United Airlines' International Flights: What To Expect Onboard (2024)

Regarded as being one of the big three United States carriers, United Airlines can trace its roots all the way back to 1926. It was founded by American aviation pioneer Walter Varney, who was awarded one of the first contracts to deliver mail between Pasco, Washington, and Elko, Nevada, with a stopover in Boise, Idaho.

In 1927, Boeing founder William Boeing was awarded a mail contract and, in 1929, merged his company with Pratt & Whitney to form the United Aircraft and Transport Corporation. Following a five-company merger, Walter sold the Varney Air Group to United Aircraft and Transport in 1930, and three years later, the company name was changed to United Air Lines in 1933.

United Airlines is the world's fifth-largest airline by passenger numbers

From its headquarters in the 110-story Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois, United Airlines has become the world’s third-largest airline by revenue and the 5th by passengers carried. From its eight hubs, United Airlines operates a global network of flights, with its longest flight being the 8,440-mile flight between San Francisco and Singapore.

Photo: United Airlines

United Airlines eight hubs are at:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is United’s hub for the Midwest and its largest hub overall.
• Denver International Airport (DEN) is United’s hub for the Rocky Mountain region.
• Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Guam is United’s hub for flight routes in the Pacific region. Despite being a key hub, Guam has no direct flights to the mainland USA.
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, is United’s hub for the Southern United States and the primary gateway to Latin America.
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is United’s secondary hub for the West Coast and gateway to Asia and Australia.
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey is United’s primary hub for the East Coast and gateway to Europe.
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is United’s primary hub for the West Coast and gateway to Asia and Australasia.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia is United’s secondary hub for the East Coast and gateway to Europe and Africa.

United Airlines fleet

According to the aviation data and statistics website ch-aviation, the United Airlines fleet contains 952 planes comprised of the following aircraft:

• 81 x Airbus A319-100s
• 92 x Airbus A320-200s
• 6 x Airbus A321-200NXs
• 40 x Boeing B737-700s
• 85 x Boeing B737 MAX 8s
• 141 x Boeing B737-800s
• 79 x Boeing B737 MAX 9s
• 12 x Boeing B737-900s
• 136 x Boeing B737-900ERs
• 40 x Boeing B757-200s
• 21 x Boeing B757-300s
• 37 x Boeing B767-300ERs
• 16 x Boeing B767-400ERs
• 19 x Boeing B777-200s
• 55 x Boeing B777-200ERs
• 22 x Boeing B777-300ERs
• 21 x Boeing B787-10s
• 12 x Boeing B787-8s
• 38 x Boeing B787-9s

United Airlines classes of service

United Airlines offers passengers four classes of service: business class, premium plus economy plus, and basic economy.

Photo: United Airlines

United Airlines business class

UA's Polaris Business class is the carrier's top-tier premium cabin, and it comes with the best amenities, food and drink offerings, and the most comfort. Passengers traveling business with United Airlines can use the premier access lanes when checking in and the priority line when going through security. Customers are entitled to two checked bags with no fee and priority handling, which means your luggage will be the first to show up on the baggage carousel.

A business class ticket on a United Airlines international flight gives you access to their exclusive United Polaris lounges, where you can relax, enjoy a meal, and freshen up in a shower suite. When you arrive at the gate, you have group one boarding, which means the only passengers who will board before you are people with disabilities and active serving members of the United States military.

Photo: United Airlines

Once onboard, you have Polaris class seating configured in a 1-2-1 layout with direct aisle access. Your lay-flat seat has a large in-flight entertainment screen and plenty of power sockets and storage. All United Airlines business class passengers receive a complimentary amenity kit, noise-reducing headphones, a bottle of water, and Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, which includes a memory foam pillow.

After takeoff, United Airlines flight attendants offer a drinks service followed by a meal from the Polaris menu. The Polaris menu features dishes from around the globe and is served with mixed nuts, a salad, bread, and a made-to-order ice cream sundae for dessert. All drinks are complimentary to passengers flying business class, and depending on the length of the flight, there may be a second meal service.

United Premium Plus

Available on all United Airlines widebody aircraft used for international flights, United premium plus seats are meant to be a bridge between business class and economy. United premium plus passengers get two free checked bags and the following benefits.

• Access to the fast check-in lane
• Exclusive TSA security lane
• Priority boarding
• Priority bag handling

Configured in a 2-2-2 layout, premium plus passengers get a larger seat than standard economy with more of a recline and a larger inflight entertainment screen. premium plus passengers also receive an amenity kit and noise-reducing headphones. Also, like in business class, all wine, beer, and spirits are free.

United Economy Plus

Unlike the first two classes of service, economy plus does not have fast checking and priority boarding. When flying internationally, you are allowed to have one piece of checked luggage for free.

Photo: United Airlines

Configured in the same 3-3-3 layout as standard economy seating with a width of 17.3 inches. Economy plus is better because you get an extra inch of recline and six more inches of legroom. You do not get any other extras and receive the same meals that are served to basic economy passengers.

Basic Economy

United Airlines basic economy has nine abreast seats configured in a 3-3-3 layout. The seats have a 17.3-inch width and a recline of three inches. Basic economy passengers flying internationally get one piece of free checked luggage if flying between the United States, Asia, Africa, and Australia. If you are flying between the United States and Europe, United charges $60 for the first bag and $100 for the second. Food on United Airlines international flights includes a complimentary three-course meal with salad, bread, a main course, and dessert. Beer, wines, soft drinks, juices, tea, and freshly brewed coffee are complimentary.