United debuts 'new' first-class seat with 2 evolutionary upgrades
There's a new first-class recliner coming to the pointy end of many United Airlines jets.
On Wednesday, the Chicago-based carrier debuted a next-generation domestic first-class seat that boasts a few improvements over the existing product.
Specifically, the new seats feature a Qi wireless charging pad just underneath the armrest in the center console.
This will allow you to simply place your latest-generation smartphone on the pad to recharge your battery. Qi wireless chargers are an additional power option on top of the seat's standard universal AC outlet and fast-charging USB-C port.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of Qi chargers on airplanes. As it stands, wireless charging technology is finicky even when you have your phone lying stationary on your desk. Add in all the wear and tear from repeated use on a plane flying (and sometimes bouncing) 500 miles per hour through the sky, and you're likely better off packing a real, wired charger. (Plus, wired charging is usually faster than Qi charging pads, too.)
The other upgrade that United is introducing is a new pie-shaped privacy divider between seats. This 11-inch by 19-inch divider should help boost your sense of personal space — something that's traditionally been lacking in domestic first-class products.
Unfortunately, this privacy divider is fixed in place, so it cannot be lowered if you're traveling with a companion.
United expects to debut this seat on its first Boeing 737, registered N73259, later this month, and it'll start rolling out more broadly later this summer.
The airline will install the seat on a total of 200 domestic planes by 2026, including on the standard and MAX versions of the Boeing 737, as well as the soon-to-fly Airbus A321neo.
"As we evolve the onboard experience, we're upending old industry norms and anticipating future needs to accommodate the new ways people live and travel," Mark Muren, managing director of identity, product and loyalty, said in a statement.
However, aside from the two aforementioned upgrades, the new first-class seats are essentially the same as the ones that United debuted earlier this year on the retrofitted Airbus A319.
Even the new A319 seats are simply a small evolution from the current product first introduced in 2015. They feature minor updates such as small privacy wings on the side of each seat, a larger tray table and 13-inch entertainment screens with Bluetooth connectivity.
This version of the refreshed first-class seat will be rolled out to more than 200 Boeing 737, Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft by 2025.
These new and retrofitted products are part of United's big "Next" campaign.
Back in 2021, the carrier unveiled a massive retrofit project alongside its largest-ever aircraft order for a whopping 270 narrow-body jets; all were branded under a so-called United Next campaign designed to direct the company through its post-pandemic development.
To coincide with the United Next kickoff, the airline debuted a new domestic cabin experience that includes seatback TVs, larger overhead bins, and faster and more reliable Wi-Fi, among other upgrades.
While factory-fresh planes (namely the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and new Boeing 737 MAX 9) already come installed with the new signature domestic interiors, United has its work cut out for it: retrofitting its existing domestic fleet with the new signature interior.
Now, with the introduction of these new first-class products, we're getting a first look at what exactly that new signature interior looks like.
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- What is United Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on United Airlines
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- 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. |
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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. (Partner offer)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.