United Reveals New Cabin Design

United Airlines announced a breakthrough yesterday: this fall, they will be the first US carrier to feature fully reclining lie-flat seats in their International First and Business cabins. Pentagram’s Daniel Weil worked with United and a team of specialists throughout the intricate process of designing two new cabins.

“This is the moment where the customer is put first,” said Weil. Designed to provide more space and a better sense of privacy through an innovative forward- and rear-facing design and seats that recline 180˚ to form a six-foot-long bed, the first updated planes will take to the skies later this year. The entire international fleet will be updated in phases over the next two to three years.

The new cabins were designed in conjunction with industry experts B/E Aerospace. Pentagram has been United’s design consultant for nearly ten years, with responsibilities that have ranged from developing the airline’s current livery design, to naming its low-cost carrier Ted, to designing its self-service ticket dispensers, to consulting on tableware and in-flight amenities.