On March 24, 2026, United Airlines detailed plans for over 250 new aircraft deliveries by April 2028, focusing on premium narrowbody and widebody upgrades for transcontinental and international routes.
The blueprint centers on Airbus A321neo ‘Coastliner’ aircraft linking San Francisco and Los Angeles to Newark/New York daily from this summer. These feature 20 all-aisle-access lie-flat United Polaris seats, wider at shoulder and elbow than competitors after five years of development, 12 United Premium Plus seats—a first for narrowbody domestic flights—129 economy seats, and a rear snack bar. Of 50 on order, 40 Coastliners will arrive by 2028, sporting blue livery bands and belly-mounted ‘United’ branding.
Airbus A321XLRs, with 50 on order and 28 due by 2028, include 32 premium seats in a Polaris suite with privacy doors, plus a snack bar. They will replace Boeing 757s on routes to smaller European and South American cities starting summer 2026.
Regional CRJ450s, redesigned Bombardier CRJ200s operated by SkyWest, launch autumn 2026 from Denver and Chicago hubs with 41 seats: seven first-class with luggage closets replacing overhead bins, and 34 economy seats accommodating rollaboards. Over 50 CRJ450s and 120 CRJ550s are targeted by 2028.
Boeing 787-9s with ‘elevated’ interiors have begun deliveries, featuring nearly 100 premium seats including larger Polaris Studio suites with doors. The first flies San Francisco-Singapore on April 22, 2026, with 33 in service by 2028. Additional deliveries include 47 Boeing 787-9s, 119 Boeing 737 MAX, and 18 Airbus A321neos.
“These new planes and products not only complement our fleet and network plans, but they also give our customers more premium amenity and seat choices,” said United Executive Vice President Andrew Nocella.