Review of United flight from Houston to New Orleans in Economy

Report No: 2019-602E

Ladies and Gentleman,

Welcome to this new short series that would contain 3 domestic flights onboard United and United Express onboard a short weekend trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. In this series, I would present three different aircraft types at the United fleet but the services on all flights were similar. In addition, the first two reports would contain lounge reports as well.

The second flight of the series would be onboard the Airbus A320 aircraft of United. After meeting my travel companion in IAH, I had the chance to visit the Centurion Lounge in IAH. As you could imagine, the flight was uneventful like almost every short United domestic flight.

Here is the routing for this short series;

Pax for this flight:

Domestic First: %100
Economy and EconomyPlus: %95-100

HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT - IAH

After arriving from my previous flight, I have took the SkyWay to Terminal C, just to wander around but guess what, I had need to change trains at Terminal B due to an issue.

It wasn't a big deal

Paper signs were posted due to the issue and there were staff who were assigned to guide passengers to the right SkyWay.

Another photo from the SkyWay ride

While waiting my companion to arrive from his flight Lufthansa flight, I had lunch at Potbelly which wasn't extraordinary but was tasty and satisfying.

Later on, I had the chance to spot some aircraft at the international terminal, starting with the Singapore Airlines A350

Continuing with this Air France 777-300ER

Her sister, a KLM A330

A TACA Embraer

The Queen of the Skies operating for the airline that celebrated its 100th anniversary

After spotting planes, my companion had already cleared transfer security and due to his American Express Platinum card, we have decided to visit the Centurion Lounge which is highly superior than the United Club.

CENTURION LOUNGE - HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT

After a credit card and boarding pass check, we were admitted into this lounge which I could recall as one of the best non-airline lounges in the US.

The food offerings were pretty good.

Which included, hot dishes such as chicken, rice, edamame, corn

Cookies and fruit were present as dessert options.

Obviously, the lounge also had coffee and tea.

And a view of the bar area of the lounge

GATE AREA & BOARDING

15 minutes before boarding, we have left the lounge and headed to gate C41 which was a 10-15 minute walk from the lounge.

Our aircraft was visible from the lounge. Boarding had started 30 minutes before scheduled departure time with the respect of group numbers. We were one of the first to board the aircraft as we were both Group 1 due to our *G status.

Boarding Pass

UA 2241 HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT TO New Orleans LOUIS ARMSTRONG AIRPORT

As you would expect, the aircraft was equipped with Recaro seats which I find comfortable and the seat also had a decent legroom.

Shortly after we have boarded it started to rain. This United A320 was going to head towards Edmonton

While waiting other passengers to board the aircraft, I have consulted the seat pocket, which I found the June edition of the Hemispheres magazine on 31 May. The safety card and the promo flyer was there as expected.

A small part of the United destinations map. For those who wonder from IAH to MSY, the distance is 305 miles.

Onboard today's flight, there wouldn't be any service except water.

The fleet section of the magazine had the newer livery on aircraft models.

As another A320 has parked next door, it was our turn to push back.

On the way, I have spotted this United A319

As well as this United Express aircraft

At that time UnitedWifi and United PrivateScreening was not active yet.

A smaller United Express aircraft

That day, it took a bit longer than usual at the runway queue.

The queue was too long due to the weather that day.

After 15 minutes of taxiing and waiting at the queue, it was our turn to take off.

And we're in the air.

Terminal C and E

Terminal A and C

And, the United portal is now active with the details of the previous flight loaded.

Today's Wi-Fi options

And the United Private Screening menu

Route map

Some photos from the flight

We were going to arrive 11 minutes late than our scheduled arrival time

A photo just before landing

And we had landed to New Orleans

A Southwest 737 appeared just after our exit from the runway.

Due to the ground traffic in MSY, the ATC has put us in hold and we had waited 5 minutes in this position.

Then we had continued taxiing and then this Southwest 737-800 in the old livery appeared.

The new MSY terminal which would open later this year.

And we had parked to gate D5.

NEW ORLEANS LOUIS ARMSTRONG AIRPORT - MSY

After saying goodbye to the crew, I have left the aircraft and took this last photo of N480UA.

As my travel companion had checked baggage, we have waited 5-10 minutes for that and then left the airport.

This report has came to an end.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you in another report.