On my trip home to GSP from Las Vegas, I rode with United via IAH. My second flight between IAH and GSP is United’s 737-800 in economy. I’ve not ridden on a United 737-800 in economy before so this will be a new experience for me. I’m also interested to see how the United 737-800 compares to the the United 737-900 that took me from LAS to IAH(review here). Spoiler, it’s exactly the same.
These United 737s are on the list to be re-configured with the new United Signature Interior over the coming 2 years. For now, they have some good, but ageing features.
Bottom Line: At the end of the day, the United 737-800 is a good ride, nothing amazing in economy, but was a pleasant experience. The 737 is the most common plane in the United fleet, and the 737-800 is the most common variant with more than 140 of them in service.
United 737-800 Boarding IAH
After getting some dinner and relaxing in the Amex Centurion Lounge here at IAH, it was time for me to head to the gate. Tonight, I’m departing out of the E Concourse, this is a quick walk from the Amex Lounge.
When I arrived at the gate they were in the process of boarding group 1 so I lined up in my zone, group 2. They soon called group 2 and we boarded.
The E Terminal here at IAH is usually used for international flights.
Onboard the United 737-800, the economy cabin is arranged in the standard 3-3 configuration. I headed back towards my seat just behind the wing.
United 737-800 Economy Seat Review
I’m sitting on the left hand side of the plane, just a few rows behind the exit rows. I’m in the window seat. By the seat map, it looks like there will be an empty middle seat, hopefully that holds. I put my carry on into the overhead bin and had my backpack under the seat in front of me.
Leg room here in United Economy on the 737-800 is pretty tight, especially with a bag at my feet, it’s not exactly spacious.
The United 737-800 has in seat entertainment, but it’s not an on-demand system. It’s just a system that allows you to watch TV, the good news is that it does have live TV so you can watch sporting events if you want. It’s also not a touch screen, the controls are in the arm rest.
On great thing about the older 737 is the overhead panel. They might not be sleek but the air vents actually put out air unlike the newer ones.
The cabin door was closed and the good luck held out, me and my seat mate don’t have a third person in the middle.
United 737-800 Departure and Takeoff
With everyone onboard, the pilots gave their welcome and told us it would be just about 2 hours in the air on the way over to GSP.
Outside it’s just starting to get a little dim as the light is fading in the day. Next gate over was a great looking United 777 in the Star Alliance livery.
The flight attendants started the safety video and then did their safety walk-through of the cabin before taking their seats.
We headed towards the runway and without much waiting we started our takeoff roll. The sun is just heading behind the horizon.
It was a beautiful night on takeoff. The sprawl of Houston is so vast in the flatness of Texas. We turned towards South Carolina.
As we climbed and headed towards South Carolina the ride was very smooth. We also got some really great views. I do love a nice window seat.
I put a show on the in flight entertainment and settled into the flight.
Outside we were treated to a really pretty sunset. United has retrofitted all of their different 737 variants with split scimitar wingtips, these are the type that split both directions and then sweep back. Not to be confused with the winglets on the 737Max.
United 737-800 Economy Drinks and Snacks
About 35 minutes after departure, the flight attendants began their snack and drink service. United offers a pretty decent selection of beers on these domestic flights.
The first cart to come down the aisle had snacks. United offers some buy on board snacks along with some free options. I had another of the chocolate quinoa crips. I really like these, but they are very small, I always want another one, or three.
The second cart just serves drinks. I had a water alongside my chocolate because I’m boring.
United 737-800 Bathroom Review
The seat belt sign was off and I went back to the bathroom. I snuck out when my seatmate also got up so I didn’t have to disturb him. The bathroom was at the rear of the plane, it was clean enough but showing some age.
United 737-800 Economy In Flight
I walked back to my seat as most of the plane was settled into the flight. We have about 90 minutes left before landing.
As we continued to Greenville, the sun had set outside and we got a great view. When flying, I do try to sit on the side of the plane that will have the best views.
It did get a little bumpy so the seat-belt sign was turned back on, nothing major. It’s been a pretty smooth flight so far.
United 737-800 Landing
We had slowly descended into GSP and the pilots told us the weather. Very clear and pleasant at home. Perfect because it’s been really hot in Las Vegas for the past week.
And just a few minutes later we landed about 5 minutes early.
United 737-800 Economy Final Thoughts
The United 737-800 is a pretty decent ride. In economy it’s nothing special, but the seats have a few nice features. I like that even the older 737s have in seat entertainment, but the lack of in seat power at every seat is a little bit of a let down. In comparison with the United 737-900(Review Here), it’s exactly the same experience. Not much of a surprise, these planes are very close in age.
One thing I’ll note, United does a good job in keeping the planes clean. While older, the plane was in pretty decent shape.
I wouldn’t hesitate to ride on a United 737 again, but I would really like to ride on one of the newer ones with an updated interior.
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