United Airlines’ Boeing 777-200 Flights From San Diego Won’t Return, But Lie-Flat Beds Will

The 757-200 Replaces The 777-200 To San Diego

United Airlines Boeing 757-200 N57111 departure from runway 7L at Phoenix Sky Harbor Intl. Airport

From May 2, the route from San Diego to the capital will be served with the 737, which does not offer lie-flat seats. This aircraft will be the only type serving the route for United through until September, when Cirium, an online aviation analytics company, has identified that from September 24, the 757-200 will fly the route once daily, with the onboard lie-flat Polaris business class product.

San Diego to Washington Dulles route map

For loyal travelers looking for the lie-flat product, they will only have one month to make the most of this, with the 757-200 only scheduled to fly between Washington and San Diego from September 24 through October 24. A total of seven flights will be flown in September with the 757, followed by 24 in October. Total numbers for September and October below:

Route	Airline	Total Flights In September	Aircraft
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	18	737-900
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	Seven	757-200
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	Four	737 MAX 8
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	61	737 MAX 9
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	18	737-900
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	Seven	757-200
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	Four	737 MAX 8
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	61	737 MAX 9

Route	Airline	Total Flights In October	Aircraft
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	14	737-900
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	24	757-200
IAD-SAN	United Airlines	55	737 MAX 9
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	14	737-900
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	24	757-200
SAN-IAD	United Airlines	55	737 MAX 9

A Look At Total Seats

In September, the 737 family of aircraft, which are deployed on the route between the two cities, will provide a total of 29,610 seats across the month, compared to the 2,464 seats that will be flown by the 757-200. The 737 variant that will fly the most in September will be that of the 737 MAX 9, with 61 flights in each direction, representing a total of 10,919 seats across the month in each direction.

In contrast, for the month of October, this is represented with a total of 24,702 with the 737s vs 8,448 onboard the flying pencil (757). The busiest type this month again is the MAX 9, with a total of 9,845 seats in each direction and a total of 55 flights in each direction.

Non-stop flights to Washington Dulles from San Diego are operated only by United and Alaska Airlines, while looking at the wider Washington metropolitan area, Southwest flies to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and Alaska also flies to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

Can The 737 MAX 10 Suitably Replace The 757-200?

Many airlines are still flying the old Boeing 757-200 – sometimes referred to as a sports car in the sky. But in the absence of a re-engined variant, can the 737 MAX 10 fill in for this old jet?

What To Expect Onboard The 757-200

The 757-200 is configured with United to carry a total of 176 passengers across three classes, including 16 in United Polaris business class, 42 in United Economy Plus, and 118 in United Economy. As set out in the specifications below, as per the carrier’s website:

Specification	United Polaris business class	United Economy Plus	United Economy
Total seats	16	42	118
Seat configuration	2-2	3-3	3-3
Seat pitch	6’4″ (193 cm)	36″ – 40″ (91 – 102 cm)	30″ – 31″ (76 – 79 cm)
Standard seat recline	180°	4″ (10 cm)	3″ (7.6 cm)
Seat width	20.6″ (52.3 cm)	17.8″ (45.2 cm)	16.55″ – 17.8″ (42 – 45.2 cm)

Passengers can enjoy connectivity with onboard Wifi, while also keeping their devices charged with power outlets and USB ports available. Seatback entertainment is available, or you can connect via your own personal device. The 757-200, while only debuting on the route between San Diego and Washington, will be temporary; it will be a welcome relief for the premium traveler who has come to expect the lie-flat product on this transcontinental route.