United adds tiered fares to First and Business cabins

United is bringing its tiered fare structure to United First and United Business, with three price levels in each cabin.

The tiers are base, standard and flexible. Base is the cheapest and most limited: one checked bag and one carry-on, seat selection for a fee, and no refunds or flight changes. Standard adds a second checked bag, seat selection and the ability to change flights, but stays non-refundable. Flexible carries the standard benefits and is fully refundable.

According to the airline, the options arrive in fall 2026. United said the onboard experience is the same whichever tier a passenger picks; the fare level sets the benefits. The carrier says the structure increases consumer choice and opens its premium cabins to more passengers.

United rolled out a comparable three-tier model for Polaris and Premium Plus in April. Other carriers, Delta among them, have adopted tiered fares for similar reasons, according to the report.

United First is sold on flights within the United States. United Business applies to international flights between the United States and Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.