United today officially introduced its new signature seat design that will be seen on domestically configured mainline and regional aircraft. A United Express CRJ-700 is the first to sport the new look, which features leather seat covers, double-stitch patterns and a United-branded tag.
New United Seat Design (Source: United)
New United First Class (Source: United)
United Economy Plus seats (Source: United)
United will deploy the new seats on more than 500 aircraft that fly within the United States, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean. So, in my interpretation, I’m calling it the “domestic” fleet. United developed the seats with global travel and transport design consultant Priestmangoode.
From United’s press release, the new design will include:
- Bold elements, such as multi-tonal leather seat covers, distinctive double-stitch patterns, sculpted contouring and a new United-branded tag
- More ergonomic and supportive cushioning and additional seat-back storage space in United Economy Plus and United Economy
- Technology that makes the seats more environmentally friendly by reducing seat weight and volume, contributing to less fuel burn
That last bullet intrigued me with the word “technology,” but its meaning isn’t my own. But I do see in that first image above that there are power outlets for each row, which will be a welcome addition to United’s aircraft where no power is currently available.
On another United seat-related technology front, check out The Wandering Aramean’s post about the lack of IFE screens in newer United seats. It appears that United will be forging ahead with streaming in-flight entertainment content, once all aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi. That’s my guess, anyway.
For more images of the seats, click here. And additional details on United’s release and rollout schedule for the new seats can be found here.
– Follow Darren Booth on Twitter, @FrequentlyFlyin, for more airline, hotel and travel industry news, reviews and opinions.
Related:
Quick Poll: Would You Have Upgraded to United Global First for This Offer?
The Reality Check That Is United Global First Class
Flight Review: United Airlines Global First, San Francisco to Tokyo
United’s Social Media Team Wows With a Fantastic Million-Mile Congrats
The 737s these seats are being installed in already have power for the most part. That isn’t particularly a new thing. In this case I believe “technology” is code for new, lighter materials which still meet the 16g impact test required by the FAA but which weigh a lot less and are likely less comfortable than prior iterations.
The fact that they are making a big deal about the “tag” on the seats says to me that they really have nothing else good to share about them. That’s worrisome.
@Wandering Aramean: That’s my take for use of “technology,” too. I found the tag notation quite amusing in their release. I like it as an #avgeek, but it’s funny they included it in the bulleted point.
Interesting choice. They look way more modern but they don’t look like they have much cushion to them.
@Kyle: Definitely not… we’ll have to see how our bums take the change.
I think that United is making too big of a deal out of these seats. They look just ok, amd the United tag makes them look really chesey. I noticed in the link to the additional pics that the seats hade IFEs. Wil these be implemented on the EMB-170s and ERJ-145s? I don’t thnk that there is any entertainment on those planes. Also, have you flown on either of those jets?It will most likley be IAH-ABQ. Are they safe and will I feel tight in them? I know regional jets sometimes have lax maintenance, and they are known for being small. I am used to flying on Southwest 737s 🙂
@Andy: Did the images show IFE? I don’t think on all (any?) of them. And nope… United (Express) E-170s, 145s, etc. will definitely not have it, as I’m sure you know and were just being rhetorical. 😉