oneworld flight.
I’d love for you to try out EVA or China Airlines!
Virgin Australia does do a sparkling wine as a pre-departure bevvy :)
Wahoo, I'm the first viewer. You've got to come to Scotland at some point Dennis, whether it be the Barra beach landing, the shortest flight in the Orkney's or fly up to Shetland for the Up Helly Aa in January, quite a spectacle
Congratulations 😂
Leaving for Scotland in 11 days time. Love your country. Can’t wait. 🏴
Thanks. Loved Scotland every time I've been there and can't wait to visit again.
You almost made me fall off my chair with your "American Champagne" :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
We're expecting to take Ethiopian airlines business class from Amsterdam to Madagascar next year, so a review would be helpful.
I for one would be interested in a video log inc (or separate) with/from the flight review, as for the reason for the flight, eg to look at setting up a Bunnik travel location for a guided holiday, or to train train staff there, scout out locations etc.
A good opportunity to promote Bunnik Travels company at the same time. Just a thought. :)
Thanks - it's a good idea. I filmed one on my trip to Europe earlier this year but getting around the editing is a struggle timewise. Hopefully I'll get to it later this year.
@@DennisBunnikTravels Thanks for the reply, To much to do, too little time to do it, I feel your pain. :)
Good to see you back in the US, and there's nothing that goes better with some stroopwafels than a tall glass of American champagne!
Southwest; The Greyhound Bus of the skies. You know what you're gonna get (for a fair price), plus many of their FA's are quite witty
The famous "American champagne" from the Atlanta Vineyards ;)
Hey Dennis have you flown on REXs new domestic service ?
Can you review Via Rail Prestige Class (their highest class of service on their sleeper trains) from Toronto to Vancouver to vv?
I love your channel, and you are probably my favorite out of all that I follow. However, to be honest, I've never understood why airlines feel the need to provide a hot meal on flights less than four hours, and especially those two hours or less. It doesn't matter what class the seat is. I would rather they provide me with a nice seat, a drink, and some decent entertainment. I see this a lot from the other channels I follow, especially those run by people from outside the US. I watched one person complain for several minutes because he was not provided with a meal for a one hour flight. This was after he ate a substantial breakfast in the airline's lounge beforehand. Can you really not go for more than an hour without a proper meal? Keep up the great work. Thank you.
That’s tragic about the meals. I’m Alaska cabin crew and we serve a cold meal on that same route
Did you have to pickup your bag in SFO and take it through customs or did it go all the way to SEA?
Great video. Question: any suggestion for a family of 4 adults where to travel overseas in november this year departing from Adelaide?
Rarotonga is fabulous if you haven’t been.
Check with Bunnik travel (Adelaide company). They have some great tours and friendly advice. We go to Japan on one of their very popular tours in 5 months time.
Flight availability is going to be an issue. I'd say New Zealand or Fiji best bet and both worth visiting. Bali also an option but that would mean Jetstar which I'd avoid like the plague at the moment.
How often do you go to United States since from Australia
Hello, Dennis❤ ❤❤
Wow, early for once! Excellent review as always Mr Dennis!
United is…interesting. I’ve always felt like they lag behind Delta in domestic offerings…
Why couldn't you use the lounge in SFO? I thought all United/Star Alliance business or first flights were allowed access.
How about an Icelandair flight? If only as an excuse to visit that amazing country.😀 A Bunnik tour of Iceland 🇮🇸 sounds good. 🤔😂
Would love to fly Icelandair finally visit Iceland - it's been on my list for more years than I care to remember.
Hi Dennis,
Any chance meeting Jeb Brooks or Sanspotter while you're in the USA ?
Do share the moment ya 🇲🇾
Not on this trip but it was so good to catch up with Jeb in Jordan a few months back.
Please review EVA
This is the Qantas of the future. American Carriers now have to pay every employee a “living wage”. Also, most workers are unionized. This will result in higher fares and dismissed service. Same goes for US Airports. Everything is expensive and fewer amenities for transit passengers.
Please review Air France thx
I'm flying them in early November so the video should be ready later that month - looking forward to trying them out long haul.
It’s so silly they don’t offer lounge access to first customers though it got me thinking. Could it be that there would be capacity issues if they did offer it? I guess on the flip side, they’re probably profiting off CC sign ups. Any insight?
They try to keep the lounges (United Clubs) for international business class passengers , and the Polaris lounges even moreso.
The Amex Platinum card takes care of that however.
This is already the improved best United as it can be. Before COVID, United was even worse. Sometime ago, I posted my condolences to Australia when Virgin broke its partnership with Delta, and paired up with United. Substandard service is what Australians can look forward to when they connect into the US via United. Before COVID, airlines get their drinks free from Coca-Cola, so they were very generous with it but I heard those contracts are gone or at least suspended, so nowadays, you get even less.
Been a subscriber for years and continue to enjoy your videos. As for the food, it’s a very short flight for them to do full service so I’ll give them a pass. Also, had I come back to the seat and seen you working the head rest, we would’ve had a significant conversation.
My headrest plays are always ninja fast and I don't leave a trace- they don't even know I've been 😂😂
1:20 of actual flight time is definitely plenty of time for a hot meal in business class. I was served a hot meal on a 50 minute flight from Bangkok to Phnom Penh this year and that was in economy. I understand that you can't ask for the same efficiency of service in Western countries but surely in business class a hot meal should be an expectation on anything over an hour.
JAL or ANA would be great, especially as Japan is now re-opening to tourism, Do you do tours there?
I thought that air New Zealand flight would have gotten him into the Polaris lounge.
I thought you were overly generous with your praise. No lounge access, no opportunity for a shower/brush up. Woeful catering onboard. I've probably been spoilt using the likes of Emirates or similar.
"First Class" provided a much more comfortable seat, but other than a plastic cup of sparkling wine you didn't get anything else for the ticket cost. For a two-hour flight I think I'd save my money to spend at a good restaurant at my destination.
I'd agree with you - luckily this was part of my international ticket so no extra payment required.
You probably shouldn't drink the American champagne . The Mexican version is better as it has real sugar not the high fructose corn syrup.
5:33 WHooo PORTLAND!!! (Thats where I live)
San Francisco to Seattle. That's a problem right there.
Yoga Room? What, no Safe Space?
United….oh my.
If your ticket is one one PNR then you do get lounge access, if your United ticket is separate you won’t. You said you are connecting so you should have been in lounge.
Next time you get a Stroopwaffle get a cup of coffee and use it as a lid to warm it up.
Hi Mate, just on the sparkling upon boarding comment, i haven't not been offered a pre departure beverage on VA domestically for the last 12 or so months. Im i just lucky??
That's my experience as well. I think Dennis just flies Qantas too often 😉
Hi Dennis….. I’m going to be selfish as say I’d love to see you Review JetBlue, Southwestern, and Hawaiian. Airlines I’m travelling myself soon when I head to the USA.
Would love to try all of them too.
@@DennisBunnikTravels just me being interested in what it’s like as I’m doing them all in November.
Did I hear you right? You flew in on an international business class ticket with an ongoing connection in first, on the same airline, on the same day, and you were denied lounge access? Thank you for that little piece of information. United is now out of the running for my trip next year since it will require a secondary connection. Thanks. Now, back to the video.
Considering air New Zealand is Star Alliance, he should have had access to the Polaris Lounge
Dennis flew in on Air NZ, not United.
@@dirks9761 They are still the same alliance, and I'm 99.9% certain that the entire flight is considered an Air NZ flight. If he had connected to Delta or American Airlines instead, then maybe I could see it because some airlines, all over the world, deny lounge access upon arrival. But NEVER when connecting. Something, anything, should have been available. Period.
Domestic premium class flight in the US: "First" Class, no lounge, real First Class recliner seat. Europe: "Business" Class, Lounge Access, Economy Class seat with free middle seat. What do you prefer?