Planes will have most premium seats in carrier’s fleet
United Airlines unveiled the United Elevated interior for new Boeing 787-9 aircraft that, according to an announcement, “raises the standard of international premium travel among US carriers.” The carrier said it will include two new business class suites and the greatest number of total premium seats in United’s fleet.
The carrier’s new United Polaris Studio suites, positioned in the first row of each business class section, total eight, lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are 25% larger than standard United Polaris, with privacy doors and an extra ottoman seat for companions. Passengers in the United Polaris Studio suites will have exclusive entrée options, an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, new amenity kits with luxury skin care offerings, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity and a 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screen — the largest among US carriers, according to the announcement.
Standard United Polaris seats will also get upgraded to suites with the addition of sliding doors and larger, 19-inch 4K OLED screens. In addition, all customers flying United Polaris business class have access to the airline’s six United Polaris lounges across the system.
Andrew Nocella, chief commercial officer, said, “We never stand still and are always looking for more ways to set ourselves apart from other carriers; we’re confident this elevated experience will take international flying to new heights.”
The “reimagined” Elevated interior on the 787-9, according to the announcement, includes a nose-to-tail transformation. It features 99 total premium seats — the highest percentage among US carriers, the airline said — United Premium Plus seats with privacy dividers and wireless charging, and a United Economy cabin with Bluetooth connectivity and the largest Economy class seatback screens in the world, according to the announcement.
The airline 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 San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London.
