To kick off our trip to San Francisco, ATX Jr. and I needed to get from Austin to the Bay Area to meet up with Mrs. ATX. We ended up flying out in First Class on a United Airlines Boeing 737-900.
Booking
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines both fly direct between Austin and San Francisco multiple times a day. Since I was going to be traveling with a lap infant, I knew that I would have minimal use of my tray table. While some don’t see the value in seatback IFE, I wanted to make sure I had it onboard. Therefore, I eliminated Alaska from consideration as they don’t have any aircraft with seatback IFE and pricing was similar on both airlines.
I also needed to book around ATX Jr’s nap schedule. I didn’t want to take anything early in the morning or late at night. United had two flights around midday. One was operated by an Airbus A320 and the other by a Boeing 737-900. United is still retrofitting its A319/A320 fleet with IFE so, I chose the flight on the 737-900.
I ended up booking a one-way ticket from Austin to San Francisco in First Class for $423 via United.com just over a month before departure.
Pre-Flight
I arrived at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) around 9:45a, roughly an hour and a half before my scheduled flight to San Francisco. I had a bag to check and, with a few people ahead of me in the priority lane, it took roughly 10 minutes to get everything situated. From there, I made the short walk to security with ATX Jr. in tow just before 10:00a.
It took roughly 15 minutes to clear security and, with my flight scheduled to board at 10:30a, I headed straight to the gate. I had to get a gate check tag for ATX Jr’s stroller which only took a couple or minutes. Afterwards, I lined up to preboard.
Boarding
Boarding started a couple of minutes ahead of schedule and, thanks to United’s policy of allowing parents traveling with small children to preboard, I was the first one down the jet bridge.
United Airlines
UA 272
AUS-SFO (Austin-Bergstrom International – San Francisco International)
Seat: 4B (First)
B737-900 (N62894)
Scheduled: 11:11a-1:15p
Actual: 11:05a-12:49p
After dropping off the stroller at the end of the jet bridge, we stepped aboard our home for the next four hours out to San Francisco.
United Boeing 737-900 First Class Seat
United’s First Class cabin on the Boeing 737-900 consists of 20 seats spread across 5 rows in a 2-2 configuration. This aircraft featured the carrier’s refreshed interiors which has larger, high-definition IFE screens and dark navy seat coverings. Overall, the cabin feels modern and inviting.
I assigned myself seat 4B, an aisle seat on the left side of the aircraft. While I typically prefer a window, I wanted an aisle since I had ATX Jr. as a lap infant and I wanted to be able to get up and walk around with him.
Even with a 20+ pound baby on my lap, there was still plenty of legroom for my 6’2″ frame.
United, along with Delta, has been investing heavily in the passenger experience and is in the process of retrofitting its aircraft with new, high-definition IFE screens. With this being a newly refurbished plane, the screens were crisp and clean along with the remainder of the cabin.
Unfortunately, with the upgrade to new IFE screens, the DirecTV live TV option has been removed from the aircraft.
Between the seats is a tray table that was large enough to hold a couple of drinks and smaller items. A second tray can be extended in the event you need to hold additional items.
The IFE had a very responsive touchscreen, which I used throughout the flight, but a secondary remote is also located within the center armrest. I didn’t use this at all during the flight and, if anything, found it inconvenient when I would bump it during flight.
The tray table is located in the armrest closest to the aisle. When released, the tray table can either be fully extended or folded over in half, depending on your needs.
Power outlets were available on this flight with 12V outlets located between the seats.
United Boeing 737-900 First Class Departure
As we settled in prior to departure, the crew working the First Class cabin came around with a pre-departure beverage selection consisting of water, orange juice, or mimosas. I chose the mimosa, which was served in a real glass while my seatmate ordered water, which was served in a disposable cup.
Also, while United typically serves warm nuts with pre-departure beverages in First Class, we were informed that there was a severe nut allergy onboard so no nuts would be served on this flight.
We pushed off of the gate a few minutes ahead of schedule and began our taxi out to Runway 18R. During our taxi, the safety demonstration was screened.
We had no line for departure and took off towards the south before turning right to head towards San Francisco.
United Boeing 737-900 First Class In-Flight
Twenty minutes after takeoff the flight attendants came through the cabin confirming pre-orders and taking meal orders. I chose my meal a few days prior to departure after perusing the options via the United app. The meal options for my flight are below.
I preselected the grilled chicken breast with roasted potatoes and green peas as it had the most items that ATX Jr. would be able to enjoy. The meal service began 30 minutes after takeoff with hot towels being offered. Drink orders were also taken.
Five minutes after placing my order, my beverage arrived. I ordered the Bells Two Hearted IPA.
Ten minutes later, the meal was served all on a single tray. In addition to my grilled chicken entree, the meal was served with a side salad, bread roll, and Magnolia Bakery banana pudding
After the meal service was complete, ATX Jr. and I needed to visit the lavatory. Thankfully, United has changing tables in its forward and aft lavatories which made it easy for me to get him situated for the remainder for the flight.
Back at my seat, roughly two hours after take off, a coffee service was provided. Options were between regular coffee and coffee with Bailey’s Irish creme. I ultimately chose the coffee with Bailey’s.
At this point, ATX Jr. decided it was time for a nap so I watched the moving map for the remainder of our flight while he slept on my chest. before I knew it, we were on final approach into San Francisco.
United Boeing 737-900 First Class Arrival
We had a smooth descent into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and landed on Runway 28R at 12:45p local time. From there it was a short taxi to our arrival gate, D15.
Since I was sitting in First Class, I was off of the plane in minutes and quickly found myself in the concourse. Unfortunately, the D Gates at SFO have dots etched into the windows which blocked the view of the Boeing 737-900 that brought us in from Austin.
Once off the plane, I headed for baggage claim to retrieve my checked luggage before making my way down to Sunnyvale to meet Mrs. ATX.
Summary
United Airlines has a very comfortable hard product on its refurbished Boeing 737-900 aircraft. Unfortunately, the carrier is still in the midst of a massive fleet modernization effort so your mileage may vary when it comes to booking flights with the larger screens.
Ultimately, I had a great solo-parent flight with ATX Jr. and, since United is one of my primary airlines, I will definitely be flying with the carrier many times in the future.
In this Trip Report
- Introduction
- United Airlines Boeing 737-900 First Class (AUS-SFO)
- Aloft Sunnyvale
- W San Francisco
- Our Weekend in San Francisco
- United Airlines Boeing 737-800 Economy (SFO-AUS)