We’re traveling with an infant on United Airlines from SFO to Hawaii (Economy Plus). We’re hoping to let her lay flat between us and are wondering the width of the seats. Many thanks. Love this website!
I do not know the flight you are currently booked on, so I will provide information for all three different configurations United currently uses on this non-stop route between SFO and HNL:
- Boeing 777-200 domestic configuration, in a 2-5-2 layout with 18 inch coach seats. This seatmap is here. Most people prefer the pair of seats along the fuselage, as there is no middle seat.
- Boeing 767-300 domestic configuration, in a 2-3-2 layout also with 18 inch wide seats in coach. This seatmap is here. Again, most people prefer the pair of seats along the fuselage, as there is no middle seat. However, on flights that are not full, the middle seat in the center of the cabin is often not occupied, and it would be perfect for your baby.
- Boeing 757-200 in a 3-3 layout, with slightly narrower 17 inch wide seats in coach. This seatmap is here. With the three seats on each side layout, there is really no best general choice.
Keep in mind that if you want to upgrade, the best flights to do so are the red-eye coming back from the islands. Most people will want to check out of their hotel at normal hours around noon, and therefore want flights in the early afternoon. The red-eye is very late at night, and is usually the least popular and therefore most easily upgraded. Many of our staff have been able to get upgraded using their United 500-mile upgrades even within 24 hours of the flight. Of course, the holidays will see higher load on all flights, so your situation could vary.
In general, with the current economy, flights have been more empty than even a few months ago, so your chance of having an empty middle seat is high. If both of the adult passengers have elite status in United’s MileagePlus program, you might want to consider calling United to separate the two tickets into two PNRs (Passenger Name Records). This way, each person is entitled to sit in E-Plus, as well as have the seat next to them blocked. UA does not guarantee the seat blocking, but will do their best to block adjacent seat. In this scenario, each of you could have an empty adjacent seat. For example, if you are flying on the 777-200, you might consider getting seats C and G (the two center block aisle seats) assigned. It would be great if the middle three seats remain empty, and even if only one of the three middle seats are empty, you could easily trade one of your aisle seats and still end up with three seats for the two adults and the baby.
Best of luck in having a comfortable flight. We look forwarding to hearing from you on your actual experience on the flights.
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