United’s Cabin Shakeup: More Polaris, Fewer Coach Seats on New Boeing 787s

United Airlines is leaning into premium travel. Starting next month, the carrier will accept deliveries of new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, featuring a staggering 64 business class seats—all of them revamped suites with closing doors and wireless charging.

As the airline continues to receive planes from its record-breaking order of 200 new Boeing aircraft, the next batch of airframes will come equipped with new interiors. 

Premium-heavy Cabin

Reportedly, United’s new configuration for its upcoming 787-9 aircraft will prioritize Business and Premium Economy seating, resulting in a reduction of coach seat capacity.

The updated layout features 64 Polaris business class seats, marking a 33 percent increase compared to the previous 48 seats in United’s older 787-9 models. This configuration significantly surpasses the business class capacity offered by American Airlines on their Dreamliners, which have just 30 seats.

Photo: Current Polaris seat. Courtesy of United Airlines

In a recent announcement about their newest planes, American Airlines stated they would feature 51 business-class suites, but United has opted for an even more robust offering.

Furthermore, United is expanding its premium economy section, adding 14 more seats to bring the total in that cabin to 35. However, coach capacity will be reduced by 65 seats, bringing the total down to 123 seats, of which 39 are designated as Economy Plus, offering extra legroom.

New Polaris Seats On The Way

The new planes are also reportedly outfitted with a new Polaris Business Class seat, which is expected to be formally announced by the airline in early May.

The seats have not yet been seen by anyone outside of United Airlines, but leaks indicate that they are suites equipped with fully closing doors and wireless charging pads. Ben Schlappig, the editor of One Mile At A Time, believes that United will choose the closed-door Adient Altitude seat for its Airbus aircraft, as well as likely for the Boeing 787-9.

Photo: Adient Altitude Seats. Via One Mile At A Time

Eight bulkhead business class seats, marketed as Business Class Plus, will feature additional space and ottomans with a second seatbelt, allowing you to be joined by a companion during meals.

If true, it would be a significant upgrade from United’s current Polaris Business Class seat or suite. When it was introduced in 2017, that suite was seen not as boundary-pushing but rather simply as keeping up with the Joneses. Eight years on, it seems hopelessly outmoded, with privacy dividers rather than the doors offered by rivals.

United has been investing heavily in its premium soft product recently, with upgraded bedding, amenity kits, and $60 bottles of wine on the drinks cart.

United Airlines offers Polaris customers Therabody amenity kits / Photo: Courtesy of United Airlines

Executives at the airline have realized that elevated catering and other luxurious touches drive ticket sales and brand loyalty, especially in an era where travelers are willing to spend a bit more to be spoiled.

So it was high time that United updated its business-class hard product. If the leaks are true, these seats will do just that. And more of us than ever will have a chance to sit in them, provided we have the cash.