en.Wedoany.com Reported - United Airlines has put its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft with enhanced interiors into service, featuring eight new Polaris Studio seats. It is scheduled to operate its international inaugural flight from San Francisco to Singapore on April 22, followed by a San Francisco to London route on April 30. This aircraft configuration offers a total of 222 seats, including 64 Polaris business class seats, 35 Premium Plus seats, and 123 economy class seats. With 99 premium seats, it boasts the highest proportion of premium seats among U.S. carriers.
Located in the first and ninth rows of the cabin, the Polaris Studio adopts a business-plus design, offering approximately 25% more space than the standard Polaris seat. It is equipped with a 27-inch 4K OLED screen, the largest among U.S. airlines. Six of the seats feature a companion footrest, while two can be converted into a double bed. Passengers in this cabin enjoy exclusive amenities including pajamas, caviar bites, upgraded amenity kits, noise-canceling headphones, and priority boarding.
United Airlines charges a fixed upgrade fee of $499 per segment for the Polaris Studio, applicable to both standard and flexible Polaris fares. Upgrades are not supported for basic fares. Comparatively, JetBlue charges $199 for domestic and $299 for transatlantic routes for its similar Mint Studio product, while American Airlines' Flagship First Plus seats currently have no upgrade fee. United's Polaris Studio pricing strategy may be adjusted based on demand.
United Airlines has simultaneously launched a new Polaris fare structure, divided into three tiers: Basic, Standard, and Flexible. Basic fares have the most restrictions, requiring payment for seat selection, not earning mileage, and not permitting changes. Standard fares allow refunds as travel credits, while Flexible fares support full refunds and offer a higher mileage earning rate. The Polaris Studio is primarily deployed on United's 78L sub-fleet, which focuses on ultra-long-haul routes and the premium market, with plans to equip 33 aircraft of the same type by 2028.
Business-plus products are becoming an industry trend. Starlux Airlines and Etihad Airways market similar upgraded seats as first-class products, aiming to increase revenue by optimizing front-row space while meeting the demands of high-end travelers. United's future 787-10 orders will also feature similar interiors.
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