United Airlines Review: Is It the Right Choice for You?
United Airlines flies pretty much everywhere. You’ll spot their planes across continents, from the US to Europe and Asia. I’ve flown with them a couple of times; some trips went great, others were fine but had the usual airport chaos.
So, is United Airlines good?
The newer planes are nice, though. They’ve upgraded a lot, and you can feel the difference once you step in. Back in 2026, they added direct routes from Newark to cities like Split, Bari, Glasgow, and Santiago de Compostela. Made travelling to those places a lot simpler.
People have mixed feelings about United. Some love the Polaris business class and the route options. Others get annoyed about delays or how customer service handles issues. Pretty normal for a big airline, I guess.
This United Airlines review walks through the basics—routes, cabins, service, and whether United’s overall experience is worth the ticket price.
Fleet, Routes, and International Coverage
United Airlines has a massive fleet. If I am saying massive, it means over a thousand United international flights flying across its routes. Most of the plans in the fleet are Boeing and Airbus models, like the 787 Dreamliner, 777, 767, and the newer A321neo.
The average age of the planes is around 15 years, but United’s been updating a lot of aircraft lately to make the ride feel newer and more comfortable.
The network is huge, too. They fly to more than 150 cities in about 77 countries. You’ll find United hubs scattered across the US, Europe, and Asia, which makes connecting flights pretty simple if you’re going long-distance.
Next summer, United’s adding even more routes. They’re launching direct flights from Newark to Split, Bari, Glasgow, and Santiago de Compostela. There’s also a new Washington D.C.–Iceland route and daily service from New York to Seoul. It’s clear they’re trying to reach corners that didn’t have easy access before.
If you’re planning a long trip abroad, United Airlines international flights and new routes make it worth checking out. It’s far from perfect, but they’re definitely expanding fast.
Cabin Experience
United Airlines provides cabin options for travellers of all kinds. Here’s a quick look at what each class offers:
Economy Class
Economy on United isn’t bad. Reviews suggest that flyers on the 787 get a blanket and pillow, earbuds too. Makes a long flight less terrible. Seats are 3-3-3. Legroom’s okay. Power outlets are there, but sometimes hard to reach, so check before you sit. You get a screen for movies and shows. They hand out snacks and drinks. Nothing fancy, but it works.
Premium Plus
United’s Premium Plus cabin has more space than the economy seats. However, the cabin is still relatively small, with fewer seat rows. The seats are designed to offer more comfort.
Priority boarding and baggage handling services also give you that luxury flying feeling. The cabin’s layout is more relaxed. All this adds to a smoother travel experience.
And if that’s not all, then you get two checked bags, each weighing up to 23kg (50lb), which is an advantage over standard Economy Class allowances.
Polaris Business Class
Flying Polaris Business Class with United is a whole different experience. The seats fold out into flat beds. You also get impressive goods space, charging slots, and food options. Every seat comes with aisle access.
Polaris Studio Suites
United is rolling out these new Polaris Studio suites on the 787-9. The suites are way bigger than regular Polaris seats. The screens are huge, 27-inch 4K touchscreens, and they’ve got wireless charging and Bluetooth for your devices. You may get caviar to eat, Laurent-Perrier Rosé to drink and fully flat beds so you can sleep properly.
First Class
First Class on United is way nicer than economy. Your seats are bigger with more legroom. The food’s better and boarding’s quicker too, which is nice.
That said, it’s not always consistent. Some planes feel really premium, others… not so much. Definitely not always on par with other fancy airlines.
Is United a Good Airline? Booking, Loyalty Programs, and Customer Service
United Airlines strives to offer a seamless travel experience from booking to arrival. Here’s United Airlines review:
Booking Process
Booking with United is pretty easy. You can do it on their website or app, pick your flights, choose seats, and add stuff like bags or meals.
One nice thing: they let you cancel or change a flight within 24 hours of booking without a fee, as long as your flight is at least a week away. Makes it a bit less stressful if plans change.
MileagePlus Loyalty Program
United’s MileagePlus is its frequent flyer program. You earn miles flying with them or any Star Alliance airline. Some credit cards can add miles, too, which is nice.
As is the case with other loyalty programs, the more you fly, the higher your status will be. That gets you perks like boarding first, extra miles, or lounge access.
Speaking of loyalty programs, you should also consider the six best tiered loyalty programs to increase LTV in 2025. Read here: 6 Best Tiered Loyalty Programs to Increase LTV in 2025
Customer Service
You can reach United’s customer service team via phone, chat, or social media. Most of the time, the people are helpful, but sometimes it takes forever, or they don’t really solve the problem, according to United Airlines ratings available across various other third-party platforms.
Honestly, I just go to the Customer Care page and send a message. Usually works okay, as I have seen with other United Airlines reviews.
Conclusion
So, United Airlines… is it good? I guess it depends. If you want tons of United international flights, newer planes, or the fancy Polaris or Studio Suites, it works. MileagePlus helps if you fly a lot.
Service can be hit or miss. Some flights are great, some… not so much. Food and entertainment change depending on the flight. Staff can be helpful or slow. Just something to expect.
If you just want to get around without too much trouble, United’s fine. But if you want perfect service every time, maybe look at other airlines.
If I have to give a short United Airlines review, it has to be this: fly United for a pretty comfortable, especially if you know what you’re getting and use the perks. Pros and cons are there, but you have to try one to find one.