United Bucks Industry Keeping First-Class Seats After Merger

United Airlines will keep three-class cabins on some wide-body jets, separating itself from some peers switching to two tiers of service, as its meshes fleets with Continental Airlines after their merger.

Retaining first-class seats on current United planes is best for the international routes where passengers are willing to pay top prices, Chief Executive Officer Jeff Smisek said. While Continental’s jets have only business and coach seats, 57 United aircraft have first-class cabins as well.