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
Rhea-AI Summary
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.
Positive
- 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
Negative
- 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)
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, UAL gained 5.06%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
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
About United
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Forward-Looking Statements and Other Important Information
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on historical performance and current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans, commitments, strategies and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, known or unknown, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect United's business and market, particularly those identified in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" sections in United's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulation, United undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise.
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SOURCE United Airlines
FAQ
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