I just spent nine amazing days back home in Sydney. I flew back from Sydney to LAX (and then onto Montreal) with United Airlines and had an incredible experience! This was my fourth time flying with them between Australia and Canada. I took UA842 from Sydney Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX), operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The flight departed Sydney at 11:20 AM on Monday, February 17, 2025, and landed in LAX at 6:05 AM local time, with a total flight time of 14 hours and 45 minutes. This review of United Airlines SYD to LAX covers everything, from booking to landing—including the in-flight experience and what to expect on this route.
Flight Details United Airlines SYD to LAX
Airline: United Airlines
Route: SYD – LAX
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Flight Number: UA 842
Baggage: First checked bag included (23kg), plus one carry-on (max 45 inches) and one personal item (laptop or shoulder bag)
Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Departure Time: 11:30 AM
Flight Duration: 14h 45m
Arrival Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Arrival Time: 6:05 AM
Cabin: Economy Class
Onboard Wi-Fi: Available
In-flight Entertainment: Seatback screens + streaming options
Meal Service: Complimentary meals and beverages
Cost: $2,152.61 CAD Return
Booking Experience
I started searching for flights from Montreal to Sydney in September 2024, using Google Flights and Skyscanner to compare options and find a budget-friendly route—ideally with just one stop. Once I settled on United, I booked directly through their website, which allowed me to log into my United account for easy access to my details and points. The total cost was $2,152 CAD for a round-trip ticket from Montreal to Sydney, with a stop over in SFO on the way there, and stopover in LAX on the way back. Given that this was a long-haul international flight, I was impressed with the price, especially considering my trip to Sydney the previous year for Christmas had cost nearly $3,500. The booking process was seamless, and I received an immediate confirmation email with all the key details: booking reference, cost breakdown, flight information, baggage allowance, and more.
Booking Experience Rating: 5/5
Baggage Policy for UA842
For this long-haul flight, United allows:
✔️ One carry-on bag (max 45”)
✔️ One personal item (e.g., laptop or shoulder bag)
✔️ One checked suitcase (up to 23kg)
You can add an extra checked bag (23kg) for $100 USD, but I didn’t need it. The baggage policy is quite generous, especially considering many airlines no longer include a checked bag in economy. Find out more here.
Baggage Policy Rating: 5/5
Check-in Process
Check-in with United was very smooth. 24 hours before departure, I received an email reminder with a direct check-in link, reference number, and baggage details. Online check-in took less than a minute, and I instantly received my mobile boarding pass, which I saved to my Apple Wallet and the United app.
📲 Pro Tip: Download the United Airline app—it’s great for check-in, boarding passes, flight tracking, and seat maps.
At the airport, bag drop was hassle-free, with minimal wait times. It took less than 10 minutes to check in, and the staff were so friendly, setting the tone for an amazing flight!
Check-in Experience Rating: 5/5
Pre-Flight & Boarding
I departed from Gate 50 at Sydney Airport. The international terminal is incredible! There’s a huge range of luxury and casual shops, lounges, restaurants, newsagents, and gift stores. I didn’t have much time before my flight, so I just grabbed some snacks from WHSmith and one last KFC snack box (because Australian KFC is the best!). By the time I got to my gate, it was already time to board. The United app provided live updates on boarding groups and status. The flight was more than half empty, so boarding was quicker than expected. I walked straight onto the plane with no queues.
Pre-Flight & Boarding Rating: 5/5
Seat Selection & Comfort
At the time of booking, I selected seat 53A, a window seat on the left side of the plane, at no extra charge. I hoped for an empty seat next to me, but I ended up with the entire row (three seats to myself)! I was thrilled—especially for a 14+ hour flight.
The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner economy cabin has a 3-3-3 layout. The leather seats were spacious and comfortable, featuring:
✔️ Seat pitch: 31 inches
✔️ Seat width: 17.3 inches
✔️ Recline: 3 inches
✔️ Features: Adjustable headrest, adjustable armrest
Having a full row made this one of the most comfortable long-haul flights of my life!
Seat Selection & Comfort Rating: 5/5
Amenities
Upon boarding, we received a sanitizer wipe (which I used to wipe down my tray table and screen), complimentary headphones (surprisingly decent quality), a pillow, and a blanket. No amenity kit was provided, but this is becoming more common on long-haul flights.
Amenities Rating: 4.5/5
In-Flight Entertainment
Each seat had a personal screen with a great selection of movies, TV shows, audiobooks, music, and games. I loved that United provides a flight summary, showing meal times, when the lights will dim, and other key details. I also loved the “relaxing station” feature, which plays calming music and visuals to help you sleep.
In-Flight Entertainment Rating: 5/5
Connectivity
The flight included free messaging (iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger) and paid Wi-Fi options. I opted for the full Wi-Fi package, which cost $20 USD (or 2,000 miles). The connection was solid, and I could switch between my laptop and phone without paying twice. Every seat had a personal power outlet and USB charger, which was perfect for keeping my devices charged.
Connectivity Rating: 5/5
Meal Service
Our flight included two hot meals and two snacks. As soon as we took off, the cabin staff offered pretzels, which added a premium touch to the experience. Shortly after, the first meal service began with a choice of chicken or vegetarian. I went for the vegetarian option, which included tomato pasta, a bread roll with butter, a Tim Tam, and a side salad with vinaigrette. Everything was tasty and well-prepared. Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks were available.
Before dimming the lights, the crew handed out bottles of water. Midway through the flight, we were served a snack consisting of a chicken sandwich and another Tim Tam. It was simple but satisfying.
About two hours before landing, breakfast was served. The options included a spinach omelet with baked beans and sausages, along with a muffin, fruit, and a beverage. The breakfast was surprisingly good and a nice way to wrap up the meal service. Overall, the food was great and kept me full throughout the flight.
Meal & Beverage Rating: 5/5
My Flight Experience on United Airlines SYD to LAX
I spent the first couple of hours working using the in-flight Wi-Fi, which worked well! It was very handy being able to toggle my wifi connection between my phone & laptop at no extra cost. All the meal services were excellent, and the cabin crew were so kind and attentive.
After working, I switched gears to relaxing—I watched a couple of movies on the seatback screen, and continued binge-watching Apple Cider Vinegar (which I had downloaded on my phone). Since I had the full row to myself, I lifted the armrests, used three pillows, and made a makeshift bed. It was hands down the most comfortable flight I’ve ever taken!
About four hours in, I changed into my trackies, did my skincare routine, and fully stretched out. I even rigged up my phone in the seat pocket with my PopSocket to watch Netflix hands-free. Despite it being daytime in Australia, I managed to sleep for six hours. I woke up for the mid-flight snack (which was great), watched a bit more Netflix, and then before I knew it, breakfast was being served, and we were approaching LAX. The flight went by so fast—I was almost sad when it ended! We arrived on time and it was a smooth arrival.
Final Thoughts on UA842 from Sydney (SYD) to Los Angeles (LAX)
This was easily one of the best long-haul flights I’ve ever taken. From a seamless booking process to a comfortable seat (and an entire row to myself), United delivered beyond expectations. The Dreamliner’s spacious cabin, great meal options, reliable Wi-Fi, and excellent entertainment made the 14+ fly by. For anyone flying between North America and Australia, United offers an outstanding balance of price, service, and overall experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to book with them again!
Overall Rating: 5/5
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