United is rolling out a new first class seat for its A319, A320 and some 757 aircraft (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
This week United revealed its newest domestic first class seat and other enhancements (such as a new aromatherapy scent) at a special event at its Chicago headquarters and TravelSkills was there.
Here’s what we learned:
>New first class seats designed by PriestmanGoode will roll out starting next week. The first aircraft to get them will be an Airbus A319. The rollout will continue through the end of 2016 by which time all A319s and A320s along with some Boeing 757s will have them. United said that its Airbus aircraft currently without in-seat power plugs would be the first to get the new seats.
>United said that the size of the first class cabins and the number of first class seats on each plane will not change.
Most unusual feature of the new seat: granite-topped cocktail tables (photo: Chris McGinnis)
>The most noticeable feature of the new seat is a granite-topped cocktail ledge on the center console. Designers said that the marble is more like a wafer than a block to keep weight down, but is mounted on a sturdy honeycomb-type material for durability.
A new under arm rest bin for laptops, which regrettably cannot be used during take off or landing (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
>Another welcome feature is the addition of a lot of new storage space. There are special nooks for laptops and water bottles under arm rests and two seat back “literature pockets” for stowing your stuff.
A new tray table with a nifty notch for your tablet (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
>United has added a patented new tray table that includes a slot for tablets– just pop your tablet into the slot, which holds it upright and allows you to eat from the tray table and watch a movie on your tablet simultaneously. (Increasingly important as United moves away from seatback screens and focuses on its “bring your own device” inflight entertainment system.)
>Every seat has a universal power outlet, but no USB.
Dark blue leather and white stitching along with a Levi’s-like United brand tag (Photo: Chris McGinnis)
>The dark blue leather seats are trimmed in “bespoke” white stitching with cushions that are just over 21 inches wide– United says they are two inches wider than the current version. The seats have “articulated recline” which means when you push back, the seat cushion moves forward a bit. (Articulated reclining seat get mixed reviews– just ask anyone who flew Cathay Pacific before they got rid of them.) Seat pitch varies from 31 to 37 inches (depending on aircraft type and seat position)– the same as the current version.
>United also is working to redesign its gate areas, and has three prototypes of the new design at Chicago-O’Hare gates B4, B8 and B10. The most unusual addition to the gates? Aromatherapy! In a move that mimics Delta (once again) United said that it will start infusing jetways, United Clubs and inflight hot towels with a new herbal, spa-like scent called “Landing.” (I liked it.) You may already notice the new scent in O’Hare jetways, and by the end of the year it will be swirling around all United Clubs.
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Sounds like the ‘some’ 757s are the 757-300s which now that I remember aren’t being retired
I’d say they are all pretty much the same. Nice thing about the new United seat is extra storage space.
Yep, it’s only A319, A320 and “some 757s” for now, so this is not an attempt to standardize. — chris
So, United is saying that it wants to standardize the premium product across the domestic fleet. That’s a welcoming change, regardless of seat comfort (I like to try things myself before commenting on that – but just visually, the armrests look rather plasticky and uncomfy). But, they are talking Airbus and 757, what happens to the rest of the fleet?!
Since nearly every UA plane I’ve flown out of SFO in the last 4 years has had some kind of ‘pillow’ thing that digs into my shoulders and must be left in the down position for TO/landing, I can’t WAIT for new seats. The current ones must be designed for someone who’s 4’8″. Chris, you continually refer to “first”, is this seat only for 3-class planes or may we plebes see them in biz-first?
Just another reson to add to the never ending list of why I choose not to fly United.
The post says the seats are blue leather, but they look gray to me. Or are they blue-gray? hehe. United needs more than new domestic F seats, unfortunately. I really dislike their current F seats – to me the headrest, when lowered, sticks out too far into my back.
I agree David – professional health service organizations like the FDA project that about 15% of the US population is allergic to synthetic scents. BTW – these scents United are going to use are almost guaranteed to be “synthetic” and full of cancer causing chemicals. Just like commercially available products like “Febreeze” – I’ll bet that these work to actually block the chemical sensors in your nose to odors – they don’t “freshen” anything. Also, using “scents” is just another way to avoid cleaning and sanitizing planes. My spouse is getting to the point she can’t fly on airplanes because of the stale air and other chemicals inherent to airplanes – she won’t likely be flying United at all now.
“Where we can become a strong, growing and profitable carrier, with great service, a great culture and a great future”.
Hardly phrophetic Mr. Smisek. Your gilded departure begs the question.
Who actually benefits with these mega-mergers?
(besides you, obviously!)
I see that the seats set the tone for the rest of the plane, very thin and light. If it’s like the coach seats they are very, very, very uncomfortable and I will bet that these will also be uncomfortable. United is getting so cheap on everything in the interest of saving a dollar here. Hope everyone remembers the way seats in first class use to be, those seats that were nice and very cushy just like the recliner in your living room. Now the seats are like dentist chairs, you can’t get out of them fast enough even in first class.
I wonder if the iPad holder is designed to hold the new iPad (12″)? Also, will it fit the old iPads and NOT have them crack when the person in front slams their chair in the recline position?
Aromatherapy? Really? I’m sorry, but not everyone enjoys the same scents – and many of us either prefer or need scent-free environments. Yuck.
Probably not but most likely if they are flying an Airbus A319
hey greg sorry but I was only able to sit in the seat for a few seconds so don’t have much to share about comfort. It was not much different from other first class seats. And yes they said the seats will be installed in “some” 757s but did not say which ones or how many — Chris
Chris-
1) How about telling us how the seats feel when you sit in them – pictures are nice, but we really need your thoughts on comfort
2) Are you sure they are putting these in 757s??? They are about to retire them
Ooh, my parents will be flying first class (first time ever) on United come January… is there a way we can find out which planes/routes have been upgraded?