Taylor Rains/Insider
- United Airlines is fitting all of its narrowbody planes with its new “signature interior” by 2025.
- The cabin is amenity-heavy, featuring TV screens, in-seat power, and Bluetooth.
- I flew in the new cabin from Newark to Seattle and enjoyed the modernized product, for the most part.
United Airlines unveiled its all-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 interior in June 2021, which Insider toured at an event at Newark Liberty International Airport the same month.
Inside United Airlines’ newest aircraft and interior.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I went inside United’s brand-new Boeing 737 Max 8 with all new seat-back television screens and saw how the airline is revolutionizing air travel
The plane on display was the company’s first 737 MAX 8 with the new cabin, featuring new amenities like seatback TVs and larger overhead bins.
Inside United Airlines’ newest aircraft and interior.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The jet is part of a massive 270-aircraft order valued at over $30 billion, which is the largest in United’s history. The order includes 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8, 150 Boeing 737 MAX 10, and 70 Airbus A321neo aircraft.
United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX.
United Airlines
United just made the largest aircraft order in its history for 270 new Boeing and Airbus jets with seatback screens, WiFi, and more first class seats
All of the new planes will come standard with the updated cabin, but United plans to also retrofit its current Boeing and Airbus narrowbody planes with the signature interior by 2025.
United’s existing Boeing 737 MAX jets do not have seatback screens. Pictured is one of the airline’s 737 MAX 9.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I flew on United Airlines’ first Boeing 737 Max flight in nearly 2 years and it was just the boring flight the airline needed
The modernization effort will not only make improvements to the carrier’s aircraft but is also aimed at enhancing the airport and customer service experience.
United is adding “bag drop shortcuts” to its hub airports.
Kenny Frank/United Airlines
United just launched an all-new ‘bag drop shortcut’ at its hub airports to check in passenger luggage in one minute or less
Since seeing United’s new cabin, I have been eager to try it out. So, I booked a ticket on the longest flight I could manage, flying six hours from Newark to Seattle, to get the full experience — here’s what it was like.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I arrived at Newark at 5:30 a.m. for my 7:00 a.m. departure, and, even at the early Monday hour, the airport was already bustling with travelers.
A queue for the bag drop line was already formed.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Security only took about five minutes with TSA PreCheck, which helped avoid the hectic lines during this busy summer travel season.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Inside the terminal, I made my way to gate C71. There was plenty of space to sit and wait for boarding, as well as plenty of power outlets, which I appreciated.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Boarding started 40 minutes before departure and I was in group 3, so I was one of the first people on the plane.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I took my seat in 23A, which was the third row in the regular economy section and located right over the wing. I pre-reserved the spot for $22 during booking.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The seat was marketed as a “preferred zone assignment” that is closer to the front of the plane.
Taylor Rains/Insider
According to SeatGuru, row 23 is in the center of the jet, but I had fewer people to wait on when deplaning because there is less capacity in premium economy and first class, so it was worth the fee.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: SeatGuru
While I waited for the rest of the passengers to board, I started exploring the updated seat. The first thing I noticed was the space.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The economy seats offer 30 inches of pitch, which is on par with some competitor airlines, and even low-cost carrier Breeze Airways, which offers the same legroom on its A220 planes.
Breeze Airways’ A220 economy seat.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I had a medium-sized duffel, but I kept it stowed under the seat in front of me to leave space for larger carry-ons, especially since it was a completely full flight.
Taylor Rains/Insider
This limited the amount of legroom I had to stretch my legs fully straight, but I still felt I had plenty of space in the window seat. Granted, I’m only 5’3″ and on the smaller side, so I fit in most airline seats easily — even Spirit’s miserably tight cabin.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Without my bag under the seat, I could easily stretch my legs out.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Meanwhile, the width of the seat was also similar to competitors at 17.2 inches, leaving just enough hip room to be comfortable.
Taylor Rains/Insider
However, taller or larger passengers may feel snug regardless and might want to consider booking an “Economy Plus” or first class seat instead, which offers 34 and 37 inches of pitch, respectively.
United’s Economy Plus exit row seats on the 737 MAX 8.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Poking around the new seat, I also found a several other amenities, like USB ports…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…110v AC power outlets…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…large seatback pockets big enough for my laptop…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…a medium-sized tray table…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…good recline…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…adjustable headrests…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and seatback screens, which offer over 2,800 selections of movies, TV shows, music, and games. I decided to watch Tom Holland’s new film, Uncharted, which was actually pretty good.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I also like that the screen flips up when the seat in front reclines.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The new inflight system also allows passengers to connect Bluetooth headphones to the seat.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
I have wired headphones, so I stuck to those, but still appreciate the unique feature and am happy to know it’s available if and when I ever invest in AirPods.
Taylor Rains/Insider
United has opted to bring back inflight entertainment screens to better compete with Delta, which has TVs installed on many of its narrowbody aircraft.
Seatback screens on Delta’s Airbus A220.
Thomas Pallini/Insider
The upgrade will leave American Airlines as the only “big 3” carrier without seatback screens on most of its single-aisle jets. The carrier has opted instead for free inflight streaming, which is seen on other carriers like Southwest Airlines.
Southwest Airlines inflight streaming guide.
Mark Matousek/Insider
For those that prefer to stream entertainment to their personal device, United still offers the option for free through its inflight portal.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Also offered via the portal is free texting and for-purchase WiFi, which cost me $8 as a Mileage Plus member. The service is $10 for non-members. The WiFi was fast and I was easily able to work during the flight.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I worked from my laptop, which fit on the tray table, though the table was smaller than expected. When the seat in front of me reclined, I struggled to type because I could not push the screen back.
Taylor Rains/Insider
This is an issue I’ve had on every carrier I’ve flown on, so it’s not specifically a United problem.
I had the same issue on Delta’s Embraer 175.
Taylor Rains/Insider
It appeared I was not the only person in my row with this problem, so I think carriers could design the tray tables better so they extend further out from the seatback if possible.
It appeared another passenger in my row was having to hold his laptop forward because of the reclined seat.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Despite my qualms with the tray table, the rest of the service was great. United offers complimentary drinks and snacks, as well as buy-onboard options.
The flight attendant came through the cabin shortly after takeoff to hand out snacks and drinks.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I opted for several cups of coffee to get me through the long flight…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…as well as bought the tapas snack box full of treats.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Inside the box were pita, hummus, almonds, crackers, a cheese spread, olives, and chocolate. I’m not a fan of olives but everything else was good and kept me filled until we landed in Seattle.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Halfway through the flight, I made my way to the aft lavatory, which was very small compared to other carriers.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Despite the snug space, there was a changing table over the toilet…
Taylor Rains/Insider
…and a little cubby to stash small items, like a phone or wallet.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Walking back to my seat, I noticed the mood lighting. According to United, the colors change during the day to create a calming ambiance and help passengers relax.
Taylor Rains/Insider
I liked the blue hues displayed during my journey, which is a soothing color that likely made it easier for passengers to nap.
Taylor Rains/Insider
After the long transcontinental flight, we finally landed in Seattle around 10:00 a.m. local time. I quickly deplaned and was off to enjoy brunch at the Priority Pass restaurant at the airport.
Landing in Seattle.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Overall, I really enjoyed the flight. The seats were comfortable and I was able to keep all of my electronics charged, which is important for workers on the go.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Not to mention the inflight entertainment available, which helped pass the time. I personally prefer seatback TVs over streaming because I can look forward at the screen rather than down at my laptop.
Taylor Rains/Insider
With the tray table being my only issue, I would happily book a flight on United’s 737 MAX aircraft again. The amenity-heavy product easily competes with Delta and American.
United’s Boeing 737 MAX plane in Newark.
Taylor Rains/Insider
