Finally time to head home. After working in Las Vegas for a full week, including the weekend, I’m heading home with United Airlines on their 737-900 in Economy. I’ve been on a lot of 737-900s but never on one wearing the United Airlines colors. I’m also looking forward to seeing what the United Airlines Economy service is like. I don’t ride on United very frequently, not really intentionally, just that their routes don’t frequently match my travel from home at GSP.
The United 737-900 was a good ride, but started off a little weird. Fortunately my flight was on-time and as comfortable as a domestic economy flight can be. Getting home from LAS requires a connection and IAH is pretty close to half way, so the route was also pretty good.
Bottom Line: While the particular United 737 I rode on was older and showing it’s age, it was still perfectly adequate. It’s important to note that United has a few different flavors of 739, a newer configuration and the older one. Today I’m on the older 739. I’d gladly ride on the United 737-900 again, even in economy.
United Airlines 737-900 Economy Review
Las Vegas Airport
I arrived at LAS via Taxi from my stay at the Resorts World Conrad. I then headed through security as I already had my boarding pass. Here at the D gates, don’t bother with Clear, the TSA Pre-check line was way faster. I’m really not sure why I keep Clear anymore, it’s just not a time saver at most airports.
Into the weirdness that is the Las Vegas Terminal. I’m sure there are other airports that have gambling in the terminal, but here at LAS it’s very forward. Seems fitting. I did walk over to the LAS Amex Centurion Lounge(Review Here), but there was a line out the door and down the hall, so not worth the effort. Instead I stopped at a sandwich shop and grabbed one for the road.
United 737-900 Boarding
I arrived at the gate right around boarding time. When I arrived the gate agent made an announcement offering $2000 to take a later flight. To my amazement no one moved, I was glad to walk up to the counter and offer my seat. The agent said they needed 7 people and to just hangout.
The boarding process started and the pilot came out and explained that we needed to get as many bags into the overhead bins as possible. It’s very hot in Las Vegas today and the 737-900 doesn’t have great hot performance. Because of this, they cannot take many bags into the hold or they’ll have to leave more people/luggage behind. This is due to how plane load weights are calculated. People are assumed to have an average weight(that includes their carry on), but checked luggage is weighed. So if people have to gate check bags, they have to take an additional weight penitently.
At the end of the day, they didn’t need my seat and the gate agent called me over and said I should board. Bit of a bummer as $2000 is serious money, even if I have to wait a day to fly home.
United 737-900 Economy Seats Review
The United 737 uses standard 3-3 seating in the economy cabin. Nothing particularly ground breaking here.
I’m seated on the right hand side of the plane, just behind the wing. I’m guessing this is going to be a pretty full flight. I stowed my roller bag into the overhead bin.
I put my backpack under the seat in front of me and settled into my seat. The economy seats on the Untied 737-900 are not the most spacious I’ve been in, I think the Southwest 737 Max 8 seats on the flight out here to Las Vegas had more room.
United 737-900 Economy Seat Features
Does the United 737-900 have in seat entertainment? Yes. However, this is where the older 737-900 shows it’s age. It does have in seat entertainment, but it’s not an on-demand system like we’ve become accustom to, it’s also not a touch screen. This is just a way to watch live satellite TV, so that’s good, but not so good if you want to start a movie on your own time.
The controls for the in seat entertainment are in the arm rest. Like I said, it’s not a touch screen so this isn’t the most convenient thing, but it does work. What is a little annoying is when you accidentally put your elbow into the control and change the channel. Does the United 737-900 have in seat power? No, no it does not in every seat. At least these older planes do not in every row. Most seats in front of, and including the the exit rows, will have in seat power. The others won’t.
Good news is that the older overhead panel on the 739 has air vents that do actually work. It’s nice here on the ground at LAS, it’s very hot out today.
Inside the cabin we’re all packed up and ready to go. The flight attendants and pilots both thanked everyone for getting as many bags as possible into the overhead bins. This allowed us to get out on-time and full of fuel.
United 737-900 Departure and Takeoff
We pushed back from the gate and started to head for the runway. The pilot told us it would be just over 3 hours in flight. Should be a nice smooth flight too.
We took off towards the west and got a nice view of the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip and the Allegiant Stadium where the Raiders play.
We made our turn towards the east and as always we got a great view of the American Southwest. I’d really love to come out here and explore some more. If anyone has some rental overland/camping suggestions I’d be all ears. It just seems like such a cool place to come and explore for a few days.
United 737-900 Economy In Flight
As we left Las Vegas, depending on what side of the plane you’re on and what route you’re flight is taking, you might get a view of the Grand Canyon. I did on the right side of the plane.
We climbed and it seems like a nice quiet flight. I assume most people who are leaving Las Vegas are ready to just relax, sleep, and enjoy the quiet on their trip.
It was a nice and smooth flight here once we were over the clouds. The flight attendants began their snack and drink service here in the economy cabin. I’m more than half way back, they started at the front and worked their way back so it took a few minutes before they came by.
United 737 Economy Drink and Snack Service
The first cart that came by was offering snacks. There are heavier things to purchase as well. I really liked this chocolate quinoa crisp. It was delicious but small.
Next the drink cart came down the aisle and I had a Coke. You’ll see I have my portable battery pack out to keep my phone charged. Like I said earlier, no in seat power in economy on the older United 737-900s. I’m not sure about First Class.
This was not included on the flight, but I broke out my sandwich that I purchased in the airport. It’s from a place called port of subs, not amazing, but not bad. This flight left Las Vegas right before noon, so it was certainly time for my lunch. I’m also traveling with my water bottle.
Outside we’re continuing our trip over the southwest. It’s a really nice day to fly, we have about 90 minutes left before we land in Houston.
United 737 Economy Lavatory
The United 737-900 has a nice feature with a mid cabin lavatory. So if you’re in economy you don’t have to go all the way to the rear to use the toilet.
The mid cabin lavatory was about what you’d expect on the United 737. Not huge, not tiny but was more clean that most airplane bathrooms, so that’s nice.
United 737 Economy In Flight
We’re about 60 minutes from arrival and so far this flight has been perfectly pleasant, or at least as pleasant as any medium length 737 economy flight can be.
The landscape below has changed. We’re over Texas now, and while it’s still arid, it’s more lush than Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.
United 737 Landing at IAH
The flight attendants had come through and collected all of the drink and snack service leftovers. They also gave their goodbye and thanked us for flying with United. Looks liked we’re going to be right on time into Houston.
Always fun to do a little plane watching at a major airports. There are lots of fun and unique airplanes like the 747-8 in this shot.
And at the gate next to a United Boeing 737 Max 9. Right on time, maybe even a minute or two early, perfect for me.
United 737-900 Economy Final Thoughts
I wouldn’t call the 737-900 a remarkable plane, especially in economy on a ~3 hour flight from Las Vegas to Houston. However, this was a perfectly pleasant trip. I liked that the United 737 has in seat entertainment in each seat, it’s not an on-demand system, but it does allow you to watch satellite TV. Only about half the plane has in seat power, if you’re behind the exit row, you’re out of luck.
The service in economy is just a snack and beverage. I did really like the chocolate quinoa crisp, it’s just really small, I want like 4 of the things. I really like that the United 737-900 has a mid cabin lavatory, I’m sure the First Class passengers like it too. It keeps economy passengers from walking up front while the carts are in the aisle for drink service.
The 737-900 is a perfectly acceptable ride, but it’s a means to an end. On my next flight I rode on United’s 737-800(Review Here) so it was interesting to compare and contrast to two. But really, they were pretty much the exact same experience.
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