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United Announces New Premium Economy Product: Premium Plus

by Brad
Last updated January 29, 2019

United has announced they will begin rolling out a Premium Economy product on international flights later in 2018. The following minimal information came from an email to Mileage Plus members:

Introducing United® Premium Plus

International premium economy is coming.

Later this year, we’ll begin to introduce United’s Premium Plus. Available on select international flights, United® Premium Plus will give you more space, comfort and amenities. The seats will be more spacious and you’ll enjoy upgraded dining on china dinnerware, free alcoholic beverages, a Saks Fifth Avenue blanket and pillow, an amenity kit and more.

United Joins the Party with a True Premium Economy

This shouldn’t come as a surprise in the “monkey-see, monkey-do” environment of the U.S. airline market. Both American and Delta are already rolling out Premium Economy, so it was only a matter of time before United would follow. United was an early adopter to offering more space in economy with their Economy Plus product. However, this is a true Premium Economy product, including meals served on china, and an amenity kit.

a group of people sitting in a plane
Credit: United Airlines

The seats look similar to the new United domestic first class seat, with the addition of a leg/footrest. Given how uncomfortable economy on long haul flights is becoming, with 10-across seats on 777s, this product could be compelling for a better experience on those flights.

Where Will United Premium Plus Be Available?

Currently Delta only offers Premium Economy on their A350s, which were delivered with the product. American receives 787-9s with the product already installed. The pace of modifying their existing widebody fleet with the product is moving quickly. I believe all A330-200 and many 777s already have been retrofitted.

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Given how slow the roll out of United Polaris has been, I question how long it will take for this product to show up in any sort of numbers. Wandering Aramean shares a United internal memo about this product, and it appears that this will first show up on United’s 787-10 deliveries. According to the United Fleet Site, there are 2 deliveries scheduled in 2018, so presumably these planes will have both Polaris Business Class seats and a Premium Plus cabin.

Premium economy is a nice middle product between a cramped economy cabin and a flat bed in business class. I’m interested to learn more about United’s offering, and hope they can get this product into their fleet quickly.

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Read This Next

  • Delta Upgrades Transcontinental Premium Economy Product
  • Delta Announces a Premium Economy Cabin
  • American Airlines Unveils New Premium Economy Class

About Brad

Brad is a frequent traveler, based in Milwaukee. He typically travels in around 200,000 miles per year, much of it for business, and often in economy. This blog focuses on experiences and tips from the perspective of a frequent business traveler trying to maximize value. In addition to frequent work trips, he uses miles and points for even more travel with his wife and young child.

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