Through the lens of AI
Online reviews from passengers are invaluable for determining if United Airlines is the right choice for you. However, manually sifting through countless reviews can be incredibly time-consuming and impractical.
As AI excels at quickly processing large volumes of data, we’re adopting it as a tool for sentiment analysis. It detects the emotional tone in United Airlines reviews, and quickly gauges travelers’ opinions on the airline’s offerings. We summarize them into concise and informative snippets to help you understand how other travelers feel about United.
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Is United Airlines
a low-cost (budget) airline?
No, United Airlines is not a budget airline but a traditional, full-service carrier. It is one of the largest airlines in United States, a member of the Star Alliance, and it offers a broad spectrum of services that distinguish it from budget airlines. These include free checked baggage, complimentary meals and beverages (even in Economy), on-board amenities (blankets, pillows, sometimes noise-cancelling headphones) on long-haul flights, and a wide range of in-flight entertainment.
Furthermore, United provides multiple travel classes, such as Basic Economy, Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First — each with varying levels of comfort, space, and amenities. In contrast, budget airlines typically offer only Economy class with minimal benefits.
Passenger reviews
An overview of the passenger experience on United Airlines — encompassing both the strengths and weaknesses as reported by travelers:
Strengths
- Extensive route network: United Airlines has a vast flight network covering most major cities in the world.
- Loyalty program: United Airlines’ MileagePlus loyalty program is one of the most popular in the world.
- Friendly and helpful crew: The crew on United Airlines flights are generally known for being friendly and helpful.
Weaknesses
- Delayed and canceled flights: United Airlines has a reputation for having a high number of delayed and canceled flights.
- Expensive food and drinks: The food and drinks on United Airlines flights are generally more expensive than on other airlines.
- Limited entertainment options: The entertainment options on United Airlines flights are limited compared to other airlines.
Passenger's experience
Drawing from a diverse array of passenger feedback, this is what it's truly like to fly with United Airlines. Learn about the airline class of service, seating choices and comfort, baggage policies, Wi-Fi, and ticket flexibility.
What can I expect when flying with United?
When flying with United Airlines, you can expect a generally good experience. The airline has an extensive flight network, connecting you to numerous domestic and international destinations.
United provides Wi-Fi connectivity on many flights, and in-flight entertainment (movies, TV shows, and music) to keep you busy during your journey.
However, you should also be aware that United Airlines has a reputation for delayed and canceled flights.
What are the seating options?
Here are the seating options offered by United Airlines for their different service tiers:
- United Polaris: United’s international business class product, United Polaris, features fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 configuration on most widebody aircraft. It also includes a duvet and pillows, a premium amenity kit, and enhanced food and beverage options.
- Premium Transcontinental Service: Available on select flights between Newark and Los Angeles or San Francisco, and Boston and San Francisco, these seats are similar to domestic first-class seats but include additional amenities such as premium meal service, free alcoholic beverages, and enhanced in-flight entertainment.
- United Premium Plus: This is United’s premium economy product, offering more space and increased comfort compared to standard economy. The seats are wider, with extra legroom, adjustable footrests, and headrests. It includes an upgraded dining experience, complimentary alcoholic beverages, and an enhanced amenity kit.
- United Economy: United Economy provides a standard economy class seat, with in-flight amenities such as meals available for purchase on longer flights, and complimentary soft drinks.
- Economy Plus: Economy Plus seats are located in the Economy cabin but offer additional legroom for a more comfortable journey.
- Basic Economy: This is the most budget-friendly option. It offers the same service and amenities as standard Economy but with restrictions on seat selection and changes, full-sized carry-on bags, and boarding orders.
Is United Airlines economy comfortable?
Comfort in United Airlines’ Economy class can depend on various factors such as personal comfort standards, the specific aircraft, and the flight duration. Generally, United provides a standard level of comfort in its Economy class, akin to other major airlines.
Seats offer adjustable headrests and some recline. On longer flights, a complimentary blanket and pillow are provided. Legroom in Economy usually ranges between 31 to 32 inches, which is the industry standard. However, if you prefer more space, you might consider upgrading to Economy Plus, which provides up to 5 extra inches of legroom.
What is the baggage allowance?
United Airlines provides baggage options for its passengers. The specific allowances depend on the class of service and fare type:
- United Polaris: 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 70 lbs (32 kg) each.
- Premium Transcontinental Service: 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each.
- United Premium Plus: 2 pieces of checked luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each.
- United Economy: 1 piece of checked luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg). Charges may apply.
- Economy Plus: Same as the standard Economy class.
- Basic Economy: Basic Economy within the U.S., and between the U.S. and Central America or the Caribbean, does not include free checked baggage, and charges will apply for checked bags. For transatlantic Basic Economy, 1 piece of checked luggage up to 50 lbs (23 kg) is allowed for a fee.
In addition to checked baggage, each passenger, irrespective of the class of service, is allowed 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (like a shoulder bag, purse, laptop bag or other small item) that fits under the seat in front of you.
Does United Airlines have Wi-Fi?
Yes, United Airlines offers Wi-Fi on most of its aircraft, and the speeds are generally good.
The Wi-Fi is provided by Gogo, and it is available in two tiers: Gogo Basic and Gogo Plus. Gogo Basic is free, but it is limited to email and messaging. Gogo Plus is a paid service that offers faster speeds and access to more websites and apps.
The price of Gogo Plus varies depending on the length of the flight. For flights under 2 hours, Gogo Plus costs $12.95. For flights between 2 and 6 hours, Gogo Plus costs $19.95. For flights over 6 hours, Gogo Plus costs $29.95. You can pay for Gogo Plus using a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. You can also pay for Gogo Plus using miles from your United MileagePlus account.
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