United Airlines is set to expand its Premium Plus cabin in response to increasing demand for premium economy seats. The Chicago-based airline plans to add more high-end seating options, including Polaris suites and domestic first-class recliners, as well as premium recliners on long-haul flights.
During the company's second-quarter earnings call, United's chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, acknowledged that the airline had underestimated the demand for its premium economy product when it was introduced in the late 2010s. "We undersized the Premium Plus cabin," Nocella stated. "And that's a cabin, I think, that's generating very good returns, and the one that we'll probably lean more into going forward."
United debuted its distinct Premium Plus cabin in 2019 to offer a higher-end experience than coach at a more affordable price than Polaris business class. By 2023, this offering was available across United's entire long-haul fleet.