United Airlines to introduce tiered fare categories for premium cabins

United Airlines said on Friday that it plans to introduce a new tiered fare structure in premium cabins starting ​this year.

United said it would offer base, standard and ‌flexible fare options in premium cabins for customers traveling on long-haul international, transcontinental US. and select Hawaii flights, joining the existing basic, standard and ​flexible fares in United’s economy cabins.

According to the new ​tiered fare structure, the base category in premium cabins ⁠offers customers the lowest price point, the standard category offers ​perks such as free seat selection and additional checked bags, and ​tickets in the flexible category are fully refundable and offer all the benefits included in standard tickets.

United Airlines last month unveiled a broad aircraft and cabin ​overhaul centered on higher-end seating, pressing ahead with its long-term ​growth plan after warning that oil could stay above $100 a barrel through ‌2027 ⁠and outlining plans to trim some flights in response.

Big US. carriers have increasingly built their business around premium travelers, corporate accounts and loyalty-program members since the COVID pandemic, betting those customers are ​slower to pull ​back when ⁠fares rise.

United said it expected to launch the new categories in select markets this month and ​would expand to additional long-haul international, transcontinental US. ​and longer ⁠Hawaii flights later this year.

“These new tiered options give customers more choice and make it easier to find a fare that includes ⁠the ​benefits they want most – whether that’s ​a great value, added perks, or maximum flexibility,” said Andrew Nocella, United’s chief commercial ​officer.