United Airlines is set to introduce an ultra-premium version of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, marking a major escalation in the carrier’s push to capture high-yield international travelers. The new aircraft will debut under the company’s United Elevate cabin program and will be deployed first on long-haul routes from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
The aircraft will feature a low-density layout designed to serve sustained global business travel demand, with more premium seats and fewer economy seats than United’s current 787-9 fleet.
United Elevate: A Fleetwide Cabin Overhaul Strategy
In May 2025, United formally unveiled United Elevate, a broad redesign effort spanning seating, technology, and onboard service across its long-haul fleet. The Boeing 787-9 is the first aircraft type to fully showcase the Elevate strategy throughout every cabin.
United currently operates approximately 80 Boeing 787 aircraft across the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 variants. The airline also has more than 140 additional Dreamliners on firm order, positioning the aircraft family as the foundation of its long-term widebody fleet renewal.
According to OMAAT, the new 787-9 configuration represents the most premium aircraft ever operated by a US carrier.
A Low-Density Layout Built for Premium Demand
The new Boeing 787-9s will feature just 222 total seats, making them the least densely configured widebody aircraft in United’s fleet. The configuration significantly increases premium seating while cutting back on economy capacity.
Seat Breakdown
United’s new layout includes:
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64 Polaris business class seats across 16 rows in a 1-2-1 layout
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8 seats designated as Polaris Studio, positioned in the first row
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35 Premium Plus seats across 5 rows in a 2-3-2 layout
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123 economy seats across 15 rows in a 3-3-3 layout
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39 seats sold as Economy Plus with extra legroom
Cabin Zoning by Aircraft Doors
The cabin is divided as follows:
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Between doors one and two: 32 business class seats
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Between doors two and three: 32 business class seats and all 35 Premium Plus seats
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Between doors three and four: all 123 economy seats
A Distinctive Polaris Cabin Design
One of the most notable changes in the business class cabin is the mixed seat orientation. The forward section uses a reverse herringbone layout, with seats angled inward, while the rear section uses a traditional herringbone layout, with seats angled outward.
This layout reflects United’s decision to adopt the Elevate Ascent business class seat platform, creating a visual and functional distinction within the Polaris cabin.
How the New Layout Compares to United’s Current 787-9
United’s existing Boeing 787-9 aircraft are configured for 257 passengers, including:
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48 business class seats
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21 premium economy seats
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188 economy seats
The updated configuration results in:
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16 additional business class seats
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14 additional premium economy seats
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65 fewer economy seats
The change further strengthens United’s position as the US airline with the largest average long-haul business class cabins, a metric closely tied to premium revenue potential on international routes.
Operational Advantages: Range, Payload, and Flexibility
Beyond passenger comfort, the reduced seat count offers operational benefits. A lighter aircraft can translate into improved range and payload flexibility, particularly valuable on ultra-long-haul missions where performance margins matter.
At the same time, the aircraft remains versatile enough to operate in premium-heavy markets where range is not the limiting factor, including transatlantic routes that rely more on premium demand than maximum passenger volume.
Several of these new Boeing 787-9s are expected to eventually replace premium-configured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Routes such as London Heathrow, which depend heavily on premium travelers, make the new Dreamliners a natural long-term replacement option.
New Onboard Products Across Every Cabin
United is introducing new seating and technology across business class, premium economy, and economy on these aircraft, aligning with the broader United Elevate strategy.
Polaris Studio and Polaris Business Class
Key features include:
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Fully enclosed suites with sliding doors
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Larger personal space compared to current Polaris seats
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Bluetooth audio connectivity
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Expanded power and charging options
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High-definition entertainment displays
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Enhanced soft product including a caviar amuse-bouche, upgraded champagne, and additional onboard amenities
Premium Plus
Premium Plus passengers will see:
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New seat design with privacy shields
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Upgraded in-seat technology and comfort features
Economy Class
Economy upgrades include:
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Larger seatback entertainment screens
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Bluetooth audio support
Starlink Wi-Fi and Technology Upgrades
The aircraft-wide technology package includes Starlink Wi-Fi, positioning these jets among the first United widebody aircraft to offer high-speed and complimentary connectivity.
United has acknowledged that full fleetwide activation will depend on certification and installation timelines, suggesting that Wi-Fi availability may vary as the rollout progresses.
Delivery Timeline and Entry Into Service
The ultra-premium configuration will be installed exclusively on newly delivered Boeing 787-9 aircraft, rather than retrofitted across the existing fleet.
United plans to take delivery of 20 such aircraft in 2026, with the projected delivery schedule broken down as:
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4 aircraft in the first quarter
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4 aircraft in the second quarter
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6 aircraft in the third quarter
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6 aircraft in the fourth quarter
If achieved, this would represent the largest number of widebody aircraft delivered to a US airline in a single year since 1988.
The first aircraft with the new layout is expected to join the fleet within weeks, with initial service operating from San Francisco. By the end of 2027, United expects approximately 30 of these ultra-premium 787-9s to be in service.
While United may later refresh cabins on existing aircraft, the airline does not expect older jets to adopt the same low-density seating layout, keeping the most premium configuration exclusive to newly delivered 787-9s.
A Major Premium Bet for Long-Haul Growth
With a sharply upgraded onboard product, fewer economy seats, and a larger Polaris footprint, United is positioning the new Boeing 787-9s as a premium flagship for international expansion. The strategy reflects a broader industry trend: competing not just on route networks, but on cabin experience and high-margin travelers who are willing to pay more for comfort, privacy, and connectivity on long-haul flights.
