Love premium economy? You're not alone. United wants more comfy recliner seats for its planes
United Airlines is doubling down on premium economy
Over the coming years, travelers can expect to see the Chicago-based carrier’s Premium Plus cabin expand, with more seats. And more redemption opportunities.
Like its top U.S. competitors, United plans to keep adding more high-end seats to its planes, from its Polaris suites to its domestic first-class recliners — not to mention the premium recliners found in the middle of its long-haul planes.
Speaking on the company’s second-quarter earnings call Thursday, United’s chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, said the airline underestimated how much demand it would see for its premium economy product when it installed the mid-tier cabin beginning in the late 2010s.
“We undersized the Premium Plus cabin,” Nocella told analysts. “And that’s a cabin, I think, that’s generating very good returns, and the one that we’ll probably lean more into going forward.”
Read more: The best credit cards to use for United flights
A 'very exciting' opportunity
United first debuted the seats as a distinct Premium Plus cabin in 2019. It's a way to offer a higher-end experience than coach but at a price point that’s more affordable than its Polaris business class.
By 2023, the carrier had outfitted its entire long-haul fleet of planes with the intermediate premium offering.
United’s Premium Plus passengers get access to some of the frills of business class, such as priority check-in and boarding. On board, they get larger recliners (somewhat reminiscent of domestic first class) along with better meals and amenities than the main cabin.
Related: United's Starlink Wi-Fi issues 'behind us,' 60 jets now equipped with the fast, free service
Depending on the flight, the cash and MileagePlus rates fall somewhere between coach and Polaris — sometimes about midway between the two cabins. However, it's not uncommon to see Premium Plus prices inch closer to business class than economy.
A hit with customers
Like other airlines that unveiled premium economy products in recent years, United drew immense interest from customers at a time when travelers have flocked to higher-end seats.
Still, Premium Plus (shown in purple on the seat map below) represents a fairly small section of the carrier’s planes. For instance, on its Boeing 777-300ER, the 24 recliners total less than 7% of the seats on board.
Expanding that complement of premium seats, Nocella said, represents one of the biggest expansion opportunities ahead of the airline in the coming years, among its cabins.
“Premium Plus is, I think, really a very exciting opportunity as a mid-range product,” he said Thursday.
An overall premium emphasis
United isn’t alone. Nearly every U.S. airline is leaning more heavily into premium seats, including each of the “Big Three” legacy carriers (which also includes competitors American Airlines and Delta Air Lines).
Delta executives last week said the carrier plans to reevaluate its cabin layouts in the coming years as a way to boost its overall complement of high-end seats.
American has said it expects to grow its mix of premium (business and premium economy) seats by 50% by the end of the decade.
Related: 'Basic business?' Fees on $2,500 fares may be coming. 'Not everybody wants the full experience'
For its part, United's Premium Plus growth plans come as the carrier gets ready to debut its next-generation Polaris product, which includes an ultra-ritzy studio suite at the front of some of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. That upgrade also features some new bells and whistles in the Premium Plus section.
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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.