The TV will be 27 inches wide — and in 4K. The seat will be so big that there will be room for two. And, with that in mind, United Airlines decided to include an ottoman, too.
All of this can be found in the new Polaris Studio Suite, which the airline will unveil at an event later Tuesday in Brooklyn.
United will announce that eight of these suite options will be on every one of the 140 elevate 787s it will be taking shipment on in the next few years (though only six will have the double seat).
And while the airline can tell you the Studio Suite will be 25% larger than the standard Polaris compartment — and that the first of which will be available on flights from San Francisco to Singapore in 2026 —nit isn’t ready to disclose the two biggest questions for fliers out of Newark Liberty:
- How much extra will it cost?
- And when will it be available out of EWR?
This much is clear: The airline has the route to Heathrow in mind for this upgrade — and it has more departures to London from Newark than any other hub.
Then there’s this: United is determined to set the standard for business and luxury travel.
Here’s more of what will be in the carrier’s announcement later today, presented in a Q&A fashion:
Q: Give us more of the premium offerings in the Polaris Studio Suite?
A: There will be enhanced Meridian headphones, pajamas and slippers along with a mattress pad, three pillows and Saks 5th Avenue bedding. Each suite also will come with an enhanced and larger amenity kit filled with high-end Perricone MD skin care products. Trouble sleeping? Suite guests will get Polaris-branded playing cards, too.
Q: How about the meals?
A: The airline promises that the food and beverage options also will be elevated, with a pre-order for caviar available (if that’s your thing) available.
Q: Anything else?
A: Polaris Studio Suite passengers will be eligible to check in at the airport in the global services reception.
Q: Those are the limited Studio Suites, tell us about the upgrades to Polaris?
A: Technology-wise, there will be a 19-inch screen on the monitor (that’s three inches larger than today), four ways to charge your personal device and higher-level headphones.
Q: Anything else that’s unique?
A: The seating. Surveys have shown customers have two distinct preferences: The first Polaris cabin will feature center-cabin seats away from the aisle. The second Polaris cabin will feature middle seats that face toward the aisle. These seats often are often preferred when traveling with a companion.
Q: And for premium plus?
A: There will be a small privacy barrier, along with a large monitor. And all seats will soon have access to Starlink Wi-Fi.
Q: How about the food?
A: All passengers will now get a choice of three entrees (instead of two) and will have a choice of red pepper flakes (not just salt, pepper). It’s all part of a $150 million food upgrade.
Q: These are a lot of upgrades — will there be a lot of seats?
A: Yes, the elevate 787-9 will offer 64 seats in Polaris and 35 seats in premium plus for a total of 99 premium seats.
Q: When is this coming to Newark?
A: Still not clear. But, if we had to guess, sooner rather than later.
