This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
It’s finally happening, United has announced its upgrading the business class seats on its widebody aircraft that are used on some of its longest international routes.
United said it will start retrofitting its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with its new Polaris seats, replacing the current sub-par option that’s been on the aircraft since 2014. The airline says that the first -8 or -9 will be reconfigured with the new seat by the end of 2019.
Until now, United hadn’t announced when it would be upgrading its Dreamliners, the first being delivered almost five years ago. Currently, you’ll find these less private seats laid out in a 2-2-2 configuration.
In 2016, United announced an overhaul to its premium product offering, getting rid of first class and upgrading business class seats to its new Polaris business class product that features semi-enclosed suites with direct aisle access and upgraded amenities like Saks Fifth Avenue bedding.
United just took delivery of its first 787-10, which features the new seat, and it’s configured in a 1-2-1 layout. Since the -8s and -9s are the same width as the -10, it’s likely United will use the same layout.
“We’re trying to get the reconfigurations done as aggressively as possible.” United’s Vice-President of Marketing Mark Krolick told Australian Business Traveller.
The airline is currently flying 37 -8s and -9s with the old seats, but hopes to have the first aircraft refitted by the end of this year.
“By the end of 2020, we should have the majority of the international widebody fleet reconfigured… the only possible exceptions to that would be any aircraft that are slated for immediate retirement,” Krolick said.
According United’s Polaris tracker, the airline has already reconfigured 13 of 14 Boeing 767-300ERs, 13 of 51 Boeing 777-200s and all of its 777-300ERs and 787-10s were delivered to the airline with the new seats. However, United is still operating quite a few 767s with the older seats (these are not included in the Polaris tracker), it’s unclear if and when these will get reconfigured.
The changes will not just affect business class — the airline plans on rolling out its new premium economy Premium Plus seats on the -8s and -9s.
United’s just opened its fifth Polaris lounge in Los Angeles (LAX) and plans on building four more in the coming years. United is still taking -9 deliveries from Boeing, although all those will be delivered with the new seat.
United confirmed with TPG that 787 retrofits are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of the year.
For more on United Polaris, read our in-depth guide that explains everything you need to know about the product, from how to book with miles and which routes to find it on.
Featured image by Zach Honig / The Points Guy.
Know before you go.
News and deals straight to your inbox every day.
Aside from the 75,000 points welcome bonus, Amex recently made huge improvements to the Business Platinum Card, including the fact that you will now earn 50% more points on purchases of $5,000 or more, earn 5x on flights and eligible hotels at Amextravel.com and cardholders will receive a $200 airline fee credit each year.
- Welcome Offer: Earn up to 75,000 Membership Rewards® points.
- Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $10,000 and an extra 25,000 points after you spend an additional $10,000 all on qualifying purchases within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com.
- Get 50% more Membership Rewards® points. That's 1.5 points per dollar, on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more. You can get up to 1 million additional points per year.
- 35% Airline Bonus: Use Membership Rewards® Pay with Points for all or part of a flight with your selected qualifying airline, and you can get 35% of the points back, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Enroll to get up to $200 in statement credits annually by getting up to $100 semi-annually for U.S. purchases with Dell. Terms apply.
- Get one year of Platinum Global Access from WeWork. With this membership, you can access 300+ premium, inspiring workspaces in 75+ cities. To get this exclusive offer, enroll between 2/15/2019 and 12/31/2019.
- Terms Apply
- See Rates & Fees
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
