Following the reveal of its Polaris business class last year, United Airlines has revealed major investments in economy seating. The airline has selected the latest B/E Aerospace economy class seating platforms – Aspire as line-fit for its B787-10s, A350s and retrofit for its B777-200s, and Meridian for its B737 MAX 9s.
“Our collaborative and customized work with United Airlines on these latest, new generation economy products are being tailored for United by B/E Aerospace to incorporate industry-leading seat amenities, maximized passenger living space, B/E’s proprietary comfort system and the latest United Airlines cabin brand initiatives,” stated Werner Lieberherr, president and COO of B/E Aerospace.
According to B/E, the Aspire product line features more passenger living space with an increase in seat width over current generation seats. A key feature of the Aspire comfort system is a kinematic mechanism that cradles the passenger during recline while preserving maximum living space for each passenger. Aspire also incorporates added under-seat stowage and greater passenger living space due to the proprietary seat frame and leg structure. Passenger amenities include Panasonic HD IFE monitors, a mid-level literature pocket combined with a full-width single piece food tray, aft facing PC power on all seat assemblies, and ergonomic adjustable headrests.
Meridian, B/E Aerospace’s latest seating platform for narrow body aircraft, will launch on United’s 737 MAX 9 aircraft planned for delivery in 2018. Meridian is already an industry leader, with over 200,000 pax sold in its launch year, outselling Pinnacle, the industry’s current number one narrow-body platform. B/E sells the seat with the tagline that the design provides “more room around you”, which translates to more living space both side-to-side and forward and aft.
The weight savings over current generation seating supports the airline’s ability to add comfort amenities. Meridian’s in-back tablet holder will accommodate personal devices and will include PC power on all seat assemblies. Longer flight comfort is enhanced with B/E’s Crystal Flex bottom diaphragm technology.
Both seat products incorporate United’s latest brand themes and styling developed by PreistmanGoode and B/E Aerospace’s Design Group, and will be coordinated with United’s new cabin branding schemes.
