Inside the New United Airlines Class With Private Suites, Caviar, and 4K Screens
These seats make normal business class look like economy.
United Airlines is doubling down on its premium international strategy with the launch of a next-generation cabin experience debuting on the airline’s upcoming Boeing 787-9 deliveries. At the center of the upgrade is a new, ultra-luxury business class offering called Polaris Studio.
With 25 percent more personal space than today’s Polaris business class and enhanced privacy features including full sliding doors, Polaris Studio is tailored for price-is-no-object travelers on long-haul routes. Notably, each suite includes a companion ottoman with a seatbelt — meaning passengers can host a guest during flight, which is a rare feature even among top-tier international competitors.
Polaris Studio passengers will have access to 27-inch 4K OLED screens, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and a suite of high-end amenities such as Perricone MD skincare, exclusive pajamas and slippers, and a caviar service paired with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé.
Improvements don’t stop at the front of the plane. Standard Polaris seats are also getting privacy doors and 19-inch 4K OLED displays, while Premium Plus and Economy will see revamped dining and entertainment upgrades. Economy passengers will enjoy the largest seatback screens of any airline—13-inch 4K OLED displays—as well as upgraded meal offerings, though details on the new tapas-inspired service remain limited.
These enhancements are supported by broader technology investments, including multiple power outlets at each seat and Starlink internet across widebody aircraft, with free access for MileagePlus members.
The first Elevated interior-equipped 787-9 is expected to be delivered by late 2025, with inaugural flights slated for 2026 between San Francisco and key global hubs like London and Singapore. United anticipates about 30 aircraft will feature the new interiors by 2027, aligning with its push to dominate high-revenue international routes.
Each reconfigured aircraft will offer 99 premium seats (8 Polaris Studio suites, 56 standard Polaris seats, and 35 Premium Plus seats) marking a significant shift toward higher-margin cabin configurations. 
