United Economy Plus - thoughts?

[nkereina]

Anyone ever pay to upgrade to the Economy Plus seats on a United flight? They have more legroom and are in the front of the plane, between First Class and Economy. Just wondering if the extra legroom is actually noticeable and if its worth the cost. Mulling it over for our flight to Aulani next year, and it would add about $400 round trip for us. But coming from the east coast (9 hr flight), comfort is a priority. Thanks all!

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We did it once at least 5 years ago (maybe little more). It was only because I had a voicemail to call United about our flight. I don't recall the reason I had to call them, but afterward the man on the phone offered Economy Plus for the three of us and it was something like $150 extra, maybe even $125. That's never happened again and when trolling for airfare, the upgrade is too costly for us. I just flew from West Coast to East Coast in June on one of United's new planes. Was told the plane was just three months old. I have to say for a coast to coast flight, I'd think we'd get a larger plane. It was just three seats in one row on each side. Seats are definitely smaller and there seems to be more of them. I flew economy and when I saw the leg room in Economy Plus, I wasn't overwhelmed. It doesn't seem that big of a difference.

 

[DebbieB]

Widebodies are not used very often on domestic flights.

 

[jec6613]

Widebodies are not used very often on domestic flights.

With the A321 and 737-900, almost never except for aircraft repositioning and ETOPS proving flights. The US has settled around the 150-200 passenger maximum capacity for domestic, for the most part. There are occasionally a few - DL put them on JFK-LAX after AA introduced the A321T configuration, and LAX-MCO also has some 777-223ERs that rotate in to service Disney. You also see them, as well as the 757 (which is a medium haul narrowbody) in and out of HNL.

The reason is that when you want to use an aircraft for ETOPS (over-ocean) flights, the airline's entire fleet of that type must meet the more stringent ETOPS requirements, which increases maintenance costs, even if 80% of that fleet will be used domestically. Also, domestic flight slots are cheap, while overseas there's massive competition for, and widebodies nowadays have tremendous range - ATL to JNB, for instance, is 3.4 times longer than a JFK-LAX flight. Couple that with the ability for inexpensive narrowbodies (A321, 737-800 and 737-900) to make transcontinental flights, and it leads to very few widebodies on domestic routes. The last all widebody domestic route was the AA JFK-LAX run on 767-223ER, which switched over to A321's in the winter of 2013-14, if memory serves.

The 787 may bring some widebody routes back to domestic service as more are both produced and taken out of storage (Boeing is building aircraft faster than manufacturers can build seats, so a bunch of 787's are sitting in the Mojave desert), but not within in the lower 48 - it really enables routes like JFK-HNL and MIA-ANC.

 

[nobellybutton]

Just flew last week and the legroom is noticeable, and I'm short! I was able to stretch and not feel so cramped especially on those Long flights.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Depending on the plane, you may really want that extra space. They have a newer plane, that is really awful, we had it on a flight from LA to NJ (or PHL I forget). It was so so bad. There was not even room for a water bottle in the seat pocket. I almost had a panic attack, as it was a nonstop and it was so squishy. I think it was the A320 slim fit. I had to fly it again in January, and paid more for the extra space. I just try and avoid United when possible, to avoid this particular plane (although I understand other airlines may have it as well).

 

[bear_mom]

We paid for it on our flights to Hawaii, we ended up with four flights that were about 5 hours each. Definitely worth it.

Due to a flight delay leaving Maui we missed our connection in LA and were given regular seats. We noticed the lack of leg room on that flight.

Just an FYI - there were economy plus seats free on one of our flights and the FAs wouldn't let regular economy passengers move up to the economy plus seats without paying.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Due to my status, I get economy plus seats for free on United, which is a great benefit. I wouldn't hesitate to pay for E+ seats on a flight longer than 3 hours; the extra room is worth it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

......

Just an FYI - there were economy plus seats free on one of our flights and the FAs wouldn't let regular economy passengers move up to the economy plus seats without paying.

Is this a complaint? That is how it is supposed to work; you are not allowed to poach these seats.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Depending on the plane, you may really want that extra space. They have a newer plane, that is really awful, we had it on a flight from LA to NJ (or PHL I forget). It was so so bad. There was not even room for a water bottle in the seat pocket. I almost had a panic attack, as it was a nonstop and it was so squishy. I think it was the A320 slim fit. I had to fly it again in January, and paid more for the extra space. I just try and avoid United when possible, to avoid this particular plane (although I understand other airlines may have it as well).

You are correct, the A320s have those horrible slim line seats. However, avoiding United isn't going to avoid these; all the airlines are installing them, including Southwest.

 

[Capang]

We fly economy plus on nearly every trip. DH is 6 ft tall and it makes a noticeable difference in legroom. It seems like in the last couple of years coach seats got smaller and closer together. In coach DH knees hit the seat in front of him, even bruising his legs once. If that person puts the seat back his knees are toast. In economy plus it is not a problem. It is a personal preference on how long you can handle the cramped conditions in coach.

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes it is worth it. Some of United's planes have Economy Plus in the exit rows which is even more space. Find out what plane you are flying and check it out on seat guru.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Yes it is worth it. Some of United's planes have Economy Plus in the exit rows which is even more space. Find out what plane you are flying and check it out on seat guru.

True, but keep in mind the extra cost of E+ is based on seat location, and exit row seats are the most expensive. Additionally, it's likely they will already be taken by the FF flyers who get them for free.

 

[bear_mom]

Is this a complaint? That is how it is supposed to work; you are not allowed to poach these seats.

No, just an FYI. The guy arguing with the FA thought differently.

 

[shoes99]

Due to my status, I get economy plus seats for free on United, which is a great benefit. I wouldn't hesitate to pay for E+ seats on a flight longer than 3 hours; the extra room is worth it.

We are flying EWR to SNA and back from HOU to EWR for a cruise in Oct/Nov. I booked non-stop to SNA in coach 737-700 and the upgrades to EC+ are $119 and $109 each so I'm waiting to get closer to pay for the upgrade.
I booked FC from HOU to EWR for only $78 difference per person so don't have to worry about the room
on our return flight. Its such a $$ game, but DH has a bad back and could use the room. We are not elite statue on UA but have the explorer card for check baggage.
I did witness about 25 people get on a standby on one of our previous flights I think they were connecting
to overseas and they all sat in EC+. I think that was an exception. I know that normally you can't move up without paying the fees.

 

[DebbieB]

We are flying EWR to SNA and back from HOU to EWR for a cruise in Oct/Nov. I booked non-stop to SNA in coach 737-700 and the upgrades to EC+ are $119 and $109 each so I'm waiting to get closer to pay for the upgrade.
I booked FC from HOU to EWR for only $78 difference per person so don't have to worry about the room
on our return flight. Its such a $$ game, but DH has a bad back and could use the room. We are not elite statue on UA but have the explorer card for check baggage.
I did witness about 25 people get on a standby on one of our previous flights I think they were connecting
to overseas and they all sat in EC+. I think that was an exception. I know that normally you can't move up without paying the fees.

If they were bumped from a prior flight or missed a connection, they may have given it to them. It happened to me on Delta when I missed a connection due to my first flight leaving late. They gave me an Economy Comfort seat, probably because it was all that was left.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We are flying EWR to SNA and back from HOU to EWR for a cruise in Oct/Nov. I booked non-stop to SNA in coach 737-700 and the upgrades to EC+ are $119 and $109 each so I'm waiting to get closer to pay for the upgrade.
I booked FC from HOU to EWR for only $78 difference per person so don't have to worry about the room
on our return flight. Its such a $$ game, but DH has a bad back and could use the room. We are not elite statue on UA but have the explorer card for check baggage.
I did witness about 25 people get on a standby on one of our previous flights I think they were connecting
to overseas and they all sat in EC+. I think that was an exception. I know that normally you can't move up without paying the fees.

If you really want E+ seats, don't wait too long. At 24 hours before the flights, these seats open up for free to lower level elite UA frequent flyers and you may not be able to find any available or 2 together.

 

[winterman]

I have flown first class and economy on United, never economy plus. I did move up to economy plus (after booking the flight) for my Nov. flight. I did that because I had a fairly short connection time and wanted to be off the plane quickly. Now I'm kicking myself for doing it so early because my flights changed, giving me a longer connection. Also, with a different plane configuration my seat is now just 2 rows in front of economy instead of the 2nd row behind first class.

 

[nkereina]

Appreciate all the replies! I think we'll bite the bullet and upgrade, so I'm not kicking myself later. Thanks all!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Please note that moving from E to E+ is not considered to be an upgrade.