United Airlines is taking the premium cabin arms race among US majors to new heights with the unveiling of its premium-heavy Elevated interiors for the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
This nose to tail transformation of the 787-9 features a new business-plus product, dubbed Polaris Studio, as well as doored suites for Polaris business class, and the largest seatback entertainment screens in America.
It marks the first major refresh of United’s long-haul cabins since Polaris was introduced in late 2016, and the first significant upgrade since United’s new Signature narrowbody interiors were revealed in 2021, and retrofits were subsequently undertaken. For the 787-9, United has turned to Elevate Aircraft Seating (formerly Adient Aerospace) for the new seating platforms up front. It expects to take delivery of the first 787-9 with the Elevated interiors before the end of 2025.
The move is clearly strategic. Even amid recent economic turbulence, premium long-haul international traffic remains durable and very profitable. United is now America’s largest carrier in terms of long-haul global network, and CEO Scott Kirby is clearly putting his stamp on the airline’s widebody fleet.
Management is especially emphasizing the addition of sliding doors to Polaris — an attempt, perhaps, at upstaging American Airlines’ soon-to-launch Flagship Suite with doors, and Delta’s recently refreshed interiors.
But Polaris Studio is really where we see a sort of halo product emerging for United.
Polaris Studio
Bang on trend, Polaris Studio positions United alongside other premium carriers like Virgin Atlantic with its front row, biz-plus Retreat Suite, JetBlue with Mint Studio, and American Airlines with its new Flagship Suite Preferred, though American’s lack of companion accommodation in Preferred is a talking point amongst insiders right now.
Polaris Studio, of which there are eight in total — positioned in the first row of each 1-2-1 business class section — is meaningfully differentiated from regular Polaris through both soft and hard product enhancements.
Taking a page out of the likes of Emirates and Qatar Airways’ playbook, United will offer Polaris Studio passengers an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Champagne, as well as a massive 27″ 4K OLED touchscreen versus the 19″ screens in regular Polaris aboard the 787-9, a different color palette and materials, and an ottoman that is seatbelt-equipped for companion use.
In doing so, it could be argued that United becomes the closest of the big three to offer a ‘first-class-like’ experience on long-haul flights.
Some 25% larger than the new standard Polaris doored suite, Polaris Studio is intended to appeal to travelers who value additional space and exclusivity without committing to a true first-class experience. It will be priced higher than standard United Polaris, but will not have its own dedicated cabin or cabin crew.
With eight Polaris Studio suites United is effectively doubling the number of biz-plus seats usually on offer.
United is a longtime customer of Panasonic Avionics’ inflight entertainment systems, and it appears the carrier has selected the firm’s nextgen 4K OLED screen technology throughout the aircraft, complete with Bluetooth connectivity. Wireless charging will also be on offer in Polaris Studio and regular Polaris, and indeed in premium economy aboard the 787-9.
Passengers in Polaris Studio can also expect, says United, “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.”
Polaris
United’s updated Polaris suites, 56 in total on the 787-9 and configured 1-2-1, will be outfitted with industry standard sliding doors for increased privacy, a still sizable 19″ 4K OLED screen, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and adjustable seat controls.
United says 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)
The new configuration substantially increases the number of Polaris seats compared to the previous 787-9 configuration, which has 48 seats.
Sadly, reintroducing the beloved Polaris Bear is not part of the offering.
Premium Plus
United’s Premium Plus premium economy cabin adds some Polaris-like touches including soft-touch materials, an impressive 16-inch 4K OLED screen with Bluetooth connectivity, and multiple charging options including wireless charging for the first time in United Plus.
The seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration, totaling 35, the most in any aircraft in United’s fleet. The upgraded experience also includes a dedicated cocktail table, headphone and bottle holders, and a privacy divider with a built-in reading light.
Food and beverage offerings are also enhanced with expanded entrée choices, fresh salads with premium dressings, and a new dessert service. The new configuration marks a 52.4% increase in premium economy seating compared to the previous 21-seat layout.
United Economy
The economy section in the new 787-9 configuration has been reduced to 90 standard seats and 33 extra-legroom Economy Plus seats, compared to the previous 149 economy seats and 39 Economy Plus seats, respectively. Each seat features a 13-inch 4K OLED screen along with Bluetooth connectivity and multiple charging ports.
Economy class passengers will also experience an enhanced meal service. The reduction in economy seating by 9.4% aligns with United’s strategic shift towards more premium-heavy configurations.
Inflight connectivity
United says the 787-9 with Elevated interiors will be among the first of its widebodies equipped with free Wi-Fi as powered by Starlink, which is already debuting on the carrier’s Embraer E175 regional jets.
Battle of the Premium LOPAs
United’s new premium-heavy Elevated interiors on the 787-9 firmly positions the carrier as a leader in the premium cabin battle among US network carriers. In a direct comparison, United’s 787-9 features eight Polaris Studio and 56 regular Polaris suites, significantly more than American Airlines’ new 51 Flagship Suite seats aboard the 787-9P.
United’s Premium Plus cabin includes 35 seats, edging out American’s 32-seat configuration. However, American’s economy cabin remains larger, offering 161 seats compared to United’s 149.
When stacked against Delta’s current comparably-sized Airbus A330-900neo, United’s Elevate configuration is much more premium-heavy. Delta’s A330neo features just 29 Delta One Suites, 28 Premium Select seats, 56 Delta Comfort+ seats, and 168 Economy seats. Delta lacks a true business-plus offering, leaving us to wonder about their next move.
Service Entry
United expects to take delivery of the first of 787-9 with the Elevated interiors before the end of 2025, with international service from San Francisco to Singapore and London starting in 2026 and some 30 more 787-9s due to arrive by 2027.
Retrofits of existing 787s, which only recently completed Polaris conversion across the fleet, and of existing 777-200s and 777-300s have not been announced. However, many of the Elevated interior details are expected to emerge on the carrier’s forthcoming Polaris-equipped Boeing 737-10s and Airbus A321XLRs.
The Star Alliance member is unveiling this new configuration at an event on Tuesday, 13 May in Brooklyn. We’ll be there for a hands-on look, providing detailed insights and first impressions. Additionally, we will also be reporting from the inaugural American Flagship flights on 5 June.
But until then, a toast to United’s impressive premium push.
Related Articles:
- American Airlines’ Flagship Suites aboard 787-9P are now on sale
- United Airlines’ premium chops on display with MAX 8 First Class
- Delta goes darker, moodier with new cabin CMF
- United fits Starlink to E175, touts ease of install and high speeds
- United ramps up narrowbody fleet retrofit with Signature interior
All images credited to United Airlines
