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 7, 2019, 8:19 am
#136
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Boston MA
Programs: UA 1K/1.5 million miler, SU Gold, JL Sapphire
Posts: 529
This is a good news for those of us lucky enough to have J paid by the company. It is somewhat good to those frequent flyers that hope for upgrades - obviously international it means with a GPU.
I think this is also a winning move by UA. You cannot be everything to everyone. You cannot be Spirit and SQ in the same airplane. The legacy carriers tried with the introduction of basic no frills fares (and before this with Ted), but there is a limit to this, and I think we hit it.
You need to pick who you want to be. With its structure, it is very unlikely United can compete heads on with LCC and ULCC.
Question is, can it compete with the "upscale" companies? Maybe. But there is much more to this than only seats. Service and consistency are also very important, and right now these are not up to snuff. But is it possible for United to achieve these? Call me a daydreamer, but I think there is a way. But they will need to have significant changes to some of their approaches.
I think this is also a winning move by UA. You cannot be everything to everyone. You cannot be Spirit and SQ in the same airplane. The legacy carriers tried with the introduction of basic no frills fares (and before this with Ted), but there is a limit to this, and I think we hit it.
You need to pick who you want to be. With its structure, it is very unlikely United can compete heads on with LCC and ULCC.
Question is, can it compete with the "upscale" companies? Maybe. But there is much more to this than only seats. Service and consistency are also very important, and right now these are not up to snuff. But is it possible for United to achieve these? Call me a daydreamer, but I think there is a way. But they will need to have significant changes to some of their approaches.
Feb 7, 2019, 8:49 am
#137
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,447
So, this is not B737 and B737 MAX, which for all intents and purposes use the same fuselage, but IIRC MAX has new or modified wings, and most certainly different engines. Yes, I can tell a MAX from NG even a mile from takeoff by the size of the engines (looking up at the sky).
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?
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?
I doubt there will be any aerodynamic improvements, but the gross weight changes will necessitate updating manuals and paperwork. There may also be a 'paper' derate of the engines, but that would be pure speculation on my part.
Corporate real estate projects (Polaris Lounges) are apples-to-oranges comparisons and really would be inapplicable in this case.
I think anyone expecting more than a basic flat surface on which a snack basket can be placed, along with some water bottles, (while the single FA does a drink service in Y) will be disappointed.
Last edited by EWR764; Feb 7, 2019 at 9:01 am
Feb 7, 2019, 9:33 am
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,158
...
Question is, can it compete with the "upscale" companies? Maybe. But there is much more to this than only seats. Service and consistency are also very important, and right now these are not up to snuff. But is it possible for United to achieve these? Call me a daydreamer, but I think there is a way. But they will need to have significant changes to some of their approaches.
Question is, can it compete with the "upscale" companies? Maybe. But there is much more to this than only seats. Service and consistency are also very important, and right now these are not up to snuff. But is it possible for United to achieve these? Call me a daydreamer, but I think there is a way. But they will need to have significant changes to some of their approaches.
Feb 7, 2019, 9:40 am
#139
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,429
What I find most interesting is that it looks like they are adding a closet, and making the F cabin staggered. Wonder if this is to address lack of galley storage, but definitely a plus to have more F on the 320s.
Feb 7, 2019, 10:00 am
#140
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,671
No chance UA will have self-serve liquor though.
Feb 7, 2019, 10:01 am
#141
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,447
Perhaps the 319 will still have the full divider?
Feb 7, 2019, 11:12 am
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SEA or BGR, Lower Earth Orbit
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 17,217
Feb 7, 2019, 11:34 am
#144
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
UA dropped nonstop from my hometown airport YYJ to SFO. 20 years plus, for many years twice daily, for a little while even a CR7 (never had the pleasure on this route), then to once a day, and dropped completely last month
Sure, AC puddlejumper to YVR, where there are lounges is nice, but sometimes that nonstop to SFO was good to have as an option even on CRJ 
Feb 7, 2019, 12:14 pm
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
Programs: Sometimes known as [ARG:6 UNDEFINED]
Posts: 26,687
Feb 7, 2019, 12:26 pm
#146
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,447
Usually, there will be bulkheads with no cutout when the space in front of the seats is occupied by a cabin monument (closet, lav, galley, lieflat seat unit) or has a floor-level exit immediately forward.
Feb 7, 2019, 1:45 pm
#147
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Despite wishful thinking and praying—it’s been all CR2 service since 2001 and I have somewhere between 600-800 segments on that POS aircraft. It won’t be happening any time soon, much to my dismay.
Saginaw is actually very, very profitable...Thanks to Dow and the generally higher fares. So profitable that SkyWest takes their right to operate the station at-risk to and from ORD. They own the scheduling, ground staff, flights and revenue for all MBS flights. By contract Skywest cannot fly anything bigger than 50 seaters, despite Dow’s pleas for airframes with F seats.
...And since this new 550 is at least initially a Gojet thing, they won’t be coming in with OO’s control in the market. Unless they were to introduce a much-discussed and needed IAH flight. But this time the problem is that UA says ORD for the 550, then EWR. No mention of IAH. So, again, back to being stuck with continued all -200 service.
So as usual, DL wins at MBS. Daily -700 and -900 flights. Much better scheduling, airframes and reliability than UA...And I’m saying this as a UA-only loyal flyer.
Feb 7, 2019, 2:04 pm
#148
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,388
...And since this new 550 is at least initially a Gojet thing, they won’t be coming in with OO’s control in the market. Unless they were to introduce a much-discussed and needed IAH flight. But this time the problem is that UA says ORD for the 550, then EWR. No mention of IAH. So, again, back to being stuck with continued all -200 service.
Feb 7, 2019, 2:11 pm
#149
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,447
Saginaw is actually very, very profitable...Thanks to Dow and the generally higher fares. So profitable that SkyWest takes their right to operate the station at-risk to and from ORD. They own the scheduling, ground staff, flights and revenue for all MBS flights. By contract Skywest cannot fly anything bigger than 50 seaters, despite Dow’s pleas for airframes with F seats.
In many instances, the mainline carrier has the option to bring routes under the CPA as necessary, so if there was a business case for UA to bring MBS onto the CPA or the mainline network, I don't think anything would prevent it from doing so. I'm not certain of whether there is a special arrangement in MBS, but the other pro-rate OO/UA stations at ORD are decidedly marginal: EAU, CMX, PAH, MKG, DLH, and a few others. SkyWest isn't flying 50-seaters at-risk to Muskegon, for example, because it's a wildly profitable spoke.
I'm interested to know if MBS (and if so, why) is a special case.
Last edited by EWR764; Feb 7, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Feb 7, 2019, 2:21 pm
#150
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Usually, the at-risk flying is to stations the brand doesn't want to bring under the CPA for any number of reasons. More often than not, it's because of margins, and the regional can choose to operate the service pro-rate, often with subsidies. The regional might be satisfied with lower margins than the mainline carrier wants for CPA flying. The CPAs are generally drafted to give the mainline carrier the right of first refusal as to CPA routes versus pro-rate.
In many instances, the mainline carrier has the option to bring routes under the CPA as necessary, so if there was a business case for UA to bring MBS onto the CPA or the mainline network, I don't think anything would prevent it from doing so. I'm not certain of whether there is a special arrangement in MBS, but the other pro-rate OO/UA stations at ORD are decidedly marginal: EAU, CMX, PAH, MKG, DLH, and a few others. SkyWest isn't flying 50-seaters at-risk to Muskegon, for example, because it's a wildly profitable spoke.
In many instances, the mainline carrier has the option to bring routes under the CPA as necessary, so if there was a business case for UA to bring MBS onto the CPA or the mainline network, I don't think anything would prevent it from doing so. I'm not certain of whether there is a special arrangement in MBS, but the other pro-rate OO/UA stations at ORD are decidedly marginal: EAU, CMX, PAH, MKG, DLH, and a few others. SkyWest isn't flying 50-seaters at-risk to Muskegon, for example, because it's a wildly profitable spoke.
But a lot of those stations you mention are EAS...Certainly MKG and CMX. MBS is not. I’m just going on what I’ve heard from actual airport employees and the Skywest and previous AW ground ops. Anyway, I doubt the EAS airports are very profitable at all...As OO themselves own the contracts with the government, not UA. Not sure how that plays in.