United Airlines is betting big on luxury travelers with its newly announced Polaris Studio suites, which I got a sneak peek at last week. The airline revealed the premium cabin upgrade today (May 13, 2025), and it's clear they're gunning for high-spending business travelers who've returned to the skies post-pandemic.
The new suites - which will first appear on United's long-haul 787 Dreamliners this fall - feature sliding privacy doors, lie-flat beds with cooling gel memory foam (trust me, it makes a difference on those 14-hour flights), and 32-inch 4K screens. What impressed me most was the thoughtful design: each suite has dedicated storage for shoes, laptops, and even a small wardrobe space.
"We're seeing premium travel demand exceed 2019 levels by about 20%," United's SVP of Customer Experience, Toby Enqvist, told reporters during the unveiling. "These travelers are willing to pay for privacy and comfort, and that's exactly what we're delivering."
The timing makes sense - with business travel finally rebounding and wealthy leisure travelers (sometimes called "bleisure" travelers - a term I personally can't stand) willing to splurge on long-haul comfort.
Delta and American have made similar moves in the premium space, but United's new offering seems to leapfrog the competition in terms of personal space and technology integration. The suites even feature wireless charging pads built into the side tables - a small touch that frequent travelers will appreciate.
The first routes to get the new suites will be San Francisco to Tokyo and Newark to London, with additional routes rolling out through 2026. No word yet on exactly how many miles (or dollars) these premium seats will command - but I'm guessing it won't be cheap!
