Summary
- United Airlines has made significant progress with its retrofit program, specializing in revamping its widebody and narrowbody aircraft to enhance passenger experience.
- This system includes the installation of seatback inflight entertainment screens, power outlets, USB ports, and bigger overhead bins..
- Despite supply chain delays, United is decided to proceed with the retrofit program and ensure consistency throughout its narrowbody fleet.
United Airlines has been making grand strides with its retrofit program lately. Despite supply chain delays, the carrier has been cracking on with its revamps. With this in mind, Easy Flying spoke with United’s management yesterday to search out out more concerning the project.
Step-by-step
Before the pandemic, United had already launched an ambitious revamp program concerning its widebodies, fitting in Polaris seats on its long-haul aircraft. After a slight pause in the course of the early months of the health crisis, the Chicago-based carrier’s teams decided to push ahead on Boeing 787 Dreamliner work. Furthermore, after extensive work on retrofitting its 767-300ERs, the airline began similar work on its 767-400ERs.
Thus, following all this progress, the airline has increasingly turned its attention to its narrowbody jets. This system involves the return of seatback inflight entertainment (IFE), with 13-inch screens in first and 10-inch screens in economy. Power outlets, USB ports also feature, and bigger overhead bins are also a part of this system. Meanwhile, those on the lookout for more room for movement will enjoy an economy plus seat with extra legroom.
All in all, over 100 aircraft are a part of the project, with United debuting its first retrofitted Airbus A319 in May. Together with the above, other upgrades included:
- High-speed WiFi.
- Bluetooth for IFE audio.
- LED ambient lighting.
Pushing ahead
The activity continued throughout the summer as United also introduced its retrofitted A320 before proudly showing off the primary of its 737-800s with retrofitted United First cabins. Altogether, the operator is keen to have consistency throughout its narrowbody fleet, keeping on brand wherever a passenger is flying.
There have been some concerns with the schedule of this system earlier within the yr. In April, Andrew Nocella, United’s Chief Business Officer, shared that offer challenges have led to issues with the manufacturing of seats, systems, and chips. The initial goal of getting 100 matches accomplished by the tip of the yr was reduced to 60.
A chunk of the pie
United EVP and Chief Customer Officer Linda Jojo explained what passengers have been appreciating concerning the latest interiors. Notably, the initiative is a component of a bigger strategy that sees over 700 planes arriving by 2033.
Photo: United Airlines
Jojo also make clear how her airline has needed to balance several aspects across the board before introducing latest interiors. She concedes that while she would love the cabins to be in operation swiftly, she understands there may be plenty to think about.
United is covering all angles with its cabins. While it expects latest Airbus A321neo, A321XLR, A350, 737 MAX, and 787 aircraft to reach with fresh interiors over the subsequent decade, it’s ensuring its existing offering is as much as scratch.
What are your thoughts about United Airlines’ retrofit program? What do you’re thinking that of the general prospects of the initiative? Tell us what you’re thinking that of the carrier and its plans within the comment section.