The Boeing 787 is the future of the United Airlines fleet. While the carrier also flies Boeing 767s and 777s, the 787 fleet is quickly growing. The Chicago-based carrier has 80 examples in service already, and it has a further 141 on order. Even if it takes delivery of its long-delayed Airbus A350 order, the Boeing 787 is the future of the United fleet, serving as a replacement for the 767, the 777-200, 777-200ER, and also launching new routes of various stage lengths for the airline.

The 787 Dreamliner is already widely used throughout United’s network, and it will eventually operate the vast majority of its long-haul routes. This means that it’s important to know what to expect when traveling on board these aircraft, as it’s increasingly likely that your next long-haul flight will be operated by the Dreamliner. There are also some differences between the different 787 variants, which are important to know, as United Airlines operates all three Dreamliner models (787-8, 787-9, 787-10).

Overview Of The United Airlines Fleet

United Airlines operates 80 Boeing 787 aircraft. It was the US launch customer of all three variants, and it currently flies 12 787-8s, 47 787-9s, along with 21 787-10s. All aircraft are powered by the General Electric GEnx-1B, and it also has 141 787s on order. The remaining aircraft on order are made up of 85 787-9s and 56 787-10s. When all Dreamliners are delivered, United will operate a total of 12 787-8s, 132 787-9s, and 77 787-10s, for a total of 221 units. This will make the 787 United’s second-largest fleet, ahead of the Airbus A320 family but behind the Boeing 737.

Data from aeroLOPA shows that United configures its 787-8s with 243 seats in total, split between 28 Polaris seats, 21 Premium Plus seats, and 194 economy seats. The carrier uses these dense aircraft to serve low-demand routes to leisure destinations. The 787-9s are used as United’s long-haul workhorses and feature 48 Polaris seats, 21 Premium Plus seats, along with 188 economy seats for a total of 257 seats. The 787-10s, meanwhile, feature 44 Polaris seats, 21 Premium Plus seats, and 253 economy seats, totaling 318 seats. These are used as long-range « people-movers » by United.

United bases the 787 at every one of its hub airports except Guam International Airport. The 787-8 is mainly flown to Europe, and is primarily based in Chicago O’Hare as well as Washington-Dulles. The 787-10s are also primarily flown to Europe, with most routes originating from Chicago-O’Hare or Newark. In addition, the 787-10 is flown from Chicago-O’Hare and Los Angeles to Tokyo-Haneda. The 787-9, meanwhile, is used on a mixture of long-distance routes from all of United’s hubs.

Where To Sit In United Polaris Business Class

One of United’s strongest points of differentiation is that all of its international widebody aircraft feature the same seat products. In Polaris, United installs the Safran Optima, a fully flat business class seat model with direct aisle access for all passengers. The Optima is a unique design in that it’s a staggered layout in which seats closer to the aisle feature a slight herringbone pattern, whereas other seats do not feature any angle.

On the 787-8, the window seats in rows one, three, five, and six are closer to the aircraft’s sidewalls, giving passengers significantly more privacy. The design of the Safran Optima means that these passengers essentially sit in a cocoon, far removed from other guests. The same is true for all odd-numbered rows on the 787-9 and the 787-10. The center seats in these rows feature « honeymoon » seats, which are ideal for couples. However, the seats closer to the aisles are known to still be private, despite the lack of privacy doors throughout the cabin.

The 787-10 features a single Polaris cabin with galleys and lavatories at both ends. Therefore, odd-numbered window seats closer to the middle of the cabin will be ideal for those seeking to avoid noise and light pollution. The 787-8 features a small mini-cabin behind the second set of exit doors; however, this section only features two rows, both of which would be near the galley between the two cabins. On the 787-9, however, the more intimate mini-cabin features four rows. Row 11 is located in the mini-cabin, has minimal noise or light pollution, and features private seats near the sidewalls as well as the honeymoon seats for couples.

Looking At The Premium Plus Cabin On The 787

Just like in Polaris, the onboard experience in Premium Plus is remarkably consistent on the carrier’s 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 aircraft. On all three variants, Premium Plus is installed seven-abreast across three rows, for a total of 21 seats. United uses the Collins Aerospace MiQ for Premium Plus, a popular seat model for premium economy also used by American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Furthermore, the Collins MiQ is commonly used for short-haul business/first class, although United itself does not use the MiQ for domestic first class.

Each row only features one middle seat in the center section of seats. The center section is thereby ideal for small families or groups of three, while the seat sections near the sidewalls are ideal for couples. The front row (row 20) features extra legroom, but it lacks underseat storage. On the 787-10, row 20 is located directly behind a set of two lavatories and a large galley area. On the 787-8 and 787-9, Premium Plus is located directly behind the Polaris cabin.

Premium Plus includes six inches (15.24 centimeters) of recline, along with 38 inches (96.52 centimeters) of legroom. On the 787, the Premium Plus seats are roughly 18.7 inches (47.50 centimeters) wide, and they include a 13-inch (33.02 centimeter) screen. Furthermore, United Premium Plus includes legroom, a footrest, as well as upgraded amenities and catering. In addition, Premium Plus customers are served before those seated in economy or Economy Plus.

The Best Seats In Economy On The 787

United Airlines uses a mix of the older Collins Aerospace Pinnacle and the newer Collins Aerospace Aspire seat models for its widebody economy class seats. All of its 787-8s feature the Collins Pinnacle, while all 787-10s feature the Collins Aspire. Meanwhile, United’s 25 oldest 787-9s are equipped with the Collins Pinnacle, whereas later deliveries feature the Collins Aspire. On all aircraft, United offers its standard economy product along with an extra legroom option, named « Economy Plus », for a surcharge.

On the 787-8, row 39 and row 40 are located near the mid-cabin set of lavatories, while row 51, 52, and 53 are located in front of the rear galley and lavatories. This is also true for rows 35 and 57 on the 787-9, along with rows 39, 40, 59, and 60 on the 787-10. Note, however, that whereas the economy cabin is generally configured nine-abreast (3-3-3), the last row on the 787 features sets of two seats near the sidewalls, meaning that there are no middle seats. On the 787-9, this is also true of row 56, the second to last row in the economy cabin.

Apart from these differences and the presence of the Economy Plus cabin, the economy seats on United’s 787s are fairly uniform. United offers 31 inches (78.74 centimeters) of legroom in standard seats, while Economy Plus seats feature 34 inches (86.36 centimeters) and an extra inch of recline. As is standard on the Boeing 787, the seats are roughly 17 inches (43.18 centimeters) wide. United offers economy passengers a nine-inch (22.86 centimeter) screen and a four-way adjustable headrest.

Differences In United’s Upcoming 787-9s

United Airlines will soon begin taking delivery of a new subfleet of Boeing 787-9s coded as the « 78L« , featuring updated cabins and a premium-heavy layout. Polaris will now feature the Elevate Ascent, a reverse herringbone product with privacy doors. Rows one and nine are new Polaris Studio seats available for a surcharge. Unlike the Safran Optima, essentially every seat is the same in Polaris, except the center suites, rows 9 to 16. These seats are angled herringbone and are ideal for couples traveling together.

Seats towards the rear of the Polaris cabin will be quieter as they are the furthest away from galleys or lavatories. In Premium Plus, meanwhile, the forward rows are further from a lavatory located between Premium Plus and economy. There will be five rows of Premium Plus arranged seven-abreast, for a total of 35 seats. In economy, rows 30 to 34 are designated as Economy Plus, but are nearest to the aforementioned lavatory. The rest of the economy seats, meanwhile, are configured identically, and there are no rows with sets of two seats.

While Polaris features a completely new seat model, Premium Plus still comes with the Collins MiQ, while economy will still use the Collins Aspire. The seats will be significantly upgraded in both cabins, however, with larger screens and additional charging options. Premium Plus will also feature dedicated storage areas for headphones and water bottles, along with privacy wings.