Hello, and welcome to my first Flight Report!
Anyways, I flew ORD-DCA on a United A321neo in basic economy.
We got to the airport at around 8 AM, almost exactly two hours before the flight. Bag tagging and bag drop took all of ten minutes, as we had already checked-in the night before. Security took around 20 minutes. Once at the airside, I grabbed some Dunkin' Donuts, my favorite airport food. After I finished eating, I looked around nearby for some planes. Sorry for the bad photos, ORD Concourse B's glass is incredibly dirty.
United Airlines 737-900ER N75435 in the Continental Skyway retro livery. This bird was going to fly out as UA1292 to Vancouver (YVR)
Ramp and Concourse C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR5vWHgPYwM
This is the video of my ride pulling in to the gate.
And here she is! N14512 is a two year old A321neo, delivered to United in June 2024.
United Airlines 737 MAX 9 N37516 in the old livery about to head out to Fort Myers (RSW) as UA1857.
After that, it was time for boarding! Being in Basic Economy, we were last, and I had to gate check my roller bag my Dad said he paid for.
A United 737-700, N13750, coincidentally also heading to Washington (DCA) as UA307
I made my way to the last row, 42, and settled in 42A, the window seat on the left side. But as my flight wasn't full, haven been up-gauged from an A319 to this A321neo a few hours prior, I had the row to myself.
Look at all this room! It might be the last row, but it's all mine!
Catering truck directly behind me
United's very nice NEXT interior with IFE screens on the A321neo. I don't understand why they don't allow carry-ons in Basic Economy, especially as the NEXT overhead bins hold tons of bags and AA and DL allow overhead bags in their Basic Economy.
Safety video.
Winglets
Another interior shot
UA has the audacity to show us ads!
We soon started pushing back and taxiing out. This being O'Hare, taxi took a good half hour, if not more.
Another ramp and Concourse C view
And another one!
UA A321neo N14531 taxiing out as UA651 heading to Los Angeles (LAX)
ANA 777-300ER JA796A about to head to Tokyo (NRT) as NH11
AA 737-800 N977NN heading out to San Diego (SAN) as AA3284.
American Eagle (SkyWest) CRJ-700 N713SK heading out to Des Moines (DSM) as AA5012.
Terminal 5 (yes, we taxied all the way out there.)
American Eagle (Envoy Air) E175 going to Sioux Falls (FSD) as AA3461
Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-8 ET-ASH readying to head out to Addis Ababa (ADD).
Takeoff was very quick and smooth. Here's the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jDKuIBuhyo&feature=youtu.be
Chicago.
Michigan countryside.
We soon reached our cruise altitude of 37,000 feet, followed by a lot of bumps. The turbulence wasn't bad, but it was very frequent, and, as the flight was short anyway, the seatbelt sign was kept off maybe 20-30 minutes of the whole flight. I mostly spent the time watching 'Family Guy'.
Southwest side of Lake Erie.
The delightful flight attendants, despite the turbulence, soon began the snack service. They allowed me to take all three, the Snack Mix, Undercover Quinoa Crisps, and of course, Daelman' Stroopwafels.
All three were good. The quinoa crisps aren't exactly my kind of snack, but they do taste good. The snack mix is a brilliant breakup to the sweetness of the other snacks. And then, of course, the famous Daelman's Stroopwafel, delicious as ever.
Yum!
After the snack service, the flight attendants did the drink service. I got my usual plane drink, Sprite with no ice. Good and refreshing as always.
Refreshing!
Flight map near PA/WV.
Yes, I had another stroopwafel! In fact, the very generous attendant gave me FIVE extras alongside this one and the one from earlier.
The seatbelt sign soon went on for the final time, about 10 or 15 minutes after the drink service ended.
Top of Descent over West Virginia.
Third stroopwafel.
The descent went quickly. Within 20 minutes we were approaching the DC area.
IAD
Suburbia!
More suburbs!
Another view of IAD
We initially approached South of IAD before turning North and then East, eventually following the Potomac for the famed River Visual.
Approach path.
The mighty Potomac!
Views of Maryland.
Here is DC!
More DC.
National Mall, with under construction Reflecting Pool.
On final.
Here is the video on landing at DCA, runway 19: https://youtu.be/cvvJy4vRML8
Once we landed, taxi took a very quick five minutes.
B concourse.
UA A320 N464UA heading out to Houston (IAH) as UA382.
Debarkation was complete very quickly. DCA is a very small airport, and we had our bags and were out the door in 15 minutes. It helped that bith of our checked bags came out quickly while there was a large delay for most other people's bags. I guess gate checking helps!
Anyways, thanks for reading my first Flight Report, and I hope to see you again soon! Overall, a great flight on United's new A321neo, helped by the lovely crew, a full row to myself, and of course, the Stroopwafels.
Hi there , nice first report! You got lucky with that equipment swap, the A321neo cabins are beautiful with all the bells and whistles! Certainly better than the AA ones I usually fly. Wow, great to have had a whole row. That’s so rare these days!
Thanks for sharing and welcome!
Yeah, it was scheduled as a non-NEXT A319 at first. Super glad I got the swap.
Welcome and thanks for this 1st FR.
Really nice cabin! The friendly crew made it up for the ground experience and the gate check of the bag just for the sake of it.
Today I'm on the UA A320 for the return. I hope the crew are good this time. Though it is a non-NEXT. Not sure if I will do a FR or not.
Welcome aboard and thanks for this FR!
A very pleasant United flight with fantastic cabin crew. Some good spotting out of Chicago as well.
Looking forward to future reports!