The humble airport lounge cheese cube has officially been put on notice. United Airlines just revealed its “United Elevated” cabin for Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, complete with caviar service, privacy doors, and screens that make your living room TV look like a museum relic.
This isn’t just an interior refresh—it’s a reimagining of luxury travel for a post-pandemic world craving both comfort and privacy.
At the heart of this airborne revolution are eight Polaris Studio suites, positioned in the front row of business class, offering 25% more space than standard Polaris seats. Each suite features sliding privacy doors, an ottoman for companion dining, and seatback screens measuring 27 inches. For context, that’s the kind of screen real estate usually reserved for your home entertainment system, not something you’d expect while cruising at 35,000 feet.
The culinary experience has been elevated to match these surroundings.
If you’ve grown accustomed to the disappointment of airplane food that resembles a TV dinner that took a wrong turn, prepare for a pleasant surprise. United has invested $150 million in food and beverage upgrades, introducing Ossetra caviar service and champagne in business class.
It’s the kind of meal service that makes you want to dress up for a flight rather than selecting your comfiest sweatpants.
Beyond the ultra-premium studios, United’s standard Polaris business class receives significant upgrades with 56 redesigned suites per aircraft, each featuring sliding doors—because sometimes you just need a barrier between yourself and the stranger who’s about to fall asleep two feet away from you. The 19-inch 4K OLED screens aren’t quite as majestic as those in the Studio suites, but they still outshine most competitors’ offerings.
Even those flying in Premium Plus and Economy will find meaningful improvements.
Premium Plus seats now include privacy dividers and wireless charging capabilities. Economy passengers haven’t been completely forgotten, with these seats featuring the largest seatback screens in the world for their class, complete with Bluetooth connectivity.
The entire cabin has received attention in lighting and finishes, with brighter, warmer ambient lighting creating a fresher experience. Connecting with the outside world becomes more reliable with Starlink satellite Wi-Fi—a godsend for travelers accustomed to paying for connections that struggle to load a simple email.
“We’re planning to fly this aircraft to Singapore, but there’s 140 of these aircraft on order that are all going to come with this amazing suite on board,” United Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella told CBS News.
This move reflects a broader shift in travel expectations, where premium experiences are increasingly valued after years of restricted movement. As travelers return to long-haul flights, the boundaries between home comfort and travel discomfort continue to blur.
The first Dreamliners featuring these luxurious upgrades will join United’s fleet by the end of 2025, with inaugural international flights from San Francisco to Singapore and London scheduled for 2026. By 2027, the airline expects to have at least 30 Dreamliners equipped with the elevated interiors.
For travelers who want a magical flying experience, these new cabins represent a significant leap forward. After all, sometimes the journey matters as much as the destination—especially when that journey includes caviar at cruising altitude.
