United Airlines is improving the premium experience on its Boeing 787-9s. The airline will introduce a new United Polaris Studio, which is 25% larger than Polaris.
It features privacy doors, an extra ottoman for travel companions and 27-inch in-flight entertainment screens. Service onboard also gets an upgrade with new luxury skincare amenities and exclusive wine and caviar pairings.
New Boeing 787-9s with the United Elevated interior get a nose-to-tail transformation with the highest number of total premium seats in United’s fleet, new United Polaris Studio suites, new United Polaris suites, updated United Premium Plus® seats with privacy dividers and wireless charging, and largest economy seatback screens in the world*
Delivery of first United 787-9 with the Elevated interior expected before the end of 2025. The first international passenger flights are planned in 2026 from San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London.
All of United’s future Boeing 787 deliveries will feature United Polaris Studio suites and Elevated interiors. The airline expects at least 30 aircraft to join the fleet by 2027.
Elevating The Premium Cabin Experience
The United Elevated interior for new Boeing 787-9 aircraft will raise the standard of international premium travel among U.S. carriers. It will include two new business class suites and the greatest number of total premium seats in United’s fleet. Additionally, there will be an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, Starlink connectivity, and even larger 4K OLED seatback screens.
The airline’s new United Polaris Studio suites are positioned in the first row of each business class section. They feature eight lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are 25% larger than standard United Polaris seats. These suites have privacy doors and an extra ottoman seat for companions.
There are exclusive entrée options and an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service. The suites include new amenity kits with luxury skincare offerings, wireless charging, and Bluetooth connectivity. Additionally, there is a huge 27-inch, 4K OLED seatback screen, the largest among U.S. carriers.
Standard United Polaris seats are upgraded to suites. This includes the addition of sliding doors and larger, 19-inch 4K OLED screens. All customers flying United Polaris business class have access to the airline’s six award-winning United Polaris lounges.
“We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific – these new innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond,” said Andrew Nocella, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at United. “We never stand still and are always looking for more ways to set ourselves apart from other carriers. And we’re confident this elevated experience will take international flying to new heights.”
A Nose-To-Tail Transformation
The Elevated interior on the 787-9 includes a nose-to-tail transformation. It features refined finishes and a fresher, brighter, and warmer feel throughout. There’s something for everyone: 99 total premium seats – the highest percentage among U.S. carriers.
United Premium Plus seats come with privacy dividers and wireless charging. The United Economy cabin has Bluetooth connectivity and the largest Economy class seatback screens in the world.
United has invested more than $150 million in total food and beverage improvements this year alone. Planes with the United Elevated interior will include access to a new, onboard grab-and-go snack bar. This is for United Polaris business class customers and offers treats from brands like Garretts, Community, and Joe & Seph’s.
There are also United Polaris Studio-specific options. These include an amuse-bouche of Ossetra caviar paired with Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.
The airline also will introduce mid-flight meal options that include a regionally influenced tapas service. And customers in United Economy will see expanded dining options with three entrée choices, new desserts, and an appetizer course.
30 New Elevated Airplanes
United expects to take delivery of the first United 787-9 with the Elevated interior before the end of 2025. The first international passenger flights are planned in 2026. They will fly from San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London. United is the largest carrier across the Atlantic and Pacific and flies to 147 total international destinations.
All of United’s future 787 deliveries will get United Polaris Studio suites. They will also have Elevated interiors. The airline expects about 30 of these planes to join its fleet by 2027.
Airplanes with the Elevated interior will also be among the first United widebodies offering free Starlink connectivity for United MileagePlus members. The service is ideal for international travel. It delivers fast and reliable internet access around the world. This includes over oceans, polar regions, and other remote locations formerly unreachable by traditional cell or WiFi signals.
The first deliveries of 787-9 planes with the Elevated interior will include:
- Eight United Polaris business class Studio suites
- Two rows across two sections, 1-2-1 configuration
- 56 United Polaris business class suites
- 14 rows, across two sections, in a 1-2-1 configuration
- Customers can choose between seats that face the window or center of the aircraft (ideal for individual travelers) and seats where all the suites face the aisle (perfect for those flying together)
- 35 United Premium Plus seats, the most in United’s fleet
- 5 rows in a 2-3-2 configuration
- 33 United Economy Plus seats and 90 United Economy seats
- 15 total rows in a 3-3-3 configuration
The carrier’s current 787-9s have 48 United Polaris seats, 21 United Premium Plus seats, 39 United Economy Plus seats and 149 United Economy seats.
Inside The New United Polaris Studio
United Polaris Studio is located in the first row of each business class section. It will be priced differently than the standard United Polaris. The studio has superior features and design elements. United Polaris Studio suites are larger. They include an ottoman with a seatbelt for companions in six of the eight seats. Each United Polaris Studio suite also has a huge, 27-inch, 4K OLED touchscreen – the largest among U.S. carriers, Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging as well as separate USB-C and electrical outlets. The suite also includes digital seat control options, quartzite tables, a soft, wool-blend seat and wood grain trim.
United Polaris Studio amenities are also upgraded. They include exclusive hoodie-pajamas and slippers on all flights. New noise-cancelling headphones are powered by Meridian technology. Amenity kits feature clinically formulated Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ luxury skincare products. United-branded playing cards are ideal for passing the time with someone in the ottoman seat. There is a plush velvet throw pillow on the ottoman. Additionally, passengers can sleep comfortably with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. It includes a duvet, day blanket, large pillow, and cooling gel pillow.
Customers who book a United Polaris Studio suite have access to the airline’s Global Reception® area. They will enjoy preferred boarding alongside United Global Services® customers. These customers are also eligible for United’s tarmac transfer program.
New Standard United Polaris
The new standard United Polaris suites on airplanes with the Elevated interior are also upgraded with several enhancements. They include the addition of sliding doors and a 19-inch 4K OLED touchscreen with Bluetooth. There are four ways to charge devices, including wireless, and there are digital seat controls.
The famous United Polaris sundae cart gets an upgrade. It now features a rotation of limited time Tillamook ice cream flavors paired with new toppings. This will run throughout the year alongside the customer favorite staple – classic vanilla bean.
United Premium Plus and United Economy
The United Premium Plus seats on aircraft with the Elevated interior get a major upgrade. They add elements normally reserved for United Polaris customers. These elements include soft-touch materials, quartzite cocktail tables, and a 16-inch 4K OLED screen. Customers will also enjoy Bluetooth. They can use three ways to charge their personal devices. This includes wireless charging, which is offered for the first time in United Premium Plus. The seats have a dedicated water bottle holder. There is also a headphone holder and a privacy divider with a built-in reading light. This is also a first for United Premium Plus.
United Economy Plus and United Economy customers on planes with the Elevated interior will all enjoy 13-inch, 4K OLED screens. These are the largest Economy class screens in the world. These cabins also include Bluetooth connectivity in every seat and six power outlets per row. They feature the refreshed look and feel of United’s UPP cabin. Customers in United Economy can truly relax. The seat’s cradling seat bottom moves as the seat reclines.
Food & Beverage Upgrades
United’s investments in its food and beverage program are paying off. Customer satisfaction scores increased by 12% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to last year. The team remains focused on creating high-quality onboard dining experiences with signature touches across all cabins. The upgrades onboard Elevated planes are no different.
United Polaris Studio customers will enjoy the Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service. Moreover, they will get a post-dessert, curated specialty snack box. It will be delivered to their seat. It includes a mix of premium salty, sweet, and savory treats. Customers also have access to exclusive entrée options and Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.
There will be special food and beverage offerings onboard Elevated planes. They build on the work already underway to enhance the dining experience for all United customers.
United Polaris wine offerings are now among the most premium of any U.S. airline. They feature exclusive relationships with brands like Heitz Cellar, Shafer Vineyards, Stony Hill Vineyard, and Champagne Laurent-Perrier. There are also rotating offerings from Domaine Serene, Chateau Beaucastel, VIK, and The Mascot.
United Polaris customers will soon see more regional menus rotating monthly.
Customers will also enjoy new breakfast breads and bottled salad dressings. Additionally, there will be updated mid-flight snack baskets. An Aperol Spritz will be added to the drink menu.
International economy customers will soon enjoy enhancements like fresh salads with premium dressing. They will have more entrée choices and new desserts. A coursed appetizer will be served before full lunch or dinner.
Finally, United has overhauled onboard dishware with new dishes, glassware, cutlery, linens, and seasonings.
