Here we go. This United A321neo first class review represents the first time in a while that I’ve actually felt giddy about writing a review of a domestic first class product. Sure, I’ve had some interesting experiences recently, but this was the big one.
United went big with an all new first class seat design for the A321neo. It’s a huge improvement over their existing domestic first class seat, with class leading features such as privacy screens and 4K (13”) displays.
It’s hardly anything I’d call revolutionary though. The lack of under seat storage space almost makes me yearn for the seat of old. Damn them straight to hell for making me think pleasant thoughts about the seats I love making immature jokes about.
UA1774
Phoenix, AZ (PHX) – Chicago, IL (ORD)
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Aircraft: A321-271NX
Registration: N14502
Duration: 2 hours 59 minutes
Seat: 4A (Frist Class)
United Airlines A321neo (N14502) side view illustration by NorebboStock.com.Our route from Phoenix to Chicago today as UA1774.
My full review of United A321neo first class from Phoenix to Chicago
So yeah. I was feeling giddy about this. While I did have a lot of nice things to say about United 737 MAX 9 first class a short while back, it felt ‘transitional’ to me. The seats on the A321neo are what those seats should have been IMHO.
Arrival at the airport
I arrived at the Phoenix sky Harbor International Airport on a flight from San Diego two hours before the scheduled departure time to Chicago. Long story short: hanging out inside Terminal 3 at PHX gets old after about an hour and a half. I timed this one just right.
Welcome to the E gates (Terminal 3) at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport! As you can see, I couldn’t resist kicking off this review with a little ‘hotdog in a hallway’ action.It continues (because the gate for my flight to Chicago is located all the way at the end of the E Concourse). Why is it always at the end?I only made it halfway there before I decided to pull over and take a break. Walking to the very end of any airport terminal (when there are perfectly good gates right at the beginning) is total bulls**t IMHO.Actually, it’s not always bulls**t. Especially when the brand new aircraft you’re scheduled to fly on is showing an on-time departure. Let’s go!It’s here! It’s here! My apologies to the PHX janitorial team for slobbering all over the windows.Well, considering how excited I was to see my very first United A321neo, let’s just say they’re lucky it was just slobber.PHX-ORD? Check. Seat 4A? Copy that. Flight number 1774? Roger. This is my kind of boarding pass.
The boarding process for flight number 1774 to Chicago
United Airlines has a not-so-insignificant operation at PHX. There were multiple flights being loaded at adjacent gates just as they started the boarding process to Chicago, which required paying very close attention to the gate agents hawking instructions at E9 (and E9 only). I could have never forgiven myself for missing my shot at the UA A321neo!
Well well well. The gate agent just announced that there will only be 92 passengers onboard today’s flight. I guess that means the United A321neo is a complete failure, all future deliveries will be canceled, and this particular aircraft will be sent to the scrap yard immediately after arrival in Chicago. It was good while it lasted I guess.But not before I got to play ‘hotdog in a hallway’ again. On a (far) more mature note, the United A321neo looks fantastic up close IMHO.He’s not even looking at how cool that bulkhead wall looks! I’ve only got one foot in the door, and I’m already liking this a lot (even if some people couldn’t care less).Welcome, my friends, to United A321neo first class (and the all new Airbus Airspace interior). While I’m at it, I might as well welcome United Airlines to the 2020s. They’re, like, a real airline now.First class seats 4A and B, baby! Those of you who just came from my United 737-800 first class review are no doubt weeping tears of joy with me at your eyeballs dance across this pic.
The seats
In addition to all new seats, United’s A321neos feature the new Airbus Airspace cabin. It looks (and smells!) fantastic. I especially like how the seats look like an evolution of the first class seats you’ll find on the 737 MAX aircraft.
Once you’re seated, you’ll get slapped right across the face with a color scheme ripped straight out of the older Airbus aircraft. You can check out my United A320 first class review to see exactly what I’m talking about…
Huge video screens and wide drink trays, oh my!Houston, we have a problem. Seems as if my puny little backpack won’t fit all the way under the seat.For a guy who always utilizes the under seat storage space, this is an issue worth noting. It ain’t no fun when fitting puny things into tight spaces isn’t an option.Wanna know what’s not puny? These huge 13″ 4K video screens!I didn’t ask, but I’m pretty sure that these seat dividers / privacy screens were her favorite feature. “God, he’s so annoying.”Also located between the seats are power outlets and the remote control for the video entertainment system.DUAL audio ports? That’s pretty sweet – and something I can very much used to my advantage to make things right with my seatmate.Ok. I may be willing to share video entertainment experiences with her, but there’s no way I’m sharing my adjustable headrest. This is all for me.“C**k sucking motherf******g s****y a** son of a b****h!” Translation: The location of the control box for the entertainment system is making the already tight under seat storage space most inconvenient.
The departure out of Phoenix
Sub freezing temperatures in Chicago? Who cares. Brand new aircraft (with loads of potential hiccups to sort out)? Big whoop. Somehow they managed to push us off the gate exactly on time. I was both pleasantly surprised and amused by this.
So long, gate E9. May you attach yourself to another shiny new A321neo soon.Believe it or not, things are feeling a bit deadly at the moment. Not only am I thrilled to death about our on time pushback from the gate, it’s currently 14°F in Chicago (which definitely qualifies as life ending).“Why won’t he just die already?”Runway 7L it is. A good time at PHX it was.What a view! A view of how dominant both Southwest an American Airlines are here at PHX, that is.And you thought the views were over. Phoenix never disappoints!
By the way, I also recorded a full video of the taxi and takeoff. Not only did the views not disappoint, the sound of the A321neo at full song didn’t either:
In-flight entertainment
In flight entertainment is one of the best things about the United A321neo first class experience. The high resolution (4K) 13 inch video screens look like something you’d find in international business class.
The user interface is highly customizable, and you can set things up exactly how you like it. You can even pair your wireless headphones via Bluetooth. It’s arguably the best domestic US first class in flight entertainment system I’ve ever had the pleasure of tinkering with.
Before doing anything, you’ll be greeted with are expectations. First we’ll depart. Then we’ll eat. Finally, we’ll arrive. I like how they gloss over the fact that we’ll be suffering the consequences of the lack of underseat storage space for the entire flight as well.Next, we need to define our ambitions. ‘Obtain more underseat storage space’ wasn’t an option (sadly).The final step in the initialization process was confirmation of our next stop. Just show me Family Guy already!To be honest, I quite liked all the customization and personalization stuff I had to sit through before I got to the catalog of TV shows and movies. Whoever designed this UI deserves a hearty “attaboy” smack on the butt.Pardon me while I pair my AirPods Pro to the in-flight entertainment system (via Bluetooth)…Unfortunately, Bluetooth connectivity is *not* a feature of this handy trackpad-enabled remote control. Not to because they couldn’t figure out how to do it – it’s just that they just don’t trust your thievin’ a** to leave it behind when you deplane, that’s all.Two minutes later, and I’ve already forgotten about the remote control being trackpad enabled. Manipulating the world with my fingertips is just too much fun.Here’s a pic of two things you didn’t see in my United 737-900ER first class review: 1). Personal device holders built into the tray tables, and 2). An indication of not only an on-time arrival, but an early arrival. I like seeing progress.
The food
Oh United. You’re trying, and it’s hard to fault you for that. There were five choices for lunch on this particular flight, and I pre-ordered my selection two days before departure. Food quality is good (maybe slightly lower than what you could expect at a decent restaurant). Portions were generous, and the service pleasant. Typical United.
< Pablo Escobar voice > “Coke please.” < /Pablo Escobar voice >Don’t worry. I won’t use my Ron Jeremy voice to describe these warm (body-temperature) nuts. All I’m going to say is that I appreciated them just as much as that full-size can of Diet Coke.Feedin’ time at the A321neo corral (United Airlines style).Remember that cheesy pasta I recently had in American Airlines 737-800 first class? This wasn’t quite as good as that.Remember the salad? This wasn’t as good as that was either.Surely you remember the desert. This is actually better. Go United!It’s fun to pretend that food quality actually matters to me. The honest truth is that (if I’m hungry enough) I’ll shovel anything in my face like a total zombie.I was hungry enough.
Seat (and cabin) comfort
One of the things I was looking forward to testing out the most was seat comfort. Are these any better than the older style United domestic first class seats? Well… sort of.
The amount of seat recline is generous. The amount of foot space is not. The seat dividers / privacy screens do make a difference for overall comfort IMHO. Basically, I like anything that makes it feel more like an enclosed space.
Looks like someone had a little fun with the recline button, eh? Can’t say that I don’t blame them.Well, at least right up to the point where I had to get out to use the lavatory. Fair warning: if you slam your seat all the way back, I will “accidentally” bump the s**t out of it as I struggle to get out. Fair is fair!Speaking of the lavatory, it’s actually a little more spacious in here than it is out there. Having some decent foot space for the first time in a couple hours felt great.It eventually got to the point where I had to pull my backpack out from underneath the seat in front of me (just to give my feet room to roam).Adjusting my head rest (while cursing the lack of foot space). I’m only a size 10.5 for crying out loud!
The arrival into Chicago O’Hare
6 minutes! Can you believe it? Never in a million years would I have guessed that this flight would’ve landed a full six minutes early.
The weather wasn’t exactly favorable for orderly operation of heavy equipment (which the Airbus A321neo certainly qualifies as). Not only that, this brand new airplane (which I assumed would be cursed with gremlins) flew all the way to Chicago without even a hiccup. I need to have more faith in the airlines I think. Maybe they do know what they’re doing.
Mother Nature porn. Never in a million years what I have thought that I would type those words into my keyboard (at least in that order lol), but here we are.Roughly 45 minutes later (on our downwind approach over the city). How does that Frank Sinatra song go again?Oh, that’s right: “Start spreadin’ the news, I’m leavin’ today, I want to be a part of it, New York, New York…”Current temperature: 10°F. Foot situation: sucky as ever.Welcome to Chicago!I think it’s safe to assume that this A321neo (and that 737) were hoping to fly for Hawaiian Airlines instead. F Chicago in January.Holy crap! We’re pulling up gate C11!!What’s so special about gate C11? Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to end this review on a bang, that’s all.
Pros and cons of the United A321neo first class experience
Make no mistake about it. This is an all new domestic first class experience for United that will set the stage for the next 10 to 15 years (at least). It needed to be good, and I’m happy to report that it is. Mostly. I just don’t think it’s quite as good as Delta A321neo first class – which I still consider to be the best recliner-style non lie-flat domestic first class seat in the US.
Pros
The 13 inch 4K video screens are brilliant. It’s essentially the kind of thing you’d typically see an international business class.
I like the privacy screens between the seats. I could see how they might be a little annoying for couples traveling together, but they’re a godsend for solo travelers IMHO.
Having access to multiple USB A and C ports on longer flights sure comes in handy.
Cons
Underseat storage space is very limited. Pack accordingly!
Seat recline is generous (which is good!), but it makes it difficult for window seat passengers to squeeze out into the aisle.
Chicken balls were indeed an option! I decided to pass on it though – it was really dry the last time that I had it.
And yes, the screen does have a significant amount of adjustability built into it. I’ll be posting a video of this flight in a few days, and you’ll be able to see it in action there.
Such a bummer about the under seat storage! Do you think it’s fair to say a pet carrier would not fit under the seat?
I was about to book book a ticket with an in cabin pet, which United seemingly allows me to do on this plane, but it doesn’t seem like their “approved” pet carriers would fit if your small backpack can’t fit. Thanks for the review!
A pet carrier will definitely not fit! It’s not a lot smaller than the space found another aircraft (such as the 737-800 and -900), but it’s enough to be annoying for sure. What’s funny (and infuriating lol) is that the E175 first class seats have more under seat storage space.
Hi Scott, As a fellow San Diegan, I’ve been a reader of your blog for a while as I love the fact that you fly out of SAN and I can read reviews for flights out of my own airport. (Plus you’re informative AND funny!) Would you believe that today is the first time I’ve ever watched one of your video reviews?? OMG….you have a great narration voice! You totally sound like a guy who should be doing voiceovers for an Animal Planet show or something. LOL
I’ve got a lot of flying coming up this year – Southwest (SAN-SMF) next week, a big 3-week trip to Europe on Delta One (SAN-ATL-MUC) on Airbus A321/Boeing 767-300 in April, and United (SAN-ORD) first class on Boeing 737-800/Boeing 757-200 in June. (Will I get the new United first class seats or the old, grandpa seats? We’ll see!) And I’ll probably head to NY in November. So, I *really* appreciate your reviews!
Hi Kelly! Really glad you’ve been enjoying the reviews! You’re too kind when it comes to complementing my YouTube voice. I am not a fan at all, and it’s one of the reasons why I don’t make videos more often lol.
You’ve got a decent amount of fun flying coming up! Bummer that you’re not taking a shot at the Lufthansa A350 to MUC, but I understand the lure of Delta One. It’s good.
I don’t think there’s much of a chance that you’ll get new seats on that UA 737-800 unfortunately. Perhaps the stars will align and they’ll swap it out to a new 737 MAX or A321neo instead. Cross those fingers!
Scott, I am convinced that you have been waiting with bated breath since my last comment in February to find out how I fared. Admit it….you needed to know how my ORD-SAN-ORD UA flights went. (I was flying in first.) Well, my outbound flight on the 737-800 was…..you guessed it….grandpa seats from 2004 complete with credit card swipe slot, shabby upholstery, and electric outlets that didn’t work. The guy in front of me reclined his damn seat all the way back AND his seat was broken. So the right side of his seat leaned further in and majorly intruded on my space. I politely told him his seat was busted and asked him if he could put it back up a touch and he pretended to not understand me. Thanks grandpa seats.
On the way back, my booking showed that we were supposed to have a 757-200 in the International/Polaris configuration. Score! I chose seat 1F and thought that I would be ballin’ on the way home. The day before, I received a notice that my seat assignment had changed. I logged in and saw that the equipment had changed….to an A321neo! Ok, bummer about the 757-200, but getting to fly the new A321neo was awesome sauce! It was a very nice aircraft and, yeah, the under seat room sucked and the meal wasn’t super great, but I enjoyed everything else. That A321neo sure was pretty!
OMG, this was perfect timing because I was starting to lose sleep over the lack of updates. The past few nights have been brutal! 🙂
Seriously though, thanks for the recap! Yeah, losing out on a 757 flatbed a seat does suck, but at least they made it worth your while with the A321neo. You should be thanking your lucky stars that they didn’t swap it back to one of those crusty old 738’s lol.
Wow! The first thing I thought while reading this review is that it’s hard to believe that this is the same airline as your SAN-IAH 739 & ORD-SAN 738 reviews. This new interior even makes the 737 MAX 9 First Class seats look shabby. It’s nice to see United fully embracing the future!
To be fair, as you say, this interior isn’t anything revolutionary. The features and tech are typical of what you’d find in any other modern-day interior, but, to me, it’s still pretty impressive, regardless of whether it’s trendsetting or not. And, much like the rest of their modern interiors, it looks fantastic. As mega-corporate as United’s branding is, I’m a big fan of their brand colors!
Yeah, this is a world of difference compared to the old 737s, right? The onboard service hasn’t changed (unfortunately), but the seats themselves are excellent. I think the next thing they need to work on is a menu overhaul. It’s been the same food for years, and I’d like to see them step it up a notch. One can only hope!
Thanks for the review! What do you think about the attractiveness of row 1 seats on the Neo? I realize there is no underseat storage, but perhaps leg room better, and lack of recline in front of you always a plus. Curious as to your thoughts, as I don’t see this addressed anywhere else.
Thanks James! From what I saw, they don’t seem any better (or worse) than the bulkhead seats on any other United narrowbody aircraft. I normally avoid the bulkhead row because I prefer to put my carry-on under the seat in front of me. But given how small the underseat storage space is on the A321neo, I guess I’d be more open to going for the bulkhead row (for the advantages that you mentioned).
It’s a pretty good choice if you were planning on stowing your carry-on bag in the overhead bin anyway. And hey – being the first one to eat is always a plus.
Jason B
Looks nicer than I would expect from United for the seat and the food. Were chicken balls one of the lunch options?
The screen looks great, but does it tilt out if the person in front of you reclines?
Scott (SANspotter)
Chicken balls were indeed an option! I decided to pass on it though – it was really dry the last time that I had it.
And yes, the screen does have a significant amount of adjustability built into it. I’ll be posting a video of this flight in a few days, and you’ll be able to see it in action there.
Caitlin M
Such a bummer about the under seat storage! Do you think it’s fair to say a pet carrier would not fit under the seat?
I was about to book book a ticket with an in cabin pet, which United seemingly allows me to do on this plane, but it doesn’t seem like their “approved” pet carriers would fit if your small backpack can’t fit. Thanks for the review!
Scott (SANspotter)
A pet carrier will definitely not fit! It’s not a lot smaller than the space found another aircraft (such as the 737-800 and -900), but it’s enough to be annoying for sure. What’s funny (and infuriating lol) is that the E175 first class seats have more under seat storage space.
Kelly
Hi Scott, As a fellow San Diegan, I’ve been a reader of your blog for a while as I love the fact that you fly out of SAN and I can read reviews for flights out of my own airport. (Plus you’re informative AND funny!) Would you believe that today is the first time I’ve ever watched one of your video reviews?? OMG….you have a great narration voice! You totally sound like a guy who should be doing voiceovers for an Animal Planet show or something. LOL
I’ve got a lot of flying coming up this year – Southwest (SAN-SMF) next week, a big 3-week trip to Europe on Delta One (SAN-ATL-MUC) on Airbus A321/Boeing 767-300 in April, and United (SAN-ORD) first class on Boeing 737-800/Boeing 757-200 in June. (Will I get the new United first class seats or the old, grandpa seats? We’ll see!) And I’ll probably head to NY in November. So, I *really* appreciate your reviews!
Scott (SANspotter)
Hi Kelly! Really glad you’ve been enjoying the reviews! You’re too kind when it comes to complementing my YouTube voice. I am not a fan at all, and it’s one of the reasons why I don’t make videos more often lol.
You’ve got a decent amount of fun flying coming up! Bummer that you’re not taking a shot at the Lufthansa A350 to MUC, but I understand the lure of Delta One. It’s good.
I don’t think there’s much of a chance that you’ll get new seats on that UA 737-800 unfortunately. Perhaps the stars will align and they’ll swap it out to a new 737 MAX or A321neo instead. Cross those fingers!
Kelly
Scott, I am convinced that you have been waiting with bated breath since my last comment in February to find out how I fared. Admit it….you needed to know how my ORD-SAN-ORD UA flights went. (I was flying in first.) Well, my outbound flight on the 737-800 was…..you guessed it….grandpa seats from 2004 complete with credit card swipe slot, shabby upholstery, and electric outlets that didn’t work. The guy in front of me reclined his damn seat all the way back AND his seat was broken. So the right side of his seat leaned further in and majorly intruded on my space. I politely told him his seat was busted and asked him if he could put it back up a touch and he pretended to not understand me. Thanks grandpa seats.
On the way back, my booking showed that we were supposed to have a 757-200 in the International/Polaris configuration. Score! I chose seat 1F and thought that I would be ballin’ on the way home. The day before, I received a notice that my seat assignment had changed. I logged in and saw that the equipment had changed….to an A321neo! Ok, bummer about the 757-200, but getting to fly the new A321neo was awesome sauce! It was a very nice aircraft and, yeah, the under seat room sucked and the meal wasn’t super great, but I enjoyed everything else. That A321neo sure was pretty!
Scott (SANspotter)
OMG, this was perfect timing because I was starting to lose sleep over the lack of updates. The past few nights have been brutal! 🙂
Seriously though, thanks for the recap! Yeah, losing out on a 757 flatbed a seat does suck, but at least they made it worth your while with the A321neo. You should be thanking your lucky stars that they didn’t swap it back to one of those crusty old 738’s lol.
Glad you had a good trip!
Peter
Wow! The first thing I thought while reading this review is that it’s hard to believe that this is the same airline as your SAN-IAH 739 & ORD-SAN 738 reviews. This new interior even makes the 737 MAX 9 First Class seats look shabby. It’s nice to see United fully embracing the future!
To be fair, as you say, this interior isn’t anything revolutionary. The features and tech are typical of what you’d find in any other modern-day interior, but, to me, it’s still pretty impressive, regardless of whether it’s trendsetting or not. And, much like the rest of their modern interiors, it looks fantastic. As mega-corporate as United’s branding is, I’m a big fan of their brand colors!
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah, this is a world of difference compared to the old 737s, right? The onboard service hasn’t changed (unfortunately), but the seats themselves are excellent. I think the next thing they need to work on is a menu overhaul. It’s been the same food for years, and I’d like to see them step it up a notch. One can only hope!
James
Thanks for the review! What do you think about the attractiveness of row 1 seats on the Neo? I realize there is no underseat storage, but perhaps leg room better, and lack of recline in front of you always a plus. Curious as to your thoughts, as I don’t see this addressed anywhere else.
Scott (SANspotter)
Thanks James! From what I saw, they don’t seem any better (or worse) than the bulkhead seats on any other United narrowbody aircraft. I normally avoid the bulkhead row because I prefer to put my carry-on under the seat in front of me. But given how small the underseat storage space is on the A321neo, I guess I’d be more open to going for the bulkhead row (for the advantages that you mentioned).
It’s a pretty good choice if you were planning on stowing your carry-on bag in the overhead bin anyway. And hey – being the first one to eat is always a plus.