FLYMSY

Don't bother asking for the bears. They haven't been given out in awhile and only on "special" flights, i.e., for about one week on the inaugural Polaris seat flights.

PsiFighter37

Took my first Polaris flight in a couple months today (EWR-HAM)...definitely felt like there have been cutbacks.

-no more wine flights, and only 2 wine selections per red/white, as opposed to 3
-the quality of the entree (poached salmon) wasn't that great, and the lentils/broccolini looked a bit tired. The pretzel roll was also stale - first time I have not had one that was warm and moist.
-sundaes are back, but in paper cups...feels a tad cheap. Less toppings are available as well.
-the new amenity kit is more practical from a post-flight usage perspective but has far less stuff in it than amenity kits over the past several years, going back to the BF branding

IMO it's not a great sign that the soft product is degrading meaningfully despite the hard product remaining the same. Definitely the worst of the Polaris-branded flights I have taken so far - not bad enough to want to fly in Y but certainly below average.

lincolnjkc

As counter experiences
- Did you ask your FA about the wine flights? I had wine flights offered the week of July 26th for ORD-EDI and DUB-EWR, so unless it got killed at the beginning of August I wonder if it was a catering issue or an apathetic FA.
- I've never been a fan of the Polaris food, but am an admittedly picky eater. I will say that I got one bite out of the risotto on DUB-EWR before I threw in the napkin and sent it back to the galley. Pretzel roll was as good as always though.
- I asked about the sundaes, the ISM or whatever they're called now mentioned that UA has tried 2 new vendors for glass bowls, thought they had found one that would work, but that failed more rigorous testing and now they're looking for a 3rd vendor and he thinks it will be several more months before they get it sorted out...toping assortment for DUB-EWR seemed as generous as typical (cherries, strawberries, nuts, chocolate, whipped cream, caramel, etc.)
- Agree about the amenity kit.

PsiFighter37

I didn't ask about wine flights, but the menu only had 2, and the wine flight specifically had 3 glasses...certainly seemed like a cut to me. None of that was on the cart. Will be flying back on CDG-ORD in a couple weeks so will see if this was a one-off or not.

kirkwoodj

Lately the menu lists only 2 each of red & white, but then notes that other special/rotating wines are available, ask your FA.

goodeats21

Lately, Champagne, desserts/sweet treats, Hot Bites, and "Sommelier's Choice" wines are all unspecified.

I expect next month the menu will be an index card that reads "Food - ask your flight attendant for today's selections"

kirkwoodj

"What's for dinner?"

"Food."

"Sounds good."

N104UA

If someone ever does please read them the novelized version of Airport 77.

lincolnjkc

Alternatives worthy of consideration: "Flight 232: A Story of Disaster and Survival" by Laurence Gonzales (I actually read it entirely on UA flights a couple months ago...a fascinating read) or "Hard Landing: The epic contest for power and profits that plunged the airlines into chaos" by Thomas Petzinger, Jr. (It's a bit old at this point -- really wish there was a "Vol 2" but again fascinating and a little less traumatic--unless you're an investor.

tuolumne

Not sure how I feel about he new amenities kit either - They feel sort of cheap and are hard to zipper open and closed.

The white Polaris F kit still has mouth wash, and 4-pack Cowshed assortment v the 3-pack in Polaris C.

The best kit UAL's had in a long time was the Global First leather Cowshed kit from like 18 months ago. It had a hook that you could hang on a door and was quite spacious. I still use that, and my red Braun Buffel from LH F.

supergabe

Good, customers hate receiving too many amenities

Dublin_rfk

^