United announces Base Polaris business class with more restrictions

Does it matter where you sit while sipping champagne in first class? United Airlines For some travelers looking for luxury at a discount, he claims it isn’t.

The carrier is rolling out new, cheaper tiers for its high-end Polaris and premium economy cabins that have many of the same benefits but also have many restrictions.

Starting this spring, United will offer “Basic” Polaris fares that include a spot in the airline’s long-haul business class cabins with lie-flat seats, but will charge those customers extra for advanced seat selection.

The new ticket class will also come with just one checked bag instead of two and will have access to the United Club airport lounge, but not the high-end Polaris lounge, which includes showers and other luxury features. Ticket changes are not allowed.

Polaris’ other categories will be “Standard” and the more expensive “Flex” option that allows customers to pay for new, larger Polaris Studio suites.

The new schedules show United (and perhaps other airlines soon) splitting the front of the plane into smaller categories, from restrictive basic economy tickets to extra legroom fees, just like buses have over the last decade.

United’s new strategy overhauls its nearly decade-old Polaris class with new suites with sliding doors and larger screens, while customers continue to show they’re willing to pay more to fly in better seats. United and its rivals are racing to add more premium seats to their planes, sometimes removing some economy seats to do so.

Customers at Base Polaris will receive the same meals (including ice cream) as other passengers in the cabin, a United spokeswoman said. He declined to say what the price differences between fares would be but said the Base Polaris fare should be the entry-level point for the premium class.

United is also rolling out similar segmentation for its premium economy class, Premium Plus.

United said the new options will be available in select markets starting this month and will expand to other international and long-term domestic markets later this year.

Rival Delta Airlines Last year, he announced that he was considering dividing the front cabins of the aircraft into sections.