I flew long-haul on United's aging Boeing 777 in basic economy. A few key updates made it feel much more modern.
The plane I flew on was first delivered in 1997, but the modern seats, large seatback screens, and Bluetooth connectivity made its age hard to tell.
I recently flew on a United Airlines Boeing 777-200 from New Jersey to London in basic economy class. Despite being one of the airline's oldest planes, the experience was surprisingly modern. This Boeing 777-200, first delivered in 1997, featured comfortable seats with headrests, large seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity, and power ports.
The aircraft had a 3x4x3 seat layout, allowing for 10-abreast seating with 17-inch-wide seats, though the difference from previous configurations was barely noticeable. The cabin was dense, but the last row provided a sense of privacy and easy access to the lavatory. The plane came with a free carry-on and checked bag, as well as Group 2 boarding, which I utilized thanks to my United Explorer credit card.
The seats were comfortable, and the cabin offered ample legroom, though taller travelers might prefer paying for additional space. The food was surprisingly good, with a chicken dish, breakfast pastry, and turkey ham sandwich that were flavorful. United's investment in improving its long-haul flights, not just business class, was evident, making the flight a pleasant experience overall.
Written by urgent.news from Business Insider's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
