United sets March 24 for Polaris Studio debut

United Airlines will officially launch its second-generation Polaris business class suites next month, on board what the US carrier describes as the first in its new ‘Elevated 787’ fleet. 

The Star Alliance member and Virgin Australia partner will hold an invitation-only ‘United Elevated’ event in Los Angeles on Tuesday March 24.

That Elevated brand describes a “reimagined” Boeing 787-9 interior which “includes a nose-to-tail transformation” from the spacious Polaris Studio suites in the first row of business class, through to the very last row of economy.

United's second-gen Polaris brings the privacy of doored suites.

United expects to take delivery of its first Elevated 787-9 in the coming weeks, and all future Dreamliner deliveries will receive the Elevated treatment, with the airline previously saying it expected “at least 30 aircraft to join the fleet by 2027.” 

And they’ll be United’s most premium plane yet, with business class taking up more than half of the aircraft, while the economy cabin doesn’t begin until behind the wing.

United's Elevated Boeing 787-9 seat map.

In a show of confidence for the premium travel boom, there are 64 flatbed doored Polaris business class suites – up from 48 in the current Dreamliners – followed by 35 also-new premium economy recliners (up from 21).

The front row of each Polaris business class cabin is crowned by four Polaris Studio berths.

The front row of each of the two Polaris cabins is given over to four extra-spacious Polaris Studio cribs up-spec’d with companion seating and a huge 27-inch 4K OLED video screen.

Catch up with a friend in Polaris Studio.

‘Soft product’ upgrades include “exclusive entrée options” plus an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service.

Standard across the entire elevated Polaris cabin: upgraded at-seat storage, wireless and USB-C charging (alongside AC power, of course), mood lighting and fresh woodgrain finishes to give the cabin a warmer feel.

The new-look Polaris suites and cabin.

United promises its March 24 event will showcase “what’s next on United’s journey to be the biggest and best in history.”

United premium economy is also in line for added comfort and features.

This means we could also hear details on United’s new Airbus A321neo ‘Coastliner’ service, which will offer a premium experience on the most popular US transcontinental routes between the east and west coasts.

The Coastliner has been tipped to feature 20 single-aisle Polaris seats in a 1-1 configuration for direct aisle access, plus a dozen premium economy recliners set at 2-2.

And with United having completed the installation of free super-fast Starlink Wi-Fi on most of its regional Embraer and Bombardier jets – with passengers reporting speeds above 150Mbps – we may get an update on the Starlink rollout to the twin-aisle Boeing fleet.

Also read: The ultimate United Airlines Gold status shortcut