United Airlines is set to receive a new type of aircraft, the “Coastliner” A321, which will bring a premium upgrade to its transcontinental routes. The airline had previously teased the new aircraft on social media, but now it seems that the A321neo will be used to bridge the gap in providing a premium flying experience while waiting for the Boeing 737 MAX 10 to be certified.
The “Coastliner” A321neo will feature a dedicated narrowbody premium cabin, with 20 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-1 configuration, 12 premium economy seats, and 118 economy class seats. This will offer a similar level of comfort to what is usually seen on widebody jets.
This move by United shows their recognition of the importance of premium domestic travel, especially on routes like Newark-Los Angeles and Newark-San Francisco. The current mix of 757-200s and domestic 777-200s does not meet the demand for premium seats. Delta and American Airlines are also working on their own premium narrow-body jets, further emphasizing the trend.
Initially, United had planned to use the Boeing 737 MAX 10 for their lie-flat narrow-body product. However, due to certification challenges and delays, they have turned to the Airbus A321neo as a more practical solution in the near-term.
The introduction of the “Coastliner” concept also hints at potential expansion of premium transcontinental routes beyond the traditional Newark-to-California hubs. This could include cities like Boston, Washington, DC, and possibly even Philadelphia.
The new A321neo will feature herringbone-style seats in business class, although not as many as the 737 MAX 10. This development is an exciting and logical step for United, as they aim to provide more comfort, differentiation, and product segmentation in their premium domestic travel.
The rapidly evolving premium narrow-body landscape in the U. S. is being driven by the demand for more lie-flat comfort and differentiated cabins. While the execution of the soft product remains to be seen, the “Coastliner” A321neo is shaping up to be a significant addition to United’s fleet.