Jan 22, 2017, 3:51 pm
Last edit by: wilp888
Sleep-Enticing Amenities
In addition to the sleep-enticing United Polaris personal suites, several other amenities were designed with our customers' sleep in mind.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, United has worked with leading luxury specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue for custom-designed bedding. All designed to provide the best sleep in the sky, the new bedding collection will feature plush duvets, lightweight day-blankets and a large and small pillow for each United Polaris customer. In addition, mattress cushions will be available upon request.
Slippers will be available on all flights, and customized United Polaris pajamas will be available by request on flights longer than 12 hours*. Flyers will also be able to request a gel-cooled pillow. New amenity kits will feature ergonomically designed eye shades, calming lavender pillow mist and additional products from Soho House & Co.'s Cowshed Spa.
With the introduction of United Polaris, the airline intends to donate tens of thousands of pillows, blankets and other inflight service items to Fisher House Foundation, which United and its employees have long supported.
In addition to the sleep-enticing United Polaris personal suites, several other amenities were designed with our customers' sleep in mind.
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, United has worked with leading luxury specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue for custom-designed bedding. All designed to provide the best sleep in the sky, the new bedding collection will feature plush duvets, lightweight day-blankets and a large and small pillow for each United Polaris customer. In addition, mattress cushions will be available upon request.
Slippers will be available on all flights, and customized United Polaris pajamas will be available by request on flights longer than 12 hours*. Flyers will also be able to request a gel-cooled pillow. New amenity kits will feature ergonomically designed eye shades, calming lavender pillow mist and additional products from Soho House & Co.'s Cowshed Spa.
With the introduction of United Polaris, the airline intends to donate tens of thousands of pillows, blankets and other inflight service items to Fisher House Foundation, which United and its employees have long supported.
SFO - ICN, PEK, PVG, HGH, XIV, TPE, AKL, HKG, CTU, SYD, TLV, SIN
EWR - NRT, PEK, DEL, BOM, HKG, PVG
ORD - NRT, PEK PVG, HKG
LAX - PVG, SYD, MEL, SIN
IAD - NRT, PEK
IAH - NRT, SYD
(from United Twitter feed https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyjFHZLW...jpg&name=large
Trip reports with photos:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post27799060
Polaris In-flight Experiences
Apr 21, 2017, 12:16 pm
#1336
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: UA Plat (0.09 MM), SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 81
Apr 21, 2017, 12:40 pm
#1337
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
Has anyone gotten a sideways glance (or push back from the FAs) when requesting the PJs, Mattress Pad, Slippers, and Gel Pillow all at once from the FA when boarding?
I am thinking of saying "when is the best time to request the PJs, Mattress Pad, and Gel Pillow?" And see what their response is but would hate for them to run out.
I am thinking of saying "when is the best time to request the PJs, Mattress Pad, and Gel Pillow?" And see what their response is but would hate for them to run out.
Apr 21, 2017, 1:52 pm
#1338
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Did you get them?
Looks like they're going to cut back on pillows.
Apr 21, 2017, 2:19 pm
#1339
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 96
Not too impressed with Polaris service (777-200, so not the actual Polaris seats). Just seems like a fancier version of first class service. No sundae - what happened!? Food was ok, nothing impressive. Took a while clean up left over banana peels, water bottles (which they ran out on teh 12+hour flight), plastic wraps.
Apr 21, 2017, 4:25 pm
#1341
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,158
I did after asking a couple of times. It felt like an imposition however as the whole crew was so occupied with dinner service which took forever (This was back in Dec right after Polaris was launched).
Right after I changed into the PJs I noticed a bunch of others asking as well. It started a bit of a cascade effect so suddenly the FAs were busy fulfilling numerous PJ/mattress pad/gel pillow requests at the same time they were still cleaning up after dinner.
If they're not going to supply the cabin with enough for everyone then they should go thru the cabin and mark requests for bedding & PJs at the same time they take dinner/drink selections. That would ease some anxiety about being left out.
Right after I changed into the PJs I noticed a bunch of others asking as well. It started a bit of a cascade effect so suddenly the FAs were busy fulfilling numerous PJ/mattress pad/gel pillow requests at the same time they were still cleaning up after dinner.
If they're not going to supply the cabin with enough for everyone then they should go thru the cabin and mark requests for bedding & PJs at the same time they take dinner/drink selections. That would ease some anxiety about being left out.
Apr 21, 2017, 4:35 pm
#1342
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I was on AA flight to SYD last November and I have two pairs of PJs, one unopened. They just passed them out.
I haven't used them since.
I haven't used them since.
Apr 22, 2017, 2:55 am
#1343
Moderator: Mileage Run, United Airlines; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: The City/Honolulu
Programs: UA 3MM; Hyatt Glob*****; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,473
Ursa (the bear) was only offered for a limited time following the launch of the first SFO-HKG flight. The time stated was March 25-31. There were reports of people receiving them on a few flights the next week, but nothing since.
Apr 22, 2017, 8:07 am
#1344
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: DC|NYC
Programs: UA GS, DL Plat, Marriott Bonvoy LIfetime Titanium/SPG refugee, Hertz Prez, Amtrak Select
Posts: 3,201
OP may have a point but it may be related to EWR based crew. I found S/CO EWR based crew tends to be faster. I have no problem with it. S/UA crew's service pace is perfectly fine with me.
Slower pace of services is the main reason I stopped flying NH. Too slow for my liking.
Slower pace of services is the main reason I stopped flying NH. Too slow for my liking.
Apr 22, 2017, 9:32 am
#1345
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Our nation's capital
Programs: UA 1K & 0.6 MM
Posts: 781
On my second flight, I asked an FA walking through the aisle for the gel pillow and PJs shortly after dinner service was over. She returned with just the PJs. Then I had to ask another FA for the pillow.
I see very few people with the jammies. (But then after the Buffalo Trace, wine, and aperetif in lieu of the sundae, chased with an Ambien, I'm lights out for a good 8 hours so have no idea what folks are doing...)
Last edited by big V; Apr 22, 2017 at 9:33 am Reason: clarity
Apr 22, 2017, 7:37 pm
#1346
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K, AC 50K, Hyatt Globalist, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 684
I'm not a real fan of what feels like playing the lottery over whether or not you get PJs or a Gel pillow. I'm a pretty finicky sleeper and I sleep far better when I'm in Pjs and have an extra pillow to hug while I'm sleeping. I would prefer to change into PJs as soon as I get on the plane as sometimes I am ready to sleep and will skip dinner. Also, I much perfer changing in the lavs while they are still somewhat clean. I could bring my own PJs, but I would rather not as they take up extra space in my luggage.
Apr 23, 2017, 2:09 am
#1347
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: united
Posts: 2
loved UA Polaris LHR - EWR April 8. Flight attendant said "Enjoy, they are doing away with First Class on this flight soon" I hear that is happening a lot with other airlines to convert 1st to business. they make more $$$ per square foot with business class
Apr 23, 2017, 4:20 am
#1348
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Old news, when Polaris was "rolled out" it was announced that F was going away. It shouldn't a surprise to anyone since all new long haul aircraft for UA doesn't have F in them.
Apr 23, 2017, 11:23 pm
#1349
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 578
Looked under the cover and found the label on the pillow says it's imported by 'Classic Brands LLC' in Jessup, MD.
Their site lists a travel memory gel pillow:
http://www.classicmattress.com/acces...travel-pillow/
They have a presence on Amazon, but don't see the travel sized pillow.
Here's one of theirs...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._al_bw_c_x_3_w
And another...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PLM47OW..._t3_B00MGLOX40
Ratings are fine for both, though not knowledgable about gel pillows to know if the Classic Brands imports are a good value vs other gel options.
Overall, even though all the pillows / blankets are awkward in the high density configs, it's very, very comfy once you get it all set up.
I'm usually a window person, but until the all aisle access is in place would rather have an aisle now to make it easier to set up the pad and blankets. Also found it all keeps in place nicely when you put the seat up for landing.
On food while not the most exciting presentation, it all tasted much more flavorful than the prior offerings. For airplane food the asian chicken soup and porcini mushroom pasta were among the most flavorful I've had in any cabin. Stay away from the traditional 'chicken or beef' riffs that are on the menu and some nice surprises there.
Their site lists a travel memory gel pillow:
http://www.classicmattress.com/acces...travel-pillow/
They have a presence on Amazon, but don't see the travel sized pillow.
Here's one of theirs...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._al_bw_c_x_3_w
And another...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PLM47OW..._t3_B00MGLOX40
Ratings are fine for both, though not knowledgable about gel pillows to know if the Classic Brands imports are a good value vs other gel options.
Overall, even though all the pillows / blankets are awkward in the high density configs, it's very, very comfy once you get it all set up.
I'm usually a window person, but until the all aisle access is in place would rather have an aisle now to make it easier to set up the pad and blankets. Also found it all keeps in place nicely when you put the seat up for landing.
On food while not the most exciting presentation, it all tasted much more flavorful than the prior offerings. For airplane food the asian chicken soup and porcini mushroom pasta were among the most flavorful I've had in any cabin. Stay away from the traditional 'chicken or beef' riffs that are on the menu and some nice surprises there.
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Brand...dp/B01H7I118C/
Apr 24, 2017, 5:37 pm
#1350
formerly 1984SW
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Programs: UA
Posts: 1,058
For those of you lamenting getting the tray too soon after the initial beverage service, compare that to my recent flights on Asiana (OZ) BKK-ICN-JFK-ICN-BKK. Even on the 14-hour A380 flights in J-class to/from JFK they don't do a beverage service. Ever. As soon as it's level enough, they lay table cloths and bring out the food. They deliver a small water bottle at the end of the meal, and that's the last thing you get unless you either ring your call button for a beverage or wander back to the galley to ask. When delivering the arrival meal service, they do ask what you'd like to drink. They only separate beverage service per se was predeparture.
The first flight (BKK-ICN) was a midnight departure, so I thought they eliminated the beverage service to get things done quickly so tired passengers can sleep. But both the long-haul flights, and ICN-BKK were daylight departures with plenty of time for a "cocktail hour."
Maybe be thankful for the ramekin of nuts?
The first flight (BKK-ICN) was a midnight departure, so I thought they eliminated the beverage service to get things done quickly so tired passengers can sleep. But both the long-haul flights, and ICN-BKK were daylight departures with plenty of time for a "cocktail hour."
Maybe be thankful for the ramekin of nuts?