Lots of leg room and running water

ON a recent Saturday, I traveled on United from Newark, N.J., to Chicago. In terms of seating, little did I know how far the nickel and diming had gone with the once-largest carrier in the free world.

The back 10 rows of our six-across coach seating on this Boeing 737 were packed. But the nominally more expensive and slightly roomier Economy Plus cabin area in front of us was entirely empty as far as the eye could see, patrolled by flight attendants making sure no one without a Plus ticket moved in.

Note to self: In the future, fly in the lavatory. It’s roomier, private and has much more leg room.

PAUL COCKERILL

Studio City