United is introducing its international premium economy
cabin Monday on a flight between San Francisco and Paris de Gaulle.
The flight, serviced by a newly reconfigured Boeing 777-200,
is scheduled for departure at 2:45 p.m. Pacific Time.
Though the flight features the new premium economy cabin,
which United is calling Premium Plus, it's not being sold or marketed as such.
United won't formally begin offering Premium Plus until late
this year or early next year, chief revenue officer Andrew Nocella said during
its earnings call in April. Until the official launch of the fare class, United
will sell the Premium Plus seats as Economy Plus, which is the extra-legroom
product that United offers at the front of the economy cabin. The seats will
also receive the existing Economy Plus service, rather than what will be the
enhanced Premium Plus offering.
United will continue adding Premium Plus cabins throughout
this year, spokeswoman Maddie King said. The carrier's legacy U.S. competitors,
American and Delta, already offer international premium economy seating and
service on select international flights.