United hit by bout of seatless in Seattle

Washington

UNITED Airlines faces a new setback in its bid to win back business customers as production snags hinder deliveries of Boeing Co jetliners outfitted with new luxury seats.

"Short delays" are affecting two 777-300ER aircraft with United's Polaris luxury interiors, said Megan McCarthy, a spokeswoman for the airline. United and the planemaker are working with French seatmaker Zodiac Aerospace to expedite shipments, said Ms McCarthy and Doug Alder, a spokesman for Boeing.

The stumbles will slow United's efforts to woo international travellers with a rebranding campaign centered on the Polaris cabins, which offer pod-style suites with Zodiac's lie-flat berths. Zodiac, which agreed to be acquired by Safran, has also held back production of Airbus Group's marquee A350 with delays of se…