As United’s once-massive fleet of 757s enters its twilight years, it’s becoming increasingly hard to fly on one cross-country that’s not between major hubs, e.g. IAD-SAN, like today’s flight is. These routes are increasingly served with smaller 737 MAX 9s and soon with the A321XLR, which will replace the Pencil in earnest. Nevertheless, sometimes you get lucky, and today is one of those days.
Server: Solo
Airline: United Airlines
Aircraft: Boeing 757-200
Origin: Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, Virginia (IAD)
Destination: San Diego International Airport, San Diego, California (SAN)
Flight Number: UA1930
Route: KIAD-KSAN
Seat: 31F (Economy)
Time En Route: 5 Hours 25 Minutes
Boarding at Gate D7 at Washington-Dulles. Our aircraft has been upgauged to a 757-200 from a 737 MAX 9, which is even more special these days because its one of the 757s not yet repainted in the Evo Blue livery
Staring our taxi out to Runway 1C for departure
Takeoff from Dulles
Climbout from the D.C. area
Passing by the southern shore of Lake Erie, with the former Continental Airlines hub at Cleveland visible below us
Looking out at the Grand Canyon, shortly before the cabin crew starts getting the cabin ready for arrival
Final approach into San Diego
Landing at Lindbergh Field
Parked at Gate 44