Everything you need to know about United Premium Plus

Over the past few decades, Premium Economy has gone from a niche concept to mainstream. Offered as a moderately priced upgrade from economy, premium economy gives passengers more room and creature comforts than in economy, without breaking the bank for business class.

"Premium Plus" is United Airlines ' entry into this world. Debuting in 2019, United was the last of the "Big Three" US airlines with a premium economy offering.

When announced, United executive vice president and CCO Andrew Nocella described the product by saying,

"United® Premium Plus includes some of our high-end amenities from United Polaris, and is the perfect option for someone who wants an upgraded experience in the Economy cabin."

As an upgraded experience from economy with amenities shared with Polaris business class, Premium Plus would appear to be highly compelling for many travelers. But how does this vision translate to the experience for the passenger?

How to book Premium Plus

Premium Plus can be found under "Premium Economy" on booking engines, and is also easily booked on United's own website.

Premium Plus is offered onboard United's long-range widebody aircraft for international routes, as well as select transcontinental and Hawaii routes. As of Febuary 2025, Premium Plus is available on nearly all widebody aircraft, specifically:

• All 37 Boeing 767-300ERs
• All 16 Boeing 767-400ERs
• 51 of 55 Boeing 777-200ERs
• All 22 Boeing 777-300ERs
• All 12 Boeing 787-8s
• All 42 Boeing 787-9s
• All 21 Boeing 787-10s.

The only widebodies that don't offer Premium Plus are United's high density 777 fleet, consisting of 19 Boeing 777-200s and 4 Boeing 777-200ERs.

Since these aircraft are designated for domestic use, there is no need to double-check the aircraft type or to worry about an equipment swap when traveling long haul. The only exceptions are routes operated by narrowbody Boeing 737 and Boeing 757 aircraft.

However, these aircraft fly a tiny fraction of United's long distance routes. Therefore, Premium Plus can be expected on nearly all long haul routes.

United has long offered Economy Plus as another upgrade from the standard coach experience. However, these two products are very distinct from one another.

Economy Plus essentially offers a standard seat with extra legroom at the front of the economy cabin or in an exit row, and is bookable by purchasing an economy fare, then selecting an Economy Plus seat.

Premium Plus is a separate fare type positioned above Economy/Economy Plus, and has its own cabin section onboard.

United offers 21 Premium Plus seats on all Boeing 787s, arranged in a 2-3-2 layout across three rows, while the Boeing 777 fleet offers three rows of seats arranged 2-4-2 for 24 total seats.

Boeing 767-400ERs and higher density Boeing 767-300ERs have their Premium Plus cabins configured 2-2-2 across four rows for 24 total seats.

The lower density Boeing 767-300ER fleet carries 22 Premium Plus seats arranged 2-2-2, with four rows by the windows and three rows in the center. Premium Plus seats are displayed as purple on United's online seat maps, and are numbered rows 20-22, with the 767s also including row 23.

The airport experience

On the ground, Premium Plus passengers are treated to the benefits of complimentary Premier Access. While not a distinct service solely for Premium Plus travelers, Premier Access does come with a variety of services to make the airport experience a little easier.

Dedicated check-in and luggage drop lines are available, where customers can check two complimentary bags. Select airports include a dedicated security line, reducing the stress and pain of airport security. And at the gate, Premier Access grants passengers priority boarding in boarding group two.

United also grants Premier Access to the following groups of passengers:

• Polaris business class travelers
• United Business travelers
• United First travelers
• MileagePlus Premier members
• Star Alliance Gold members
• Passengers with a MileagePlus Club or Presidential Plus credit card
• Customers who purchase one-time access

Boarding the aircraft

Passengers will find Premium Plus behind the Polaris business class cabin and in front of the Economy section. Walls separate Premium Plus from the front and behind, with a silver Premium Plus sign placed on the forward bulkhead reminding passengers of their travel class.

Resembling business class seats from the 20th century, the arrangement of distinctive purple recliners is the smallest of the three main cabins onboard.

With sets of two seats by the windows and a center arrangement ranging from two to four, depending on aircraft type, passengers are never more than one seat away from an aisle.

Couples can enjoy some privacy by the windows, while the sets of three or four in the center on the 777s and 787s are perfect for families.

Lying on top of every Premium Plus seat is a pile of goodies to make long flights less taxing. As of January 2025, Premium Plus passengers traveling abroad receive the Felt Pouch from Therabody, stocked with hand cream, facial wipes, and lip balm.

Transcontinental routes are stocked with Asutra velvet pouches, and passengers traveling to the Hawaiian islands receive locally themed amenity kits made by Ua Body.

A thicker blanket and Saks Fifth Avenue pillow are offered for easier sleep, along with an eye mask and ear plugs to block out light and sound. Large noise-cancelling headphones are provided, rather than the wired earbuds served in the back.

The seat is manufactured by Collins Aerospace and has proven to be a popular model for premium economy as well as short haul first class. The leather seat cover is completed with horizontal stitches and is finished in a color that United calls "Premium Purple."

The seatback features two large storage pockets with a 13" (33 cm) display providing access to "United Private Screening." Massive armrests are placed in between each seat to ensure passengers will never have to rub shoulders, and a bright purple headrest moves up or down for maximum comfort.

Experience in the air

After take-off, the plum purple seat can be reclined two to three inches further than a standard economy seat. A dual team of a leather legrest and an adjustable metal footrest provide extra support, and if its presence is bothersome, it can simply be put away.

The headrest is winged for easier sleep, and the tray table folds out from the armrest, so that a passenger's meal isn't shifted around by the person in front of them moving their seat.

In case the touchscreen feels too far away for comfort, a remote pops out from the side of the inner armrest to select in-flight content. Inside the same armrest are power ports, ready to charge devices. The armrests on the aisles slide down with the push of a button.

The seat itself is also wider than a standard economy seat, with around 38" (96 cm) of legroom, seven to eight more than in economy. And that extra space would make a difference when crossing the ocean.

Front row passengers are treated to even more legroom, with a screen on each bulkhead providing a moving map, while televisions fold out from inside the armrest for personal content.

Since the only thing in front of row 20 is the white and blue bulkhead, the metal footrest is noticeably absent. To make up for it, a footrest is attached to the bottom of the legrest, ensuring even row 20 customers enjoy full support.

Here's how Premium Plus compares to United's other offerings in terms of space and dimensions:

The inflight service

Up in the air, United's cabin crew provides premium service for the Premium Plus passenger. A specially designed meal offers nicer bread and a larger salad placed alongside a more sophisticated entrée, completed with a dessert. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are presented in ceramic dishes with metal utensils, a stark contrast to the plastic boxes and cutlery available in the back.

The small size of the Premium Plus cabin means that service can be completed in a brisk manner compared to economy.

With two flight attendants and a cabin that can seat at most, 24, service can be more personalized, and Premium Plus customers are served before those in economy.

For the more lively passenger, United offers an assortment of alcoholic beverages on the house, while the more fatigued passenger can enjoy freshly brewed coffee, in addition to the standard complimentary soft drinks.

Wifi is available on most flights for a fee, with free texting available to the entire plane. Snacks and beverages are available throughout the duration of the flight, and when the lights are dimmed for sleeping, the extra recline with the leg supports and the upgraded sleep amenities make for much more relaxing rest.

Once the lights are brightened and a pre-arrival meal has been served and cleared, the flight comes to a close, with Premium Plus passengers enjoying a final benefit of Premier Access.

Just as Premier Access makes the journey from the airport entry to the aircraft faster, it also expedites the trek from the plane to the airport exit, as Premier Access users are the first to retrieve their luggage, which can also be tracked via the United app.

Is it worth it?

United Premium Plus pricing can vary drastically depending on time, date and route. Prices can range from economy prices or lower to near those of business class. Most of the time though, it will cost in the middle of the two.

Whether the price is worth it is dependent on personal preference and what a passenger values from their travel experience, but if economy travel is too punishing, Premium Plus offers a much more relaxing experience while typically priced lower than business class.