Feb 6, 2019, 11:33 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
United Adds More Than 1,600 New Premium Seats to International, Domestic and Regional Aircraft; More Comfort for More Customers in the Skies
United to add 50 percent more premium cabin seats to more than 100 aircraft
United to introduce best-in-the-sky 50-seat flying experience with innovative new aircraft
CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2019
United Airlines today announced the next step in its commitment to making more customers more comfortable by adding more than 1,600 United Polaris® business class and United First seats to nearly 250 international and domestic aircraft. Additionally, United will revolutionize the regional flying experience by introducing the two-cabin, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its fleet, offering customers on key regional routes more legroom, storage and amenities than any other 50-seat regional aircraft operating today.
Click here to view an infographic on United's newly reconfigured aircraft
"In an era where many airlines are adding seats to their aircraft to crowd more passengers onto the plane, we're re-configuring more than 100 of our aircraft and doing exactly the opposite – for the benefit of our customers," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "From adding more premium seats on aircraft that serve some of our most traveled routes, introducing a revolutionary, best-in-class 50-seat experience or simply offering free DIRECTV on more than 200 aircraft, we are committed to making United the airline that our customers choose to fly."
More United Polaris business seats on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft
In the next several weeks, United will introduce to its fleet the first of 21 reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring 16 additional United Polaris business seats in the premium cabin – a more than 50 percent increase in all-aisle-access seating – bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The newly reconfigured aircraft will also feature 22 United® Premium Plus seats (becoming the first 767-300ER to offer this seat type); 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats. United will first operate the reconfigured 767 – which will feature the highest proportion of premium seats on any widebody operated by any U.S. carrier – between Newark/New York and London, offering 50 percent more premium seats in the largest premium route in the world. The airline expects to introduce all the reconfigured aircraft to its fleet by the end of next year.
More United First seats on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft
United is also adding more United First® seats to its fleet of Airbus aircraft, offering customers greater opportunities to upgrade and enjoy a premium flying experience. Beginning this fall, the carrier will add four United First seats on its fleet of Airbus A319s, increasing the total count from eight to 12. The reconfigured aircraft will also feature 36 Economy Plus and 78 Economy seats.
Beginning early next year, United will add four United First seats on its fleet of nearly 100 Airbus A320 aircraft, increasing the total count from 12 to 16. The reconfigured aircraft will also feature 39 Economy Plus seats and 95 Economy seats. United expects to complete the reconfiguration of the Airbus A320 and A319s by the middle of next year.
Introducing the first-of-its-kind Bombardier CRJ 550
By the end of this year, United will revolutionize the regional flying experience with the planned introduction of 50 spacious, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its regional fleet, subject to government certification. In addition to becoming the only 50-seat aircraft in the world to offer true first-class seating, the innovative new aircraft will provide customers with a truly exceptional flying experience, including a state-of-the-art interior featuring LED lighting, a self-serve beverage and snack station for customers seated in the premium cabin, Wi-Fi and more overall legroom per seat than any other 50-seat aircraft flown by any U.S. carrier. Additionally, the CRJ 550 will feature four storage closets, providing customers ample room to store their carryon bags and making the CRJ 550 the only regional jet in the skies where customers will not need to routinely gate check their bags.
The two-cabin CRJ 550 will feature 10 United First seats; 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 Economy seats. The CRJ 550 aircraft will eventually replace existing single-cabin 50-seat aircraft and will bring a higher percentage of two-cabin departures to smaller cities across the carrier's network. Additionally, the innovative aircraft will enable United to offer premium seats on more connecting flights from smaller cities to the airline's overall global network, further strengthening its competitive position and emphasizing its role as an industry innovator.
United expects that its regional partner GoJet will begin operating the CRJ 550 in the second half of this year – subject to agreement on final terms and conditions – on select routes from Chicago, O'Hare followed by Newark/New York, offering customers connecting through the hub the opportunity to enjoy a premium cabin experience at every step of their journey.
Every customer. Every flight. Every day.
In 2019, United is focusing more than ever on its commitment to its customers, looking at every aspect of its business to ensure that the carrier keeps customers' best interests at the heart of its service. In addition to today's announcement, United recently released a re-imagined version of the most downloaded app in the airline industry and made DIRECTV free for every passenger on 211 aircraft, offering more than 100 channels on seat back monitors on more than 30,000 seats. The multimillion-dollar investment in improving inflight entertainment options will benefit the more than 29 million people expected to fly United's DIRECTV-enabled planes this year.
United to add 50 percent more premium cabin seats to more than 100 aircraft
United to introduce best-in-the-sky 50-seat flying experience with innovative new aircraft
CHICAGO, Feb. 6, 2019
United Airlines today announced the next step in its commitment to making more customers more comfortable by adding more than 1,600 United Polaris® business class and United First seats to nearly 250 international and domestic aircraft. Additionally, United will revolutionize the regional flying experience by introducing the two-cabin, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its fleet, offering customers on key regional routes more legroom, storage and amenities than any other 50-seat regional aircraft operating today.
Click here to view an infographic on United's newly reconfigured aircraft
"In an era where many airlines are adding seats to their aircraft to crowd more passengers onto the plane, we're re-configuring more than 100 of our aircraft and doing exactly the opposite – for the benefit of our customers," said Andrew Nocella, United's executive vice president and chief commercial officer. "From adding more premium seats on aircraft that serve some of our most traveled routes, introducing a revolutionary, best-in-class 50-seat experience or simply offering free DIRECTV on more than 200 aircraft, we are committed to making United the airline that our customers choose to fly."
More United Polaris business seats on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft
In the next several weeks, United will introduce to its fleet the first of 21 reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring 16 additional United Polaris business seats in the premium cabin – a more than 50 percent increase in all-aisle-access seating – bringing the total premium cabin seat count to 46. The newly reconfigured aircraft will also feature 22 United® Premium Plus seats (becoming the first 767-300ER to offer this seat type); 47 Economy Plus® seats and 52 Economy seats. United will first operate the reconfigured 767 – which will feature the highest proportion of premium seats on any widebody operated by any U.S. carrier – between Newark/New York and London, offering 50 percent more premium seats in the largest premium route in the world. The airline expects to introduce all the reconfigured aircraft to its fleet by the end of next year.
More United First seats on Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft
United is also adding more United First® seats to its fleet of Airbus aircraft, offering customers greater opportunities to upgrade and enjoy a premium flying experience. Beginning this fall, the carrier will add four United First seats on its fleet of Airbus A319s, increasing the total count from eight to 12. The reconfigured aircraft will also feature 36 Economy Plus and 78 Economy seats.
Beginning early next year, United will add four United First seats on its fleet of nearly 100 Airbus A320 aircraft, increasing the total count from 12 to 16. The reconfigured aircraft will also feature 39 Economy Plus seats and 95 Economy seats. United expects to complete the reconfiguration of the Airbus A320 and A319s by the middle of next year.
Introducing the first-of-its-kind Bombardier CRJ 550
By the end of this year, United will revolutionize the regional flying experience with the planned introduction of 50 spacious, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its regional fleet, subject to government certification. In addition to becoming the only 50-seat aircraft in the world to offer true first-class seating, the innovative new aircraft will provide customers with a truly exceptional flying experience, including a state-of-the-art interior featuring LED lighting, a self-serve beverage and snack station for customers seated in the premium cabin, Wi-Fi and more overall legroom per seat than any other 50-seat aircraft flown by any U.S. carrier. Additionally, the CRJ 550 will feature four storage closets, providing customers ample room to store their carryon bags and making the CRJ 550 the only regional jet in the skies where customers will not need to routinely gate check their bags.
The two-cabin CRJ 550 will feature 10 United First seats; 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 Economy seats. The CRJ 550 aircraft will eventually replace existing single-cabin 50-seat aircraft and will bring a higher percentage of two-cabin departures to smaller cities across the carrier's network. Additionally, the innovative aircraft will enable United to offer premium seats on more connecting flights from smaller cities to the airline's overall global network, further strengthening its competitive position and emphasizing its role as an industry innovator.
United expects that its regional partner GoJet will begin operating the CRJ 550 in the second half of this year – subject to agreement on final terms and conditions – on select routes from Chicago, O'Hare followed by Newark/New York, offering customers connecting through the hub the opportunity to enjoy a premium cabin experience at every step of their journey.
Every customer. Every flight. Every day.
In 2019, United is focusing more than ever on its commitment to its customers, looking at every aspect of its business to ensure that the carrier keeps customers' best interests at the heart of its service. In addition to today's announcement, United recently released a re-imagined version of the most downloaded app in the airline industry and made DIRECTV free for every passenger on 211 aircraft, offering more than 100 channels on seat back monitors on more than 30,000 seats. The multimillion-dollar investment in improving inflight entertainment options will benefit the more than 29 million people expected to fly United's DIRECTV-enabled planes this year.
United Adding 1600 Premium Seats -- 763, A319/A320, CRJ550(CRJ700)
Feb 6, 2019, 2:41 pm
#106
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No one is complaining about more F. The concern is what that means for the economy cabin. Reduced legroom? Reduced E+? More F doesn't matter if you don't buy or get upgraded to F, and for many travelers being able to select an E+ seat is a more valuable benefit than the slim chance of an upgrade.
Feb 6, 2019, 2:43 pm
#107
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From this pic it just looks like they're axing 9 E+ seats:
Added: okay, I see the discrepancy now. 42 to 39 E+, and 96 to 95 E. Odd.
Last edited by narvik; Feb 6, 2019 at 2:50 pm
Feb 6, 2019, 2:48 pm
#108
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Spaceflex lavs in back, allowing Y to be repitched?
Feb 6, 2019, 2:55 pm
#109
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Pretty easily, actually. The CRJ-550 is fundamentally a CRJ-700, with a supplemental type certificate and paperwork updates to reconfigure the cabin and reduce certified gross weights to comply with United's pilot scope clause.
It's not a "new" aircraft model, not a "new" type certificate, and I have seen no indication that these are actually new airplanes. I'd be shocked if they were.
It's not a "new" aircraft model, not a "new" type certificate, and I have seen no indication that these are actually new airplanes. I'd be shocked if they were.
MONTRÉAL, Feb. 06, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier Commercial Aircraft is pleased to officially launch the new CRJ550 aircraft, the first triple-class 50-seat aircraft in the world designed to meet the expectations of today’s passengers. The CRJ550 is a new CRJ Series aircraft model, with a new type certificate based on the CRJ700. United Airlines is the launch customer of this new model.
Feb 6, 2019, 2:57 pm
#111
Join Date: Aug 2001
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From FlightGlobal - inference I'm drawing is that existing airframes will be retrofitted. To be clear, I know nothing here, just what I am reading and jumping to conclusions about.
"The CRJ700 airframes will be sourced from United's existing regional fleet, including 25 already operated by GoJet, United says."
"The CRJ700 airframes will be sourced from United's existing regional fleet, including 25 already operated by GoJet, United says."
Feb 6, 2019, 3:02 pm
#112
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Oh, and this is going to lead to a crap transitional seat map where 7DEF likely won't show until 48 hours out, although I realize 7DE are usually held back for special needs. And that may mean they'll do that for 7BC instead, removing those seats (among the best) for early selection.
Feb 6, 2019, 3:12 pm
#113
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This will, in all likelihood, be a derivative on the same type certificate, owing to the reduced gross weights, similar to the CRJ-705, which is technically the CL-600-2D15, but little more than a CRJ-900 modified to comply with Air Canada's former scope clause. There won't be the necessity of a full-scale flight test program that would be required for an airframe on a new type certificate.
So, not a new type certificate, and the airframes ordered by United aren't new, either. They'll be flown by pilots on the same type rating. One day they'll be CRJ-700s (CL-600-2CXX), the next they'll be CRJ-550s (CL-600-2XXX). Same number of hours, same number of cycles as before.
The more I read about it, the more interesting the deal is, and it's fairly innovative, especially coming from United which is often held out as a follower in the industry.
Bombardier will likely take the airplanes back from GoJet or another UAX operator for a period of time, in a bit of a make-work project (to temporarily goose a moribund program) to reconfigure and recertify the derivative. United will benefit from a scope-compliant "50-seater" for the time being, and Bombardier can either continue with mods of existing CRJ-700s or, more preferably, secure some orders for new-builds. United no doubt is getting a good deal for its initial batch as the "launch customer".
Feb 6, 2019, 4:03 pm
#114
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Ths is what UA says
Feb 6, 2019, 4:46 pm
#115
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It all sounds great, but as with the Polaris announcement, we will see how it goes. I feel more confident about the high-J 763, since that was leaked months ago and the first one is already in mod, vs. the other components being done in a more timely fashion.
Feb 6, 2019, 5:55 pm
#117
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.....
This will, in all likelihood, be a derivative on the same type certificate, owing to the reduced gross weights, similar to the CRJ-705, which is technically the CL-600-2D15, but little more than a CRJ-900 modified to comply with Air Canada's former scope clause. There won't be the necessity of a full-scale flight test program that would be required for an airframe on a new type certificate.
So, not a new type certificate, and the airframes ordered by United aren't new, either. They'll be flown by pilots on the same type rating. One day they'll be CRJ-700s (CL-600-2CXX), the next they'll be CRJ-550s (CL-600-2XXX). Same number of hours, same number of cycles as before
........
Bombardier will likely take the airplanes back from GoJet or another UAX operator for a period of time, in a bit of a make-work project (to temporarily goose a moribund program) to reconfigure and recertify the derivative. United will benefit from a scope-compliant "50-seater" for the time being, and Bombardier can either continue with mods of existing CRJ-700s or, more preferably, secure some orders for new-builds. United no doubt is getting a good deal for its initial batch as the "launch customer".
This will, in all likelihood, be a derivative on the same type certificate, owing to the reduced gross weights, similar to the CRJ-705, which is technically the CL-600-2D15, but little more than a CRJ-900 modified to comply with Air Canada's former scope clause. There won't be the necessity of a full-scale flight test program that would be required for an airframe on a new type certificate.
So, not a new type certificate, and the airframes ordered by United aren't new, either. They'll be flown by pilots on the same type rating. One day they'll be CRJ-700s (CL-600-2CXX), the next they'll be CRJ-550s (CL-600-2XXX). Same number of hours, same number of cycles as before
........
Bombardier will likely take the airplanes back from GoJet or another UAX operator for a period of time, in a bit of a make-work project (to temporarily goose a moribund program) to reconfigure and recertify the derivative. United will benefit from a scope-compliant "50-seater" for the time being, and Bombardier can either continue with mods of existing CRJ-700s or, more preferably, secure some orders for new-builds. United no doubt is getting a good deal for its initial batch as the "launch customer".
And given UA does not send 737s back to Boeing for scimitar and new seat retrofit, will they send CRJs to Bombardier or just have a third party do it? Maybe the first jet?
Feb 6, 2019, 6:01 pm
#118
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Feb 6, 2019, 6:24 pm
#119
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Have to admit I like this idea as an alternative to the single-cabin Barbie jets that ply the hinterlands of America. And the luggage storage closets mid-cabin - awesome! Today they probably waste a lot of time at every airport as people have to roll their bags upstream after they didn't fit in the overhead that they'll save money with on-time departures.
Feb 6, 2019, 6:30 pm
#120
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I'm really hoping that the CR5 will allow Bangor to have year round flights to ORD, or at least upgrade the EWR flight. MKE/MSN-EWR is usually a ERJ, so if that was upgraded that would be HUGE. I know I'm being selfish on those, but they seem to generally be full, and would put them in a better position against Delta in those markets.