Air New Zealand Business or United Polaris
Jun 7, 2020, 6:53 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
Air New Zealand Business or United Polaris
Hello all, I would love your opinions:
I have a chance to either experience business class from LAX -> AUK
I can either take Air New Zealand business or United Polaris (via San Francisco)
Interested in which you prefer in terms of the overall experience (including lounge access)
thank you in advance!
I have a chance to either experience business class from LAX -> AUK
I can either take Air New Zealand business or United Polaris (via San Francisco)
Interested in which you prefer in terms of the overall experience (including lounge access)
thank you in advance!
Jun 7, 2020, 6:58 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
Lounge access is identical for both - Koru in AKL and Polaris in SFO.
As for what is the best you won't get an answer in here. There are people who believe NZ has the worst business class product in the world, and those like me who believe it offers the best sleep in the sky.
As for what is the best you won't get an answer in here. There are people who believe NZ has the worst business class product in the world, and those like me who believe it offers the best sleep in the sky.
Jun 7, 2020, 7:02 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
Hello all, I would love your opinions:
I have a chance to either experience business class from LAX -> AUK
I can either take Air New Zealand business or United Polaris (via San Francisco)
Interested in which you prefer in terms of the overall experience (including lounge access)
thank you in advance!
I have a chance to either experience business class from LAX -> AUK
I can either take Air New Zealand business or United Polaris (via San Francisco)
Interested in which you prefer in terms of the overall experience (including lounge access)
thank you in advance!
(~frequent joke) Great Circle MapperWhen are you planning to travel?
Is possible UA will not fly SFO-AKL post covid-19.
Better to wait until closer to the flight to see which airlines are flying
Jun 7, 2020, 7:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Koru, Air NZ ELT *G, IHG Spire Ambassador, Emirates, Flying Blue, QANTAS Club
Posts: 424
Have used the Polaris Lounge in SFO, it is great. So is the "Koru" lounge at Tom Bradley LAX. It can be quite busy with the timing of the flights down to NZ. Never flown Polaris Business Class but frequent user of the Air NZ business class product. 787-x feels a bit snug. The layout is more cramped but lie flat bed is the same. 777-300/200 same seat / bed but just a more spacious lay out, more wriggle room. Never had an issue with the sleep in either.
All pre COVID so who knows what the lounge experience will be like going forward.
Just my 2 cents worth
All pre COVID so who knows what the lounge experience will be like going forward.
Just my 2 cents worth
Last edited by kiwicyclo; Jun 7, 2020 at 8:44 pm
Jun 7, 2020, 8:18 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,645
Have used the Polaris Lounge in SFO, it is great. So is the "Koru" lounge at Tom Bradley LAX. It can be quite busy with the timing go the flights down to NZ. Never flown Polaris Business Class but frequent user of the Air NZ business class product. 787-x feels a bit snug. The layout is more cramped but lie flat bed is the same. 777-300/200 same seat / bed but just a more spacious lay out, more wriggle room. Never had an issue with the sleep in either.
All pre COVID so who knows what the lounge experience will be like going forward.
Just my 2 cents worth
All pre COVID so who knows what the lounge experience will be like going forward.
Just my 2 cents worth
Jun 8, 2020, 12:41 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BLQ / TRG
Programs: NZ*E, UA*1K, QF Plat
Posts: 1,071
I have flown both this year and currently Polaris is better.
More space and privacy. More efficient on board service. Much better food options on UA (I never thought I would say that). At one time the AirNZ food was very very good but cost cutting has meant recently it has been poor.
Safe travels
More space and privacy. More efficient on board service. Much better food options on UA (I never thought I would say that). At one time the AirNZ food was very very good but cost cutting has meant recently it has been poor.
Safe travels
Jun 8, 2020, 2:36 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 3,592
Pre-Covid, the UA seat was more comfortable and more private, the NZ tray table was much better, NZ service and food and wine were infinitely better (though who knows what either airline is currently offering in that regard?). For me, it often came down to price.
Jun 8, 2020, 2:52 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
If OP is based in the NZ, then Polaris.
UA may chop AKL anytime (as SFO-AKL has gone seasonal before COVID-19). So try it before too late.
UA may chop AKL anytime (as SFO-AKL has gone seasonal before COVID-19). So try it before too late.
Jun 9, 2020, 10:14 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 37
thank you all for the feedback and suggestions! I'm thinking if all schedules stay the same...fly United Polaris to New Zealand, and then Air New Zealand Business going back. Best of both worlds. (Not sure why I didn't think of that before)
Jun 10, 2020, 1:11 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sun Peaks, Taupo.
Programs: NZ Elite, AC SE100K, Westjet Teal, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 6,135
Please report back with a detailed comparison of the two.
Jun 10, 2020, 11:35 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
There is allot of talk about an Tasman Bubble, but little happening.
Jun 11, 2020, 12:20 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,118
If Australia opens up its borders to other countries I can't see NZ wanting travel to Australia.