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United's Flying a 787-9 Dreamliner Between Newark and LAX

April 04, 2016
3 min read
United 787-9 Featured
United's Flying a 787-9 Dreamliner Between Newark and LAX
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Update: United has revised its Dreamliner schedule, and will now be flying the 787 between Newark and Los Angeles only from June 9 through July 10, 2016. A 777-200 will operate the flight beginning July 11.

American and Delta have both been known to operate internationally configured aircraft on regularly scheduled domestic flights, but United might take the cake for greatest variety in the shortest amount of time. So far this year, the airline has been flying both a 747 and an international 777 on daily domestic routes, with the 747 flying between Chicago and San Francisco and the 777 traveling between Newark and Los Angeles.

Now, UA is planning to have another long-haul plane operating p.s. flights — a 787-9, the airline's extended-length Dreamliner that's normally assigned to flights to Australia and a few other routes, including the new nonstop from SFO to Singapore set to launch in June. With the addition of a 787 to United's p.s. route to LA, you won't need to fly halfway around the world to experience the carrier's latest Dreamliner. It'll fly Thursday-Tuesday every week through August 1 (though it could always be extended at that point).

Fly the "inaugural" from just $210 one-way in economy.

787-9 service begins on June 9, with the first flight departing Newark at 9:00am and arriving at LAX at 11:34am. The same plane will turn around and head back to Newark at 1:10pm, arriving back in the NYC area at 9:19pm. As you can see above, there are seats available on the first flight, with economy priced at $210 and BusinessFirst at $1,018 for the one-way trip. If you're booking business, however, you'll save quite a bit by purchasing a round-trip, with return fares available for just $1,197.

There's award availability on the weekends.

There are also some flights with award and upgrade availability — currently, you'll find the most award seats on flights departing on Saturdays. Saver awards will run you 12,500 miles in economy or 25,000 miles each way in business. Additionally, given that there are some dates with economy seats for $359 round-trip, United elites looking to travel in business class on the cheap may prefer to book coach and apply Regional Premier Upgrade certificates, which will clear into BusinessFirst, just as on any other p.s. flight (based on availability).

BusinessFirst consists of 48 lie-flat seats.

United's 787-9 has a total of 48 BusinessFirst seats spread between two cabins, with seats arranged in a 2-2-2 configuration. United's Dreamliners have the same lie-flat seats that are installed in all former-Continental aircraft, including some 777-200s and 767-300s, and all international 757s and 767-400ERs. The "ex-Continental" seat is a huge step up from what you'll find on some United planes, such as the 747-400 and select 777-200s and 767-300s.

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Economy is also decently comfortable, but note the standard 3-3-3 Dreamliner configuration, which, with a 17.3-inch width, may feel quite a bit tighter than most of the airline's 777s, which also have economy seats arranged as 3-3-3 but with an 18.3-inch width, due to the wider cabin. United will soon be installing narrower seats on some of its 777s, however.

Will you be flying United's Dreamliner between Newark and LAX?

H/T: AirlineFlyer

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.