During a hangar event at LAX, United unveiled its new “Elevated” Boeing 787-9.
The new “Elevated” 787-9 configuration from United Airlines is a major shift toward a premium-heavy, low-density layout — arguably the most premium widebody any U.S. carrier has introduced. Here’s a clear breakdown 👇
Overall layout
- Total seats: 222 (vs 257 before)
- Strong shift toward premium cabins (almost half the plane)
- Business: 48 → 64
- Premium economy: 21 → 35
- Economy: 188 → 123
Cabin Look:
64 Polaris Business Class – Includes 8 Polaris Studio suites (front row “business+”)
Business Class is separated into 2 cabins.
Note: The middle seat faces differently in the first and second cabins.
35 Premium Plus (Premium Economy)
United Relax Row
United has just announced “Relax Row” in its Economy Plus cabin on future airplane deliveries. It’s not a separate cabin — it’s a soft product/seating concept within economy, designed to give you more personal space to stretch out.
While “Relax Row” isn’t revolutionary, as Air New Zealand already has it as “Skycouch”. You have a real chance of turning Economy into a quasi-premium experience — if you play it right.
United “Relax Row” will launch in 2027 and will be available on more than 200 Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 widebody aircraft by 2030, offering up to 12 United Relax Row sections per plane.
Where to Fly?
According to Aeroroutes, United filed domestic operations as of 22MAR26:
San Francisco – Houston 29MAR26 – 29APR26 UA2498/382
San Francisco – Washington Dulles 29MAR26 – 21APR26 UA755/1434
United has officially identified two initial international routes From San Francisco International Airport
- Singapore (UA1/2 from 22 April)
- London Heathrow (UA900/901 from 30 April)
United plans to receive 30 new Boeing 787-9 deliveries by the end of 2027.
