The percipient Brian Sumers of Skift reports that United is telling its employees that it will launch a premium economy cabin called ‘Premium Plus’ later this year.
Here they follow American and Delta which have both started offering the international cabin between economy and business class, similar to domestic first class, though American is much farther along in offering it across much of their international fleet.
American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Premium Economy
American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Premium Economy
What we know so far about United’s product reflects fairly standard premium economy amenities, “including meals served on china, alcoholic beverages, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and pillow, and an amenity kit.”
I wonder if they’re gonna refit their 777-300ER’s that are brand new. My guess is that since Polaris is taking so long on the 777-200/200ER’s/767’s they said, “f*** it, might as well install this while we’re at it.”
The million dollar question will be what this means for economy plus and GPUs. I guess we will find out how bad they hate their 1K members…
All they need to do is switch the brand on their 2-4-2 Polaris Business Class
Just got an email from United announcing Premium Plus. We’ll see how it goes.
@Doug if UA wants to be innovative, they should give elites a choice of, say,
4 economy-to-business class GPUs, or
2 economy-to-business GPUs and 4 economy-to-premium GPUs, or
8 economy-to-premium GPUs
This was in an email I got today from marketing.
Do you think this means the end of elites being able to book the “blue” (extra legroom) seats for free on United? Being able to do so is why I moved my business to United; Delta started to consider these seats an “upgrade”. 🙁
Maybe using a GPU on a G to S fare will upgrade to Prem Plus while W and higher still upgrades to Polaris. Maybe a GPU can upgrade any fare class from Prem Plus to Polaris. Will be interesting to see what the mileage upgrades will cost (miles + $).
I’m nervous they will remove Econ+ from international flights that have Prem Plus.
Paul — yes, that’s exactly what I mean.
This seems like a late decision.
UA: Crap people hate narrow seats 10 across in Y? We need a PE product to stay competitive stat!