Premium Travel News Round‑Up: May-June 2025
Up until now, we’ve focused mainly on the best business and first class deals, but starting this month, we’re adding something new. .To better understand your preferences, we’ve launched a monthly poll (check it out in the sidebar!), and we’ll be sharing these premium travel updates once or twice a month to keep you informed about the latest innovations in cabins, lounges, and more.
In this first update, we’re highlighting the biggest premium air travel changes from May and June.
Whether you’re a frequent flyer or simply love flying in style, here are the key headline updates and visual highlights you won’t want to miss.
Business & First Class Upgrades
American Airlines Launches New Flagship Suites
American’s new Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner introduced Flagship Suite business class seats with sliding privacy doors, a first for the airline.
Features include full‑flat seats, wireless charging, HD screens, Nest bedding, and premium amenities like pajamas and skincare kits.
Key features:
- Full-flat lie-down seats in suites with sliding doors
- Wireless charging pads
- High-definition seatback entertainment screens
- Nest-branded bedding
- Pajamas and amenity kits including skincare
The new Flagship Suite will debut on flights from Chicago and Los Angeles to London starting June 5, 2025, with future service to Zurich, Auckland, and Brisbane by late 2025.
United Airlines Unveils New Polaris Studio & Elevated Interior
United Airlines has introduced its next-generation Polaris Business Class and Polaris Studio suites as part of the “United Elevated” cabin concept on new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
The Polaris Studio suites, located in the front row of each business class section, offer 25% more space, privacy doors, and exclusive amenities like caviar service and luxe pajamas.
The standard Polaris seats, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, feature enhanced privacy with sliding doors and cutting-edge technology, increasing the seat count from 48 to 64 and setting a new standard for premium travel among US carriers.
Key features:
- Polaris Studio suites with 25% more space and ottomans for shared dining
- Sliding privacy doors on all Polaris seats in a 1-2-1 configuration
- 19-inch 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth (27-inch in Polaris Studio)
- Starlink Wi-Fi connectivity
- Snack bar with premium brands like Garrett’s, Community, and Joe & Seph’s
- Four charging options, including wireless charging
- Digital seat controls for personalized comfort
- Adient Ascent seat design for enhanced ergonomics
- Exclusive amenities including caviar service, Meridian noise-cancelling headphones, and Perricone MD skincare kits
Deployment begins on new Boeing 787-9 aircraft starting in late 2025, with initial international routes from San Francisco to Singapore and London in 2026. United expects around 30 aircraft with this configuration by 2027.
Etihad Airways Introduces Airbus A321LR with Flat-Bed Suites
Etihad Airways has unveiled its new Airbus A321LR, featuring long-haul-style first and business class cabins on a narrow-body aircraft for the first time.
With a total of 160 seats, including two fully flat first class suites and 14 business class seats in a 1-1 reverse herringbone configuration, the A321LR is designed for thinner markets and increased flight frequencies.
This aircraft enhances Etihad’s premium offering with modern amenities and a focus on comfort, targeting routes across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Key features:
- Two first class suites with sliding doors, 20-inch 4K screens, and companion seating
- 14 business class seats with 78-inch fully flat beds in a 1-1 reverse herringbone layout
- 17.3-inch 4K screens in business class with Bluetooth audio pairing
- Wireless charging in both first and business class
- STELIA Aerospace OPERA seating platform for enhanced comfort
- No doors on business class seats to maximize aircraft range
Deployment begins in August 2025, with new routes from Abu Dhabi to Algiers, Chiang Mai, Copenhagen, Hanoi, Krabi, Phnom Penh, Tunis, and more, plus increased frequencies to Athens, Bangkok, Milan, and Zurich.
Etihad expects to have at least 10 A321LRs in its fleet by the end of 2025.
Airport Lounge Evolution: What’s New?
Premium lounges are rapidly evolving in 2025, becoming luxury destinations in themselves.
Here are some notable launches and refreshes:
- Lufthansa unveiled a redesigned First Class Lounge in Munich, blending Bavarian elegance with modern amenities (more details here).
- American Airlines opened new Flagship and Admirals Club lounges in Philadelphia, focusing on upscale design and better dining (more details here).
- Plaza Premium Group launched an immersive cultural lounge at Taipei Songshan, integrating local art and cuisine (more details here).
- United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare got a major facelift, now featuring more open space, upgraded dining, and sleek furnishings (more details here).
Each lounge is signalling a clear trend: travellers are expecting a premium ground experience to match their in-air luxury.
Stay tuned for more updates, reviews, and premium travel strategies right here at Premium-Flights.com.
If you enjoy our blog and would like to support us, you can buy us a coffee 😉
SCAN CODE
