United Adds Tiered Fares, "Basic" Polaris Business Class With Major Restrictions

Key Points:

• United Airlines is introducing tiered fare options—basic, standard, and flexible—in premium cabins, including Polaris business class and Premium Plus premium economy, starting April 2026 in select markets and expanding throughout the year.
• Basic premium fares will come with new restrictions such as paid seat selection, fewer free checked bags, no changes or refunds allowed, no upgrades to Polaris Studio, and access limited to United Club instead of Polaris Lounge.
• This move aims to segment business class revenue more effectively, encouraging customers to pay more for higher fare tiers with additional perks, rather than offering significantly cheaper premium cabin options.
• The introduction of basic premium fares reflects broader industry trends responding to strong premium leisure demand and slower business travel recovery, with similar fare structures expected soon from other major US carriers like Delta and American.
• Coordination across airline alliances, such as Star Alliance, will be necessary for implementing these fares on joint venture flights, and details on elite status benefits and award bookings for these new fare categories remain to be clarified.