CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) has started activating the long-awaited sliding privacy doors on its new Polaris Suites after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The upgraded business class cabins are currently available only on the airline’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and operate through several major hubs, including Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The new Polaris Suites and Polaris Studio seats were introduced as part of United Airlines’ United Elevated cabin concept, but the privacy doors remained locked since the aircraft entered commercial service. FAA certification now allows the airline to begin unlocking the doors across its Boeing 787-9 fleet.
FAA Approval Completes United’s 787 Polaris Suite Rollout
United Airlines first introduced its United Elevated interior in May 2025, showcasing a redesigned premium cabin aimed at improving the long-haul passenger experience.
The new Boeing 787-9 configuration features 56 Polaris Suites and eight Polaris Studio seats. While every Polaris Suite offers direct aisle access and a private cabin space, the Polaris Studio provides additional personal space along with enhanced onboard amenities.
A key feature of both products is the sliding privacy door. Although this design has become increasingly common among global premium airlines, it represents the first time United Airlines has offered enclosed business class suites.
However, passengers were unable to use the doors after the aircraft entered service because the airline was awaiting FAA certification. According to PYOK, the approval has now been granted, allowing United to begin activating the feature on its newest Dreamliners.
ALSO READ: United 787 New Polaris Suites Launch With Doors That Won’t Close Yet
Why the Privacy Doors Stayed Locked
The delay was not related to the seat design itself but to regulatory certification requirements.
United’s Polaris Suites are built on the Adient Ascent platform, a business class seat already used by several international airlines, including Qatar Airways (QR). Even with an established seat platform, each airline installation must receive its own certification based on aircraft configuration and safety compliance.
One of the FAA’s key requirements focuses on emergency evacuation. Regulators must verify that passengers can quickly open the privacy door from inside the suite, even if the primary opening mechanism fails.
This testing process took several months before the FAA concluded that the doors met emergency egress standards.
Following the approval, United engineers must physically unlock each suite door before passengers can begin using them. Because this work must be completed aircraft by aircraft, the rollout is expected to continue over several days or potentially longer.
Boeing Delivery Delays Also Slowed the Launch
United originally expected to receive its first United Elevated Boeing 787-9 in late 2025.
Production delays at Boeing pushed the delivery schedule back by several months, preventing the airline from introducing the new cabins as planned.
The first aircraft, registered as N61101, finally entered commercial service at the end of March 2026. Like many newly introduced aircraft, it experienced several early operational issues as United refined the onboard product.
Even after entering service, passengers could only view the privacy doors because they remained locked pending FAA approval.
The latest certification now allows United to complete one of the most visible features of its premium cabin investment.
American Airlines Experienced Similar Certification Delays
United is not the only U.S. carrier to encounter delays involving sliding privacy doors.
American Airlines (AA) also had to wait months before passengers could use the privacy doors installed on its new Boeing 787-9 business class suites.
A similar certification process affected the airline’s Airbus A321XLR fleet. While FAA approval for those aircraft was granted more recently, American has indicated that engineers will continue activating the doors across the fleet through the fall.
These cases highlight the extensive certification process required whenever airlines introduce enclosed business class suites. Although the seats are already certified platforms, every aircraft installation must independently satisfy FAA safety standards before features such as sliding privacy doors can be used by passengers.
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