United Unlocks Sliding Privacy Doors on New Polaris Suites

United Airlines has begun unlocking the sliding privacy doors on its new Polaris Suites after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The upgraded business class cabins are only available on the airline's Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which operate through several major hubs including Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

The Polaris Suites and Polaris Studio seats were introduced as part of United Airlines' United Elevated cabin concept. However, passengers could not use the sliding doors since the aircraft entered commercial service due to regulatory certification requirements.

The FAA's key requirement focused on emergency evacuation, ensuring 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.