Experience with United's new EWR-KEF route?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA Silver, JetBlue Mosaic
Posts: 17
Experience with United's new EWR-KEF route?
Has anyone flown the new United route from EWR to KEF and the return route? Wondering about the logistics of the route, arrival, check-in at KEF and boarding, and the product quality of the flight? I flew DL from JFK to KEF a few years back and the ground operation in KEF was a nightmare, as they were using contractors who had no idea what they were doing. I tried searching the forums but did not see any posts on this.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,878
Haven’t been to kEF, on UA or other, but maybe ground handling issues are the norm there? Sister flew on AC (well, Rouge), and has issues there also. Arrived well before he check in cutoff, not sure exactly, but I think like 45-60 minutes prior to cutoff), and they were so slow she missed the cutoff and they tagged her bags but said it wouldn’t be on that flight. She was able to actually board the flight - she must have checked in online so they were able to give her a BP (and actually, I’ve had this happen at CVG so maybe it is just as much of an AC problem). Her bags didn’t show up in YYz for over a week.
Hopefully, UA is better than that.
Hopefully, UA is better than that.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
In KEF right now. I'll be flying the return in C-Class in a few days, but the outbound was pathetic in Y. EAT BEFORE YOU FLY! All we were served was a bag of Lay's potato chips, M&M's, a Fig Newton type bar, and a small, stale turkey sandwich on a roll. Oh, and a granola bar for breakfast. UA should be embarrassed!
Last edited by UAPremierGuy; Mar 4, 2019 at 12:22 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,441
In KEF right now. I'll be flying the return in C-Class in a few days, but the outbound was pathetic in Y. EAT BEFORE YOU FLY! All we were served as a bag of Lay's potato chips, M&M's, a Fig Newton type bar, and a small, stale turkey sandwich on a roll. Oh, and a granola bar for breakfast. UA should be embarrassed!
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: RDU
Programs: AA, UA, DL Silver, SW, BA, AC 25k, Marriott Gold
Posts: 56
In KEF right now. I'll be flying the return in C-Class in a few days, but the outbound was pathetic in Y. EAT BEFORE YOU FLY! All we were served as a bag of Lay's potato chips, M&M's, a Fig Newton type bar, and a small, stale turkey sandwich on a roll. Oh, and a granola bar for breakfast. UA should be embarrassed!
#7
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,202
Not excusing the lame meals, but with WOW/IcelandAir being the main competitors, I am surprised UA serves anything on this route. Delta and American both serve meals to HNL and United doesn't for example.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: ASE
Programs: UA 1MM, AA1MM PLTPRO, Hertz PC, National EXC, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,357
It is not just the 5.5 hours! Many people, especially with UA's horrible MCT's, go from gate-to-gate, running, especially in the packed EWR that is horrible to connect in, without a meal before the flight. Again, NO REASON to fly with UA on this route unless they figure out that even with the late departure, Y customers still want a proper meal and not the 7-11 Lunchable meal that is currently offered.
Last edited by UAPremierGuy; Mar 4, 2019 at 12:24 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,454
Has anyone flown the new United route from EWR to KEF and the return route? Wondering about the logistics of the route, arrival, check-in at KEF and boarding, and the product quality of the flight? I flew DL from JFK to KEF a few years back and the ground operation in KEF was a nightmare, as they were using contractors who had no idea what they were doing. I tried searching the forums but did not see any posts on this.
Boarding process: F
Food: B+
Seat Comfort: B+ (E- was surprisingly good; lost E+ after I removed my UA info)
Flight Experience: A+
Overall: A-
Bonus: we went through immigration at EWR Terminal C (first time ever for me). Our gate (56) at Terminal B was occupied, so after running around the taxiway for 20-25 minutes, we parked at gate 137 at Terminal C. GE kiosk wasn't working (except it was!). First one to an empty baggage area and before I exited the terminal, an officer asked me why I didn't have any luggage
It is not just the 5.5 hours! Many people, especially with UA's horrible MCT's, go from gate-to-gate, running, especially in the packed EWR that is horrible to connect in, without a meal before the flight. Again, NO REASON to fly with UA on this route unless they figure out that even with the late departure, Y customers still want a proper meal and not the 7=11 Lunchable meal that is currently offered.
#10
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,618
A buddy just flew back on UNITED and said it was like someone explained the UNITED procedures to management, but management never actually communicated UNITED's procedures to the people actually doing the work so it was chaotic.
He said that catering (at least in Business) was fine and he said actually a little better than other airports that he has flown from on UNITED.
He said that catering (at least in Business) was fine and he said actually a little better than other airports that he has flown from on UNITED.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,912
A buddy just flew back on UNITED and said it was like someone explained the UNITED procedures to management, but management never actually communicated UNITED's procedures to the people actually doing the work so it was chaotic.
He said that catering (at least in Business) was fine and he said actually a little better than other airports that he has flown from on UNITED.
He said that catering (at least in Business) was fine and he said actually a little better than other airports that he has flown from on UNITED.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,801
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,454
Also, it's a 1030pm flight out of EWR - way past dinner time anyway.
Return flight is a light lunch, which is appropriate, IMO.
For unknown reasons, I had a better experience in E- than all of the PS 752 flights in E+, same plane and all.
Return flight is a light lunch, which is appropriate, IMO.
For unknown reasons, I had a better experience in E- than all of the PS 752 flights in E+, same plane and all.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
Has anyone flown the new United route from EWR to KEF and the return route? Wondering about the logistics of the route, arrival, check-in at KEF and boarding, and the product quality of the flight? I flew DL from JFK to KEF a few years back and the ground operation in KEF was a nightmare, as they were using contractors who had no idea what they were doing. I tried searching the forums but did not see any posts on this.
The KEF airport was fine on all levels. Ground staff were clearly new, but there were numerous employees, probably from the USA, there monitoring everything.
There were only 22 people on my return which was almost creepy! Great FA's on the return though, but the food...….ugh. For an International flight, it was shameful. The prearrival "snack" on my return was a granola bar.
Great flight attendants, Iceland was fun - EXTREMELY expensive. Food and drink there is crazy expensive. At least $25 for a burger in a non-luxury restaurant. A well mixed drink is over $20 in a dive bar.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,454