United Continental to offer new business class on widebody overseas planes

United Continental Thursday said it would makeover the business-class cabins on its international widebody planes and its elite airport lounges, its first major product upgrade in more than a decade. Called “United Polaris,” the new long-haul business class will debut in December on a freshly delivered Boeing Co. 777-300ER plane. It will subsequently be rolled out on other new aircraft on order, including more 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-10s and Airbus Group SE A350-1000s. United also said it would retrofit at least 100 double-aisle aircraft it already has in its fleet. The move will spell the end of the three-cabin layouts that still fly on some older planes. United said it would outfit its fleet with a custom-designed seat that will be exclusive to the company. The forward-facing pods will offer direct access to the aisle, recline to a fully flat setting and provide 6-foot, six-inches of bed space. Bedding will be designed by Saks Fifth Avenue and gel-cooled pillows will be available on request. United plans to show off its new products at an event Thursday morning in Manhattan. The first United Polaris Lounge will open in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport late this year. Fliers will be offered a full buffet and preflight dining menu, shower facilities and secluded areas with daybeds. Five other US hubs and airports in London, Tokyo and Hong Kong will get the lounges in 2017.<br/>