United Airlines has unveiled a new domestic first-class seat that features a wireless charging station in every armrest, along with other enhancements to improve the comfort and convenience of its premium passengers. The new United First seat will debut on its first 737 this month and will be installed on more than 200 domestic planes by 2026, including 737 NGs, A321neos, and 737 MAXs.
A seat designed for the modern traveler
The new United First seat is designed to meet the needs and preferences of the modern traveler, who often carries multiple electronic devices and expects a seamless and personalized onboard experience. The seat offers three types of charging outlets in each seat – wireless, AC household-style outlet, and USB-C – to allow passengers to quickly charge their gadgets without worrying about cables or adapters. The wireless charger is located in a compartment of the armrest, giving the passenger line-of-sight to notifications and freeing up their hands and tray table. The seat also features a larger, 13-inch high-definition seatback screen that is Bluetooth capable and includes a remote for those who cannot reach the touch screen. The screen offers access to hundreds of movies, TV shows, music, and games, as well as live TV and flight tracking information. Passengers can also enjoy a two-screen experience by using their personal devices and the seatback screen simultaneously. The seat also provides more space for work and relaxation, with a larger, 18 x 8.5-inch tray table that features a built-in tablet holder and enough space for most standard laptops.
The tray table deploys from the outer armrest to reduce passenger contact and increase privacy. The seat also has authentic Italian quartzite cocktail tables and bottle holders between each seat, so passengers do not have to balance their drinks and snacks on one tray table. The seat is upholstered with vegan leather and has an ergonomist-designed cushion that sits 1 inch lower to accommodate a wider variety of heights. The seat also has a 5-inch recline range, an adjustable aisle armrest that lowers completely, winged headrests, and an 11 x 19-inch divider between neighbors for more privacy.
A competitive edge for United
United's new domestic first-class seat is part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its product and service offerings across its fleet and network. The airline said it is upending old industry norms and anticipating future needs to accommodate the new ways people live and travel. The new seat gives United a competitive edge over other US carriers, as it is the first to offer wireless charging onboard its domestic flights. The seat also offers more features and amenities than the current domestic first-class seats on United's narrow-body planes, which were introduced in 2015. The new seat will be available on some of United's most popular routes, such as those connecting its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, and Washington D.C., as well as other key destinations across the US.