United Unveils the Elevated Aircraft Interior: Higher Standard of Premium International Travel Includes New Business Class Suites, Caviar Service and Largest Seatback Screens in the U.S. on new 787 Dreamliners
United Airlines (UAL) has unveiled its new United Elevated interior for Boeing 787-9 aircraft, setting a new standard in premium international travel. The highlight is the introduction of United Polaris Studio suites, which are 25% larger than standard Polaris seats and feature privacy doors, companion ottomans, and 27-inch screens. The first aircraft with this interior will be delivered in late 2025, with international flights beginning in 2026 from San Francisco to Singapore and London.
The upgraded aircraft will feature 99 total premium seats - the highest among U.S. carriers - including 8 Polaris Studio suites and 56 standard Polaris suites. United expects about 30 aircraft with the Elevated interior to join its fleet by 2027. The enhancement includes premium amenities such as Ossetra caviar service, Starlink connectivity, and the largest economy seatback screens in the world.
United Airlines (UAL) ha presentato il nuovo design interno United Elevated per gli aerei Boeing 787-9, stabilendo un nuovo standard nel viaggio internazionale premium. La novità principale è l'introduzione delle suite United Polaris Studio, che sono il 25% più grandi rispetto ai sedili Polaris standard e dispongono di porte per la privacy, pouf per i compagni di viaggio e schermi da 27 pollici. Il primo aereo con questo interno sarà consegnato alla fine del 2025, con voli internazionali a partire dal 2026 da San Francisco verso Singapore e Londra.
Gli aerei aggiornati avranno 99 posti premium in totale - il numero più alto tra le compagnie aeree statunitensi - inclusi 8 suite Polaris Studio e 56 suite Polaris standard. United prevede che circa 30 aerei con l'interno Elevated entreranno a far parte della flotta entro il 2027. L'upgrade comprende servizi premium come il caviale Ossetra, la connettività Starlink e gli schermi per i sedili in economy più grandi al mondo.
United Airlines (UAL) ha presentado su nuevo interior United Elevated para los aviones Boeing 787-9, estableciendo un nuevo estándar en viajes internacionales premium. Lo más destacado es la introducción de las suite United Polaris Studio, que son un 25% más grandes que los asientos Polaris estándar y cuentan con puertas de privacidad, otomanas para acompañantes y pantallas de 27 pulgadas. El primer avión con este interior será entregado a finales de 2025, con vuelos internacionales que comenzarán en 2026 desde San Francisco hacia Singapur y Londres.
Los aviones mejorados contarán con 99 asientos premium en total, la cifra más alta entre las aerolíneas estadounidenses, incluyendo 8 suites Polaris Studio y 56 suites Polaris estándar. United espera que aproximadamente 30 aviones con el interior Elevated se unan a su flota para 2027. La mejora incluye amenidades premium como servicio de caviar Ossetra, conectividad Starlink y las pantallas para asientos en clase económica más grandes del mundo.
유나이티드 항공(UAL)은 보잉 787-9 항공기를 위한 새로운 United Elevated 인테리어를 공개하며 프리미엄 국제 여행의 새로운 기준을 세웠습니다. 주요 특징은 표준 Polaris 좌석보다 25% 더 넓고 프라이버시 도어, 동반자용 오토만, 27인치 스크린이 포함된 United Polaris Studio 스위트의 도입입니다. 이 인테리어가 적용된 첫 항공기는 2025년 말에 인도되며, 2026년부터 샌프란시스코에서 싱가포르와 런던으로 국제선 운항을 시작할 예정입니다.
업그레이드된 항공기는 총 99개의 프리미엄 좌석을 갖추고 있으며, 이는 미국 항공사 중 가장 많은 수치입니다. 8개의 Polaris Studio 스위트와 56개의 표준 Polaris 스위트가 포함됩니다. 유나이티드는 2027년까지 약 30대의 Elevated 인테리어 항공기가 함대에 합류할 것으로 기대하고 있습니다. 이 업그레이드에는 오세트라 캐비어 서비스, 스타링크 연결, 그리고 세계에서 가장 큰 이코노미 좌석 뒷면 스크린과 같은 프리미엄 편의 시설이 포함됩니다.
United Airlines (UAL) a dévoilé son nouvel intérieur United Elevated pour les appareils Boeing 787-9, établissant une nouvelle norme dans le voyage international premium. Le point fort est l'introduction des suites United Polaris Studio, qui sont 25 % plus grandes que les sièges Polaris standards et disposent de portes d'intimité, de poufs pour les accompagnants et d'écrans de 27 pouces. Le premier avion équipé de cet intérieur sera livré fin 2025, avec des vols internationaux débutant en 2026 de San Francisco vers Singapour et Londres.
L'appareil amélioré comprendra 99 sièges premium au total - le nombre le plus élevé parmi les compagnies aériennes américaines - incluant 8 suites Polaris Studio et 56 suites Polaris standards. United prévoit qu'environ 30 appareils avec l'intérieur Elevated rejoindront sa flotte d'ici 2027. L'amélioration inclut des prestations premium telles que le service de caviar Ossetra, la connectivité Starlink et les plus grands écrans arrière de siège en classe économique au monde.
United Airlines (UAL) hat das neue United Elevated Interieur für Boeing 787-9 Flugzeuge vorgestellt und setzt damit einen neuen Standard im Premium-Internationalreisebereich. Das Highlight ist die Einführung der United Polaris Studio Suiten, die 25 % größer sind als die Standard-Polaris-Sitze und über Privattüren, Begleit-Ottomane und 27-Zoll-Bildschirme verfügen. Das erste Flugzeug mit diesem Interieur wird Ende 2025 ausgeliefert, die internationalen Flüge starten 2026 von San Francisco nach Singapur und London.
Das aufgerüstete Flugzeug wird insgesamt 99 Premium-Sitze haben – die höchste Anzahl unter US-Fluggesellschaften – darunter 8 Polaris Studio Suiten und 56 Standard Polaris Suiten. United erwartet, dass bis 2027 etwa 30 Flugzeuge mit dem Elevated-Interieur zur Flotte stoßen. Die Aufwertung umfasst Premium-Annehmlichkeiten wie Ossetra-Kaviar-Service, Starlink-Konnektivität und die größten Economy-Sitzrückbildschirme der Welt.
- Significant premium cabin expansion with 99 total premium seats - highest percentage among U.S. carriers
- Introduction of larger Polaris Studio suites with premium amenities and companion seating
- Fleet expansion with 30 new aircraft featuring Elevated interior by 2027
- $150 million investment in food and beverage improvements
- Free Starlink connectivity for MileagePlus members, including over oceans and polar regions
- Customer satisfaction scores up 12% in Q1 2025 for food and beverage
- First flights with new interior won't begin until 2026
- United Polaris Studio will be priced higher than standard Polaris seats
- Reduced total seat capacity compared to current 787-9 configuration (222 vs 257 seats)
Insights
United's premium cabin upgrades strengthen their competitive position in high-margin international routes with significant revenue potential from luxury travelers.
United Airlines' unveiling of their "Elevated" interior for new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners represents a strategic investment in the airline's premium service offerings. The standout feature is the introduction of eight United Polaris Studio suites that are 25% larger than standard business class seats with companion ottomans and 27-inch screens - the largest among U.S. carriers.
This product enhancement is clearly targeted at high-yield international business travelers and luxury consumers who generate disproportionately high profit margins. By increasing premium seating capacity to 99 total premium seats - the highest percentage among U.S. carriers - United is optimizing their cabin configuration for revenue generation rather than maximum passenger density.
The timing is particularly significant as it aligns with the post-pandemic recovery of international business travel and increasing demand for premium leisure experiences. The planned deployment on San Francisco to Singapore and London routes by 2026 targets some of the most lucrative long-haul markets with high concentrations of business travelers and affluent passengers.
United's $150 million investment in food and beverage enhancements complements these cabin upgrades. The addition of Ossetra caviar service, premium champagne, and exclusive entrée options positions them more directly against international carriers like Singapore Airlines and Middle Eastern carriers that have traditionally dominated premium service ratings.
From a fleet perspective, the commitment to install these interiors on approximately 30 new 787 aircraft by 2027 represents a substantial portion of United's widebody fleet renewal strategy. This will enable them to gradually expand this premium experience across their most important international routes.
The addition of Starlink connectivity addresses a persistent pain point in international travel - reliable internet over oceans and remote regions - further enhancing the airline's value proposition for premium travelers who need to remain productive during long flights.
New United Polaris Studio℠ suites are
New Boeing 787-9s with the United Elevated interior get a nose-to-tail transformation with the highest number of total premium seats in United's fleet, new United Polaris Studio suites, new United Polaris suites, updated United Premium Plus® seats with privacy dividers and wireless charging, and largest economy seatback screens in the world
Delivery of first United 787-9 with the Elevated interior expected before the end of 2025 and first international passenger flights planned in 2026 from
All of United's future Boeing 787 deliveries will receive United Polaris Studio suites and Elevated interiors - airline expects at least 30 aircraft to join the fleet by 2027
The airline's new United Polaris Studio suites are positioned in the first row of each business class section and total eight, lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are
Standard United Polaris seats also get upgraded to suites with the addition of sliding doors and larger, 19-inch 4K OLED screens And all customers flying United Polaris business class have access to the airline's six award-winning United Polaris lounges across the system.
"We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific - these new innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond," said Andrew Nocella, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at United. "We never stand still and are always looking for more ways to set ourselves apart from other carriers. And we're confident this elevated experience will take international flying to new heights."
The reimagined Elevated interior on the 787-9 includes a nose-to-tail transformation - refined finishes and a fresher, brighter and warmer feel throughout - with something for everyone: 99 total premium seats - the highest percentage among
United has invested more than
United expects to take delivery of the first United 787-9 with the Elevated interior before the end of 2025 with the first international passenger flights planned in 2026 from
Aircraft with the Elevated interior will also be among the first United widebody planes to have free Starlink connectivity for United MileagePlus members. The service is ideal for international travel as it delivers fast, reliable internet access around the world, including over oceans, polar regions, and other remote locations previously unreachable by traditional cell or Wi-Fi signals.
The first deliveries of 787-9 aircraft with the Elevated interior will include:
- Eight United Polaris business class Studio suites
- Two rows across two sections, 1-2-1 configuration
- 56 United Polaris business class suites
- 14 rows, across two sections, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- Customers can choose between seats that face the window or center of the aircraft (ideal for individual travelers) and seats where all the suites face the aisle (perfect for those flying together)
- 35 United Premium Plus seats, the most in United's fleet
- 5 rows in a 2-3-2 configuration
- 33 United Economy Plus seats and 90 United Economy seats
- 15 total rows in a 3-3-3 configuration
The carrier's 787-9s currently have 48 United Polaris seats, 21 United Premium Plus seats, 39 United Economy Plus seats and 149 United Economy seats.
United Polaris Studio
Located in the first row of each business class section, United Polaris Studio will be priced differently than standard United Polaris and includes superior features and design elements. United Polaris Studio suites are larger and include an ottoman with a seatbelt for companions in six of the eight seats. Each United Polaris Studio suite also has a huge, 27-inch, 4K OLED touchscreen - the largest among
United Polaris Studio amenities are also upgraded, and include exclusive hoodie-pajamas and slippers on all flights, new noise-cancelling headphones powered by Meridian technology, amenity kits featuring clinically formulated Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ luxury skincare products, United-branded playing cards (ideal for passing the time with someone in the ottoman seat), a plush velvet throw pillow on the ottoman as well as Saks Fifth Avenue bedding that includes a duvet, day blanket, large pillow and cooling gel pillow.
And customers who book a United Polaris Studio suite have access to the airline's Global Reception® area, receive preferred boarding alongside United Global Services® customers and are eligible for United's tarmac transfer program.
United Polaris
The new standard United Polaris suites on aircraft with the Elevated interior are also upgraded with the addition of sliding doors, a 19-inch 4K OLED touchscreen with Bluetooth, four ways to charge devices including wireless, and digital seat controls. Each United Polaris suite offers all-aisle access, and breathable, wool-blend covered seats. And in a first among
The famous United Polaris sundae cart also gets an upgrade with a rotation of limited time featured Tillamook ice cream flavors coupled with new toppings that will run throughout the year, alongside the customer favorite staple - classic vanilla bean.
United Premium Plus and United Economy
The United Premium Plus seats on aircraft with the Elevated interior also get a major upgrade by adding elements normally reserved for United Polaris customers including soft-touch materials, quartzite cocktail tables and a 16-inch 4K OLED screen. Customers also will enjoy Bluetooth and three ways to charge their personal devices, including wireless - the first time offered in United Premium Plus. The seats also include a dedicated water bottle and headphone holders, as well as a privacy divider with a built-in reading light - also a first for United Premium Plus.
United Economy Plus and United Economy customers on aircraft with the Elevated interior will all enjoy 13-inch, 4K OLED screens - the largest Economy class screens in the world. These cabins also include Bluetooth connectivity in every seat and six power outlets per row. Bringing in the same refreshed looks and feel from United's UPP cabin, customers in United Economy will be able to relax thanks to the seat's cradling seat bottom that moves as the seat reclines.
Investments in Food & Beverage
United's investments in its food and beverage program are paying off: customer satisfaction scores were up
The special food and beverage offerings that will be onboard Elevated aircraft build on the work already underway to enhance the dining experience for all United customers. United Polaris wine offerings are currently among the most premium of any
Finally, United has launched new menus and completely overhauled onboard dishware with new dishes, glassware, cutlery, linens and seasonings - including red pepper flakes.
*as measured by available seat miles
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