First class passengers on United Airlines might soon be flying in newly designed seats. The new seat features upgrades to the inflight entertainment system, as well as improved comfort and privacy for travelers. The carrier launched the new seats on a 737 this week, with plans to install it on more than 200 (mostly brand new) single-aisle aircraft by 2026.
This new United First seat is designed around the modern traveler – more charging options, bigger spaces for devices, food, drinks and personal items and extra privacy. As we evolve the onboard experience, we’re upending old industry norms and anticipating future needs to accommodate the new ways people live and travel.
– Mark Muren, United Managing Director of Identity, Product and Loyalty
Privacy, accessibility, and more
A new privacy screen between the two seats is the most obvious design change developed by United’s engineering and inflight teams, University of Michigan biomechanics researcher Dr. Matthew Reed, and design firm Priestman Goode. It also features winged headrests and a single-piece tray table that deploys from the outer armrests to reduce passenger contact.
The aisle arm is adjustable, lowering completely to improve accessibility access to the cabin. The seat cushion sits one inch lower to improve comfort for travelers with shorter legs.
Power, power, and power, but not that power
Among the significant developments in the new seat is the addition of Qi wireless charging. The wireless charger is located in a compartment of the armrest, which the company says gives passengers line-of-sight to notifications. That compartment is typically covered, however. Hopefully the compartment cover stays open for passengers who want to monitor their devices.
The seat also features a 110V universal outlet and USB-C for charging. It does not, however, offer a USB-A option. That was a transition destined to eventually happen. United appears to be drawing the line at mid-2023 for it to start.
Bigger, better screens
The seats will include a 13″ entertainment screen from Panasonic Avionics. As with the rest of the carrier’s inflight entertainment upgrades as part of the NEXT program launched in 2021, the screens will offer Bluetooth headphones pairing. The seats also include a remote for the screen, tucked into the center console.
A partial fleet renewal
The new seats, a customized model manufactured by Safran Seats, are expected to fly on more than 200 aircraft by the end of 2026. This includes retrofits of some existing 737s, as well as the A321neo fleet. United specified that it will cover both the NG and MAX, but declined to offer additional details on which NGs will be refreshed as part of the program.
The first aircraft fitted with the seats is N73259, a retrofit 737-800. Given how new they are it seems unlikely that the existing MAX aircraft will be refreshed, though expect new deliveries to eventually come with this updated seat.
Another 200 planes will see a refresh of the existing seats, delivering improvements but not as significant as the new product. Select 737, A319, and A320 planes will see new cushions installed, including winged headrests.
All of the refreshed planes include new Ultrafabrics “vegan leather” seat coverings from Tapis Corporation.
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