The first of a new generation of Boeing 787s is coming to United Airlines and the final days of 2025. Just as the holidays wrap up this year, Dreamliners with the new elevated interior will be ready to go as 2026 kicks off. The airline announced that it plans to debut the premium-heavy new wide bodies on flights from San Francisco (SFO) to Singapore (SIN) as well as SFO to London Heathrow (LHR).

The newest wine bodies in the United fleet will have two new business class suites as well as Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, Starlink Wi-Fi, and even larger 4K OLED seatback screens. These jetliners will have the highest premium seating capacity in the United fleet. The completely redesigned interior will have 99 premium seats total, which also makes it the most premium heavy airliner in service with any US carrier.

A Clean Slate: The Boeing 787

The 787 is much loved by flyers for its dramatically improved cabin spaces and comfort features. The aircraft incorporates a host of technology to make it a more pleasant space for long-haul travel, which United Airlines plans to maximize with its own specially designed floor plans. The United Polaris Studio suites will be in the first row of each business class section. The Dreamliner will have a total of eight Suites, each with all aisle access, lie-flat beds, and privacy doors. On top of that, they will be 25% larger than standard United Polaris with an extra ottoman for companions.

Standard United Polaris seats will also be upgraded with sliding doors and enlarged 19-inch screens. United also significantly invested in the menu options, in addition to the Ossetra caviar amuse-bouche service, customers in the Polaris Studio get a post-dessert, curated specialty snack box delivered to their seat. Flyers in the most premium seats also have exclusive entrée options and Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé service in flight.

The airline’s unique Polaris “sundae cart” is also slated to get an upgrade with a new rotation of limited-time Tillamook ice cream flavors. The wine selection is already industry-leading in the US, and more regional menus that rotate monthly are being rolled out across the airline. Andrew Nocella, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer at United, commented in a company press release earlier this year:

“We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific — these innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond.”

Where The Dreamliners Roam

United Airlines’ new « premium-heavy » Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, featuring the « United Elevated » interior, are scheduled to debut on the San Francisco to Singapore and SFO to London Heathrow routes in early 2026. The routes were selected to capture high-value international travelers, as they are long-haul, premium-heavy markets where United aims to compete with other top international carriers.

The SFO to SIN itinerary is 8,440 miles (13,583 km) one-way with nonstop flights averaging around 16 to 17.5 hours, depending on the direction and wind conditions. Meanwhile, SFO to LHR comes in at 5,350 miles (8,615 km), and the time from gate to gate is between 10 and 12 hours, with the westbound leg (LHR to SFO) being the longer of the two. Each is exceptional on competitive transoceanic air corridors in its respective realms — the Pacific and Atlantic.

The two initial routes are crucial long-haul travel arteries in the world of international flying. In the Pacific market, SFO to SIN, United is primarily going up against Cathay Pacific and EVA Air. In the other hemisphere, there are more contestants, with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines all giving United a run for its money. United’s industry-leading, premium-heavy Dreamliners aim to carve out a bigger chunk of high-value traveler traffic for the world’s largest airline (by fleet count).

Opulence, All Aboard At United

The United Polaris Studio will be a unique cabin product for the airline. These seats will feature superior technology and design to complement the extra space and unmatched privacy that they offer. Each Suite has a huge 27-inch screen for in-flight entertainment (IFE), which is the largest of any US carrier. The technology package also includes Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, power outlets, and USB-C power sources.

Inside the suite, there are also digital seat controls, quartzite tables, wool seat upholstery, and wood grain trim. Once passengers are inside, they will find hoodie pajamas and slippers, Perricone MD Cold Plasma Plus+ luxury skincare products, a plush velvet throw pillow on the ottoman, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue bedding. A duvet, a day blanket, a large pillow, and a cooling gel pillow are waiting in the suite, along with a pack of United-brand playing cards to pass the time with a flying companion.

The jet has a 6,000-foot pressure altitude inside the cabin, which is 2,000 feet lower than its predecessors, dramatically improving the effects of jet lag, especially on long-haul flights. In addition to the improved cabin pressure, there is also enhanced air filtration and humidity levels. And then there’s also the customizable LED lighting, which not only adds to the premium atmosphere but also helps with natural body rhythm. At 19 inches (47 cm) in height, the 787’s windows are nearly 65% bigger than those on similar commercial aircraft. Nocella also made this comment on United’s vision for the latest and greatest iteration of the Dreamliner fleet:

“We never stand still and are always looking for more ways to set ourselves apart from other carriers. And we’re confident this elevated experience will take international flying to new heights. »

Keeping Up With The Joneses

American Airlines also began receiving premium-heavy-configured 787 Dreamliners in 2025. Its backlog is expected to continue until 2028, as more and more Jets arrive over time. The flagship Suite will be the highlight of the newly configured 787s. There will be 51 of the suite seats available in a “one-of-a-kind” chaise lounge seating option. Meanwhile, in premium economy, there will also be new headrest wings to complement refreshed trim and finishes, as well as wireless charging options and extra power sources.

Brandon Blackwood amenity kits are supplied to Flagship Suite flyers with a duvet blanket and a dual-sided pillow with cool touch and traditional fabric sides. Customers who choose the flagship Suite will also enjoy a multi-course meal service paired with award-winning wine. The new cabin interior from American will also have 4K QLED screens for IFE in the Flagship Suites, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin classes.

Delta Air Lines is the only one of the “big three” that has not ordered 787 Dreamliners. However, the Atlanta-based aviation juggernaut has instead received a number of Airbus A350 “extra widebody” airliners, which were made specifically to compete with the 787. In fact, Delta has orders for 64 of the Airbus A350, including the base-900 model and the stretched -1000 variant.

Delta has a total of 44 orders for the A350-900 model. As of December 2025, 39 of these are already in service, with 5 more on order and awaiting delivery. Delta placed a firm order for 20 A350-1000s in early 2024, with an option for an additional 20 aircraft. Deliveries of this variant are scheduled to begin in 2026, making Delta the first US carrier to operate the A350-1000.

Dreamliner At A Glance

The major advantage that the 787 has for operators is the fact that it costs just a little bit more than a large narrowbody to fly, but offers all of the benefits that come with a widebody. The unmatched mix of fuel efficiency, operational flexibility, and improved passenger comfort that revolutionized long-haul travel has made the Boeing 787 Dreamliner the most commercially successful widebody aircraft in aviation history.

The significant use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite materials and its construction in big, one-piece barrel sections are the most distinctive features of the Boeing 787’s fuselage design. Instead of traditional aluminum, the 787’s airframe, including the wings and fuselage, is approximately 50% composite by weight and 80% by volume.

The use of composite materials allowed for a more comfortable cabin environment with higher humidity levels and lower simulated cabin altitude. Despite early manufacturing hurdles and quality control issues, the 787’s core design has proven tremendously successful. Boeing also replaced heavy, complex engine-driven pneumatic and hydraulic systems with a « bleedless » electric system that further improves efficiency and air quality.