United is in the process of introducing their new Polaris business class hard product throughout their longhaul fleet. This product debuted on United’s 777-300ERs, as all of those planes were delivered with the new seats.
Meanwhile United has also slowly begun reconfiguring their Boeing 767-300s with the new seats. Interestingly United’s reconfigured 767-300s feature just as many seats as they did before, which shows just how efficient the configuration is. While the new Polaris seats feature direct aisle access, they’re pretty compact, which is probably why United chose this configuration.
The next plane United plans to reconfigure with their new Polaris seats is the 777-200, which is the backbone of their international fleet. United has now revealed their planned seatmap for the reconfigured plane, which reveals a significant increase in the overall seat count.
Currently United’s longhaul 777-200s have two different seat counts:
- One type of United 777-200 has 269 seats, including eight first class seats, 40 business class seats, 113 Economy Plus seats, and 108 economy seats
- One type of United 777-200 has 267 seats, including 50 business class seats, 72 Economy Plus seats, and 145 economy seats
Now we know what the reconfigured 777-200s will look like, per FlightGlobal. United’s reconfigured 777-200s will feature a total of 292 seats, including 50 business class seats, 76 Economy Plus seats, and 166 economy seats. That means United is adding 23-25 seats to each 777.
The most significant change here is that United will be adding a seat per row in economy class, as they go from nine seats per row to 10 seats per row. Unfortunately 10 abreast seating on the 777 has become the new normal, and I’m shocked it took United so long to do this. The added seat per row should account for the seat increase, so I don’t expect that the legroom will be reduced.
Having 50 business class seats on the 777-200 is a pretty premium heavy configuration. United’s 777-300ERs have 60 seats in business class, so the size of the cabin is roughly proportional between the two planes.
It looks like the new business class cabin will have roughly the same footprint as the old 777-200business class cabin. That means United is able to fit in about 50 of these seats…
…in the same space in which they previously had 50 of these seats.
You can expect United’s reconfigured 777-200 to debut this winter, so it will be a few months until the first 777-200 has the seats, and several years before all the longhaul 777s do.
Bottom line
It’s great to see United getting close to reconfiguring their first 777-200, and also great to see how premium heavy the configuration will be. 50 business class seats on a 777-200 is a good number. As a point of comparison, Delta is reconfiguring their 777-200s with just 37 business class seats.
The footprint of United’s 777-200 business class product will remain roughly the same, though the major difference is that economy is going 10 abreast, which was inevitable.
What do you make of United’s reconfigured 777-200s?
I've been a hugely loyal United customer for 23 years, based in London. Mainly LHR-SFO-LHR two to three times a year.
There are two reasons why I'm switching my airline:
1. Adding another seat per row on the 777-200 really sucks.
2. You can NEVER EVER spend your miles. For the past four years, I've been looking at using them to get 4 x business class seats to various US destinations from London. Even...
I've been a hugely loyal United customer for 23 years, based in London. Mainly LHR-SFO-LHR two to three times a year.
There are two reasons why I'm switching my airline:
1. Adding another seat per row on the 777-200 really sucks.
2. You can NEVER EVER spend your miles. For the past four years, I've been looking at using them to get 4 x business class seats to various US destinations from London. Even looking 11 months in advance, the maximum you are capable of on their web site, its IMPOSSIBLE to find 4 seats that you can use miles to book. IMPOSSIBLE. What is the point of a loyalty program like this?
I'm switching to Norwegian for transatlantic travel. Their premium economy into SF is cheaper than United's basic economy fare. They also give you cash-back on every flight booked, so you can use it on your next flight. Oh yes, they use Dreamliners too on the LGW to Oakland (moving to SFO) run this summer. Much nicer.
Bye bye United. You failed me too many times.
United just switched my aircraft to this configuration - day before our transatlantic flight. So rather than a 2 window/aisle in economy and premium economy we now only have a choice of 3-4-3. It's going to feel very tight and claustrophobic. I am fed up of United constantly changing the timing and configuration of flights. This adding an extra seat in economy is the last straw. I will now actively avoid flying United economy unless...
United just switched my aircraft to this configuration - day before our transatlantic flight. So rather than a 2 window/aisle in economy and premium economy we now only have a choice of 3-4-3. It's going to feel very tight and claustrophobic. I am fed up of United constantly changing the timing and configuration of flights. This adding an extra seat in economy is the last straw. I will now actively avoid flying United economy unless using up my frequent flyer miles.
Last summer I had the opportunity to fly Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy transatlantic and I was blown away by how good this experience was versus regular economy or United's premium economy (which is really just a few inches more leg room).
@kerry Personally I find BA Premium Eco to be pretty meh, Virgin Aus/Uk and JAL are definitely the best.
United really needs to have premium economy if they're going to stick 3-4-3 in economy. Who wants to fly in that?
@Alec, @Alexander
Totally agree I am stunned they appear to be positioning as the only major international carrier anywhere not to have a PE product on long haul flights.
The airlines with the best PE products (interestingly BA probably leads the pack here along with CX, JL and Virgin) have had a lot of success filling seats. Personally it’s become my default if I can’t get mileage upgrade/don’t feel like paying for biz. I...
@Alec, @Alexander
Totally agree I am stunned they appear to be positioning as the only major international carrier anywhere not to have a PE product on long haul flights.
The airlines with the best PE products (interestingly BA probably leads the pack here along with CX, JL and Virgin) have had a lot of success filling seats. Personally it’s become my default if I can’t get mileage upgrade/don’t feel like paying for biz. I know anecdotally a lot of frequent flyers who feel the same. Yet another reason to avoid UA...
Lucky do you know which airline was the first to try 10 across on a 777?
Maybe we should boycott that airline.
There is just no room in the aisle on those flights.
As the citizens (Ok, me included) keep getting wider, the seats keep getting narrower. There will be a breaking point. And frankly, UA deciding not to do PE means mine is here with UA. I already had no interest in their 787. Add their 777 to that.
I just hope over time that the mix of AA, DL and overseas carriers can offer me P.E. at fares I'll accept, and kiss the 17" econ seat goodbye.
@Rjb +1
New boarding process to be introduced! You forgot to add that!
Upon enter the plane you will be greeted by a smiling FA equipped with a shoe horn and they will squeeze you into your seat!
Just looked at my DEN-LAX flight next weekend and saw it's on a 10-seat across 777....FML...and here I was actually happy to get a 777....
@ Alec - I wonder the same. Premium economy is becoming more popular and produces extra revenue. It’s strange.
echino, that are and they are not. The staggered configuration on Polaris means that the 8 seats are not in a line, and so there is actually more real estate per seat. And of course the all-important direct aisle access.
But it's nothing like the 1-2-1 or 2-2-2 that we see on airlines that are not Anglo-Saxon.
I suspect it is the soft product that UAL will struggle to maintain
I actively avoid 10 wide on a 777. Just too tight. Unfortunately not too many options left.
Delta is reconfiguring their 777s with 28 business; they currently have 37 seats.
That is because their new business seats are really 8-across, similar to BA. Not 4-across.
Also, hasn't Delta stated that their 777s will remain at 9 across in economy? (And not that god awful tight 10 across).
I wonder why they didn't introduce premium economy. I imagine they're going to be regretting it soon...unless it's a flop on American and Delta, which i doubt. May be a benefit for United flyers though if the others stop upgrades from economy to business and only PE to business.