United Airlines is Premium Economy product on international flights are going on sale on December 4, 2018. United Premium economy was announced nearly a year ago, back in January 2018. Since then we have seen the product evolve and now know what routes and added benefits United Airlines will offer to Premium Economy flies.
United Premium Economy Routes
Premium economy is rolling out on reconfigured 777-200s, 777-300ERs, and the new 787-10. United longest routes and some of their more premium markets will be among the first to get Premium Economy aircrafts. Routes with Premium Economy service begins March 30, 2019. Many of these planes are already flying, and elites can select premium economy seats for free. Come the end of March, these seats will cost extra or need an upgrade certificate.
All aircraft with United Premium Plus seats also feature the airline’s signature United Polaris business class direct-aisle-access seats. On average, United is adding one aircraft with United Polaris business class and United Premium Plus seating every 10 days from now through 2020.
The first routes that are expected to offer the full United® Premium Plus experience include:
| 777-300ER Schedule | |||||
| Start Date | UA Flight | Depart | Departure Time | Arrive | Arrival Time |
| March 30 | UA 179 | New York/Newark | 3:15 p.m. | Hong Kong (HKG) | 7:10 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 48 | New York/Newark | 8:10 p.m. | Mumbai (BOM) | 8:50 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 90 | New York/Newark | 10:50 p.m. | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 4:20 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 79 | New York/Newark | 11:05 p.m. | Tokyo (NRT) | 1:55 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 58 | San Francisco | 1:50 p.m. | Frankfurt (FRA) | 9:55 a.m. |
| March 30 | UA 869 | San Francisco | 1:00 p.m. | Hong Kong (HKG) | 6:45 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 871 | San Francisco | 2:00 p.m. | Taipei (TPE) | 6:45 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 954 | San Francisco | 7:45 p.m. | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 7:55 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 837 | San Francisco | 11:30 a.m. | Tokyo (NRT) | 2:35 p.m. |
| April 29 | UA 901 | San Francisco | 12:25 p.m. | London (LHR) | 6:55 a.m. |
| 777-200ER Schedule | |||||
| Start Date | UA Flight | Depart | Departure Time | Arrive | Arrival Time |
| March 30 | UA 999 | New York/Newark | 6:30 p.m. | Brussels (BRU) | 7:45 a.m. |
| March 30 | UA 57 | New York/Newark | 6:30 p.m. | Paris (CDG) | 7:45 a.m. |
| March 30 | UA 917 | San Francisco | 11:10 p.m. | Auckland (AKL) | 8:20 a.m. |
| March 30 | UA 888 | San Francisco | 10:55 a.m. | Beijing (PEK) | 2:20 p.m. |
| March 30 | UA 926 | San Francisco | 7:15 p.m. | Frankfurt (FRA) | 3:15 p.m. |
| April 29 | UA 990 | San Francisco | 2:50 p.m. | Paris (CDG) | 10:35 a.m. |
| March 30 | UA 950 | Washington Dulles | 5:40 p.m. | Brussels (BRU) | 7:15 a.m. |
| April 29 | UA 915 | Washington Dulles | 5:20 p.m. | Paris (CDG) | 6:55 a.m. |
| May 22 | UA 72 | Washington Dulles | 10:30 p.m. | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 4:30 p.m. |
| 787-10 Schedule | |||||
| Start Date | UA Flight | Depart | Departure Time | Arrive | Arrival Time |
| March 30 | UA 960 | New York/Newark | 7:40 p.m. | Frankfurt (FRA) | 9:10 a.m. |
| March 30 | UA 84 | New York/Newark | 4:55 p.m. | Tel Aviv (TLV) | 10:15 a.m. |
| April 29 | UA 57 | New York/Newark | 6:40 p.m. | Paris (CDG) | 7:45 a.m. |
| April 29 | UA 120 | New York/Newark | 7:30 p.m. | Barcelona (BCN) | 9:00 a.m. |
| May 22 | UA 999 | New York/Newark | 6:30 p.m. | Brussels (BRU) | 7:45 a.m. |
| May 22 | UA 23 | New York/Newark | 7:25 p.m. | Dublin (DUB) | 7:05 a.m. |
What is United Premium Economy
United Airlines Premium Economy is a true upgraded inflight experience between economy class and business class. Or if it’s 1990 again, premium economy is business class and business class today is First class of yesteryear. The new seats are very similar to United Airlines domestic first-class seat and includes many upgrades in terms of space and amenities from economy.
The seat offers 38” of pitch with 6″ of recline and are 19″ wide. To put this in perspective, United’s new 737 Max 9 seats have 38” of pitch and are 20.5″ wide. Meanwhile back in economy on the 777-300 seats are offer just 31” between them and are only 17″ wide! Making the premium product that much more attractive.
Each premium economy seat also offers an adjustable leg and foot rest, power outlet and usb charger, along with a larger 13” TV, 4” larger than the economy IFE. Premium economy passengers will also enjoy noise-reducing headphones, a small amenity kit, and small Sak’s fifth avenue blankets and pillows.
Inflight upgrades do not stop there, but premium economy class customers will also enjoy upgraded meals. Each meal will be served on upgraded flatware with a real cloth napkin and will include complimentary alcoholic beverages. It does appear that the entire meal service will be done in one passing, unlike the per course settings in Business class.
Upgrade to United Airlines Premium Economy
The question we are all asking is how can I upgrade or fly Premium Economy for free? After all, every frequent flyer likes their perks and it appears that Premium Economy upgrades are now one of them. Per United Airlines, they are providing elites with more upgrade options without watering down elite benefits.
MileagePlus Premier members can still use 1 Global Premier Upgrade to move from United Economy to a United Premium Plus seat or upgrade to the United Polaris business class cabin. All MileagePlus members in United Economy can still request an upgrade to the United Polaris business class cabin using a MileagePlus Upgrade Award, and will be able to request to move to a United Premium Plus seat as well. Meaning an upgrade from economy to business is still available, or to Premium economy if business is not available.
Since United did not reduce the number of seats in business class to add Premium economy, upgrades to one cabin or the other is likely. Although using a global premier upgrade for one class upgrade vs two doesn’t seem completely worth it to me.
Final Thoughts
It’s great to see that Premium Economy is going on sale to a several destinations across the world. I hope that United truly invests in Premium economy and does not launch the product to only reduce service offerings later. In my opinion, United has really botched Polaris Business class. I hope Premium economy does not have the same fate.
Have you previewed or flown United’s Premium economy yet? There are several planes flying with the new product now without the soft product enhancements. What are your thoughts on the seat?
