United Premium Cabin Upgrade Puts Squeeze on Steerage
As foreshadowed by CEO Glenn Tilton before they exited from bankruptcy, United Airlines announced yesterday an agreement with B/E Aerospace to design and manufacture new seats for their premium international cabins. That's great news if you can afford to fly first or business class overseas, but not-so-hot for someone who can only afford coach. What remains to be made public is what type of seats and how many customers can expect in the overhaul. Angled-flat and lie-flat seats both take up more space than the current United business-class product, so the airline will either have to reduce the number of business- and first-class seats available or, as they did on their Premium Service product, take out rows of economy seats and put in the more profitable premium services. Either way for frequent fliers in economy class, that will mean fewer upgrades or higher fares as a result of fewer seats.
United Airlines Announces Investment in Premium Cabin International Travel Experience [United]
Announcement on United Premium Upgrades [Flyertalk]
Individual Business Suite [BE Premium Seating]
Previously: No Sleep ‘Till St. Louis, United Discounting Award Seats to Sydney, London, Flying the Inconvenient and Bankrupt Skies, Hooters Unsupported in Chicago, United Likes It Sideways
