Flight check: San Francisco to Salt Lake City on United Airlines

A United Airlines Canadair CRJ-200. Photo / Supplied

Alex Robertson flies UA6418 across the USA.

The plane: A Canadair CRJ-200 that's been around the block a few times. Looked like the inside of a Greyhound bus.

Class: All economy. Pack 'em in, no frills. This is all about the destination.

Price: As a guest of Visit Utah, I didn't have to pay, but, about $200 as part of a one-way Auckland to Salt Lake City flight. Greyhound bus quality for a Greyhound bus price.

On time: It was half an hour late with no explanation. I'd been waiting at San Francisco Airport for five or so hours, so a little longer wasn't going to hurt.

My seat: 12C. Right at the back, next to the loos.

Fellow passengers: Students, businessmen and weekend visitors all of whom seemed to enjoy using their smartphones inflight. Also a couple of guys who had been on the flight from Auckland and looked as knackered as I felt.

How full: There were 12 rows of four seats, but I counted at least 70 people (could have been the fatigue). I was thinking that to get us out at Salt Lake City they would have to get a giant key and roll open the side of the plane. Some passengers had to part with their hand luggage at the door to be reunited on our arrival.

Entertainment: For most, a game of Tetra on the mobile or listening to iTunes. For me, it was a few stories from the New Yorker and two chapters of my book.

The service: The sole trolley dolly spoke American with a heavy accent, but I managed to understand enough to grab a black tea. She did well.

Food and drink: Coffee, tea, sodas or water were dished out for free. I think you could have bought a real drink, but nobody seemed to bother.

Toilets: I'm sure they had them, but there's not a lot to do in San Francisco Airport if you're not hungry and didn't want to drink, so I used the loos a few times there.

The airport experience: I like San Francisco Airport but I don't like waiting. Salt Lake City Airport was a breeze: my pack appeared on the carousel in the time it took me to walk from the plane and from there it was a short walk to the rental car.

Would I fly this again? Of course. I got from A to B without crashing or losing my luggage. It's all about the destination.