Three weeks ago I told you that United Airlines would announce its new business class suite in early May. They have a customer event in Brooklyn tomorrow as well as a media preview for the new seat. And the airline has been teasing their reveal on social media. But photos are already available.
Since seats are being delivered to the Brooklyn Navy Yard venue for the event, staff there have snapped photos and leaked them.
Commenters agree with One Mile at a Time that this is the Adient Ascent seat, which is used by Hawaiian Airlines, Qatar Airways (on their Boeing 787-9) and now American Airlines as their new business suite that debuts next month. And like American and many others, it appears that the bulkhead row is a larger, premium version of the seat. However, from the photos shared online, the entertainment screens are likely larger in United’s version.
We’re expecting the seat to debut on United’s Boeing 787-9s which are going to be super-premium featuring 64 business class seats (16 rows of 1-2-1).
United’s current 787-9s have 48 business class seats – themselves premium-heavy. American Airlines has 30 business class seats on their current 787-9s and has gotten a lot of attention for their plan to move to 51 business seats on their new delivery planes.
There will be 35 premium economy seats (5 rows in a 2-3-2 configuration) as well as 123 economy seats – 39 of which will be extra-legroom economy plus. That’s 14 more premium economy seats than their current 787-9s, and 65 fewer economy seats.
Update: here are the layouts from aviation watchdog JonNYC:
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) May 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM
United Airlines has been working on improvements to business class. They updated the bedding and amenity kits. They’ve set a new U.S. carrier standard for business class wine. They’ve come to believe that investing more in meals helps them sell premium tickets.
However the Polaris business class seat remains a laggard. It was a ‘me too’ product back when it was first introduced in 2017. Approved by penny-pinching disgraced former CEO Jeff Smisek, it was meant to stop the bleeding – customers were avoiding United business class because it lacked direct aisle access even.
This seat was chosen because they could get lie flat direct aisle access without taking up more cabin real estate compared to 2-2-2 seating. There’s not a lot of space per passenger. There’s basically no storage space, either.
While the overall cabin ambiance is nice, the seat itself lags even American’s primary current seat (Super Diamond) and American is introducing a new suite with doors. Delta business class seats are far better, outside of their Boeing 767 fleet. United’s seats lag British Airways, Air France, and even joint venture partners Air Canada (which will be getting a new seat) and Lufthansa’s new Allegris seat.
United was looking at new seat options with doors three years ago. They even had customers provide feedback on new seat options with doors in 2022. The airline has known they need to move on this, especially as they adopt a premium posture focused on brand loyalty, and it looks like they’re finally about to after much delay – which is no doubt attributable to the delay in Boeing deliveries.
“Since seats are being delivered to the Brooklyn Navy Yard venue for the event, staff there have snapped photos and leaked them.”
You can’t trust any Americans anymore. Third World Country run by a Fascist.
I laugh at those who keep saying DL and UA are “so far ahead”. . .AA introduced PE and had it on all widebodies before either UA or DL started. AA had hi-speed wifi before either (however they are the last to offer it free) and will have more free as of 1/1/26 than either DL or UA. AA started the FL lounge and had 6 before either UA or DL and now will be introducing the next gen. The list goes on. . . AA has it’s issues for sure and better PR would help to provide a more level picture. Sorry but IFE screen from the 1990s don’t make an airline premium and some of the features AA is bringing up, back or refining will.
BTW, worst flight ever was recently on DL, flight crew by passed our row for service and when we rang the call bell, said service was over. Als the TV didn’t work and the plane was broken and delayed. . .yes DL is doing anything but climbing.
@Ray what an ignorant comment. How is the US run by a fascist? Stupidity of a lot of Americans just blows my mind.
@Al — You’re right to call out the hyperbole of labeling folks photographing chairs as “fascist.” That’s clearly not what fascism is.
“Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, and ultranationalist political ideology characterized by a strong, dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, and suppression of opposition.”
I’d say, singling out vulnerable groups like immigrants and trans people, and then pursuing policies that aim to ‘erase’ their presence, certainly echoes some of the dangerous tactics historically employed by fascist regimes. This kind of scapegoating and dehumanization is a serious red flag.
So, @Ray’s comment about the photos might have been separate from his broader concerns about the country. But, it highlights a legitimate worry that may of us share about the erosion of rights and the targeting of specific communities.
Anyway, feel free to respond to one’s hyperboles with your own. That’ll fix it!
@AI as a foreigner (Brit) the new American administration has done more to debase the USA in the eyes of the actual free world than any in your history
clearly an elected Presidency isn’t a dictator at the point they are elected.
Ignoring the constitution and making arrangements to over rule the checks and balances however follows a well known path
I wish the American people well but will not knowingly contribute a single cent to the USA until you have leadership that respects your own constitution AND the allies you’ve HAD for over 200years
Luv a Brit xx
sunviking,
you slept through the flight. take a water bottle if you want to drink on approach to landing.
Yes, Delta introduced business class suites with doors a decade before AA. DL will have six dozen widebodies with Suites by the end of the year.
DL will have free high speed WiFi on nearly all of its domestic mainline, transatlantic and Latin America system by the end of the summer.
UA took 7 years to roll out Polaris and will easily take until 2030 or later to reach the number of widebody aircraft with suites that DL has.
@John the Brit. Hang on to your pounds we don’t need them from you. Plenty of other Brits and other Europeans will spend their money here.
@Coffee Please — Ah, yes, ignore what the other commenters say, and just resort to ad hominems. Got’em good! What silly names might you have for me this time? Feed me.
After reading Cranky’s post about ATC’s antiquated systems and the 3 Tim Dunn responses of which ONLY ONE mentioned his beloved perfect airline it’s great to see Timmy is back on track in this post extolling The Premium Airline’s unbridled accomplishments.
@1990. I was only replying to the Brit. I have nothing for you 1990. Now back to protesting at the ICE facility or torching Tesla’s my friend.
@sunviking is correct, despite TD.
@Gary, I find it odd that you mentioned in another AA slam piece that the 787 suites aren’t FAA certified. That’s just flat out wrong. There is some trying to be done for FAs and wheelchair attendants, but the seat is certified.
Coming from an AA fan, It looks like a great product. It’s awesome to see the US3 investing in their hard product. Each airline has a few different seats (some good, some bad) due to aircraft fuselage dimensions. United has been the most consistent with the Polaris product fleet wide (it’s basically the same style seat on a 763 vs. a 77W) whereas Delta 763’s are like a coffin just like AA’s Concept D seats.
roberto,
and yet DL has 65 widebodies with suites NOW.
It is beyond fascinating how you and others fixate on the negative to avoid facing the reality which Gary can see that, overall, DL’s business class product is higher.
since the majority of the 763 fleet flies transcon routes and to Hawaii, the impact on international passengers is far less than many act.
UA will take years to get their new product on new aircraft.
UA will retire aircraft that will not have the new product – after flying them for 5 years.
UA will not have a consistent product. the one attribute they had is being tossed out the window in order to move forward – which they had to do.
@ AI
Funny I thought the exact same words about us stupid Americans but for the exact opposite reason, when looking at the damage done to this country since 20 JAN 2025 !
@ AI — I would probably use “moron” in place of “fascist”.
Just as expected, your response is typical Timmy. So expected, so typical… #DELTAFORLYFE
you can’t stand reality.
DL figured out that suites mattered – a decade ago.
@ Tim — United Polaris >>> Delta J on POS 767-300. Get over it.
@Pilot93434 – I did not say the seats aren’t certified. The issue is signoff on use of the doors. That came straight from internal AA comms. And I’ve separately written about the wheelchair issue https://viewfromthewing.com/american-airlines-flagship-suites-are-ready-but-federal-rules-could-keep-them-grounded/