United Announces Polaris Rollout Timeline
Joe Cortez December 12, 2016
First new Boeing 777 joins fleet in February, with complete rollout through 2017.
Flyers now know when to expect aircraft outfitted with the United Polaris premium cabin in the coming year. In a press release, United Airlines announced the first new aircraft with the latest first- and business-class product will join the fleet in 2017.
The new aircraft, a Boeing 777-300ER, will join the United fleet on Feb. 16, 2017, flying between their hubs at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). In debuting the product, the airline will offer one round-trip flight between the two cities four times per week through May 4, 2017.
International service featuring the United Polaris product will begin on March 25, 2017, between SFO and Hong Kong. The new aircraft will replace the Boeing 747-400, which is currently flying between the two cities.
“Our 777-300ER fleet represents a new era in premium air travel,” Julia Haywood, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at United, stated in the press release. “With United Polaris business class we are providing reimagined in-flight dining, new amenities, the first United Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and now this custom designed seat, all of which make for a tailored experience that prioritizes comfort and sleep.”
The aircraft will also feature 102 United Economy Plus seats, configured in a 3-4-3 pattern with 34 inches of pitch between seats. The economy section of the aircraft will feature 204 seats, also configured in a 3-4-3 pattern across with 31 inches of pitch between seats. The Chicago-based carrier is planning to introduce all 14 Polaris-equipped 777-300ER aircraft by the end of 2017.
[Photo: United Airlines]
Too little too late. 14 updated planes is not going to change much. While United ran the airline into the ground, Delta was upgrading its fleet. Even miserable AA was improving. The net effect was that United lost its premium class customer base, retaining only those customers who chased a low airfare. These low quality customers will mistreat the new equipment and will act as a deterrent to attracting the higher quality pax. No one wants to pay a premium fare and to sit next to some foul smelling slob or uncouth creepy type. This won't change anything but perhaps slow the inevitable at a dying airline.
10 across in Economy Plus with 34" of pitch means that UAL's E+ has more seats and the same pitch as JAL's E. Thanks for less than nothing.