United's New Planes: More Luxury, Less Coach

United Airlines is rolling out new cabin configurations, prioritizing premium seating options over standard coach, particularly on smaller aircraft. The airline's upcoming Airbus A321neo jets, dubbed 'Coastliners,' will be outfitted with 20 lie-flat Polaris seats, offering enhanced comfort for transcontinental flights. These new jets will also include premium economy and extra legroom seating, with a snack bar replacing three standard seats. The first 'Coastliner' jets are scheduled to enter service this summer, with 40 expected by early 2028. Additionally, United's longer-range Airbus A321XLR aircraft, which will replace some Boeing 757s, will feature a similar premium-focused layout. These A321XLRs, also debuting this summer, are slated for routes to Europe and South America. Executives note strong demand across all travel classes, with premium travel notably outperforming the main cabin.