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Konrad Tillman

Review: United E175 Economy Newark-Toronto

Intro


Welcome to the first report of the great African adventure. You might be thinking, an African adventure? You are flying from New York/New Jersey to Toronto in United economy. Well, there is a good reason for this. About 2 months before I planned to leave for Africa, I found an amazing deal in United Polaris Business from Toronto-Washington-Nigeria return for 2200$. Africa is quite an expensive continent to get to, and I felt like this was a very solid deal. However, it required me to reposition to Toronto, and that is exactly the reason for this flight🙂.


Arriving via train from New York to Newark

What a lovely flight onboard United Airlines, at least as lovely as a routine short-haul flight could be. While my upgrade to United First didn't clear, the flight landed 30 minutes early, and I was able to secure an economy plus seat free of charge thanks to my silver status🙂.


Route-Newark (EWR)-Toronto (YYZ)

Seat- 9A

Flight Number- UA3622

Aircraft- Embraer 175

Date- May 29th 2024

Flight Time: 1 Hour 32 Minutes

Price Paid- 10.6K UA Miles + 5.60$


How I Booked


Last-minute short-haul international fares tend to be relatively expensive. However, a few days before departure, I managed to find a United economy ticket from Newark to Toronto for 10.6K miles with my premium discount (originally 15K miles). While not the best use of miles, it wasn't the end of the world, and a lot cheaper than cash fares😳.


United Miles Cost EWR YYZ

Check-In


Upon arriving via train from New York, I made my way over to the United check-in at Terminal C. Seeing as I am a United Silver member, I was allowed to check in using the "premier access" check-in.


Within moments, I had a boarding pass in hand.


United Airlines Check-In Terminal C

Another nice feature about United Airlines is that they offer free expedited security for silver members. Although I usually would have used TSA precheck, there was an issue due to a wrong date of birth😒, and it became a kerfuffle (my bad).


As security was a hot mess as per usual, this actually proved to be quite helpful.


United Airlines Terminal C Security

United Airlines Terminal C Security

United Airlines Terminal C Security

Around Newark


That morning, I had left plenty of time as I had nothing else to do. This would be my first trip where I wouldn't take a laptop, so it was just me and some planes. I strolled around the airport, where I found plenty of widebodies getting ready for their departures across the Atlantic.


United Airlines Terminal C

Including this flight to Dubrovnik! A place I have always wanted to go🙂.


United Airlines Terminal C

United Airlines Terminal C

Those with Star Alliance Gold status would have access to the lounge. However, at the moment this flight was taken, I was a lowly silver, so that wouldn't fly for me😅.


Might as well grab a bite to eat then! I decided on this little diner I found and set up shop. For the purpose of this trip, I decided to purchase another phone with a physical SIM because some of the countries I would be visiting did not have Verizon travel pass...


Setting up my new phone!

New phone!

Eventually, my food came out, and I enjoyed a chicken burger and chips. Does anyone else not like pickles, or is it just me?


Lunch before boarding

With about an hour of relaxation, it was time to head off to the gate to embark on the adventure!


United Airlines Terminal C Newark

Boarding


On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I have had the best luck clearing CPUs. The E175 cabin features 12 business class seats, and with only 4 sold, I thought I might have some luck🙂.


As it turns out, I was the only person on the upgrade list not clear...


To be fair, I was not that hopeful as I was a silver on an XN ticket😂, nor did it matter as the flight is about an hour.


United Airlines Upgrade List

United Airlines Upgrade List

I managed a quick snap of the tail of our plane parked up at gate C113. Isn't she beautiful on this sunny day in New Jersey?


United Airlines Boarding EWR YYZ

United Airlines Boarding EWR YYZ

Typically with these smaller planes, it doesn't take too long to board. Boarding was scheduled for 2:30 pm, but the gate agent only began the boarding process at 2:35 pm.


United Airlines Boarding EWR YYZ

Also, what is it with all these UA widebodies without fully painted engines?


United Airlines Boarding EWR YYZ

United Airlines Boarding EWR YYZ

United Airlines Boarding EWR YYZ

Once onboard, the FA greeted passengers at the door, and I made my way to my seat (9A).


The Seat/Cabin


The United Airlines E175 we were on today features 12 First Class seats in a 1-2 configuration across 4 rows, 32 economy plus seats in a 2-2 configuration, and 26 economy seats in a 2-2 configuration.


I have to say, the legroom in economy plus really does make a difference as I didn't feel cramped one bit!


United Airlines E175 Cabin EWR YYZ

United Airlines E175 Cabin EWR YYZ

Departure


Boarding was wrapped up within 10 minutes, and the captain came on to announce our flight time of just over an hour up to Toronto. Additionally, he mentioned that we should be pushing back a little bit early and that he hoped for an early arrival in Toronto.


United Airlines E175 Departure EWR YYZ

United Airlines E175 Departure EWR YYZ

A couple of minutes early, we pushed back at 2:58 pm local time amongst some gorgeous views.


United Airlines E175 Departure EWR YYZ

United Airlines E175 Departure EWR YYZ

A couple of minutes after that... we began rolling out on our short taxi to runway 22R.


United Airlines E175 Departure EWR YYZ

United Airlines E175 Departure EWR YYZ

Thanks to the close proximity of Terminal C to 22R, we were airborne by 3:16 pm with some truly gobsmacking views out over NY/NJ.



The Flight


With such a short flight time, I decided to soak in the beautiful views out over the skies.


United Airlines E175 Cruising EWR YYZ

United Airlines E175 Cruising EWR YYZ

The cabin crew came around to offer some biscuits and some water to passengers in economy, but I was quite full after lunch, so I opted out. Typical for a flight of this lenght in the US.


Arrival


About 45 minutes after takeoff from Newark, the pilot informed us that we had just begun our initial descent into the Toronto area and expected a very early arrival at Pearson.


By 4:15 pm, we were on final descent into Toronto.



Where we ended up touching down 40 minutes ahead of schedule in Toronto. I am curious as to why United Airlines allocated a 1 hour 55 minute block time for this flight as the flight is just shy of 400 nautical miles🤔. I could understand 1 hour and 35 minutes...



In no time at all, we pulled into gate 160 in Terminal 1 and were off the plane in no time, ready to explore Toronto!


United Airlines E175 Arrival EWR YYZ

Immigration was relatively quick at this hour, and seeing as at the time I took this flight, I wasn't on the DHS watchlist, it was 10 minutes before I was out of the airport.


United Airlines E175 Arrival EWR YYZ

United Airlines E175 Arrival EWR YYZ

I waited for my Turkish friend, who would be picking me up as we headed out for a day to remember in Toronto🙃.


United Airlines E175 Arrival EWR YYZ

Final Thoughts


A very solid point A to point B flight with United Airlines. While I was the only one not to clear the upgrade list, it didn't matter much as it was such a short flight that we even ended up arriving 30 minutes early! The cabin crew was friendly, a drinks service was offered, and the legroom was spacious in economy plus. I would very happily fly this route again with United Airlines🙂.





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