Review: United Airlines Business Class Boeing 737 (Palau

Wednesday newsletters feature a hotel or flight review.

A few weeks ago, I enjoyed a holiday in Hong Kong, Taiwan & Palau. You can read my trip reports here:

Review: Regent Hong Kong Hotel
Review: Eva Air Business Class Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Hong Kong to Taipei
Review: Capella Taipei Hotel
Review: China Airlines Business Class Airbus A321neo from Taipei to Palau
Review: Luxury Cruise in Palau with Four Seasons Explorer
Review: United Airlines Business Class Boeing 737 from Palau to Tokyo (today)
Review: All Nippon Airways (ANA) Business Class Boeing 787 from Tokyo to Brussels

Review: United Airlines Business Class Boeing 737 (Palau to Tokyo)

United Airlines operates one of the most intriguing airline networks in the Pacific Ocean, connecting remote island destinations that are often overlooked by international travelers. Much of this network revolves around Guam, a US territory in Micronesia that serves as United’s regional hub and an important gateway to the islands of the western Pacific. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to experience United Airlines on a flight from Palau to Tokyo. I was not particularly excited about the airline’s Business Class product itself, as the Boeing 737-800 I flew featured an older-generation recliner seat that was a far cry from the lie-flat suites offered on many long-haul routes today. Instead, I was fascinated by United’s little-known Pacific network and the opportunity to fly one of its less familiar routes.

My journey took me from Palau, an island nation renowned for its spectacular marine life, turquoise lagoons and dramatic limestone islands, to Tokyo Narita in Japan. The flight was operated by a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG), a narrow-body aircraft that is the backbone of United’s domestic and regional network. Although the onboard product felt like a blast from the past, the experience offered an interesting glimpse into an unusual corner of United Airlines’ operations. Ultimately, this flight was less about discovering an exceptional Business Class cabin and more about exploring a fascinating corner of United Airlines’ network. And for anyone with an interest in aviation, remote destinations and the lesser-known routes of the Pacific, that alone made the journey worthwhile.

FYI, since my journey, United has switched the aircraft on this route to a Boeing 737 MAX, so passengers may encounter a newer aircraft than the one featured in this review.

I made a YouTube documenting the entire flight experience, which you can watch here:

Flight details:

Trip: Palau International Airport (ROR) to Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)
Airline: United Airlines
Aircraft type: Boeing 737-800 NG
On time departure: Yes (11:30 am)
On time arrival: Yes (4:30 pm)
Distance: 1,979 miles (3,185 km)
Flight time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Seat: 4A
Class: Business Class

In this review (more information & photos below my YouTube video):

Cost of my ticket
United Airlines’ little-known Pacific network
Palau International Airport
Business Class cabin
Business Class seat
Amenities, meals & onboard service
Entertainment & Wi-Fi
My verdict (score)

United Airlines Business Class on the Boeing 737-800 NG — United Airlines Boeing 737-800 NG at Palau

The Cost Of My Ticket

Airfares on the Palau–Tokyo route were astonishingly expensive when I booked my journey several months in advance. A one-way Business Class ticket for this approximately four-hour flight cost more than $3,000 USD, an eye-watering amount for a relatively short flight on a narrow-body aircraft equipped with conventional recliner seats. Rather than paying that price, I initially booked an Economy Class ticket for $1,575 USD one way. Even by today’s standards, that is an extraordinary fare for a flight of this duration, particularly when compared with the prices typically associated with much longer journeys between major international hubs. The sky-high fares appear to reflect the unusual nature of this route. United has a monopoly in this market, connecting Palau with Tokyo and its wider Pacific network, and passengers traveling between these relatively remote destinations have no real convenient alternatives.

The most surprising part came immediately after I booked my Economy Class ticket. United sent me an email offering an upgrade to Business Class for just US$250. I accepted the offer, of course. The upgrade transformed what would otherwise have been an expensive Economy Class journey into an opportunity to review United’s Business Class cabin for a relatively modest additional amount. The contrast was remarkable: a Business Class ticket had been advertised at more than US$3,000, yet I was able to upgrade my existing booking of $1,575 USD for only US$250 to Business Class.

It was also a useful reminder that airline pricing can be highly dynamic. The value of an upgrade depends on factors such as remaining seat inventory, demand and the airline’s revenue-management strategy. In my case, the offer made Business Class much more appealing than it would have been at the original fare. For anyone traveling on this route, it may therefore be worth checking the upgrade options offered after booking. I would not assume that the same offer will always be available, but my experience certainly made me question the value of paying the full Business Class fare in advance.

United Airlines’ Little-Known Pacific Network

United Airlines is best known for its extensive domestic network in the United States and its long-haul flights across the Atlantic and Pacific. However, the airline also operates a fascinating network of routes across the Pacific that receives far less attention. At the heart of this network is Guam, a US territory in the western Pacific that serves as an important hub for connections across Micronesia and Asia. United’s presence in the region dates back to its history with Continental Airlines and Continental Micronesia. Established in the 1960s, Continental Micronesia developed an extensive network linking Guam with island communities that often have few alternative air connections. Following United’s merger with Continental Airlines in 2010, these operations were gradually integrated into United’s network, preserving the airline’s important role in regional aviation.

Today, United connects Guam with destinations across Micronesia and the wider Pacific, including Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands, as well as major cities in Asia. These services are particularly important given the vast distances between the islands, their relatively small populations and the limited availability of alternative flights. For local communities, the network provides essential connections, while for travelers, it opens up access to some of the Pacific’s most remote destinations. One of the most remarkable examples of United’s Pacific operations is the Island Hopper, a unique service linking Guam and Honolulu via several stops across Micronesia and the Marshall Islands. Depending on the direction of travel and schedule, the flight calls at Majuro, Kwajalein, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk. The journey takes around 14 hours between Guam and Honolulu, making it one of the most distinctive scheduled commercial flights in the world.

For almost two decades, United’s Guam-based fleet has relied on the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG). However, the airline is currently replacing its Boeing 737-800s with ten Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with the transition scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. These new aircraft introduce several improvements to the onboard experience, including seatback entertainment screens at every seat, larger overhead bins, Wi-Fi available for purchase and Bluetooth connectivity. Passengers can also expect more extra-legroom seating, LED lighting and a brighter, more contemporary cabin interior. The new aircraft will also operate United’s Island Hopper service, which connects several remote Pacific islands.

Omportantly, the aircraft operating the Palau–Tokyo route has changed since my flight. I traveled aboard the older Boeing 737-800, but United has since introduced the Boeing 737 MAX 8 on this route as part of its fleet renewal. Travelers flying between Palau and Tokyo today may therefore enjoy a more modern cabin, although the aircraft and configuration can still vary depending on the operating schedule.

Palau International Aiport

Palau International Airport, officially known as Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), is the country’s main international gateway. Located in Airai State on Babeldaob, Palau’s largest island, it serves the nearby former capital of Koror and provides the principal air link to this remote Pacific island nation. The airport has a relatively small terminal, reflecting Palau’s modest size and limited international air traffic, but it connects the country with destinations across the Pacific and Asia. United Airlines operates flights linking Palau with Guam, Manila and Tokyo, while China Airlines connects the island with Taipei. Other international airlines also serve Palau, with routes and schedules varying by season.

Before my flight to Tokyo, I also checked out the airport’s departure facilities, which include the 680 VIP Lounge, located on the second floor beyond security. This small lounge offers a more comfortable place to wait before departure, although it was closed during my visit. I suspected this might have been because United Airlines did not have an agreement with the lounge, while premium passengers traveling with China Airlines appeared to have access. However, I could not confirm the reason, so this remains an assumption rather than a verified lounge-access policy.

The Business Class Cabin

Stepping into the old Business Class cabin of United’s Boeing 737-800 feels like traveling back to an earlier era of premium air travel. There are just 4 rows of 4 Business Class seats (16 seats in total), arranged in a 2-2 layout, with two seats on either side of the aisle. Unlike Economy Class, where passengers sit in a 3-3 arrangement on the Boeing 737, the Business Class layout provides a wider seat for each passenger and eliminates the dreaded middle seat. For couples traveling together, the paired seats are convenient. Solo travelers, however, do not have the privacy of a single seat positioned away from a neighbor, as is possible on some modern Business Class products on narrow-body aircraft.

The design of the cabin is functional and does not feel luxurious. The seats were designed to provide additional personal space and comfort over the standard Economy Class offering, but the overall environment lacks the contemporary styling and carefully considered details found in newer premium cabins. For a flight of approximately four hours, a recliner seat can certainly be adequate: you have more room to settle in, relax and enjoy the journey without the constraints of a standard Economy Class seat. However, it was difficult to associate it with the more than US$3,000 fare I had initially seen when booking my journey.

The Business Class Seat

The United Airlines Boeing 737-800 Business Class seat measures 20.4 inches (52 cm) wide and offers a seat pitch of 38 inches (97 cm), providing considerably more personal space than Economy Class. The seat reclines to a comfortable angle, although it does not convert into a fully flat bed. The seat controls are conveniently located in the center armrest, while the aisle-side or window-side armrest houses a reasonably sized bi-fold tray table. The power outlets are also tucked away in the shared armrest, positioned surprisingly close to the floor and therefore requiring a bit of bending to locate. A small personal entertainment screen is mounted on the back of the seat in front.

Onboard Service, Amenities & Meals

Although the aircraft and cabin felt dated, the onboard service was a bit better although still nothing to write home about (especially when compared with the product offered by the Asian airlines in the same region). The Business Class experience began with a simple amenity set consisting of earplugs, an eye mask and a dental kit. A blanket was also provided, giving passengers the essentials for a more comfortable journey.

A lunch was served during the flight, with a meal comprising a salad, beef accompanied by mashed potatoes, and cheesecake for dessert (all served on one tray). So, the service followed a conventional airline meal format, offering a starter, a main course and something sweet to finish. While the meal was not particularly elaborate, it provided a welcome opportunity to eat and relax a bit during the journey.

While the seat, cabin, food and amenities did little to impress, the hospitality made the journey considerably more enjoyable. The crew members were exceptionally friendly, approachable and welcoming throughout the flight. Their attitude made a genuine difference to the overall experience, particularly in a cabin whose hard product was clearly showing its age. One crew member stood out in particular: it was only her third flight in the role of purser, yet she was already incredibly charming and handled the service with an impressive degree of warmth. She made passengers feel welcome without the interaction feeling forced or overly formal.

Inflight Entertainment & Wi-Fi

The inflight entertainment system was another reminder that this Boeing 737-800 belonged to an earlier generation of aircraft interiors. Each seat was equipped with a disappointingly small personal screen mounted on the back of the seat in front. The screens were not touchscreen-enabled, so passengers had to use a separate control panel in the armrest rather than simply tapping the display to navigate the system. The selection was limited, and browsing through the available content lacked the convenience and visual appeal of a modern touchscreen system. It was not that the system was entirely unusable. For passengers who wanted to watch a film or pass some time during the flight, it served its basic purpose. However, the overall experience felt like a snapshot of airline entertainment from years gone by. Wi-Fi was not offered on this flight.

Summary & My Verdict

My United Airlines Business Class flight from Palau to Tokyo was an interesting journey, mainly thanks to the airline’s unusual Pacific network and its long-standing operations centered on Guam. The onboard experience, however, felt dated, with older recliner seats, basic entertainment and a mediocre meal, although the genuinely warm cabin crew made a positive impression. With a one-way Business Class fare exceeding $3,000 USD, the product was difficult to justify, but upgrading from Economy for just $250 USD made it more appealing. United has since upgraded the route to the Boeing 737 MAX, a significant improvement that brings a more modern aircraft and a better overall passenger experience than the older 737-800 I flew.

Here’s my verdict of United Airlines’ old Business Class product on the Boeing 737: