Route: New York City (EWR) → São Paulo (GRU)
Flight Time: 9 hrs 30 mins
Seat Type: Premium Plus – Seat 22G (Aisle)
Upgrade Price: $599 (purchased the day before departure)
Flying overnight from NYC to São Paulo is a commitment and when United offered a Premium Plus upgrade for $599 the day before takeoff, I decided to try it. This is my honest review of United Airlines Premium Plus, specifically Seat 22G and whether the upgrade was worth it for a long-haul international flight.
Boarding & First Impressions
Premium Plus passengers board in Group 2, so I was on the plane quickly with plenty of time to settle in. Seat 22G is an aisle seat in a four-seat row. It is not private, but the extra width and legroom are noticeable as soon as you sit down.
The purple United Premium Plus seats look sleek in person and the cushion feels supportive without being stiff. Once I sat down and felt the additional space to move comfortably, I knew this was a good sign for a 9.5-hour overnight journey.
Seat Comfort: Deep Recline + Footrest = Actual Sleep
This seat surprised me. The recline is significantly deeper than economy and the footrest + leg rest combo genuinely helps take pressure off your lower back.
What really stood out?
- Enough space to shift sideways for a more natural sleeping position
- A larger tray table
- An armrest that didn’t feel cramped
- Power outlet + USB port right in the seat
- A real blanket
And the biggest win: I slept for five full hours, which is a miracle on long-haul economy flights.
Dining: Great Dinner, Rushed Breakfast
Dinner was the highlight of the flight. It was flavorful, filling and presented on upgraded dinnerware. Premium Plus passengers also receive complimentary alcohol which pairs well with an overnight journey. I enjoyed a cherry sprite.
Breakfast was a different experience. It was served within the last two hours of the flight, so it felt a little rushed. The food was still decent and offered enough variety to wake up to but it did not feel as relaxed or enjoyable as dinner.
Brook Brothers Amenity Kit
Premium Plus passengers receive a Brooks Brothers amenity kit with a nice mix of long-haul essentials. It includes:
Soft tissues
Socks
Eye mask
Ear plugs
Lotion
Lip balm
Dental kit
In-Flight Entertainment & Connectivity
Entertainment options were solid, with plenty of new releases and TV shows to choose from. The noise-reducing headphones helped block out most cabin sounds.
Wi-Fi was available for purchase and worked well enough for messaging and light browsing. WhatsApp was free and worked without any issues, which was an A+ for staying connected during the flight.
Was the $599 Upgrade Worth It?
Absolutely. For a 9.5-hour overnight flight, Premium Plus delivered:
- More space
- Better sleep
- Upgraded meals
- Faster boarding
- A calmer cabin environment
- Extra comfort with the footrest + deeper recline
Arriving in São Paulo feeling rested instead of cramped made the entire upgrade worthwhile.
Final Thoughts: A Solid Choice for Long-Haul Travel
If you are flying United from NYC to São Paulo and see a Premium Plus upgrade for a reasonable price, Seat 22G is an excellent choice. It is spacious, comfortable and offers enough upgraded touches to make the long overnight journey feel much more manageable, especially if getting real sleep is important to you.
Whether you are traveling for business, a quick getaway or your next big adventure, Premium Plus makes the trip smoother, calmer and noticeably more comfortable from start to finish.
