US Airlines Upgrade Business Class for High-Paying Travelers

US airlines are increasing their investment in premium long-haul cabins, introducing upgraded business-class seats and new service features to cater to higher-paying passengers and corporate travelers.

American Airlines will debut its upgraded business-class “suites” next week, featuring sliding doors, wireless charging pads, and dedicated storage spaces. A subset of its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, designated 787-9P, will include eight “Preferred” suites with 42% more space. For now, these seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at no additional cost.

United Airlines plans to launch an expanded business-class offering called Polaris Studio, located at the front of its long-haul cabins. These studios will be 25% larger than current Polaris suites and include features such as 27-inch 4K screens and seating designed for in-flight collaboration. Pricing details for Polaris Studios compared to standard Polaris seats have not yet been disclosed.

United intends to retrofit 30 Dreamliners with this new configuration by 2027, with the first aircraft scheduled to fly between San Francisco and Singapore in early 2026. Each plane will feature 56 Polaris suites and 8 Polaris Studios in a 1-2-1 layout.

American Airlines is also phasing out most first-class seats, consolidating its premium seating into an expanded business-class cabin. By 2030, the airline plans to increase its lie-flat and premium economy seating capacity by 50%.

Despite economic uncertainties, executives from both airlines affirm that premium cabin investments remain a priority. “We are at a really uncertain economic time right now and premium demand has remained solid,” Heather Garboden, American’s chief customer officer, told CNBC.

Airlines are also enhancing their soft products. United has upgraded its Polaris food and beverage offerings with new dishware, enhanced menus, and additional condiments. Meanwhile, American will allow passengers to use Bang & Olufsen headphones until landing.

These initiatives align with similar efforts by Delta Air Lines, which introduced suites with doors in its Delta One cabin and a dedicated lounge for top-tier travelers.