United Airlines to Introduce Over 250 Aircraft in the Next Two Years, Creating the Largest Opportunity in Aviation History with State-of-the-Art Planes, Premium In-Flight Experiences, New Seats, and Refreshed Amenities

The Airbus A321neo “Coastliner” is scheduled to begin service later this summer between the West Coast hubs of Los Angeles and San Francisco and Newark/New York – United Polaris business class will feature all-aisle access, lie-flat seats, and for the first time, domestic customers will have access to United Polaris lounges.

Starting this summer, the Airbus A321XLR, equipped with United Polaris business class seats, will be introduced on existing routes to smaller cities in Europe and South America, gradually replacing the Boeing 757 aircraft.

This fall, the new CRJ450 aircraft will begin service on routes connecting the Denver and Chicago hubs with smaller cities – introducing a premium regional aircraft in United First with large luggage storage spaces instead of overhead bins.

The 787-9 with the new “Elevated” interior will debut on international routes starting April 22 – featuring the new United Polaris Studio Suite and the most premium seats of any aircraft in United’s fleet.

Since 2021, United has introduced 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 237 Boeing 737 MAXs, and 67 Airbus A321neos. The airline has also completed 70% of its narrowbody aircraft retrofit program and upgraded over 100 regional jets to larger aircraft.

Additionally, premium seating on flights departing from North America has been expanded by 40%, and more than 60,000 jobs have been created.

The introduction of new aircraft and product enhancements embodies United's core focus on providing a premium experience and consistently delivering new value to all customers.

CHICAGO and LOS ANGELES, March 24, 2026 – United Airlines today announced the next phase of its long-term strategy aimed at enhancing customer loyalty and differentiating itself from the competition.

United Airlines is set to receive more than 250 new aircraft by April 2028, the most any airline has ever received in a two-year period. This will further accelerate the modernization of its fleet, expand the number of new aircraft, provide a new experience for transcontinental customers, and offer new in-flight services to all customers, further solidifying its position as an industry-leading premium airline.

・ United is bringing the widebody experience to new narrowbody aircraft. The new Airbus A321 “Coastliner” sub-fleet and A321XLR will be United's first narrowbody aircraft to feature the Elevated interior. The patented design of United Polaris business class features lie-flat, all-aisle access seats with lower suite walls for a feeling of spaciousness without sacrificing privacy, and more shoulder and elbow room. These 100 new aircraft are scheduled to be introduced, replacing 40 older, less efficient Boeing 757s currently in operation.

o The Coastliner will feature a specially designed livery and will operate exclusively between United's West Coast hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles and Newark/New York, offering the United Polaris cabin experience to domestic customers. For the first time, customers traveling in United Polaris business class on these routes will also have access to United Polaris lounges.

o United’s A321XLR will feature 32 premium seats, 16 more than the 757 aircraft it replaces, and is scheduled to enter service later this year.

・ The CRJ450, a redesigned version of the CRJ200, will be operated by SkyWest Airlines this fall on routes connecting its Denver and Chicago hubs with regional cities. The CRJ450 will be one of United's premier regional aircraft, creating an open and luxurious space that sets it apart from other commercial regional jets by featuring a large luggage closet in place of overhead bins.

・ The new 787-9 with the Elevated interior is scheduled to begin service on international routes starting April 22. The new “United Polaris Studio” offered on these aircraft features lie-flat, all-aisle access seats that are 25% larger than standard United Polaris seats, a privacy door*, some seats with a companion ottoman, a dedicated dining service with wine pairings and caviar, full-size amenity kits, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and the largest 4K OLED monitor (27 inches) on any U.S. airline in the seatback.

Today's announcement builds on the successful and ambitious growth strategy, "United Next," announced in 2021. Since that announcement, United has added 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 237 Boeing 737 MAXs, and 67 Airbus A321neos, completed 70% of its mainline narrowbody retrofit program, upgauged more than 100 regional jets to larger mainline aircraft, increased premium seating on North American departures by 40%, and hired more than 60,000 people.

“As part of our plan to become the world's best brand loyalty airline, we have invested billions in our products, services, and technology, and as a result, more customers are choosing United every day,” said Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines. “Today, we are accelerating our plan to take our service to the next level, delivering a more consistent and premium in-flight experience to all our customers and providing valuable service in every class.”

“These new aircraft and products not only complement our fleet and network plans but also offer more premium amenities and seating options for all customers, from a Basic Economy passenger flying from Chicago to Fort Wayne to a Polaris business class customer flying from San Francisco to Singapore,” said Andrew Nocella, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at United. “We are leading the industry with innovative initiatives on a scale and scope unprecedented in aviation history, and we have no intention of slowing down.”

The new aircraft joining United’s fleet by April 2028 include:

・ Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with Elevated interior: 47

o 33 of which are scheduled to have additional premium seating

・ Airbus A321neo Coastliner: 40 out of a total of 50

・ Airbus A321XLR: 28 out of a total of 50

・ Boeing 737 MAX: 119

・ Airbus A321neo: 18

Bringing the Widebody Experience to Narrowbody Aircraft

The new A321neo Coastliner and A321XLR bring the spacious comfort of a widebody aircraft to these new narrowbody planes, featuring all-aisle access, lie-flat seats in United Polaris business class. This new suite not only offers more shoulder and elbow room compared to similar aircraft from competing airlines but also features a translucent divider that provides customer privacy while creating a sense of openness in the cabin. The result of over five years of research and development, including two sleep tests with customers, this patented design offers ample space for customers to relax in comfort, an intuitive layout, and easy-to-use features.

The addition of the A321neo Coastliner and A321XLR to the existing fleet means United will soon offer nearly twice as many lie-flat seats as its next closest competitor.

Airbus A321neo “Coastliner”

The Airbus A321neo Coastliner is a custom-designed aircraft that provides an even higher quality experience for transcontinental customers, with a completely redesigned interior from nose to tail. It features 20 new all-aisle access, lie-flat seats in United Polaris, 12 Premium Plus seats—a first for a narrowbody domestic route—and 129 United Economy seats. United has removed three standard seats from this aircraft to install a snack bar in the rear of the cabin, allowing Economy class customers to enjoy their favorite snacks and soft drinks at any time during the flight.

Customers in the Coastliner's United Polaris business class are offered amenities similar to those for international customers, including Saks Fifth Avenue blankets and pillows, amenity kits with Perricone MD skincare products, and premium headphones with Meridian technology. Additionally, for the first time, customers in the Coastliner's United Polaris business class now have access to United Polaris lounges.

The Coastliner features a livery that pays homage to its coastal destinations, making it instantly recognizable even from the sky. The rear third of the aircraft is wrapped in several bright blue bands of varying shades, and the airline's name is proudly displayed on the belly, a design that can be seen if you look up at the aircraft from famous spots like the one near Los Angeles International Airport, perfect for plane spotting.

The routes served by the Coastliner include some of United's busiest. The average daily number of passengers between its West Coast hubs of San Francisco and Los Angeles and Newark/New York exceeds 10,000, connecting to United's world-class route network, which includes popular destinations like Hong Kong, Melbourne, Shanghai, Sydney, and Taipei. United flies to 17 cities across the Pacific from its West Coast hubs and 42 cities across the Atlantic from Newark/New York, more than any other U.S. airline. The first of United's planned 50 Coastliners will begin service this summer, with 40 expected to be in service by early 2028.

Airbus A321XLR

The Airbus A321XLR has also been designed from the ground up as one of United's premier narrowbody aircraft, offering an unprecedented level of comfort and style to customers on short- and medium-haul international routes. The A321XLR is equipped with 32 premium seats, 16 more than the 757 it replaces, and includes the new United Polaris suite with all-aisle access, lie-flat seats with a privacy door. All seats are equipped with large 4K OLED monitors with Bluetooth connectivity (19-inch in United Polaris, 16-inch in Premium Plus, and 13-inch in Economy), and all customers can use the large overhead bins that can accommodate carry-on cases.

Like the Coastliner, the A321XLR also features a snack bar in the rear of the Economy class cabin. Starting this summer, United will begin replacing some of its Boeing 757 aircraft on existing international routes with the A321XLR and plans to open new destinations in Europe and South America in the future. To celebrate the new flight experience this aircraft enables, a special "Born to Explore" decal will be applied to the fuselage. 50 A321XLRs are scheduled to join United's fleet, with more than half expected to be in service by 2028.

CRJ450

The 41-seat CRJ450 is the first regional jet of its kind, designed to offer United First customers an experience akin to a private jet. For the first time in a U.S. commercial airline, United First has removed overhead bins, replacing them with a large luggage closet to create a spacious and open environment. The Economy class features large overhead bins rare for a regional jet of this size, capable of storing carry-on cases, and is finished with the same updated interiors and finishes as United's larger aircraft. MileagePlus members can enjoy free Starlink Wi-Fi, allowing them to work or enjoy entertainment just as they would on the ground.

The CRJ450 joins the popular CRJ550, which marked the beginning of the reconfiguration of United's regional fleet when it was introduced in 2019. The CRJ550 is one of the aircraft with the highest customer satisfaction among all regional jets. By 2028, United plans to operate more than 50 CRJ450s and nearly 120 CRJ550s, primarily offering customers a stylish and premium option for connecting from regional cities to United's hubs and global network.

Boeing 787-9 Elevated

The 787-9 Elevated, with 99 premium seats, is United's most premium international aircraft to date and marks the debut of the “United Polaris Studio.” The United Polaris Studio is 25% larger than the standard United Polaris seat and is a new seat with a door, a companion ottoman, a dedicated in-flight dining service with wine pairings and caviar, full-size amenity kits, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and the largest 27-inch monitor on any U.S. airline in the seatback. On the 787-9 Elevated, all seats have been upgraded. The new United Polaris suites with sliding doors feature a 19-inch 4K OLED monitor, while Premium Plus and Economy are equipped with 16-inch and 13-inch 4K OLED monitors, respectively.

The first international flight of the Elevated 787-9 is scheduled to be from San Francisco to Singapore on April 22. In preparation for this international launch, a few lucky customers may have the chance to fly on the 787-9 Elevated on select domestic routes between San Francisco and Houston over the next few weeks. United plans to have 33 Elevated 787-9 aircraft by 2028.

New Amenities for All Customers

United is making aggressive investments for all of its customers.

・ MileagePlus members can enjoy free Starlink Wi-Fi, bringing a home-like internet experience to the sky. The service is scheduled to be installed on all dual-cabin aircraft by the end of 2027.

・ For customers in Economy class on long-haul routes, a more soft