For a long time, we’ve heard about United Airlines potentially introducing new Polaris business class seats on some upcoming aircraft deliveries. We’re starting to get a sense of what that will look, with United planning on configuring some 787s in an ultra-premium layout, with an all-new passenger experience.
In this post:
United plans 787-9s with 64 Polaris business class seats
United already has a massive fleet of 75+ Boeing 787s, and the airline has an additional 140+ of these aircraft on order, which will be used for fleet renewal over the next decade or so. It appears that with some of United’s upcoming 787-9 deliveries, the airline plans to introduce an uber-premium configuration, with just 222 seats, as flagged by @xJonNYC. Specifically, the planes are expected to feature:
- 64 Polaris business class seats, spread across 16 rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration; eight of those will be “business class plus” seats
- 35 Premium Plus premium economy seats, spread across five rows, in a 2-3-2 configuration
- 123 economy seats, spread across 15 rows, in a 3-3-3 configuration; 39 of those will be Economy Plus extra legroom seats
For context on the layout, the area between the first and second set of doors will feature 32 business class seats, then the space between the second and third set of doors will feature 32 business class seats and 35 premium economy seats, and then the space between the third and fourth set of doors will feature 123 economy seats.
UA some will have seen this (and many are asking about it) My belief is that the statement: “New 787-9 (78L) configuration with 64/35/123 has been released to employees.” is false, nothing has been shared internally so far is what I’m told . Id expect some announcements in early May though.
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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LET ME RETRACT the part about it being false that this has been disseminated — sorry for that error! Bulkhead Polaris seats having ottomans (for a companion to dine, etc etc
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) April 19, 2025 at 6:32 PM
United’s current 787-9s are already among the most premium configured of any US airline, with 257 seats, including 48 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 188 economy seats. In other words, this new configuration would see 16 extra business class seats, 14 extra premium economy seats, and 65 fewer economy seats.
United already has the largest long haul business class cabins of any US airline, on average, but this would really take it to the next level. These planes would presumably be pretty versatile, long term:
- On one end of the spectrum, the premium configuration will allow for even more range, given the lower weight of the aircraft
- On the other end of the spectrum, some of these 787-9s are expected to eventually replace the premium 767-300ERs that United operates, to markets like London (LHR), where the range isn’t necessarily needed, but the premium demand is there
United plans new Polaris business class seats
United’s Polaris business class isn’t the world’s most exciting product, but the airline does deserve points for consistency, since you know exactly what seat you’re going to get when boarding a long haul, international United flight. We’ve known for some time that United plans to introduce a new business class product with doors, though details have been limited.
The expectation is that these premium configured 787-9s will be the first to feature the new Polaris business class product. United hasn’t officially announced any details of what the new product will be, though the airline did push out a picture of the seat map internally, and I have some guesses based on that.
The seat map shows:
- The forward business class cabin has a consistent reverse herringbone layout, with the window seats facing toward the windows, and the center seats facing toward one another
- The rear business class cabin has a mixed reverse herringbone and herringbone layout, with the window seats facing toward the windows, and the center seats facing toward the aisles
I’m not sure I fully understand the logic for alternating the layout in that way, but I think based on that, it’s highly likely that United’s new Polaris business class product will be the Adient Ascent seat, which you’ll find on Qatar Airways 787-9s, Hawaiian 787-9s, and soon on newly delivered American 787-9s. That’s because the Adient Ascent product is one of the only ones that’s customizable where the center seats can face in either direction.
Personally I rank this as being among the better business class seats out there, but not the best. It’s an efficient configuration that gets all the basics right. We also know that United has been planning a front row “business class plus” product with its new Polaris, and American has similar plans, as that’s possible with this configuration.
Again, I could be on the totally wrong track, but I feel pretty confident that this is the case. It’s interesting to think that both American and United are selecting identical business class products.
Bottom line
We know that United is planning on introducing a new Polaris business class product, and we’re now getting more of a sense of what seat the airline could select, and when it will be introduced. It would appear that some upcoming 787-9 deliveries will feature a very premium configuration, with a total of just 222 seats, including 64 Polaris business class seats.
While nothing has been officially announced, I’m putting my money on United selecting the Adient Ascent product as its new Polaris business class seat, based on the clues so far. I imagine there’s going to be an official announcement in the not-too-distant future, so stay tuned…
What do you make of United’s new Polaris plans, and premium 787-9s?
Nice to get an upgrade to United's fleet but herringbone seats of all kinds are terrible for travelling as a couple. Ugh.
Is this the part where I can sneak in a political jab? Keyboard sports iz fun
Window seats facing the window, awful! Keep the current layout.
Ben,
Thanks for this update.
In a good world, adding those Polaris Premium Plus seats could be awesome ...
Probably too early to say .... but:
At 6'7", the key deal for me is the flat bed length.
Thanks
Isn't there something wrong with the economy seat count? 15*9 is 135, so a majority of the rows will be 8 seats across.
Also JAL has 15 rows in the window sides and 14 in the middle at 34" inch pitch.
Of course if United ha syge lavatories behind door 3 that could hell explain it.
The seats may be misaligned. Look at the high j 767 for example, the middle section of economy has 15 rows, while on either side there are only 13 rows as most of them are economy plus.
Carbon impact no longer something UA pretends to care about? That's a lot of gas for many less people
UNITED rising
Greg, the truth of your claim will be revealed in June.
The SKYTRAX 2025, customer survey results will announced at the Paris Air Show.
Crazy how UA & AA have some of the most premium configured planes. Delta is about 20-30 seats behind. #butDOTstatistics
Roberto, please elaborate upon your use of the words …. “Premium configured planes”.
There are those who read Ben’s articles and comments, who only associate your word “Premium” with premium economy seats.
More J seats is nice but hate when they swap planes and get downgraded
Really would like to have a non-premium minimum-service lie-flat economy seat for 8+hour long haul flights.
The service and soft product represents a small percentage of the cost for a business class seat. Most of the cost comes from the opportunity cost in the amount of space the seat takes up compared with an economy seat.
The closest you are going to get to what you want is business class on Zip Air, but it’s still not going to be priced comparably to any economy product.
Chas, some consider that both AA and UA are only just above ZipAir with their J products.
True the AA/UA seat has a monitor and possibly slightly upmarket food is provided, however, the seat costs are astronomical by comparisons.
I am impressed w/ UA rolling out new seats soon.
Normally US carriers would just sit on their asses all day with boring as basic seats, but the fact they are shipping a new product is exciting.
UA has long been my preferred Star Alliance carrier to Europe and Oceania, and with this they stay on top. LH group is way behind the curve on hard product and today's Polaris seats already beats them...
I am impressed w/ UA rolling out new seats soon.
Normally US carriers would just sit on their asses all day with boring as basic seats, but the fact they are shipping a new product is exciting.
UA has long been my preferred Star Alliance carrier to Europe and Oceania, and with this they stay on top. LH group is way behind the curve on hard product and today's Polaris seats already beats them out significantly, and UA will continue to widen the gap while the Allegris disaster stays messy.
United will never be truly premium with the current on board crew attitude and laziness. I heard United removed the call button to keep the F/A's from having to interact with passengers!
Nice seat, failed execution is my prediction.
United needs to FOCUS on getting their flight attendants a contract! They are currently the lowest paid while you’re raking in huge profits and Kirby is giving himself another raise.
Didn’t the FAs just fire their lead negotiator for failing majorly? They certainly deserve an industry leading contract, but I think the FAs got screwed over from more than just standard company vs union antics …
Good lord, that's approaching BA's 777-300ER business class seat count, which as far as I'm aware is the most premium-heavy twinjet in the world, and obviously a much larger plane, and also more J seats than on UA's own 777-300ERs.
AA new 777-300er configuration has 70 Polaris seats and less toilets. They are removing two toilets and making work spaces half ita size to make that work. Terrible idea
Is it truly uber-premium? Or, is it more next-gen premium? Combined with a premium-accentuated cabin.
Ouch! Touché, Lee!
A number of blogs use the term ultra-premium. If we're talking about Kris Suites or the Apartment or La Premiere, fine. But, the term seems overused. Especially with cards. There are travel cards and there are premium travel cards. But, what is an ultra premium card? No one will define it. Is an ultra mega premium travel card next?
Lee, in many areas of the commercial aviation industry it is acknowledged that there are only four classes of passengers seats.
1. First Class.
2. Business Class
3. Premium Economy.
4. Economy.
Blogs who introduce the term “Ultra-premium”, etc, etc, only serve to confuse those ‘bears of very little brain’.
One understands that in reality the word ‘premium’, has been suggested by certain airlines (who are lagging behind the...
Lee, in many areas of the commercial aviation industry it is acknowledged that there are only four classes of passengers seats.
1. First Class.
2. Business Class
3. Premium Economy.
4. Economy.
Blogs who introduce the term “Ultra-premium”, etc, etc, only serve to confuse those ‘bears of very little brain’.
One understands that in reality the word ‘premium’, has been suggested by certain airlines (who are lagging behind the industry in the World Rankings) to suggest to their domestic passengers that the seat, service, etc, is better than is the case.
Marketing personnel talking up the airline to confuse the less well informed.
If they don't staff this new config with enough FAs, it is going to be a nightmare for service.
@Ben the honeymoon seats on Polaris are the best out there for travel with a young child. It would be sad to lose that. Herringbone and reverse-herringbone are so much harder with kids, as you noted recently.
Where is Delta Dunn?
It’s pathetic at this point. Even when he can’t post he’s still on the mind of many of you.
Honestly the people commenting about him are worse than he ever was. He would have 1 comment to their 5, which would then make him post even more. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions - let him say his part and then ignore it if you want.
London, Tel Aviv, Paris, Singapore… maybe East Asia? Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo?
Tel Aviv? No way
Way my friend. United really values its Tel Aviv routes—they’ve always been big moneymakers. That’s why it was the most active U.S. airline flying to Israel before the war, and the first to restart flights a few weeks ago from EWR. The SFO–TLV route especially is packed with tech folks and is considered one of United’s top cash cows, if not number 1. Hopefully, it’ll be back up and running soon.
No chance to Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv flights should be all economy with a stop to unload human cargo for life imprisonment in The Hague for genocide in Gaza.
Really BB, your record is stuck once again on …. antisemitism, antisemitic, antisocial personality disorder, not forgetting your ignorance about the meaning of the word “Genocide”.
It is really pathetic that there are people in this world who have allowed themselves to be indoctrinated by the Hamas terrorist propaganda rhetoric.
From the river to the sea, AeroB13a to the ICC.
Delete yourself, child murder supporting Hasbara shill.
There's more verbal description of new seats and lavatory placement at a.net. Not sure about this post's credibility though. "New J: all window seats will face window, zone A (row 1-8) center seats will face center, zone B (row 9-16) center seats will face aisle." Sounds like a reverse herringbone except zone B center seats which is like VS A350's latest layout. Just like that, product consistency is gone. I was hoping for current layout...
There's more verbal description of new seats and lavatory placement at a.net. Not sure about this post's credibility though. "New J: all window seats will face window, zone A (row 1-8) center seats will face center, zone B (row 9-16) center seats will face aisle." Sounds like a reverse herringbone except zone B center seats which is like VS A350's latest layout. Just like that, product consistency is gone. I was hoping for current layout with a door, given that current layout is the only way to comfortably place 32 seats between doors 1 and 2.
For lavatory, one new aft 2L just like 2R. 2 will be removed at door 3, but center one will stay. Those two will move to forward of 4L 4R.
Judging by the United Next growth plan, they probably believe that their growing market share will help them fill these seats.
But, I can't help but wonder if this is too much. That is one incredibly premium plane config.
United faced the same criticism when they announced a premium heavy config for some of their 763s. Yet they found the right markets to place those 76Ls and I think the same thing will apply here.
With a configuration as premium as this I think this aircraft will show up on EWR/ORD/IAD-LHR, it will be deployed on GVA, and ZRH, routes, EWR/SFO-HND routes (United still serves NRT on both routes), SFO-SIN, SFO-HKG, they could use...
United faced the same criticism when they announced a premium heavy config for some of their 763s. Yet they found the right markets to place those 76Ls and I think the same thing will apply here.
With a configuration as premium as this I think this aircraft will show up on EWR/ORD/IAD-LHR, it will be deployed on GVA, and ZRH, routes, EWR/SFO-HND routes (United still serves NRT on both routes), SFO-SIN, SFO-HKG, they could use this aircraft to relaunch LAX-SIN without any weight restriction with such a low seat count. IAH-SYD could probably return to year around daily service.
One of the criticism UA faces with their 76L configuration is how long it takes for passenger in the last few rows of business class to get any type of service. If UA were to staff these premium configured aircraft with at least 1 additional FA if not 2 on there upcoming 78Ls that would go a long way to alleviating the wait time for passengers in back end of the Polaris cabin.
@Lucky, you are right to point out “consistency” is a plus for the United to have the same seats across the entire United international fleet of 773/772/788/789/7810.
With this rumored introduction of new Polaris seats, that consistency may be gone. It is hard to see United will refit the 772/763/764 with new seats.
My question is whether the new premium heavy 789s will be a sub-fleet within 789. Will the 773/existing 788/789/7810s get the...
@Lucky, you are right to point out “consistency” is a plus for the United to have the same seats across the entire United international fleet of 773/772/788/789/7810.
With this rumored introduction of new Polaris seats, that consistency may be gone. It is hard to see United will refit the 772/763/764 with new seats.
My question is whether the new premium heavy 789s will be a sub-fleet within 789. Will the 773/existing 788/789/7810s get the new seats but not with any increase in premium seats (stay in the same seat counts)?
Hi Lucky, very insightful article. You know what would also be a great topic to cover: „Sir Turtle, Haggis and Laurent Perrier: My credible adventure with Global Airlines.“
Instead of staying 4 long days in New York you could be flying to Grand Cayman to review Cayman Airlines and to earn valuable Sir Turtle Rewards Miles…bringing you closer to your Sir Turtle Platinum Status.
Can’t wait to fly on these. Love low density wide body aircraft configurations.
Personally I am not a fan of the Adient Ascent seat. For a chap of my height, etc, one finds it less comfortable than the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond chosen by discerning carriers.
You-know-who must be having an fit over this.
He’s really embedded in your brain eh? For someone so many can’t stand even when he’s been put on timeout y’all still reference him constantly.
Her? You're the one being triggered to respond to all of these.
Your username is the biggest self-report about how obsessed you are with him.