United B757-200 business class

Manchester-New York

BACKGROUND United operates the Manchester-New York Newark route daily using B757-200 aircraft.

CHECK-IN I arrived at Manchester’s Terminal 2 at 0730 for my 0925 departure on UA080. There was a dedicated queue at check-in for business class and Mileage Plus Premier top-tier members. Business class passengers had access to a priority lane at security, which in reality meant queuing with families or those needing assistance. There was also a fasttrack channel but this was just as slow.

THE LOUNGE United (and many other airlines) use the Escape lounge on the first floor. It is a reasonably large area with hot and cold food, although some of the hot dishes were at an extra cost.

BOARDING Flights were called and at 0840 I left for Gate 215, a few minutes away, and boarded quickly.

THE SEAT United has several configurations for the B757-200. This one had 169 seats – 153 economy, (including 45 Economy Plus with added legroom), and 16 business class seats in a 2-2 layout. This reclines into a six-foot four-inch fully-flat bed, and features a 15.4-inch IFE touchscreen, laptop power (you need an adaptor if you have a UK plug) and USB ports. There was a good choice of films and entertainment. Noise-reducing headsets and amenity kits featuring Soho House’s Cowshed products were provided. The aircraft is wifi-equipped (US$17 for the whole flight) but it was slow and not worth it. WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? If you are in a window seat you will need to climb over the feet of the person in the aisle seat when their seat is fully extended. I was in seat 2F and, luckily, the seat next to me was empty. When the seat reclines there is a space for your feet in an alcove in the seat in front – this is slightly tighter in window seats.

THE FLIGHT I was greeted and offered a drink. When I asked what they had, they replied, “What would you like?” which made me smile. It’s nice to be given a choice. Strangely, the wine is not detailed on the menu, which seems a shame as United obviously puts effort into its selection. Labels included Moutard Grande Cuvée champagne, Château du Nozet Pouilly-Fumé L’Evidence 2014 and a Bodegas Salentein Killka Collection Malbec.

There was a good choice of food. I had a main course of beef tenderloin with port wine sauce, which was a little tough. Other options included porcini mushroom-filled tortellini, and tomato and cheese omelette. Service was friendly without being overattentive. If you wanted something and requested it then it was delivered, but attendants weren’t walking up and down the galley looking to see if they could help. Prior to arrival, another snack was served – I had grilled salmon and noodle salad with teriyaki sauce, which was sizeable but fairly tasteless.

ARRIVAL We landed on time at Newark’s Terminal C and were quickly off the aircraft. There was no queue at immigration. Tom Otley