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Flying to Japan is exciting, but let's be honest: spending more than 13 hours on a plane can feel intimidating. For our recent trip to Tokyo, I flew United Airlines Economy Plus from Houston (IAH) to Narita (NRT) and wanted to share what the experience was really like, including the seat, food, entertainment, Wi-Fi, and whether I think Economy Plus is worth the extra cost.

Boarding at Houston Intercontinental Airport

Before boarding, I tried to use my United Club pass at the lounge near the E Gates. Unfortunately, the lounge was not accepting one-time passes because it was already at capacity.

While that was disappointing, the gate area itself wasn't bad. My flight departed from Gate E18, and there were several restaurants nearby where passengers could grab a meal or drink before boarding.

Since I have the United Explorer Card, I was able to board with Group 2. Economy Plus passengers typically board with Group 3, so either way, passengers in these seats generally board earlier than standard economy travelers. Boarding was smooth, and before long we were making our way onto the aircraft.

United Economy Plus Seat Review

For this flight, I selected seat 32D, an Economy Plus aisle seat in the middle section of the aircraft.

The plane was configured in a 3-3-3 layout and the flight was completely full.

Personally, I prefer sitting in the middle section aisle on long-haul flights. I don't have to climb over other passengers to get to the restroom, and I'm less likely to be disturbed when people need to get up throughout the flight.

The biggest advantage of Economy Plus is the additional legroom.

Aisle seat in the middle section United Economy Plus Seats extra legroom — I chose seat 32D, aisle seat in the middle section

At 5'9", I had enough space to stretch my legs comfortably without feeling cramped. No, it's not comparable to Premium Economy or Business Class, but for a flight of this length, the extra room was noticeable and appreciated.

If you're debating whether Economy Plus is worth the extra cost for a flight to Japan, the legroom alone was one of the biggest benefits for me.

Pillow, Blanket, and Earbuds

When I arrived at my seat, United had already placed a pillow and blanket on every seat.

The pillow was more of a neck pillow than a traditional airline pillow, which was a nice touch for a long-haul international flight.

Blanket and pillow provided at each seat

United Economy Plus Seats extra legroom — Extra 3” of legroom with United’s Economy Plus Seats

I actually brought my own travel pillow and didn't use United's pillow. I travel with a Cabeau TNE Neck Pillow on every long-haul flight because it's the only neck pillow I've found that consistently helps me sleep on airplanes.

The blanket ended up being more useful for me. It was individually wrapped, had a decent amount of weight to it, and was comfortable enough to use throughout the flight. It wasn't especially thick or luxurious, but it kept me warm and comfortable.

Using United Airline earbuds — The provided earbuds were not bad

United also handed out complimentary earbuds for the entertainment system. I normally use my own earphones, but I tested United's earbuds just to see how they sounded. They worked fine for watching movies, although my personal earphones definitely offered better sound quality.

Charging Options and Cabin Comfort

One thing I appreciated was the ability to keep my devices charged throughout the flight.

There was a USB charging port built directly into the entertainment screen and a standard power outlet located underneath the seat. Having both available made it easy to keep my phone and other devices powered for the entire journey.

USB charging port on the entertainment screen

The lavatories were located only a few rows behind my seat, which was convenient. Interestingly, one of the lavatories felt noticeably larger than the other. It's a small detail, but having a little extra room can make a difference when you're trying to freshen up after sitting for several hours.

Taking a selfie in the aircraft bathroom — Lavatories were nearby my seat

The smaller lavatory on United — The smaller lavatory

Food and Drinks on United Economy Plus

Not long after takeoff, the first snack service began with pretzels and drinks.

Later came the main meal service. Passengers could choose between beef, chicken, or pasta.

I selected the beef teriyaki meal.

The tray included:

Beef teriyaki entrée
Salad with champagne dressing
Dinner roll
Brownie dessert

Overall, I would describe the meal as average. The salad was decent, the beef was okay, and the brownie was probably my favorite item on the tray. Nothing was particularly memorable, but it was perfectly acceptable airline food.

About six and a half hours before landing, another meal service was offered. This time the options were a chicken sandwich or a vegetarian sandwich.

I chose the chicken sandwich.

Then, closer to arrival in Tokyo, breakfast was served. The options included pancakes, eggs, or fruit.

I selected the fruit plate, which included fresh fruit such as pineapple and grapes. After spending so many hours on a plane, the fruit sounded much more appealing than a heavier breakfast.

Entertainment and Wi-Fi

The entertainment system was one of the highlights of the flight.

There was a large selection of movies and TV shows available, and I spent most of the flight watching movies. Having plenty of entertainment options definitely helped pass the time during such a long journey.

United also offered in-flight Wi-Fi.

Unfortunately, this was probably the weakest part of my experience.

The internet connection was slow, inconsistent, and often frustrating to use. Pages took a long time to load, and the connection would frequently drop. I had hoped to browse the internet and stay connected during the flight, but the service wasn't reliable enough for much more than basic use.

The good news is that I later received a refund for the Wi-Fi purchase, which I appreciated.

Wifi options on United Airlines — There was a warning, but the connection loss was more frequent

1 hour or full flight wifi options — I usually pay for the full flight and use my miles for payment

Arrival in Tokyo

As we began our descent into Narita Airport, I was actually feeling pretty good considering how long the flight had been.

By the time we landed, I was definitely ready to get off the plane, but I wasn't exhausted or miserable. For a flight lasting more than 13 hours, that's honestly one of the best compliments I can give.

Between the extra legroom, entertainment options, blanket, and my trusty Cabeau neck pillow, I felt reasonably comfortable throughout the journey.

Is United Economy Plus Worth It?

For me, yes.

The additional legroom made a noticeable difference on such a long flight, and the entertainment selection helped keep me occupied throughout the journey.

The food was average and the Wi-Fi was disappointing, but the overall experience was comfortable, and I would have no problem flying United Economy Plus to Japan again.

If you're already planning to fly economy on a long-haul flight to Japan, I think Economy Plus is worth considering for the extra space alone.

Final Rating: 8/10

A solid long-haul economy experience that made the journey to Japan comfortable enough that I'd gladly fly it again.

United Airlines happy camper — I’m pretty satisfied with United Airlines

Staying Connected in Japan with Ninja WiFi eSIM

One thing I always recommend before traveling to Japan is setting up your internet connection before you leave home.

For this trip, I used a Ninja WiFi’s eSIM and set it up before leaving the U.S. When I landed at Narita Airport, my phone automatically connected to Japan's network, so I was ready to use Google Maps, check train schedules, and navigate Tokyo right away.

👉 Use our affiliate link to save 15% on your Ninja WiFi eSIM order or 80% off on unlimited data plans.

Planning Your Tokyo Trip?

Now that you've made it to Japan, it's time to start exploring Tokyo.

Whether you're interested in iconic sights like Tokyo Tower and Shibuya Crossing, neighborhood guides, local cafes, shopping districts, or detailed itineraries, we've created a collection of Tokyo travel guides to help you plan your trip.

Some of our most popular guides include:

Frequently Asked Questions

For me, yes. The additional legroom made a noticeable difference on a flight lasting more than 13 hours. While the seat itself is similar to standard economy, the extra space helped make the journey more comfortable.
United Economy Plus seats on the Boeing 787 offer 34 inches of seat pitch, giving passengers 3 extra inches of legroom compared to standard economy seats.
For a 13-hour flight to Japan, I found the extra space well worth it.
Economy Plus passengers typically board in Group 3.
Seat preference is personal, but I prefer an aisle seat in the middle section of the aircraft. It allows easy restroom access and reduces the chance of needing to climb over other passengers.
The nonstop flight from Houston (IAH) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) is typically around 13 to 14 hours depending on winds and routing.
No. United Economy Plus is a standard economy seat with additional legroom. United Premium Plus is a separate cabin with wider seats, additional recline, upgraded dining, and enhanced amenities. Economy Plus is a more affordable upgrade for travelers who primarily want extra space.