Here’s a fantastic development for long haul premium cabin United Airlines passengers, as reported by JonNYC.
In this post:
United upgrades premium cabin headphones
As of Monday, September 1, 2025, United will be introducing custom designed headphones in Polaris (long haul business class) and Premium Plus (premium economy). By mid-October 2025, they will also be available on premium transcontinental flights, as well as on long haul domestic flights to Hawaii.
The headphones are produced by Meridian, and feature advanced noise cancellation, ideal for the aircraft cabin environment. These new headphones were initially teased when United unveiled its new long haul cabin interiors, but these will be available long before that product debuts, and on a very widespread basis.
This is a long overdue development for United!
There are many areas where United does a good job with its Polaris business class, like with its incredible bedding, which is the best in the industry. However, for a long time, the carrier’s business class headphones have been kind of junky. They haven’t been very comfortable, and haven’t done a great job with noise reduction.
By comparison, American actually has amazing headphones in premium cabins, as the airline partners with Bang & Olufsen. I’ll take it a step further — I’d argue that American’s headphones are actually the best you’ll find on any airline in business class, which is pretty impressive.
So I’m happy to see United investing in better headphones, and now it’s Delta’s turn to up its game. Obviously the airline is investing in lots of Missoni amenities, but the headphones could use some help.
Bottom line
As of September 2025, United Airlines is upgrading its premium cabin headphones, with new Meridian headphones coming to Polaris business class and Premium Plus. I’m happy to see this development, as this will nicely complement United’s extensive entertainment selection.
What do you make of United upgrading its headphones?
Has anyone heard anything about United’s HKG lounge? Originally was supposed to be July but no announcement. Would I just be better off hitting up the Silver Kris lounge during my layover anyway?
I thought the old ones did the job just fine. Interested to try these out.
"I’d argue that American’s headphones are actually the best you’ll find on any airline in business class, which is pretty impressive."
Better than Emirates" Bowers & Wilkins?
B&O is only in First Class on EK.
I stand corrected then since what I read online is wrong.
While I appreciate the branded (and quality) headphones, should headphones be upon request now with the advent of Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment systems? A lot of carriers still use mediocre quality headphones across all classes and at best, Bose is pretty "meh".
Bluetooth enabled IFE still suffers from latency issues.
I'd argue that Bose is "meh".
On the ground, maybe there are better headphones, in the air it's Bose.
And those AirPods that also make you look stupid are the worst.
They still early collect though right? Unlike AA….
They haven’t on any Polaris flight I’ve been on though it has been about two years.
UA has never collected headsets.
It was AA that collected them, they they’ve discontinued the practice.