United Airlines unveiled a new generation of its Polaris business class seats on Tuesday, debuting suites with closing doors, massive seatback screens, and high-tech touches – plus, an even more spacious “Polaris Studio” at the front of each cabin.
Nearly a decade after introducing the current Polaris business class seat that's now a fixture flying overseas, the Chicago-based airline went back to the drawing board – and took a major leap forward in the process. It's part of a broader redesign that will freshen up the look of its long-haul cabins from nose to tail, including revamped premium economy (or Premium Plus, as United calls it) and economy cabins with larger screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and complimentary Starlink-powered Wi-Fi at all of them.
These snazzy new interiors on newly delivered Boeing 787-9 are expected to hit the skies sometime in late 2025, with the first international flights taking off in early 2026 from San Francisco (SFO) to London-Heathrow (LHR) and Singapore (SIN). The airline expects to have at least 30 of these long-haul jets by 2027 but hasn't said whether it will retrofit any of its existing fleet.
56 New Polaris Business Class Suites
As United and Delta duke it out for the mantle of the country's “premium” airline, all eyes are on the business class cabin.
United went with an entirely new look, sporting dark woodgrains, black accents, and faux-marble finishes throughout the cabin. And in the year 2025, you know an airline is putting doors in business class for additional privacy. And naturally, those seats are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration, so every passenger has direct access to the aisle.
Each suite is decked out with a 19-inch 4K screen with Bluetooth connectivity to pair your own headphones, wireless charging, and more.
If the seats themselves look familiar, they should. United is putting its own spin on a seat that many airlines have installed in recent years, including Hawaiian's new first class suites as well as on Qatar Airways' Boeing 787-9s.
But United is going big on business class, with a whopping 56 Polaris suites on these 787s split between two cabins. And United is doing something ingenious with how it divvies up those two cabins: One will have seats angled toward the aisle while the other will have seats that point toward the windows, giving solo travelers, companions, and traveling families more choices that suit them.
Bigger Polaris Studios with Extra Touches
The airline is doing something extra at the front of each of those cabins: A row of special “Polaris Studios.”
These “business class plus” seats have become all the rage these days – a crafty way for airlines to do something more for select passengers (and charge them more, too) while utilizing extra space at each bulkhead but without installing a full-blown first class cabin. Condor business class, JetBlue Mint Suites, Starlux business class, Etihad, and other carriers all have them.
Spread across two rows at the front of each business class cabin, United says its eight Polaris Studios give passengers 25% more space – including a buddy seat at the front of all but two studios, allowing many passengers to dine face-to-face. There's a gargantuan 27-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth, and tons of charging available.
But the special treatment goes beyond the seat itself. It starts on the ground, where Polaris Studio passengers are eligible to use the Global Reception check-in areas that are normally reserved for the airline's special, invite-only status. United also says flyers booked in a Studio may be eligible for an on-the-tarmac transfer.
On board, United is going all out with additional amenities: upgraded noise-canceling headphones and amenity kits, exclusive hoodie pajamas and slippers, bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue and not one, not two, but three pillows.
And in the air, you can snack on an Ossetra caviar amuse bouche, exclusive entree options at mealtimes, and sip a special bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.
United provided no details on how much more it will charge for these spacious Studios. But at a time when Delta is still scrambling to get more Delta One Suites in the sky – and ditch its woefully outdated business class cabins – it's hard not to see this as a shot across the bow from United.
New Premium Plus & Economy Cabins, Too
While United is undoubtedly putting its premium cabins in the spotlight, the rest of the plane is getting freshened up as well.
United's Premium Plus cabin will be 35 seats strong on these new 787-9 deliveries, spread in a 2-3-2 configuration. Each seat will have a 16-inch 4K screen, wireless charging, privacy dividers, and even a small adjustable cocktail table between each seat.
In economy, meanwhile, passengers will get a 13-inch 4K screen with Bluetooth connectivity and more power outlets in each row to stay charged.
Bottom Line
United is leveling up … and throwing down the gauntlet in its arm race with Delta.
These new business class suites are undoubtedly a major upgrade – none more so than the new Polaris Studios at the front of each cabin. Watch for them to start flying later this year.
All photos courtesy of United Airlines
