United Airlines passengers flying in the carrier’s newest Polaris business-class suites can now close their sliding privacy doors during most of the flight after the Federal Aviation Administration approved the feature, according to the airline.
The doors are installed on United’s new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with the “Elevated” interior. They had been locked open when the redesigned cabins entered service because the airline was awaiting certification. As with similar aircraft features, the doors must remain secured open during taxi, takeoff and landing.
United unveiled the cabin design in 2025. Its first-row Polaris Studio suites are about 25% larger than standard Polaris seats and include a companion ottoman and 27-inch entertainment screen. The aircraft also carry updated standard Polaris suites, Premium Plus seats and new economy-class screens.
The first international routes for the configuration included San Francisco to Singapore and San Francisco to London. United said it expected to take delivery of 20 aircraft with the upgraded interior in 2026 and 10 more by the end of 2027, though delivery schedules can change.
Privacy doors have become a competitive feature in premium cabins, where airlines are trying to distinguish business class with enclosed personal space. Certification reviews consider whether doors can be secured for emergency procedures and whether they interfere with crew visibility, evacuation or access.
The approval applies to the certified door installation on United’s new 787-9 suites, not every Polaris seat in the fleet. Travelers seeking the feature should check the aircraft configuration for a particular flight because equipment substitutions can occur.
Sources: USA Today and United Airlines. Published Aug. 10, 2026.
