United Airlines Unveils New Premium Seat for 200+ Narrowbody Aircraft

Features include a tablet holder built into the tray table and an articulating seat cushion for improved comfort

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Sep 10, 2015, 11:00 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines is introducing a new, comfortable, custom-designed seat for first-class cabins on more than 200 of the company's narrowbody aircraft. The seat will debut on an Airbus A319 next week, with retrofits on A319s, A320s and many Boeing 737s and 757s through 2016.

Developed with input from customers whom the airline invited to test seat prototypes, the custom seat United and design firm PriestmanGoode have created features several elements to improve the customer experience, including:

All-leather seat covers in signature navy and champagne colors;
A patented-design tray table with tablet holder, enabling travelers to enjoy food and beverages while using their personal electronic devices;
An articulating seat bottom for greater comfort when reclining and an adjustable headrest;
In-seat universal A/C power outlets for customers to charge their devices;
Additional in-seat storage, including two seatback pockets and side stowage for laptops and tablets;
Dedicated beverage holders; and
Granite cocktail tables.

At 21.1 inches wide, the new United First seat is wider than the current seat and will have numerous custom-design elements and premium finishes, including the signature United-branded tag.

Each aircraft will continue to have the same number of premium-cabin seats.

"This new seat is directly based on customer testing and feedback," said Tom O'Toole, United's senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We designed a custom seat that incorporates the features that today's passengers want and upgrades our cabins."

For photos of the new seat, visit newsroom.united.com/Sept2015_DomesticFirst_Seats.

Cabin Upgrades
United's new premium-cabin seat is among significant upgrades the airline is making to its aircraft interiors, including larger overhead bins, more in-seat power outlets and new carpets, mood lighting, boarding music and galley flooring.

A video of United's new narrowbody cabin design is available at http://newsroom.united.com/signaturecabindesign_video

Customer Travel Enhancements
United is investing significantly in every aspect of the travel experience. The airline has recently:

Updated its top-rated mobile app to offer interactive indoor maps at the airline's hubs in the continental United States, including testing beacons at Newark Liberty International Airport;
Expanded its very popular personal device entertainment to 120 Wi-Fi-equipped United Express regional jets, enabling more customers to stream free content to their laptop computers and iOS and Android devices;
Launched significantly upgraded food and beverage service – including multi-course meals, complimentary beer and wine and a new option to purchase premium snacks – for customers in United Economy on many intercontinental flights; and
Introduced products from Cowshed Spa, the premium spa and lifestyle brand of London-based Soho House & Co., in premium cabins on long-haul international flights and in more than a dozen United airport lounges worldwide.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 362 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.