A travel blogger decided to treat herself and fly first class on her United Airlines flight to Saint Kitts. However, she was disappointed as she sat down in the outdated seat.
In a video with over 378,000 views, TikToker Bella (@travelwbella) shows the first-class cabin of the four-hour United Airlines Boeing 737 flight from New York to Saint Kitts.
“How in 2025 can a first-class seat not have a seat-back monitor?” she asks. On-screen text reads, “Come on United how is this acceptable for first class?”
In the caption, she continues, “This was EWR to SKB united first class review no seat back monitor, wifi paid, food was decent and flight attendants lovely but the seats are SO OLD.”
What Amenities Should Travelers Expect In First Class?
First-class seating is a luxury for many travelers. However, each airline may offer different perks to passengers paying the premium.
According to Travel + Leisure, passengers can generally expect more legroom, priority boarding, more overhead space for carry-ons, and better food and beverage service. The amenities will vary greatly between smaller and larger aircraft and between domestic and international flights. Airlines may vary as well.
United Airlines offers first-class passengers exclusive security lanes, priority boarding and bag handling, and expedited check-in before they get to the plane. The airline’s website lists padded seats, extra legroom, and extra recline space as benefits in first class. First-class passengers also receive free alcoholic beverages regardless of the flight length.
However, entertainment screens aren’t guaranteed.
Do Viewers Agree With The TikToker?
In the comments, viewers are split on whether the lack of seatback entertainment is a major issue. Some brushed it off as no big deal.
“I do not care i can’t afford first class,” one remarked.
Another wrote sarcastically, “My heart bleeds for you. Many prayers.”
However, many commenters sympathized with Bella, saying they would be disappointed too if they paid top dollar for the subpar first-class seats.
“This is a valid thing to be upset about btw,” a commenter said.
“These companies need to be called out, they charge way too much for this,” a second wrote.
“THAT’S first class? that literally looks worse than economy,” another exclaimed.
“That actually sucksssss when you pay so much for it!! Comments are not it,” a fourth added.
Frequent flyers say that they usually forgo first-class on United flights, claiming it’s not worth it.
“United was the worst first class I’ve ever flown ts was barely premium economy,” a viewer suggested.
Another commenter said, “First class on United & American are such a waste in my experience.”
@travelwbella @United Airlines 737 so outdated! This was EWR to SKB united first class review no seat back monitor, wifi paid, food was decent and flight attendants lovely but the seats are SO OLD #unitedairlines #unitedfirstclass
BroBible reached out to United Airlines and to Bella via email for further comment.