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United soars into premium travel

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United soars into premium travel

United Airlines is making a decisive bet on the future of air travel based on premium seats, champagne flutes and loyalty. 

United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby recently revealed a sweeping cabin overhaul following which nearly half the seats on some long-haul aircraft will be dedicated to higher-yield passengers: a striking shift that underscores how sharply the economics of flying are changing.

At the centre of the strategy is a reimagined Boeing 787-9 configured with up to 99 premium seats: far beyond what United has historically offered, and a clear signal that the airline sees its future not in filling planes, but in filling them profitably.

The world’s largest airline, United Airlines is a partner airline with Virgin Australia and operates from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, with Virgin code-sharing on its flights.

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United will add more than 250 aircraft over the next two years to further modernise its fleet, introduce new aircraft variants, create a new experience for transcontinental travellers, and roll out new onboard products for every customer: reinforcing its position as a leading premium airline.

In a major move, United is bringing widebody-style experiences to its new narrowbody aircraft: the new ‘Coastliner’ Airbus A321 and A321XLR (the same model that Qantas is adding to its fleet).

These are United’s first narrowbodies with the new elevated interior. They feature an all-aisleaccess lie-flat seat suite dubbed ‘United Polaris’ (business class), which is available on international routes.

United has 100 of these new aircraft coming into its fleet to replace 40 older, less-efficient Boeing 757s.

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The Coastliner will have a specially designed livery and fly exclusively between United’s US west coast hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Newark-New York in the east. It will introduce the United Polaris cabin experience to domestic travellers.

United’s A321XLR gives travellers access to 32 premium seats – 16 more than the 757 it replaces – and will start flying later this year.

United’s new 787-9 with the elevated interior will fly internationally, starting on April 22.

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These aircraft include the airline’s new United Polaris studio: lie-flat, all-aisle-access seats that are 25 per cent larger than standard United Polaris seats. They include privacy doors, an ottoman for companions on some seats, exclusive meal service with wine pairings and caviar, new amenity kits with retail-size offerings, wireless charging, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 27-inch 4K OLED seatback screen (the largest among US airlines).

The announcement expands on the ambitious ‘United next’ growth strategy announced in 2021. Since that time, United has: added 22 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 237 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and 67 Airbus A321neos; completed 70 per cent of its plan to retrofit its mainline narrowbody fleet; replaced more than 100 regional jets with larger mainline aircraft; increased premium seats per North American departure by 40 per cent; and hired more than 60,000 people.

“For more than a decade, we’ve invested billions of dollars in our product, service and technology as part of our plan to be the best brand-loyal airline in the world, and the result is that more and more customers are choosing to fly with us every day,” Mr Kirby said at the announcement.

“Today we accelerate our plans and elevate our offerings to the next level, creating an even more consistent premium onboard experience for every customer and delivering value across every cabin of service.”

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The airline’s executive vice-president and chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, said the upgrades provided more choice for passengers.

“These new planes and products not only complement our fleet and network plans, but they also give our customers more premium amenity and seat choices, whether they bought a basic economy ticket to fly from Chicago to Fort Wayne or are flying Polaris between San Francisco and Singapore,” he said.

“United is setting the pace and innovating for our customers at a scope and scale unheard of in aviation history. And we’re not taking our foot off the gas.”

In another example of its push into premium products, the airline has announced that it has licensed Air New Zealand’s Skycouch, which it will market as the United Relax Row.

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The concept turns a set of three economy seats into a couch or bed, creating a far more comfortable option for customers travelling in the economy cabin on long-haul flights.

United is the first North American airline to offer the seating option and holds North American exclusivity on the design.

The new dedicated row of three seats is outfitted with individually adjustable leg rests that fold up at a 90-degree angle to create room to sleep, stretch out or watch a movie.

The United Relax Row is ideal for families travelling with small children, solo travellers, and couples who want a little extra comfort.

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Passengers travelling in United Relax Row will receive additional amenities for their flight, including a custom-fitted mattress pad, a specially sized plush blanket, two additional pillows, as well as a plush toy and children’s travel kit for families.

United expects its Relax Row to launch in 2027 and plans to offer it on more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030.

The seats will be located between economy and premium plus seating, and United will offer up to 12 Relax Row sections on each aircraft.

United has 1,075 aircraft in its mainline fleet and 623 on order.

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The airline is also investing in future aircraft concepts. These include options to purchase 100 eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft from Archer Aviation and 200 from Eve Air Mobility, a division of Embraer.

The airline has also committed to purchasing 100 ES-30 electric turboprop regional aircraft from Heart Aerospace, with options for up to 50 more.

At the other end of the market, it has committed to purchasing 15 Boom Overture 60-passenger supersonic aircraft, with options for up to 35 more.

However, its most ambitious move is a bold step towards reshaping the future of air travel, with a major investment in JetZero’s blended wing body (BWB) aircraft.

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This next-generation design promises not only dramatic fuel efficiency gains but also a transformative flying experience for passengers.

The agreement includes the potential to order up to 100 of JetZero’s BWB aircraft, with an option for another 100, contingent on key development milestones, including the successful flight of a full-scale demonstrator (expected in 2027).

If the technology delivers as envisioned, it could mark one of the most significant advances in commercial aviation in decades.

Unlike traditional aircraft, JetZero’s blended wing body design fuses the fuselage and wings into a single aerodynamic form. This innovation allows the aircraft to generate lift across its entire wingspan while significantly reducing drag, potentially slashing fuel burn by up to 50 per cent per passenger mile compared to similarly sized jets.

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For United, the potential payoff is enormous: lower carbon emissions, reduced operating costs, and a leap forward in customer comfort.

The JetZero Z4 aircraft, designed to seat 250 passengers, runs on conventional jet fuel but will be capable of using sustainable aviation fuel blends.

The US Air Force has also recognised JetZero’s promise, awarding the company a $US235 million contract in 2023 to accelerate development of its full-scale demonstrator.

 

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Santhera Pharmaceuticals Holding AG (SPHDF) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

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OneWater Marine Inc. (ONEW) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

Operator

Good afternoon, and welcome to the Santhera Pharmaceuticals Investor Presentation. [Operator Instructions] Before we begin, I’d like to submit the following poll.

I’d now like to hand you over to the management team. Dario, good morning, sir.

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Dario Eklund
Chief Executive Officer

Thank you, Lilly. Good morning and for those in the U.S. who are joining us and good afternoon for those here in Europe, and welcome to this full year 2025 investor call. As usual, I’m today joined by Catherine Isted, who’s our Chief Financial Officer; as well as Shabir Hasham, who is our Chief Medical Officer. They will both give their respective parts of the presentation and be here for the Q&A as well.

So can I have the next slide, please? Can we have the next slide after that? Here we go. Now, the disclaimer, please. Can we go back? So I just want to draw your attention to the greetings from our legal department here where you should, at your own leisure, read this if you’re not familiar with the text. And with that, let’s move into the actual presentation.

So 2025 was a really exciting year with expansion and global momentum continuing. This –these six points that you can see on this slide here really are the summary of our presentation. Today, we will have deeper dives on each of the six subjects. But I just want to highlight a few things here that, first of all, in Austria and Germany, we are continuing to make great progress. In Q1 of this year, we actually had 50% growth over last year, which means that in Germany, we’re well over 40% penetrated in the

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Neymar Technically Better Than Ronaldo and Messi for 2026 World Cup

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Qatar's wealth has attracted Neymar and Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil legend Cafu has ignited a global debate by declaring that Neymar is technically superior to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, throwing his full support behind the 34-year-old forward as Brazil prepares for the 2026 World Cup. The 2002 World Cup-winning captain made the bold claim in a wide-ranging interview, praising Neymar’s unparalleled dribbling, vision and creativity while acknowledging the greatness of the two modern icons.

Cafu, widely regarded as one of the finest right-backs in football history and a two-time World Cup winner, did not mince words when assessing Neymar’s place among the game’s elite. “Technically, Neymar is better than both Cristiano and Lionel,” Cafu told Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte. “His close control, the way he sees the game, the dribbling — it is on another level. If he stays fit and focused, he can lead Brazil to glory in 2026.”

The comments immediately went viral, sparking passionate discussions across social media, podcasts and football talk shows. While many Brazilian fans celebrated the endorsement of their national hero, international observers offered more measured reactions, noting Neymar’s undoubted talent but highlighting Ronaldo and Messi’s superior goal tallies, consistency and trophy cabinets.

Neymar, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in 2023, has battled recurring injuries in recent years that have limited his appearances for both club and country. Despite this, he remains Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps. His flair and creativity have long been compared to legendary Brazilian predecessors like Pelé, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo Nazário, but questions about his mentality and physical durability have often overshadowed his brilliance on the pitch.

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Cafu, who captained Brazil to victory in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, drew on his own experiences to support his assessment. “I played with and against the best,” he said. “Neymar has that special something — the joy, the improvisation. When he is at his best, defenders simply cannot stop him. Ronaldo and Messi are incredible finishers and winners, but technically, in pure football terms, Neymar stands out.”

The timing of Cafu’s remarks is significant. With the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico just months away, Brazil is under pressure to deliver after disappointing performances in recent tournaments. Coach Dorival Júnior has built the squad around Neymar, hoping the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star can recapture the form that made him one of the most exciting players on the planet.

Neymar’s club form in Saudi Arabia has been mixed. While he has contributed with goals and assists, the league’s physical demands and travel schedule have raised concerns about his fitness for international duty. Brazilian football federation officials have worked closely with Al-Hilal to manage his workload, prioritizing his availability for national team commitments.

The comparison with Ronaldo and Messi is inevitable but complex. Ronaldo, 41, continues to score prolifically for Al-Nassr and Portugal, recently becoming the all-time leading international goalscorer. Messi, 38, led Argentina to Copa América glory and the 2022 World Cup before moving to Inter Miami. Both players have cemented their legacies with multiple Ballon d’Or awards and major tournament triumphs.

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Neymar, by contrast, has never won a Ballon d’Or and has yet to lift a major senior international trophy with Brazil, though he was part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2016 Olympics. His supporters point to moments of sheer genius — the dribbles, no-look passes and audacious goals — as evidence of a higher technical ceiling. Critics counter that elite football is ultimately about winning, where Ronaldo and Messi have delivered consistently at the highest level.

Cafu’s backing carries significant weight. As one of only three players to win the World Cup twice as captain (alongside Bellini and Pelé), his opinion resonates deeply in Brazilian football circles. He has previously praised Neymar’s talent while urging him to embrace leadership responsibilities, a message he reiterated in the recent interview.

“Neymar needs to stay healthy and believe in himself,” Cafu added. “Brazil has always produced magical players. Neymar is the latest in that line. With the right support and mindset, he can bring the World Cup home again.”

The comments have divided football fans globally. Brazilian supporters largely welcomed the endorsement, seeing it as validation of their belief in Neymar’s potential. International fans offered more balanced views, acknowledging Neymar’s skill while defending the achievements of Ronaldo and Messi.

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Social media platforms lit up with debates, memes and video compilations comparing the three players’ best moments. Hashtags like #NeymarBetter and #CafuSpokeTruth trended in Brazil, while global football communities engaged in lengthy discussions about technical ability versus overall legacy.

As Brazil prepares for friendlies and World Cup qualifiers, all eyes will be on Neymar’s fitness and form. Coach Dorival Júnior has expressed confidence in his star player, building the team’s attacking strategy around his creativity and vision. The squad also features rising talents like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo and Endrick, creating a potent mix of experience and youth.

The 2026 World Cup represents a crucial moment for Neymar. At 34, it may be his last realistic chance to win football’s greatest prize. Cafu’s public support adds pressure but also motivation, positioning Neymar as the heir to Brazil’s rich footballing tradition.

Whether Neymar can translate his technical brilliance into World Cup success remains to be seen. What is clear is that Cafu’s comments have reignited the conversation about one of football’s most gifted yet enigmatic talents. As the countdown to 2026 continues, Brazil and the football world will watch closely to see if Neymar can finally deliver on his immense potential.

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Tyneside digital agency Podium looks to the future following successful MBO

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Ownership of the 14 year old agency has transferred to Sarah McKevitt, Lia Gordon and Katie Toman

The Podium team in Newcastle

The Podium team in Newcastle(Image: Podium)

A Tyneside digital marketing agency is looking to the future following a successful management buyout. The team at Gosforth based Podium has completed the MBO with ownership transferring to three long-standing members of its senior team.

Ownership of Podium, which specialises in SEO, PPC (Pay-Per-Click) and social media management, has transferred to Sarah McKevitt, Lia Gordon and Katie Toman. Founder and managing director Andy Thevarokiam, who set up the company in 2012, is stepping back from day-to-day leadership.

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Ms McKevitt, Ms Toman and Ms Gordon have held long-standing roles within the company and have been closely involved in its growth over a number of years. They will now jointly lead the next phase of the business, with a focus on continuity for clients and further development of the agency’s offering.

They said the deal ensures the company remains independent, and that they plan to boost their local client base by 20% over the next year.

Mr Thevarokiam will remain involved while handing over operational control to the new ownership team. He said: “This decision comes with a great deal of pride. It’s not goodbye, but the start of something new.

“Sarah, Lia and Katie have been central to the business for years and know it inside out. The service and results our clients expect will remain unchanged, with fresh energy driving the next phase. The business is in safe hands, and I’ll continue to support the team as they take it forward.”

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Ms McKevitt added: “The chance to lead a business I’ve helped shape since 2017 was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

“We are staying true to the values Andy instilled, exceptional results and a modern, flexible workplace, while pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve for our clients over the next 12 months.”

The agency will continue to operate under the Podium brand.

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Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice marks 30 years as it continues to expand

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The Cardiff-based family law firm was established in 1996 with co-founder Mel Hamer with an appetite for sustained growth

Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice directors Melanie Hamer, David James, Sarah Wyburn, Rebecca Knight, Sam John.

A leading family law firm is celebrating 30 years as it continues to expand. Cardiff-based Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice was established as the first specialist family law firm in Wales, and one of the first in the UK, in May 1996.

It launched with just two partners, one paralegal and three secretaries – drawn from the family law team at the Cardiff office of Eversheds (now Eversheds Sutherland). The firm was then known as Wendy Hopkins & Co.

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Melanie Hamer, one of its original co-founders, along with the late Wendy Hopkins, is still with the firm today.

Director Ms Hamer said: “I was just 30 years old, newly married and was presented with this enormous opportunity by Eversheds. It was a risk, as with all new firms, but I felt at the time it was a manageable risk. I decided that I would give it three years and if it did not work, I could always get out and get a job. I had to borrow just £35,000 from the bank to co-finance the firm at the beginning.

Fast forward 30 years and the firm’s revenues have grown from £220,000 gross in its first year of trading to nearly £3m in its last financial year. The team has increased from six to 22.

READ MORE: The knowhow built up in Wales’ contact centre sector is an asset worth redirectingREAD MORE: Expansion for community-owned west Wales seaweed and shellfish farming venture

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Ms Hamer said: “We started on client number 100 because we did not want anybody to be client number 1 and for the outside world to think we didn’t have any clients. We are now on client number 13,365 meaning that over the last thirty years we have serviced 13,265 clients.

“I can’t quite believe my luck. I never set out with a big ambition or business plan to be one of the best family law firms in the UK. In the early days, I just hoped to make enough money to pay my mortgage.

“The success of the firm has exceeded all my wildest expectations, and I have great faith in my team that it will continue the great reputation of the firm for years to come, and we shall continue to punch above our weight, often attracting work from London as well as closer to Wales.”

The firm’s clients include high net worth individuals, celebrities, sports personalities and business owners. It recently acted on a case worth £77m.

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The firms’ ownership structure also evolved over the years. At launch the only option available was to be a partnership. As soon as it able to it became a limited liability partnership (LLP) and latterly a limited company. It has expanded from two partners to five directors and three shareholders. Originally operating out of rented office space at 26 Windsor Place, it now own occupies 10,000 sq ft of owned space at the 12 and 13 Windsor Place.

Melanie Hamer back in 1996.

On the success of the firm over the last 30 years, Ms Hamer said: “It is a combination of matters. We employ clever and conscientious people, and we make sure we look after them. From day one we have grown organically by taking lawyers on as paralegals and then in due course promoting them to trainee solicitor and then solicitor etc. Indeed, one of my shareholders and directors started as my trainee in the year 2000.

” Another director and shareholder started as a paralegal in 2011. The firm genuinely feels like a part of my extended family, and I care deeply about them all. I was also blessed with being in partnership until two years ago with one of my best friends, Thea Hughes, who retired in May 2024.

Ms Hamer, 60, says she no plans to retire. She added: “I still love my job, and I still feel that I do a good job, so as long as I continue to tick those boxes, then I see no reason to retire.”

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E15 debate gains traction as fuel costs rise

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E15 debate gains traction as fuel costs rise

Lawmakers weigh year-round sales as consumers face higher gasoline prices.

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Sigma Foods acquires smoked meats producer

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Sigma Foods acquires smoked meats producer

Roger Wood is the No. 1 smoked sausage company in the southeast United States, according to Sigma.  

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Scorpio Tankers faces earnings test as war drives record rates

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Scorpio Tankers faces earnings test as war drives record rates

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Earnings call transcript: FTI Consulting Q1 2026 misses EPS, revenue beats

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Earnings call transcript: FTI Consulting Q1 2026 misses EPS, revenue beats

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Form 144 ENSIGN GROUP For: 4 May

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Form 144 ENSIGN GROUP For: 4 May

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Celcuity Stock Soars 14% to $143 on Positive Phase 3 Breast Cancer Trial Data

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Celcuity Stock Soars 14% to $143 on Positive Phase 3

NEW YORK — Celcuity Inc. shares surged more than 13.8 percent to $143 in early trading Monday, May 4, 2026, after the clinical-stage oncology company announced that its Phase 3 VIKTORIA-1 trial met the primary endpoint with clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival for patients with PIK3CA-mutant advanced breast cancer. The positive topline results for gedatolisib sent the biotech stock to new highs and reignited investor enthusiasm for the company’s targeted therapy pipeline just weeks before a potential FDA submission.

Celcuity reported that both the gedatolisib triplet and doublet regimens demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival compared to the control arm in the PIK3CA mutant cohort. The data, released late Friday, May 1, triggered a sharp after-hours rally that carried into Monday’s session. The company said the results support advancing toward a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) filing with the FDA, with a potential PDUFA target in July 2026.

The VIKTORIA-1 trial evaluated gedatolisib in combination with standard therapies for HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer patients who had progressed after prior CDK4/6 inhibitor treatment. Gedatolisib, a first-in-class PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, targets a pathway frequently altered in breast cancer. Positive data in the PIK3CA mutant population — a subgroup with historically poorer outcomes — positions the drug as a potential new standard of care option in a market estimated to exceed $5 billion annually at peak.

Celcuity CEO Brian Sullivan called the results a “transformational milestone” for the company and patients. “These data demonstrate gedatolisib’s potential to meaningfully improve outcomes in a population with significant unmet need,” Sullivan said in the company’s release. The firm is now accelerating commercial launch preparations while advancing additional indications for the drug across multiple solid tumors.

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The stock reaction reflects high expectations. Celcuity has been on many biotech investors’ radars due to gedatolisib’s profile and its near-term regulatory timeline. Analysts have issued bullish price targets, with some projecting peak annual revenue exceeding $2.5 billion if the drug secures approval across multiple lines of therapy. Monday’s surge pushed the company’s market capitalization well above $6 billion.

The trial success comes at a pivotal time for Celcuity. The company has been advancing its precision medicine platform, which uses live tumor cell testing to identify patients most likely to benefit from targeted therapies. Gedatolisib represents the lead asset in this approach, and positive Phase 3 data significantly de-risks the program while strengthening its position ahead of potential partnership or commercialization discussions.

Broader market context amplified the move. Biotech stocks have shown renewed strength in 2026 amid improving regulatory sentiment and investor appetite for late-stage assets with clear paths to approval. Celcuity’s data stands out for its statistical robustness and clinical relevance in a competitive breast cancer landscape dominated by CDK4/6 inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates.

Analysts reacted swiftly. Citizens initiated coverage with a Market Outperform rating and $150 price target earlier in the week, citing the drug’s potential. Other firms have highlighted the July 2026 PDUFA timeline as a key catalyst. While some caution remains around commercial execution and competition, the overall sentiment has turned increasingly bullish following the topline readout.

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For patients and physicians, the results offer hope for better options in later-line HR+/HER2- breast cancer. PIK3CA mutations occur in approximately 40 percent of cases, and effective targeted therapies have been limited. Gedatolisib’s mechanism and tolerability profile could fill an important gap if approved.

Celcuity has cash reserves to support operations through key milestones, including potential approval and launch. The company continues enrolling patients in additional trials exploring gedatolisib in other settings and tumor types, positioning it for potential label expansion in the years ahead.

As trading continued Monday morning, volume remained elevated and the stock held near session highs. The move underscores the biotech sector’s sensitivity to clinical data, where positive Phase 3 readouts can drive outsized gains even in a broader market environment focused on macro signals and Federal Reserve policy.

Looking forward, all eyes are on the full dataset presentation at an upcoming medical meeting and the company’s regulatory strategy. If the FDA accepts the filing with priority review, approval could come as early as late 2026, setting the stage for Celcuity’s transition from clinical developer to commercial-stage oncology company.

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The surge in Celcuity stock serves as a reminder of the high-reward potential in targeted oncology. For investors who backed the company through its development phase, Monday’s gains validate the long-term bet on gedatolisib. As the story unfolds, the biotech community will watch closely to see whether this positive momentum translates into sustained value creation in the competitive breast cancer market.

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