The market between London and New York is highly competitive. In fact, the New York and London Heathrow route is the only billion dollar route in the world. Even though the two cities are a relatively short transatlantic flight apart, there is frequent business travel between them, and the route commands expensive prices in premium cabins.
US Carriers: New York-London Strategy
American Airlines has the perk of having a transatlantic joint venture partner with British Airways. Then, Delta has Virgin Atlantic. Each of these British carriers help pick up the slack for their US counterparts by offering seats on their own metal and sharing profits. United does not have a partner in London so they have to fend for themselves.
United’s 21 Reconfigured Boeing 767s
Earlier this year, United announced they would reconfigure 21 Boeing 767ER aircraft to be more premium-heavy, meaning more business class seats and introducing a premium economy cabin. Now, we know that the New York-Newark to London route will be exclusively served by “high-J” 767s.
The new 767-300ERs, dubbed the “76L”, have 167 seats broken down into:
- 46 Polaris business class seats
- 22 premium economy seats
- 47 extra-legroom economy seats
- 52 regular economy seats
That’s a pretty small economy cabin, and in addition to 16 more business seats compared to the non-reconfigured 767, the 22 premium economy seats are all new too. United is more than doubling its premium cabin seats.
Now, United is announcing that they have the most business class seats of all US airlines between New York (or Newark) and London. That’s not surprising considering that Delta and American have their British partners while United doesn’t.
High-J 767s On United London Flights
Starting September 15, 2019, United will exclusively fly the “high-J” 767 between New York-EWR and London Heathrow.
All five daily flights between New York-Newark and London will also feature the new Polaris business class seats, with direct aisle access.
United Premium Plus seats will be available for purchase this Saturday for travel beginning September 15 on flights between New York-Newark and London.
Bottom Line
United is just the latest airline to up its game on the New York and London route. Delta is also in the midst of reconfiguring their own Boeing 767s that will exclusively fly between New York, Boston, and London. Speaking of new products, British Airways has their new Club Suite which will launch on the New York route on October 27. Then, Virgin Atlantic also has a brand new business class with a lounge that will be flying in the coming months too.
The New York and London market in business class sure is heating up.
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