#68 out of 94 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings.
384 reviews
Hi everyone, and welcome part 4 of my recent trip back home to the United States of America! When last we saw each other, I had been re-united with United Airlines after a lovely 757 transcon flight from Seattle. After a pleasant layover in Newark, it was time to continue my journey, and head back to one of my favorite cities in the world: Boston. It had been many years since I was last in Boston, and I was eager to return. I hope you'll enjoy this short 200-mile journey from Newark to Boston's Logan Airport with me!
This trip consisted of 6 flights on 3 different airlines. All flights were flown on different aircraft types. Additionally, I'd be passing through 7 airports on that trip, all of which I had previously been to.
I'm announcing the routing as it progresses. Here's where we stand in this report:
One of the things I love about American airports is the fact that once you deplane, you'll find yourself in the departure section of the airport, therefore making transits very simple. After deboarding through gate C134, my dad and I headed to the United Club near gate C74, which is the only full-service United Club open in Newark at the moment.
Given that this was the only "real" United Club open in Terminal C (there's also a pop-up United Club near gate C93), the lounge was packed. It took a while to find a seat.
Much to my shock, however, not only was there a decent food spread, but there was also hot food, something that wasn't even on offer before Covid! I was sure that there wouldn't be any service onboard the short hop to Boston, so I filled up on food before we left. I got myself a burrito, tortellini salad, turkey & gouda bites, and Milano cookies. Definitely not the healthiest choice of snack, but it sure was filling!
We headed to the gate a bit early to find out the fate of our upgrades. Despite not having status, when travelling with my dad or anyone else who has status, I am eligible for an upgrade.
Our flight would be departing from gate C132.
As someone who loves flying on older aircraft, I was delighted to find out that N26210 would fly us to Boston. N26210 is United's oldest 737-800, and was only the 56th aircraft off the 737NG production line. She rolled off the assembly line in May 1998, was delivered to Continental the following month, and transferred to United on October 1st, 2010.
As it was time to board, my dad got his upgrade, while mine stilled hadn't. I hung around the gate for a bit, but then decided to board and find my Economy Plus® seat. After all, we'd be in the air for less than 45 minutes, and I have absolutely no problem sitting in the back.
Two chipper flight attendants greeted passengers at the door, and I headed towards my seat, 11F. Despite the age of the aircraft, the Economy cabin was in very good shape.
Good legroom, but not quite as good as the amount on the 757 that I had just flown.
PTV, featuring DirecTV programming. United used to charge Y passengers to watch live TV, but it's been free since January 2019.
Wing view.
As I was getting settled in, a flight attendant who was deadheading put her bag in the overhead bin and when she realized that I was in her seat, pulled up the upgrade list on her phone and asked if my name was there. Sure enough, the last empty seat went to me, and I quickly gathered all my things and moved up to seat 3B.
While thrilled to have been upgraded, I'm not a fan of aisle seats, especially on short flights with great views, like this one. So I decided to push my luck and ask my seatmate, a Navy veteran, if he'd be ok with switching seats with me. Beginning my bargaining with "first of all, I'd like to thank you for your service" seemed to do the trick, as he said no problem and shook my hand. An upgrade, a window seat, and a handshake from a Navy veteran? It was a total win-win!
While the Economy Plus® cabin was in great shape, the same could not be said about the First Class cabin. These seats have been in use since the aircraft was delivered to Continental 23 years earlier, and I could tell. My seatback was so worn out that when I'd apply a bit of pressure on it, it would shift slightly backward. Oh, I so wanted to give United a good rating on the cabin section, but sadly that won't be the case for this flight ?
On the bright side, it was still United First®, and the spacious seat was appreciated. The legroom was good.
In the seatback pocket were a safety card, an airsickness bag, a MileagePlus pamphlet, and the Hemispheres magazine.
Recline button on the left armrest…
…and the DirecTV controller on the side of the center armrest.
Directly below that is a small stowage compartment, where I stowed my camera case and phone.
Drinks tray (taken after landing).
Universal power outlets under the center armrest.
Old-school PSU.
Before we pushed back, the captain came over the PA to welcome us aboard the friendly skies of United Airlines and announced our flight time of 45 minutes.
Right after that, the purser came through the First Class cabin to take everyone's drink orders for the flight. Alcohol was available, but still being underage in the United States meant that I'd have to settle for water. Not a tragedy, really, as water's my favorite beverage ?
As we pushed back, the safety video was screened…
…which was followed by the United-Boom promotional video…
…and lastly an informational video about the entertainment system…
Views during pushback, featuring two beautiful United 787-10s!
On our way to the runway, passing a United Express E175…
…and Icelandair 737 MAX 8…
…and a United 777-200ER.
Entering Runway 22R at Yankee.
Rolling.
Airborne…. c'ya later, NY/NJ!
Manhattan in the distance.
Looking towards the Lower New York Bay as we start a long right turn.
Coming out of the turn just west of Newark Airport.
Cabin after departure.
Takeoff video. Enjoy the ATC that I added on! ?
An overview of Bergen County, New Jersey, with Teterboro Airport at the right and the MetLife Stadium at the bottom.
While the better views during the flight were probably seen from the right side of the aircraft, I also had some pretty scenery out my window. Here's a look at the Tappan Zee, the Mario Cuomo Bridge, and Croton Point Park.
Due to the short flying time, the crew sprung into action around 7 minutes after wheels up. Just as I expected, only drinks were offered, though I was little bit disappointed that not even a snack basket was passed around.
My water. It would have been nice if it was served in a cup, but again given the short flight time that's forgiven.
Gorgeous lighting conditions outside!
The normal recline of the seat. It's not horrible, but I wouldn't want to be stuck in this seat on a redeye, which this aircraft regularly flies. Sadly, I believe this is also the same seat that is found on United's Micronesia routes, including the Island Hopper.
Flying somewhere over New Haven. I couldn't tilt my camera far enough to be able to snap a picture.
I kept the map on for the duration of this short flight, but with tons of channels of DirecTV as well as United Private Screening on a personal device, you won't get bored on a flight with this aircraft, even a transcon.
I checked out the United app during the flight to see the seatmap and the upgrade list. Every seat was full, and I was the very last upgrade to clear!
After having spent a few minutes cruising at 21,000 feet, we commenced our descent as soon as we crossed into Rhode Island airspace.
Overflying Providence.
The Scituate Reservoir under our wing.
Looking towards Boston in the distance.
Flying over a ton of lakes…
…before turning northeast over North Cape Cod Bay. That runway down there belongs to Marshfield Municipal Airport.
A splendid sunset view of Boston and its harbor. Can you spot Logan Airport?
Turning inland…
…and final over Salem, MA.
Established on our approach.
Nahant, MA.
Short final past Winthrop, MA.
Over the runway.
Firm landing on Runway 22L at 7:47 PM, 4 minutes late, after a flight time of 43 minutes.
Off the runway.
Landing video. Apologies that the footage cut off at touchdown, my thumb was sitting on the record button and had a jerk reaction when we touched down…
Taxiing to our parking position.
Pulling into our gate next to a United 737-900ER.
Since I was late to the First Class party, this is the only picture I could get of the seat itself.
Even on an aircraft with a beaten-up cabin, it's always a pleasure, United!
Into the jetbridge.
We departed Newark from Runway 22R using the NEWARK FOUR departure. I'm not familiar with the procedures for KBOS, but we landed on Runway 22L. Our cruising altitude was 21,000 feet.
Thank you very much for reading this report! Trust me when I tell you that you won't want to miss the next report. Until then, happy flying! ✈️
Objectively, this was one of the worst United flights I've ever had. The only reason for that was the state of the aircraft.
+ Friendly, upbeat crew
+ Great entertainment options
± Packed United Club, but with good food choices
- Very dated aircraft with poor seats in First Class
- Underwhelming but acceptable catering
Had this flight been operated by a newer 737 or an Airbus, United would have gotten a much better rating. Having said that, it's great that all of their narrowbody aircraft will get new, state-of-the-art interiors in the coming years, so experiences like mine should soon be a thing of the past.
Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 4 avis concernant 2 compagnies sur la ligne Newark (EWR) → Boston (BOS).
La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est JetBlue Airways avec 8.1/10.
La durée moyenne des vols est de 1 heures et 13 minutes.
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2 Comments
Wow, those old CO cabins are tiiiiired. I figured with the new seat covers they'd look better but they haven't aged well and the screens look so tiny and old school now. It will be nice once UA get around to updating the narrowbody fleet with the new 737 MAX 8 standard cabins with new PTVs.
I find most non-AvGeeky people prefer aisle seats so usually have no problem switching in these situations.
Thanks for sharing!
A great feeling indeed! I wasn't expecting to be called forward, which made the upgrade even more special! ☺️
Yeah I've always had great respect for UA gate agents, as in my experience most of them are really good at their job and seem to also enjoy what they do. I didn't know that that was the case in the past, luckily things seem to have changed. That must be painful to miss out on an upgrade only because you already boarded!
My sentiment exactly. Hopefully older 737s like the one I flew are the first on line to get the new cabins.
Thanks again for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. Don't miss the review of my very first flight in Polaris, coming soon! ?✈️
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