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I went inside United's brand-new Boeing 737 Max 8 with all new seat-back television screens and saw how the airline is revolutionizing air travel

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider
  • United Airlines is modernizing its fleet by installing seat-back entertainment screens on all narrow-body Boeing and Airbus planes.

  • More than 2,800 selections of movies, television shows, games, music, and podcasts will be available.

  • Larger overhead bins, mood lighting, in-seat power, and in-flight WiFi will also be installed.

  • See more stories on Insider's business page.

United Airlines received its first Boeing 737 Max 8 on Monday, the first of a massive 270-aircraft order announced on Tuesday.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Read More: United just made the largest aircraft order in its history for 270 new Boeing and Airbus jets with seat-back screens, WiFi, and more first class seats

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The Chicago-based airline is spending billions to revitalize its fleet with Boeing and Airbus narrow-body jets, as well as update the interiors of its existing jets with a signature look consistent across all aircraft.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

By 2025, all Boeing and Airbus narrow-body aircraft in United's fleet will have seat-back screens, in-seat power, and larger overhead bins for bags.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Read More: United is upgrading most of its planes to include television screens, power outlets, and more by 2025 while getting rid of smaller jets

It's part of the "United Next" program that will guide the airline through the decade, with additional enhancements in the airport and customer service experience.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

I went onboard United's first Boeing 737 Max with the new interior. Take a look inside.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

United's new order includes 200 Boeing 737 Max aircraft, including 50 737 Max 8s, 150 737 Max 10s, and 70 Airbus A321neos. This Max 8 had just been flown in from Boeing Field in Washington two days prior.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Welcoming passengers is the United nameplate. It's a nice luxurious touch to the aircraft that more and more airlines are adopting.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

First class is comprised of 16 recliner seats arranged in the typical 2-2 configuration.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Seats in this cabin have 37 inches pitch and 21 inches of width which is pretty standard for United.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But the difference on this plane is that seat is equipped with new 13-inch high-definition entertainment screens.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Read More: United is upgrading most of its planes to include television screens, power outlets, and more by 2025 while getting rid of smaller jets

Screens are touch-screen but a tethered remote is included at every seat.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The in-flight entertainment suite complements in-flight WiFi, which United claims will be "the industry's fastest available."

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Despite the new screens, tray tables will still include device holders for those that prefer to use a mobile device for entertainment.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Next comes the economy cabin, split between 54 extra-legroom "EconomyPlus" seats and 96 standard economy seats. EconomyPlus seats offer 34 inches of pitch and 17.3 inches of width.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Economy seats offer 30 inches of pitch and a similar 17.3 inches of width.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

And just like in first class, every seat features seat-back screens.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

More than 2,800 selections of movies, television shows, music, podcasts, and games are available.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

A unique feature of United's system is that flyers can pair Bluetooth headphones, such as AirPods, to the seat.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The move better allows United to compete with Delta, which has had seat-back screens on most of its aircraft for years while United moved to get rid of them.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But seat-back screens are back on United and here to stay. American Airlines will be the only member of the US "big three" international carriers without seat-back screens on narrow-body aircraft.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

All seats will also have in-seat power through 110v AC power outlets under the seat and USB charging ports on the screens.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Larger overhead bins are another staple of the new interior with United claiming there will be enough room for every passenger to bring at least one bag.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

If that claim holds up in reality, that would mean passengers can stop rushing to get to the gate early and crowd the gate area before boarding.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

More United aircraft will also have mood lighting, which adjusts based on the time of day to create a soothing ambiance.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Mood lighting gives the aircraft a futuristic feel and can help relax passengers by syncing with circadian rhythms, especially on overnight flights.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The new interiors will come standard on every new United Boeing 737 Max and Airbus A321neo arrival but existing aircraft will be retrofitted through 2025.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Around 66% of existing aircraft are expected to be retrofitted by the end of 2023.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 with new interior - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But not everything inside United's aircraft will change, however, as the cockpits will remain the same. The Boeing 737 Max cockpits feature updated avionics systems and display screens.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 cockpit - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Ideally, all of United's Boeing 737 pilots can fly the 737 Next Generation and 737 Max aircraft interchangeably.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 cockpit - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

But all pilots now receive additional training before they can fly the Max, including simulator and classroom sessions.

Inside a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 cockpit - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Powering United's Boeing 737 Max fleet is the CFM International LEAP-1B engine offering great fuel efficiency and enabling longer flights.

The engine of a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Each engine offers 28,000 pounds of thrust that enable speeds greater than 500 miles per hour.

The engine of a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Every new aircraft will also come painted in United's new "Evo Blue" livery that favors blue, especially on the aircraft tail.

The tail of a United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

The first Boeing 737 Max 8 flights will operate on July 15 between Newark to Houston, Texas, and Houston-Las Vegas. More cities will be added to the aircraft's route network as more arrive.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

If one thing is certain, it's that the view from the window seat will never be the same.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 - United Airlines New Aircraft Interior
Inside United Airlines' newest aircraft and interior. Thomas Pallini/Insider

Read the original article on Business Insider