New United 777-300ER Gets Media Test Flight
Joe Cortez February 16, 2017
First aircraft with upgraded Polaris cabin to debut between Los Angeles and Newark.
The first Boeing 777-300ER delivered to United Airlines outfitted with the new Polaris cabin is making the rounds before beginning domestic service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). USA Today reports the aircraft took an inaugural first flight for the media and airline VIPs on Monday, Feb. 13.
Lead by airline chief executive Oscar Munoz, the flight from United’s home airport of Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) debuted the new premium cabin concept first announced in November 2016. Munoz performed the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, before inviting VIPs aboard for the four-hour demonstration flight.
The flight is the next step in United’s plan to launch the Polaris premium cabin experience for business-class passengers aboard the airline. At the end of 2016, United launched the first Polaris lounge at ORD, exclusive for those flying on an international premium cabin with United or another Star Alliance partner. Additional lounges will open at United’s key airports across the United States and at international destinations.
While flight attendants and airline staff become more familiar with the new cabin concept and experience, the new aircraft will fly between EWR and LAX. By March 25, the airline said they will use a Polaris-outfitted 777-300ER to fly between SFO and Hong Kong in lieu of the retiring 747 aircraft that previously flew that route. Additional international routes will be added as United takes delivery of new aircraft.
Official ticketed service of the new aircraft will begin on Thursday, Feb. 16.
[Photo: United Airlines]
EWR and SFO, I thought.