Let’s be honest—United hasn’t always been synonymous with luxury. But in an unexpected twist worthy of a Champagne toast, the airline has just announced a sky-high glow-up that actually feels premium. Enter the “United Elevated” interior, a new concept set to debut on upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, replete with caviar, couture-caliber amenity kits, and the largest seatback screens in the U.S. skies. Yes, really.
The announcement sounds like a travel editor’s fever dream: eight lavish Polaris Studio suites complete with ottomans for your plus-one (or your Hermès Birkin, we don’t judge), 27-inch 4K OLED screens, sliding privacy doors, wireless charging, Bluetooth, and—be still our haute hearts—an Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche paired with Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé. If that sentence doesn’t scream “elevated,” nothing will.
But let’s not get too starry-eyed yet. For all the glossy features and fashion-forward flourishes, it’s worth asking: Is this an actual step up in U.S. airline luxury, or just a very well-dressed PR moment at cruising altitude?
photo: @United Unveils the Elevated Aircraft Interior: Higher Standard of Premium International Travel Includes New Business Class Suites
Polaris Studio: Boutique Hotel Room in the Sky?
The new Polaris Studio suites will only be found in the front row of the biz class cabin—making them something of a first-class/premium-business hybrid. Each comes with a second seat (belted, no less), which is more than some downtown hotel rooms can say. Add in Meridian noise-canceling headphones, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, Perricone MD skincare kits, and hoodie-pajamas with slippers—and suddenly, flying feels like a spa weekend with Wi-Fi.
Speaking of which, United’s jumping on the Starlink train, offering fast, free Wi-Fi even over oceans and glaciers. It’s a clear shot at Delta’s tech-forward ambitions, and a smart one.
Still, there’s a whiff of exclusivity here that’s… well, exclusive. There are only eight Studio suites per aircraft, and pricing will be “separate” from regular Polaris seats. Translation: prepare your Amex Centurion for a workout.
The Food Glow-Up: Caviar and Tillamook
It’s not just the suites that are getting love. United’s investing more than $150 million into food and beverage this year alone. The result? An onboard snack bar stocked with curated treats like Garrett’s popcorn, tapas-style mid-flight meals, and yes, a curated snack box after dessert in Studio class (very “Netflix-and-salty,” if you ask us).
Economy doesn’t get left out either—there are now three entrée options, new desserts, and even a coursed appetizer. And let’s not forget the largest Economy seatback screens in the world (13 inches of streaming bliss).
It’s all part of United’s broader brand ambition: to dominate international premium travel out of the U.S. While the airline already flies to more overseas destinations than any other American carrier, the Elevated interiors mark a serious play for hearts, minds, and wallets—especially on long-haul routes like San Francisco to Singapore.
One Small Step for Design, One Giant Leap for United?
While it’s easy to get lost in the luxury bells and whistles, there’s something quietly impressive here: United is finally investing in design. The interiors feature warm tones, wood grain, wool blends, quartzite tables—words you’d expect in an interior design mag, not a seat map.
In an era where premium travelers are increasingly choosing airlines like Emirates, Qatar, or even Japan’s ANA for their refined design language and service consistency, this move is overdue—but welcome.
That said, let’s hope this isn’t a one-time glamour shot. The rest of United’s fleet still has a way to go, and consistency across the brand remains a hurdle. (Raise your hand if you’ve seen the inside of a 737 that looks like it survived the 2010s on autopilot.)
United’s Elevated interior might not reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it to a high shine. It’s a promising leap toward luxury that doesn’t just copy what international carriers do—it adds a bit of American showmanship (and Tillamook ice cream) to the mix.
If it all rolls out as beautifully as the renders suggest, United could finally shed its reputation as a “functional” international carrier and graduate to one that inspires loyalty. The question now? Will this premium promise stick the landing—or just flirt with the clouds?
Either way, we’ll gladly take the caviar.
