hirohito888

LAX-JFK UA514
28MAR2021

I must admit, I was not expecting the inaugural flight when I booked this flight. My original flight was booked later in the week, but I shortened my trip to leave on Sunday. I knew the flight was new but it didn't occur to me until I saw the festivities at the gate. I did my best to take some pictures.

UA lounge at LAX promoting the JFK flight



Gate area, I was late to board



Amenity kit and trinkets they gave out at the gate

Departing from LAX

Meal onboard, choice of quiche or french toast

Arrival at JFK

JFK boarding area



It was also my first time flying the high-J 763, great seats, it felt slightly wider than the 787 seats. Wish this route a great success, even though I kinda hate going out to JFK, but the choice is nice.

truncated

After dinner FAs have been walking the aisles with bottles of wine every 15-20 min or so — that’s something I’d expect with NH or SQ but not UA so consider me impressed... crew has been great so far

Although the plastic cups really don’t help...

Repooc17

That can also be FA rotation specific. Usually not the case for UA flights, but I have had the pleasure of 1 or 2 very proactive UA crew so far this year.

fumje

I do wonder if these flights were one of the more competitive flight bids. That might help with getting a good crew.

Would have liked to be one one of the inaugurals!

mehitabel

Thanks to all for the info and pics! Though I'm now re-thinking Row 9 based on truncated's feedback...

truncated

Well to be fair the purser began taking drink orders down the left aisle and could hear him proactively suggesting the old fashioned to people, which is probably why it went so quickly.

But other than that 9L is a great seat (although I would probably have preferred 9A since I’m right-handed), and I did get my first choice of meal still.

Also update on the cabinet situation — tried pushing at various places like people on here suggested, but no luck. However after the meal service the FA brought the purser who came with another knife and this time they managed to pry it open (but the knife did get bent in the process)

dkc192

Curious if there was a water cannon salute for UA514 as the first UA arrival into JFK. I know UA523 got one as the first departure, and it seems like UA520 did not get one as the second arrival.

PTahCha

some quick thoughts before filing the trip report:

it was great to see all the FTers at the airport!

Pre-check gets a semi-preferential treatment at the ID checking line, but you merge with the regular line afterwards. They were testing this new scanning machine that is taking the agent 30 seconds to examine each bag.

Clearly this was a big deal for United, as there were a number of executives and their bag holders in tow, as well as the NYC sales team was there. Ironically, it was the formalities that delayed the flight, since the crew was not onboard until the ribbon cutting was done, and people were stopping to take pictures while boarding. There were also a number of employees who were there to see the flight off.

They already made We Are JFK lanyards.

the water cannon salute was the only reason I regretted not choosing a window seat. Otherwise, seat 1F was great.

the captain mentioned that the flight attendants have over 100 years of experience combined. I believe they are SFO based, with at least 2 international qualified pursers up front.

After reading the FT report, with only 2 minutes of wi-if left, I went back to truncated and managed to get the door stuck again, and got it unstuck without resorting to the knife.

seanp7

That would make up for that depressing french toast.

I do love a good proactive wine refill...

DELee

So, pray tell, how did you unstuck it without a knife?

David

fumje

I have had good success when in that predicament with a well-targeted, adequately forceful thump right at the latch (where "push" is engraved, I believe).

PTahCha

fumje is exactly right. Rather an a gentle push, apply direct force to where "PUSH" is engraved. If necessary, use the side of your hand, with your hand making a fist, instead of fingers. Also, standing in the aisle instead of in the sitting position will help you to apply additional force to the door. If the door popped but jammed, pull out the door by grasping the top and bottom of the door. Breath normally.

PTahCha

Here's the video of arrival of UA 514 from LAX.

Twitter

cesco.g

A few tidbits:

1) At the ground & inflight:
- especially ground staff at both LAX & JFK was very excited; at LAX lead ramp agent came onto the plane to report all is loaded and thanking everybody - pretty cool & a first for me.
- at JFK two VPs were present: David Kinzelman, VP of Global Airport Operations (speaking) and Ankit Gupta VP of Network Development
- LAX-JFK crew was great, JFK-LAX a bit less - more "Newarkish"

and: the inflight credit card promo announcement was promptly delivered! No disappointment here!

2) Others:
- the inbound FA crew was excited about being able to stay "in the city" upon layovers; expect "experienced" FAs (for better of worse) on those flights.

WineCountryUA

Posts about JFK lounges and re-organization of terminals moved to the main UA / JFK thread as this thread is about the Inaugural Flights on 28 March 2021 and those discussions have been ongoing in the main UA / JFK thread

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator