The 'High-J' Boeing 767 is Coming to All of United's Newark-London Flights
Premium cabin lovers, rejoice! At least if you're flying United Airlines between Newark Liberty and London Heathrow.
Every United Airlines flight on the route soon will be on the carrier's newly reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER jets that feature more of the carrier's "Polaris" lie-flat business-class seats.
Currently, four of United's five daily London (LHR) flights are on the premium-heavy 767-300ER. Beginning Sept. 15, all five will feature the so-called "high-J" configuration.
That layout features 16 more Polaris business class seats than the airline's other 767 configurations. It also has 22 seats in Premium Plus – United's new international-style premium economy cabin. In coach, the reconfigured 767-300ERs seat 45 in Economy Plus and 52 in coach.
Related: 16 Rows of Biz: Reviewing Polaris on United's 'High-J' 767-300ER
United says the jet "will feature the highest proportion of premium seats on any widebody aircraft operated by any U.S. carrier."
The expanded business class cabin, and smaller economy cabin, not only increases the opportunity for traveler upgrades, but creates additional opportunities for United to sell upgrades.
That's actually part of the thinking, says Patrick Quayle, United's Vice President International Planning.
Offering the "high-J" configured 767-300ERs is part of a broader strategy to be more competitive between United's Newark (EWR) hub and London Heathrow. It's a shift away from the 757 narrow-bodies United once flew on the route. And, now, the new configuration presents even more premium options for high-end customers.
"New York to London Heathrow is the largest premium market in the world," Quayle says in an interview with The Points Guy. "Previously, United was flying an inferior product on it with 757 narrow-body with the B/E Diamond seat."
Related: The 8 Best Credit Cards for Flying United
"People weren't flying us because it was a subpar product on too small of an aircraft," he adds.
But Quayle says United has been able to move the needle with the "high-J" configuration.
"We've now improved the product. We have lie-flats. The number of seats has exponentially improved," he says. "What we're trying to attract is the businesswoman and businessman."
Since United began using the "high-J" configuration on its Newark-London flights, the carrier has already been hearing from customers.
Related: Bye, Bye Continental: United Officially Drops Continental Name
"The feedback has been incredibly positive," Quayle says. "It allows our businesswomen and businessmen to get availability on the aircraft. There's also availability for upgrades. Our corporate travelers like to have the last-minute availability and have the ability to upgrade if they want to. This configuration allows that."
When asked how important it is to balance advance sales of paid Polaris seats versus the desire to have a few open for late-booking customers, Quayle conceded that it's "more of an art than a science."
"You want to have the right mix," he says. "Enough of the cabin sold with fare-paying passengers in advance. (But) you want to have availability toward the end for last-minute traffic. You also want to have a little bit of availability for people to use their miles for upgrades, because that's how we create value in the MileagePlus program."
United plans to offer the high-J 767s on all of its flights between Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Heathrow by year-end, and between Newark and Switzerland in 2020.
Contributing: Ned Russell, TPG. Featured image by Alberto Riva, TPG.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.