Is Premium Economy Worth the Extra Price on United Airlines?

If You're planning a long-haul flight on United Airlines, you may be Wondering whether it's worth paying extra for premium economy. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the premium economy experience on United Airlines, specifically on a 17-hour flight from San Francisco to Singapore. We'll cover everything from the boarding process to the in-flight amenities, so you can decide whether premium economy is worth the extra cost.

San Francisco Airport

The Journey begins at San Francisco Airport, which is generally a nice airport to depart from. The G Gates, in particular, are a nice new terminal with plenty of seats. However, there could be more food offerings. All of the gates in G are down on a lower level. Our flight was scheduled to board at 11 but ended up boarding about 45 minutes late. Once the crew boarded, the United agent did a great job managing the boarding line and not letting people sneak into earlier boarding groups.

Boarding Process

When it was time to board, instead of looking at my passport or boarding pass, they just had me look into a camera, wait for a green check mark, and then go on the plane. That was neat and Novel. Although there were two jet bridges from this gate to the plane, they were just using one to board. I was in seat 21-J down the far aisle. After passing through the Polaris business class section and looking at those seats that were going to be nicer than mine, I found my seat for the next 17 hours.

Premium Plus Seating

The premium plus section on this Boeing 787 is three rows of seats in a 2-3-2 seating configuration. The seats, while not as amazing as the business class, are nice. They're roomy enough that you aren't rubbing elbows or fighting over the armrest. On each seat was an amenity kit, a nice fluffy pillow, and a fancy soft Saks Fifth Avenue blanket. Compared to the economy class pillows, these looked really fancy. Now economy is a 3-3-3 setup, so in premium plus, you have two fewer seats per row. That's what makes this a lot more civilized seating area. In the armrest in the center was a nice pair of slippers, and in the seat back pocket, a pair of big headphones.

In-Flight Amenities

Most noticeable things in this seat is the really big and bright screen for entertainment. It was a pleasure to watch movies on this, and there were a ton of movies, but the problem with being a frequent traveler is, I feel like I've seen them all. Next to the screen was a little pullout knob that you could use for hanging things like a light jacket or a bag or maybe even your eye mask. In the center armrest was a tethered controller that could be used for movie control and playing some of the games in the entertainment system. There was also AC power and USB power and the headphone jack in the back of the armrest. The other armrest was home to the tray table. It's a neat little flap that you lift to open it up; it pops out and lifts out. And at the first fold-out, there's another spot that you can lift that I presume this is for like holding your phone or tablet or something. Overall, when you fold it out all the way, it's a nice big and sturdy tray table.

Entertainment System

The entertainment system on United Airlines is impressive, with a large and bright screen and a wide selection of movies and TV shows. The controller in the center armrest is easy to use, and there are plenty of power outlets and USB ports to keep your devices charged. The headphones provided are decent, but if you have your own noise-canceling headphones, you'll likely prefer those.

Food and Beverage Service

The food and beverage service in premium economy is a step up from economy, but it's not quite business class. The first drink service came by shortly after takeoff, with a typical economy drink service from push carts. They provided almonds for the snack, and soda, beer, and wine are free. Since this is a long-haul international flight for premium plus, real liquor was also available for free. Dinner was served on one large tray, with actual plates and glasses, including a glass for wine. The choice was chicken or spaghetti, and the chicken was quite good, moist with a flavorful cream Sauce. About halfway through the flight, they brought out a mid-flight snack, two ham sandwiches that were really mediocre at best, and a selection of snack foods. The waffles for breakfast were dry, and there wasn't any maple syrup. The fruit plate was good, though.

Lavatories

The lavatories on United Airlines are shared with economy, but they're still quite nice. They have a touchless flush on the toilet and a touchless Water dispenser. They've also got cups to rinse your mouth. If you're brushing your teeth, you want to spit something out if that's something that you do.

Sleep Comfort

The premium plus seats on United Airlines are comfortable enough for sleeping, but they're not lie-flat like the business class seats. There's a leg rest and recline available via two switches on the center armrest. The leg rest is like in a lazy boy recliner, where it comes up and holds your legs up, not just your feet. The seat is big enough that you can move around and get comfy, but it's not as good as a lie-flat seat for sleeping.

Arrival at Changi Airport

After 17 hours, we finally touched down in Changi airport. If you've Never been to Singapore Changi Airport, this airport's amazing. How many baggage claims have you been to where they have plants in the middle of the baggage carousel? Overall, the premium plus experience on United Airlines is worth the extra cost if you value comfort and amenities. The food is not amazing, but the seat is comfortable, and the entertainment system is impressive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're planning a long-haul flight on United Airlines, consider upgrading to premium economy for a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. The premium plus seats are roomy and comfortable, with plenty of amenities to keep you entertained and comfortable throughout the flight. While the food is not amazing, the overall experience is worth the extra cost.

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