United Airlines’ Premium Plus cabin has quickly become one of the most talked-about long-haul options for travelers seeking comfort without the typical high cost of business class that you would expect from other airlines. The question of whether Premium Plus is worth it and what benefits it actually provides is more important than ever, as passengers prioritize comfort, cabin experience, and ultimately value on international flights.

Premium Plus sits between standard economy and United Polaris, offering a recliner seat, upgraded meals, better amenities, and priority services. This article breaks down its core benefits, what passengers and experts say, how it compares to other cabins, and whether the upgrade is worth the cost based on real traveler experiences.

High Praise Overall

On the surface, United Premium Plus is a meaningful step up from economy, and for the airline, it marks a new stage in the development of its premium economy product offerings. United has included larger seats, deeper recline, upgraded meals, priority services, and amenities that make long flights considerably more comfortable. The response from many passengers has been resoundingly positive, with many believing that it truly transforms the long-haul experience, especially on flights over eight hours. It’s by no means business class, but it bridges the gap very effectively.

Reviewers highlight the extended legroom and a noticeably quieter, smaller cabin compared to the main economy section, as well as a vastly improved food and beverage selection when compared with standard economy. United’s entertainment system, with Bluetooth pairing, large screens, and a substantial content offering, further adds to the experience on long-haul flights.

The popularity of premium economy across global airlines has grown rapidly, and United is fully leaning into this trend. Demand has risen enough that United has publicly stated it “undersized the Premium Plus cabin” and is now expanding it on upcoming aircraft.

How To Stand Out From The Rest

Whether Premium Plus is worth it often comes down to several situational factors: flight duration, cabin fullness, pricing relative to economy, and personal comfort preferences, just to name a few. In a time when more and more people are seeking the lowest fares possible, products beyond the simple base fare are much harder to make appealing to travelers, so for United, the main aim has been to make Premium Plus stand out as a product worth the money.

United took the time to really consider what could set this product apart and make it far more than an average premium economy offering. The price difference is the most significant selling point of the product. Prices are generally under $500 for a one-way ticket, which has been widely considered worth it by those who have reviewed Premium Plus. In comparison, other competitor products tend to hover around the $1000+ mark, generally not considered to be worth the spend. Flight length variety is also a point of note. Premium Plus has been included in domestic and international routes. Benefits multiply on 8+ hour flights, where you get much more time and value out of what you spend. Seat design played a huge part in Premium Plus’ inception. Wider recliners, greater pitch, footrests, and larger IFE screens all help set the product apart as a class of its own. Across the board, Premium Plus feels intimate, offering much more space for passengers and greater attention to detail, exemplified by amenities such as an amenity kit, upgraded meals, free alcohol, and Saks bedding, all included.

Several passengers reported that Premium Plus dramatically improved comfort and rest, especially when secured at last-minute discounted upgrade pricing. Conversely, some passengers noted that if economy had large numbers of empty rows, those could offer better rest opportunities than a full Premium Plus cabin.

Expect The Unexpected

United Airlines’ executives have been clear about the results of their new product. Premium Plus demand has exceeded expectations in almost every way, and the airline now considers the cabin a “very exciting opportunity” with plans to expand its footprint across its long-haul fleet . The hope is that this initial success can translate across the rest of United’s expansive route network and fleet, culminating in a product that fits seamlessly into the airline as a whole and provides a basis for the future expansion of United’s passenger experience aboard its aircraft.

Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella stated:

“We undersized the Premium Plus cabin… it’s generating very good returns.”

This reflects broader industry trends increasingly evident in recent years, with airlines shifting heavily toward premium seating as passengers increasingly prioritize comfort. Consumer mindsets are shifting, so United is moving in unison to capitalize on this change.

This ultimately means travelers can expect more Premium Plus seats on future United aircraft, improved onboard amenities tied to upcoming Polaris upgrades, and more opportunities to redeem points for the cabin. The carrier views it as a cornerstone product and not a niche experiment. Premium Plus is now an integral part of United, and its success has played a massive part in achieving such status.

In A League Of Its Own?

Compared to Economy Plus, Premium Plus offers a fundamentally different experience: a larger seat, more recline, footrests, elevated dining, and priority services. It is way more than just “extra legroom”. For United, Premium Plus is a real step up in what can be offered. for a premium economy product, especially when compared with other North American based competitors.

However, Premium Plus is still far from Polaris business class. There are no lie-flat beds, and service is more closely aligned with economy, despite its differences. Some passengers note that the food is similar to economy but served on real plates with upgraded presentation though many do also compliment this improvement. It still also falls behind other airlines across the world that have ‘perfected’ the premium economy experience. Air New Zealand, for example, offers far more than United does with even wider seats and dedicated priority services, with some even going as far as to label it as ‘business-lite’ rather than premium economy.

While others may offer more, Premium Plus is still ideal for travelers who want comfort without luxury prices, especially on 8+ hour routes. It fills the gap precisely, still outperforming some premium economy products from other global carriers by making a far clearer distinction between standard and premium economy.

Still Not Fully Refined?

Despite its strengths, Premium Plus isn’t always the right choice for everyone. Prices can spike close to business-class levels, often proving to be a point of frustration for those wanting to book a ticket. Dynamic pricing can provide a great deal, but it can also create a price that is simply unjustifiable for many. Seat comfort, while better than economy, can become firm over long stretches, especially considering the lack of a flat-lying bed.

Passengers have reported situations where economy had entire empty rows, making it more spacious than a fully booked Premium Plus cabin. Additionally, passengers sometimes report that the legroom upgrade doesn’t feel as significant as it could be, with other premium economy offerings from competitors such as Japan Airlines providing a more significant improvement such as a 42-inch seat pitch, four more than United.

It is worth doing your own research into whether Premium Plus suits you. Check load factors, compare upgrade prices, and review aircraft types as Premium Plus on the 777 versus the 787 can differ slightly. In some cases, paying slightly more for Polaris yields significantly more value, but this ultimately depends on the route and primarily the fare.

Only Getting Better

United Premium Plus delivers a substantially better long-haul experience than economy, offering comfort, amenities, and service upgrades that meaningfully improve long-distance travel aboard the aircraft currently fitted with the class. For many, it hits the perfect balance of price and comfort, and with its position in the global aviation market, it has been able to see resounding success.

The key to the product is value; with prices under $500, it’s widely considered a fantastic upgrade. When compared with typical premium economy prices above $1,000 one-way, opinions shift. Despite this, it is still important to monitor fares, especially close to departure, when upgrade prices often drop.

As United continues expanding Premium Plus across its fleet, passengers can expect even more availability, more consistent service, and enhanced features tied to the airline’s broader premium cabin refresh. On the whole, Premium Plus is an increasingly attractive choice in the years ahead and one to be keeping an eye on.