United Debuts Wireless Charging Onboard and New Domestic First Seat
Jul 12, 23, 12:58 pm
#1
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United Debuts Wireless Charging Onboard and New Domestic First Seat
New domestic first class seat offers three types of charging outlets, vegan leather upholstery, larger seatback screens and tray tables, Bluetooth connectivity, privacy screens, Italian quartzite cocktail tables and an ergonomist-designed cushion
Travelers will start seeing the new United First seat on planes this summer as the airline expects to have the new seat on 200+ planes by late 2026
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United today introduced a new domestic first class seat that includes a wireless charging station in every arm rest.
The new United First seat – which also features vegan leather upholstery, 13-inch seatback screens and 18-inch tray tables, Bluetooth connectivity, privacy screens and an ergonomist-designed cushion – debuts on its first 737 this month, and customers will continue to see it rollout this summer. The airline expects the new seat to be on 200 domestic planes by 2026, including 737 NGs, A321neos and 737 MAXs.
Charge Multiple Devices at Once
Passengers can quickly charge their multiple electronic devices at once with three types of charging docks in each seat – wireless, AC household-style outlet and USB-C. The wireless charger is located in a compartment of the armrest to give the passenger line-of-sight to notifications and free their hands and tray table.
Travelers will start seeing the new United First seat on planes this summer as the airline expects to have the new seat on 200+ planes by late 2026
CHICAGO, July 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- United today introduced a new domestic first class seat that includes a wireless charging station in every arm rest.
The new United First seat – which also features vegan leather upholstery, 13-inch seatback screens and 18-inch tray tables, Bluetooth connectivity, privacy screens and an ergonomist-designed cushion – debuts on its first 737 this month, and customers will continue to see it rollout this summer. The airline expects the new seat to be on 200 domestic planes by 2026, including 737 NGs, A321neos and 737 MAXs.
Charge Multiple Devices at Once
Passengers can quickly charge their multiple electronic devices at once with three types of charging docks in each seat – wireless, AC household-style outlet and USB-C. The wireless charger is located in a compartment of the armrest to give the passenger line-of-sight to notifications and free their hands and tray table.
Click here for the full release.
Blogging outlets report that the privacy divider is not removable (a la Polaris).
Jul 12, 23, 1:39 pm
#2
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Evolution of current domestic F seat to better compete with Delta's new domestic F seat. When I saw the new UA seat, I immediately thought of Delta. They are similar - Delta's head privacy dividers are longer so more privacy at the head/face level while United's at armest divider is bigger. Wonder the pros and cons on each strategy. Either way, a nice evolution to the seat. Digressing, this "vegan leather" marketing term has got to stop when it really is use pleather/vinyl. If it is going to be "vegan leather," should be some sort of non-animal, non-petroleum-based material...
https://onemileatatime.com/news/new-...st-class-seat/
https://onemileatatime.com/news/new-...st-class-seat/
Jul 12, 23, 2:07 pm
#3
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Jul 12, 23, 2:08 pm
#4
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If they dont want to use leather from an ethical perspective, say so, but make no bones about what the product actually is. (If I had to bet, I suspect that the people making the decision are more concerned about cost, but).
Jul 12, 23, 3:12 pm
#6
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Let's hope they fixed the horrible seat pan that currently exists on the slimline F seats. UA currently has some of the worst F seats in America.
Jul 12, 23, 3:13 pm
#7
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I'm just glad they finally changed the tray tables... which I'm sure most of us will agree were a pain to open, especially when drinks were present in the tray. I'm going to save my comments on the divider till I experience it myself.
I will say, having flown the "beta" version of the seat on the NEXT A319, I found this seat to be a lot more comfortable than the Delta NEO seat. So I'm really looking forward to this change.
I will say, having flown the "beta" version of the seat on the NEXT A319, I found this seat to be a lot more comfortable than the Delta NEO seat. So I'm really looking forward to this change.
Jul 12, 23, 3:13 pm
#8
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Better pictures here: United unveils new first-class seats in nearly once-in-a-decade refresh (cnbc.com)
Regarding vegan leather, there is a SF Bay Area company making leather out of mushrooms: Meet Mylo (mylo-unleather.com)
Regarding vegan leather, there is a SF Bay Area company making leather out of mushrooms: Meet Mylo (mylo-unleather.com)
Jul 12, 23, 4:11 pm
#10
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Those seats look very similar to the current (awful) domestic F seat, just with a few add ons (privacy divider, wireless charging).
"Vegan leather" is bad enough; if they're actually using a petroleum based product, it's even worse, since "vegan" is generally understood to refer to a plant-based product.
"Vegan leather" is bad enough; if they're actually using a petroleum based product, it's even worse, since "vegan" is generally understood to refer to a plant-based product.
Jul 12, 23, 4:23 pm
#11
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Those seats look very similar to the current (awful) domestic F seat, just with a few add ons (privacy divider, wireless charging).
"Vegan leather" is bad enough; if they're actually using a petroleum based product, it's even worse, since "vegan" is generally understood to refer to a plant-based product.
"Vegan leather" is bad enough; if they're actually using a petroleum based product, it's even worse, since "vegan" is generally understood to refer to a plant-based product.
Jul 12, 23, 4:30 pm
#12
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Anyway, as noted over in theUnited Airlines Fleet Updates [2023 Edition] thread, interaction between a failed privacy divider and the wireless charger should be really special.
David
Jul 12, 23, 5:13 pm
#13
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Not sure why so many people are whining about this new and improved offering!
I can now charge my iPhone, iPad, and laptop all at once, and that is a real improvement!
I can now charge my iPhone, iPad, and laptop all at once, and that is a real improvement!
Jul 12, 23, 7:09 pm
#14
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It will take many years to get these rolled out across the fleet in any meaningful manner, and if it's anything like the most recent/current "new seat," it won't ever be fully implemented because the design will change again. Continued product inconsistency.
Polaris mods were just completed - took 7 years. That "new seat" is coming soon too.
Polaris mods were just completed - took 7 years. That "new seat" is coming soon too.
Jul 12, 23, 8:00 pm
#15
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Fantastic. Will it still have power outlets or usb/c chargers? It’ll be hard to charge and use the iPhone simultaneously without a cable when sitting in the seat.
