• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  United Airlines  >  Confirmed: United Airlines Will Add Seatback Screens To Older Aircraft
United Airlines

Confirmed: United Airlines Will Add Seatback Screens To Older Aircraft

Matthew Klint Posted onJune 29, 2021June 29, 2021 29 Comments

UPDATE: In April, Live and Let’s Fly was first to report that United Airlines would add seatback screens to its older jets. At the time, United refused to confirm details on the record, prompting questions as to whether United had changed its mind. But the news is now official. United Airlines will renovate all older mainline narrow-body aircraft to add seat back screens by 2025.

This move marks an important step to separate United from budget carriers and is in marked contrast to American Airlines, which has chosen to rip out individual screens in favor of streaming video on many of its jets.

The original article appears below.


United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has talked often during the pandemic about emerging as the best airline in the world. While hardly an unusual aspiration for an airline leader, United is taking a number of steps that it hopes will move it in that direction. For passengers, that includes the installation of seatback screens on more aircraft.

United Airlines Will Add Seatback Screens To Older Aircraft

Toby Enqvist, the Chief Customer Officer, laid out the premise in a video to employees:

“Our competition is really, really stiff, especially in our hubs. Our customers actually have a choice. They don’t have to fly United, so we have to make them want to choose United.”

Promising that United will be characterized by innovation as it emerges from the pandemic, Enqvist noted a number of initiatives, including:

  • Renovating older narrowbody aircraft to add new seats with seatback screens featuring AVOD (audio and video on demand) and adding larger overhead bins.
  • Expanding some United Clubs which are currently “undersized”
  • Improving onboard dining by implementing the pre-order of food by the end of 2021

Enqvist did not go into detail, but I have reached out to United Airlines for additional info.

While United Airlines offers a wide range of streaming movies and TV shows on most of its fleet, not all passengers come prepared. The seatback screen is always a customer favorite and is one great separator of a full-service network carrier from a budget airline.

The option of pre-ordering food in both economy and first class on domestic flights holds a lot of promise. Not only will make it customers better prepared and happier onboard (assuming what is ordered is delivered), but it provides a source of ancillary revenue and a way to cut down on waste.

CONCLUSION

Even with most international travel still depressed, U.S. airlines are on the verge of flourishing once again. United’s latest initiatives show a concerted effort to improve, which consumers will welcome as capacity returns and consumers once again experience greater choice in their flight options.

image: United Airlines

Previous Article United Airlines Will Modernize Mainline Jets With New Interiors
Next Article United Airlines Plans For Growth At Newark Airport

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch

    February 6, 2023
  • United Airlines Steakhouse Cheeseburger

    Steakhouse Cheeseburger On United Airlines

    February 4, 2023
  • United Airlines Newark Collision

    United Airlines 787-9 Collides With 757-200 At Newark Airport

    February 3, 2023

29 Comments

  1. Greg Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 1:04 pm

    UNITED rising

    Now upgrade the food to their real competition on transcon – Mint – levels

  2. Jeff Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 1:06 pm

    This is just so lolzy. Adding screens to planes they ripped them out of? Adding larger overhead bins? Delta did this with their A319/A320 fleet and now they are some of their best planes.

  3. Shawn Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 1:17 pm

    I, too, am taking something of a wait-and-see approach. I’m definitely not expecting a flourishing of the American air travel sector, though I definitely think that this represents a big opportunity.

    While pre-ordered food and seat-back entertainment is a good start, it’s just that: a start. You want to impress the flying public? One thing that my friends keep coming back to is the lack of free WiFi. United could try to separate themselves by trying to scale back baggage fees (ha ha!). Personally, I’d like United to pay a little more attention to the regional market Out West. I’m getting a little tired of having to fly Southwest on intra-California itineraries because United just doesn’t provide the service to get me from here to there. That’s my $0.002 anyway …

  4. ptahcha Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    If the focus of there refurbishing is focused on narrowbody planes, does this mean the domestic 777 are either a) permanently stored due to the engine issue or b) not going to be touched with this new project?

  5. Derek Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    Sell PP as a separate cabin on all flights that have a PP cabin and provide an enhanced soft product. Just like Business was sold 20 years ago. That would go a long way to making United a premium airline

    That would be a massive improvement over Delta (which sells PS as Comfort Plus) and American which sells it as main cabin extra)

  6. Logos Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 2:17 pm

    I read or watch a movie (my own or streamed from their wifi) on my ipad rather than use any seat back screen. Even in a Polaris pod I rarely use the IFE for anything other than the flight tracker because I don’t want to use their headphones. On nighttime flights seat back screens are awful—bright and full of blue light. I’d rather have espresso and be able to pair bluetooth headphones with Polaris IFE.

  7. Jared Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    Could the goal be to have screens or tablet holders on every seat? I prefer watching my own stuff on my faster device with a higher resolution screen.

  8. Dave Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 3:36 pm

    Could United also use these retrofits as an opportunity to replace the older first class seats on the 737-800s and 900s with the newer first class seats found on the 737-700, Airbuses, and the MAX?

  9. Paul Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 3:39 pm

    I welcome this as seat back screens are they are generally well liked. I don’t like people who think touch-screens are poke-screens. It’s gets old fast when an indecisive person trying to pick a show moves your headrest with each poke. Maybe a ‘tap lightly’ reminder sticker next to the screens.
    Also, put in good controls on the side of the armrests. Not the dumb on top of armrest controls positioned perfectly for your elbow.

  10. M. Casey Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    Oh joy, I get to see the screens of the 5 rows in front of me playing advertisements AGAIN! I turn my monitor off.

  11. derek Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 4:21 pm

    I like AVOD. I don’t like using my smartphone other than light internet use and phone use and maps.

  12. Eric Probst Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 4:27 pm

    Does this mean Channel 9 makes a comeback?

  13. Steve Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 4:50 pm

    Yes! Every time Matt or Gary Leff posts something about how seatback screens are a product enhancement I have to chime in with this. Instead of being productive or being able to sleep, I have to watch a reenactment of Times Square in my peripheral vision for 2+ hours.

    Airlines need to default to having the screens off during boarding, or auto-shut off every screen if someone doesn’t touch it in the first 20-30 minutes of the flight.

  14. Argosy314 Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 5:01 pm

    As much as I like hearing the part about “new seats with seatback screens featuring AVOD,” I can’t help wondering what advantage adding weight onto the aircraft to put in the AVOD gives UA. Yeah DL has it, yes its nice, but on my recent DL flights with AVOD, people still were using their personal devices. I would much rather they spend the money on improving their premium product overall but most notably catering. Polaris catering is a joke, Domestic F was hit/miss but heading downhill.

    BTW….they already have missed their first target:
    “Improving onboard dining by implementing the pre-order of food by the end of 2020”

    Well that promise came and went haha

  15. Mark Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    @LOGOS, there is a simple solution that lets you pair your BT headphones to the installed IFE. Samples in this article: https://www.theverge.com/2019/11/26/20982261/airpods-in-flight-entertainment-bluetooth-adapter-twelvesouth-airfly-pro-review-price

  16. david Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 5:12 pm

    Hey UA: If you want to impress your customers, why don’t you start by keeping your promises like honoring the terms under which you sold them Lifetime Memberships to the clubs/lounges.

  17. trust778 Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 5:32 pm

    Following DLs playbook – again. There’s nothing innovative nor industry leading in this announcement. Ugh…

  18. Homer Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    If this had been posted on April 1, would have thought it was for April Fools Day.

  19. Gary Reply
    April 16, 2021 at 8:58 pm

    I was looking to add the same thing. The club benefits have gone downhill ever since I joined many years ago. They have closed clubs, decreased food selection, removed magazines and newspapers, started charging for anything above basic bar liquors, and now your ONE guest must be traveling on the SAME flight. Clearly they have no loyalty to those who gave them a substantial sum of money a while back.

  20. JPTP Reply
    April 17, 2021 at 11:12 am

    Channel 9 died with the battleship and poor customer service – let’s move on.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      April 17, 2021 at 12:57 pm

      Channel 9 still available on UA 767-300s!

  21. Gravelly Point Guy Reply
    April 17, 2021 at 8:57 pm

    @ Matt And 777-300 and 200 er’s as well!!

  22. DC not in DC Reply
    April 17, 2021 at 10:40 pm

    No, please!

    Seatback screens inspire pax to punch the back of the victim in front of them.

    If United wants a premium experience, they should remove all seats and replace them with suites.

  23. Elliott Reply
    April 18, 2021 at 2:44 pm

    That’s great, I can use the seat back screen instead of my own IPad? What about basic human comfort, stop reducing the seat pitch! I will fly whoever gives more leg room, I really don’t care about the other stuff when I fly domestically. To fight boredom I can take a book (look up the definition), use my IPad, lap top or phone, give me just a little leg room so that when the person in front of me reclines they don’t crush my knees.

  24. Billiken Reply
    June 29, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    I, for one, appreciate these improvements to the passenger experience and commitment to renewal. I think AVOD does serve to differentiate UA from AA. Importantly, however, UA needs to drop the no carry-on policy from its basic economy fares. That’s a deal breaker. Also, I would like to see retirement of the aging longhaul 777s. While UA may have refurbished business class, the aircraft were showing their age back in economy class the last time we flew one.

  25. Pingback: United Airlines To Add Seatback TVs To Old Planes | One Mile at a Time
  26. Pingback: United Airlines Will Restore Seat Back Video To Older Aircraft - View from the Wing
  27. Pingback: United Airlines Looks At Bringing Back Seatback Screens - Simple Flying - Magical USA
  28. Pingback: United Airlines Looks At Bringing Back Seatback Screens - Fastapn News

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Recent Posts

  • 11 Hours In KLM 787-10 Economy Class… February 7, 2023
  • Delta Promises Louis Vuitton Bag Won’t Get Damaged. It Does. February 7, 2023
  • Petra Photo Essay
    Photo Essay: The Ancient City Of Petra, Jordan February 7, 2023
  • United Airlines Cuts Los Angeles – Tokyo Narita Route Ahead Of Haneda Launch February 6, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Spirit Airlines Captain Runs Out Of Cockpit After Woman Yells “I Hope Y’All Crash And Die!” January 17, 2023
  • Hotel Worker entered room
    Woman Demands $3,000 In Compensation After Hotel Worker Walked Into Her Room At Midnight January 24, 2023
  • United Airlines 2023 Status Extension
    United Airlines Quietly Extends MileagePlus Premier Status…Again January 14, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Meal Service: The Sad State Of Affairs January 27, 2023

Archives

February 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728  
« Jan    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.