by Donald Wood
Last updated: 9:00 AM ET, Wed February 6, 2019
United Airlines announced Wednesday it would be adding more than 1,600 United Polaris business class and United First seats to nearly 250 international and domestic aircraft.
The carrier will also revolutionize the regional flying experience by introducing the two-cabin, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its fleet, which offers customers more legroom, storage and amenities than any other 50-seat regional aircraft operating today.
As part of the planned improvements, United will introduce to its fleet the first of 21 reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER over the next several weeks, including 16 additional United Polaris business seats, 22 United Premium Plus seats, 47 Economy Plus seats and 52 Economy seats.
United will first operate the reconfigured 767 between Newark/New York and London, offering 50 percent more premium seats along the most significant premium route in the world. The airline expects to introduce all the reconfigured aircraft to its fleet by the end of 2020.
"In an era where many airlines are adding seats to their aircraft to crowd more passengers onto the plane, we're re-configuring more than 100 of our aircraft and doing exactly the opposite - for the benefit of our customers," United executive vice president Andrew Nocella said in a statement.
"From adding more premium seats on aircraft that serve some of our most traveled routes, introducing a revolutionary, best-in-class 50-seat experience or simply offering free DIRECTV on more than 200 aircraft, we are committed to making United the airline that our customers choose to fly."
As for the airline's Airbus planes, United will add four United First seats on its fleet of Airbus A319s, increasing the total count from eight to 12. Beginning early next year, United will also add four United First seats on its fleet of nearly 100 Airbus A320 aircraft, increasing the total count from 12 to 16.
The airline will revolutionize the regional flying experience with the planned introduction of 50 spacious, 50-seat Bombardier CRJ 550 aircraft to its regional fleet by the end of this year. The planes will feature LED lighting, a self-serve beverage and snack station in the premium cabin, Wi-Fi and more overall legroom.
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