Update #36: United’s 787-9 Elevate Ascent goes on sale with doors locked out, Spirit makes a Big Front Seat move in US premiumisation context, and BA adds 9% to its longhaul network

$499 for the front row studio class seats on United’s new Polaris — but no doors on any of the Ascent seats — while Spirit adds more Big Front Seats as it tries to go upmarket against a heavy US headwind context, and British Airways doubles down on winter longhaul, including new Melbourne flights

By John Walton 8 min read
Interior, 787-9. Two women play cards in a window herringbone suite with partner ottoman seating.
The Up Front UpdateUnited AirlinesBusiness ClassStudio ClassElevateElevate AscentSpirit AirlinesBritish AirwaysMelbourneKuala Lumpur
John Walton

Editor in chief of The Up Front, with two decades of experience reporting across the global aviation industry, specialising in business and first class, seats, cabins and the passenger experience.