United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is promising passengers more of that “new plane smell” in 2025, with more new aircraft being inducted into the fleet — including A321neos and 737 MAX twinjets — and interior upgrades of existing narrowbodies slated to pick up pace.
“By the end of 2025, more than 75% of our planes should have completely new interiors with bigger bins, seatback screens and Bluetooth connectivity in every seat,” Kirby revealed in a message to United’s MileagePlus loyalty members.
United’s new narrowbodies arrive factory-fit with United’s new ‘signature’ interior under its so-called United Next program. But Kirby’s stated timeline for equipping existing narrowbodies does represent an admitted move to the right.
When the massive refurbishment project was first announced in June 2021 amid the Covid pandemic — as the signature interior debuted on a new 737 MAX 8 — United said it planned to refit two thirds of its narrowbody fleet by 2023, with the balance completed by summer 2025.
Various pandemic- and post-pandemic supply chain constraints are believed to have played a role in the slower rollout.
Aviation enthusiasts pay close attention to the United Next program and share their findings on the United Fleet Website, which is not affiliated with the US major. Their numbers suggest that roughly 46.2% of the narrowbody fleet, representing about 338 aircraft, have been fitted with signature interiors in the more than 3.5 years since the program was announced.
With a plan to have new interiors on 75% of all planes by the end of 2025, per Kirby’s guidance, United is now clearly in a position to accelerate the Next equipage program.
In addition to nose-to-tail Panasonic Avionics in-seat IFE that support Bluetooth audio, United’s signature interior features updated LED lighting, larger overhead bins and power outlets plus USB ports at all seats. Image: United Airlines
Notably, United’s chosen IFE vendor, Panasonic Avionics recently confided to RGN that it has not grappled with any major supply chain issues for quite some time.
United is also moving full steam ahead to bring SpaceX’s Ku-band Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite-supported Starlink inflight connectivity service to its entire fleet of more than 1,000 aircraft, with the first commercial aircraft, an Embraer E-175, slated to take off with the new service this spring.
“Everything you can do at home — streaming, shopping, gaming and more — you’ll soon be able to do at 30,000 feet,” Kirby assured in his message to MileageClub members.
And, as previously reported, Starlink is expected to be integrated with the seatback in time.
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Featured image credited to Jason Rabinowitz
