WHEN it comes to flying to the States, a major airline has unveiled a huge new revamp of their planes – and it’s making it much comfier to fly long-haul.
Having flown to and from America several times over the past five years to visit family, I quickly found a love for United Airlines‘.
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United Airlines has launched a new cabin on its 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft between London Heathrow and San Francisco, AmericaCredit: Cyann FieldingThe new spacious Premium Plus seats feel more like business classCredit: Cyann Fielding
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The airline recently announced they were launching a brand new ‘Elevated’ cabin on their 787-9 Dreamliner between San Francisco and London Heathrow, upgrading every single class from economy to business.
This includes the rollout of the first ever new business class United Polaris Studio suites, which have more spacious seats, larger screens and Bluetooth connectivity.
I, however, was trying out United’s new Premium Plus Economy seat which they say has “elements normally reserved for business class customers” – a welcome sight when leaving gloomy London.
Each seat comes with a pillow, blanket and amenity kitCredit: Cyann FieldingEach seat has a 40.6cm screen with Bluetooth connectivityCredit: Cyann Fielding
There’s a total of 35 United Premium Plus seats arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration in the new cabin design, each with privacy dividers and a built-in reading light – both firsts for United Premium Plus seats.
And in all honesty, the seats felt closer to business class than economy and even better than some business class seats I’ve experienced on other airlines.
I opted for the very first row with enough room that when stretching out my legs straight, they still didn’t hit the wall in front of me.
Plonking myself down in my aisle seat – which actually felt more like an armchair – I was immediately impressed by how comfortable it was.
And then when it came to checking out the generous 40.6cm 4K OLED screen, I was excited to snuggle down and watch one of the latest film releases.
Pressing play on Wuthering Heights, I connected my Airpods to the Bluetooth to listen in to the film and placed my phone on the quartzite cocktail table between my seat and the next seat to connect it to the wireless charging.
In the amenity kit, you’ll will find skincare products, an eyemask and socksCredit: Cyann FieldingThe seats even have a bottle holderCredit: Cyann Fielding
As for the amenities, a small ‘United 100’ pouch to celebrate the airline’s centenary was on my seat featuring branded socks, an eye mask and some Vitamin C Perricone MD products.
Also on my seat was a Saks Fifth Avenue pillow and blanket, which added to my cinema experience when Wuthering Heights started to play.
When it comes to space, passengers get 96.5cm pitch and 50.8cm width, and then 15cm of recline – which while not much felt spacious enough and with the new privacy screen acting as a good headrest, I was more than comfortable.
Power outlets and bottle holders are located between the seats for added convenience too.
Located on one armrest is also a remote for the TV and a small cubbyhole where you’ll find your overhead earphones.
Of course, you can now also get Starlink Wi-Fi on United flights – even if it is just for messaging – which I have to admit was super speedy.
The seats also have wireless chargingCredit: Cyann Fielding
Another thing I love about United is that you are always fed well,
My first meal consisted of an artichoke salad and bread for starter, with roast chicken for my main and chocolate truffles for dessert.
Mid-flight, I then enjoyed a chicken burrito and before landing, tucked into another salad and a paneer curry.
In between these courses, the cabin crew were great at always ensuring I had enough water or a drink of my choosing – whether that be alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
You will also get fed well with two meals and plenty of snacksCredit: Cyann FieldingElsewhere in the cabin, Polaris and economy seats have been upgraded tooCredit: Cyann Fielding
United aims to have at least 30 planes with the new Elevated interior flying by the end of 2027.
So if you’re trying to decide which airline to go with on your next trip to the US? I’d recommend United – if you want a business class experience on a premium economy budget.
What about United’s business class?
United Polaris Studio suites (the business class plus) includes lie flat seats, with a total area around 25 per cent bigger than the average Polaris seat.
Each of the eight studios feature a 68.6cm screen – which is the largest among US airlines – accompanied by noise-cancelling Meridian headphones.
They even have privacy doors, an extra ottoman seat, exclusive entree options, caviar and huge amenity kits.
The standard United Polaris seats (standard business class) have also been upgraded.
These seats also lie flat and passengers can choose to either face the window or centre of the plane, with these seats in particular having the ability to remove the wall between if you are travelling with someone.
Screens in United Polaris measure 48.3cm, and there is also a Snack Bar passengers can help themselves to.
Hundreds of passengers were left stuck at major UK airports as airlines included British Airways cancelled departing flights alongside hundreds of other delays
British Airways cancelled further flights on Friday (Image: Jaroslaw Kilian via Getty Images)
Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at major UK airports after several flights have been cancelled.
British Airways were one of many airlines who cancelled flights on Friday, May 15, leaving travelers stuck at several airports across the nation.
The significant wave of disruption saw a total of 465 flight delays and 25 cancellations on the one day.
Flights from British Airways, American Airlines, Norse Atlantic Airways, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines were among those impacted.
London Heathrow was the most significantly impacted, with 233 flights delayed.
A total of 22 flights were also cancelled from the busy travel hub, with 17 of these being British Airways flights.
At Gatwick, cancellations were kept to a minimum with only one British Airways journey called off.
Despite this, 142 flights from the London airport departed later than scheduled.
In Scotland another British Airways flight did not go ahead, with a further 58 delays logged from Edinburgh airport.
Glasgow also saw a cancellation from British Airways.
The disturbance comes as the travel industry is suffering at the hands of the Middle East conflict due to hiking fuel costs as the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked.
Data shows that airlines have dramatically ramped up flight cancellations for May as jet fuel costs continue to soar.
In total, Cirium recorded 296 departures from UK airports scrapped this month as of Tuesday; a sharp rise from 120 cancellations just six days earlier.
Last week, British Airways’ parent company IAG warned its profits will be hit as it expects to spend about two billion euro (£1.72 billion) more than planned on fuel this year.
Chief executive Luis Gallego said IAG does not believe there will be “any interruption for the summer” in terms of jet fuel supplies.
ONE of the world’s biggest airlines has said they could soon increase the cost of flights due to ongoing conflict.
United Airlines has warned that fares could go up by as much as 20 per cent because of soaring jet fuel prices.
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United Airlines has said it might need to increase flight faresCredit: Reuters
The airline flies mainly to America from a number of UK airports including Edinburgh, Manchester and London Heathrow.
According to Reuters, the airline’s CEO Scott Kirby said on Wednesday that the airline could increase flight prices by between 15 and 20 per cent to offset the surge in fuel costs.
For example, if a flight was £500 before, after the price rise it could be as much as £600.
The airline added that it has already begun raising some prices, as well as higher baggage fees – all to offset increased fuel costs.
Kirby added that the airline has not yet seen a drop in demand, despite prices rising.
However, he also accepted that if the airline does introduce higher prices, it may test and put off travellers.
United Airlines has also already confirmed that five per cent of flights would be cancelled – or around 250 flights a month – because of rising fuel cost fears.
This news follows data released by The Transport & Environment (T&E) that disruption to jet fuel supplies has added as much as $100 (£77) per person to the price of long-haul flights from Europe.
As such, for a family of four heading on a long-haul holiday it would cost them an extra £308.
For short-haul flights within Europe, prices have increased by £25.26 per passenger – which would be more than £100 per family heading on holiday.
And a number of airlines have already raised their prices to offset the increasing cost of jet fuel.
For example, on Virgin Atlantic flights economy fares have been increased by £50.
Anyone flying in premium economy will pay an extra £180 and those in business class will pay an extra £360.
What does this mean for your upcoming holiday?
1. How will this affect my holiday?
Getaways should not be seriously impacted immediately as airlines bought fuel far in advance at a fixed rate.
But if the crisis continues into June, operators may start adding a surcharge to holiday prices.
A limited number of flights may be cancelled, but mostly on well-served routes with alternatives.
If supplies start to dry up, cancellations would increase.
2. Am I entitled to a refund?
IF some or all of your holiday is cancelled by the provider, your refund depends on whether you booked your trip as a package holiday, or individually.
Your money tends to be much better protected with a package deal.
3. Is now a bad time to book?
There are some great deals, but book with caution.
You must take out travel insurance as, if your flight is cancelled, you may have protection against the cost of other elements of your holiday, such as accommodation.
Air France and KLM, which are part of the same company, are also increasing round-trip fares by €100 (£87) on most of their long-haul flights.
Some airlines have cancelled flights as well.
For example, Lufthansa has cancelled 20,000 flights up to September, Air New Zealand and Scandinavian Airlines have cancelled around 1,000 flights, KLM has cancelled 160 flights and Cathay Pacific has cancelled two per cent of flights up to June.
