United Is Discontinuing International First Class As Of May 1, 2018

Maybe they could just sell the old First seats as "Premium Business". Hey it's a thought 🙂

Personally it seems like a dumb idea until all the planes are retrofitted. Why give up extra revenue from a handful of paying First customers. Look at the prices you show. It's $4k more. Plus those super elites that would get upgraded from business would think they got an extra treat. It's not like the service is that much different.

I think we'll look back fondly on United First. It was better than most business class products (especially European ones) without the fuel surcharges, and in most cases, only required marginally more miles. I just wish it was better-appreciated during its time; it will be missed.

First class was so far behind competitors they might as well claim defeat. Days of Beluga caviar and roast carved by your table were long gone. Missed them though.

Can I select an F seat if I book after these dates on a 3 cabin aircraft? As a 1K, will be hoping to book and get upgraded to an F seat!

@Pat: I think we’ll look back fondly on United First. It was better than most business class products

Pat, hon, put down the grigio. It's international first that's being eliminated, not United First.

@William Y. No YOU put down YOUR grigio! It's obvious that I was referring to their international first class product, but you're just being pedantic.

@William Y

u r a douchebag.

Are you one of those losers who feels a need to correct every error a stranger makes? If so, lets try to be correct when we do.

This isn't a surprise given that international first-class is irrelevant when, as of now, there is no different between Polaris business and Polaris first, except for the seat. With that said, I do think United was very, very stupid to rollout Polaris on routes with aircraft featuring the old products.

767's are the backbone of the US long-haul fleet? Not 787's as well?

And how old are these gas guzzlers?

Bof! It has always pretend to be a first class... anyway there is not class at all with US carrier. Not a big lost!

@Pat--I agree (and knew you were talking about GlobalFirst). I will miss GlobalFirst because it was a very comfy and roomy seat and lie flat bed with great IFE and all aisle access. The food and service had gotten better in the last few years, better than AA FF and DeltaOne in my opinion...even if not as good as other international F on many Asian/ME carriers. And awards were EASY.

Polaris seats will be fine, a bit more private and yet not as roomy feeling, and obviously a major improvement over current UA BF with all aisle access and the improved Polaris service and food/beverage and upcoming Polaris lounges. But I'll still miss GlobalFirst...and the smaller cabin.

@William--you're kind of a douche, you know?

By eliminating Intl First Class they can also justify closing the Intl First Class lounges....saving space at the hubs for larger United Clubs and Polaris lounges.....

@Lucky,

Do you know if United plan on updating their 757-200s that they use on shorter Trans-Atlantic flights? If so, do you know if they will go to a 1-1 configuration or what? Timeframe? I’m sure they are the least of their worries right now though. My wife is British and we fly the MAN-EWR and MAN-IAD (which I think is discontinued) a lot when traveling back and forth from the US and England to visit families. Thanks!

what a cheap Airline united is. NO INTERNATIONAL FIRST CLASS CABIN anymore available. Their Polaris b cl is nothing compared to European legacy carriesr. Not to mention the big three from the M.E.

United is of the lowest Standard including somne rude cabincew

....correction carriers and some....