Jun 2, 2016, 9:06 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
As there are multi-threads on inflight service and meals, will re-focus this thread on the hard product, the seats (and things related to the seat -- pillows, pads, blankets, ...)
United website - Explore: http://view.ceros.com/united/polaris-business-class/p/1
from UA's Facebook stream
Official Polaris Lounge Access Rules are here: Polaris Lounge Access Rules
United Polaris Business and Polaris First pax may access the Polaris lounge at connecting airports and their final destination within 24 hours of departure or arrival.
*A international J and F pax may only access the Polaris lounge at the departure airport. For purposes of Polaris lounge access, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guam are excluded from the definition of "international."
Seat Chart.
Press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300278706.html
NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aspiration of making weary business travel a relic of the past, United Airlines today unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline's most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers.
Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.
"United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers' journeys," said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. "This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline."
Path-Breaking Design
In setting out to create a transformative business class experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new look for the United Polaris cabins.
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.
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.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Bill Kim of acclaimed Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack.
The airline will offer an upgraded wine experience, with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options, chocolate truffles and wine flights. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.
Raising The Bar With United Polaris Business Class Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered.
The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Dec. 1, 2016. Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.
United Polaris Introduction
United will begin to introduce United Polaris on Dec. 1, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago. The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the U.S. airline industry's most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris.
** Flights with pajama service (for both directions)
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
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
Archive - United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service {Archive}
United website - Explore: http://view.ceros.com/united/polaris-business-class/p/1
from UA's Facebook stream
Only customers traveling in United Polaris business class or United Polaris Global First on international flights and customers in Star Alliance international first or business class cabins on flights longer than six hours will have access to the United Polaris Lounge.
United Polaris Business and Polaris First pax may access the Polaris lounge at connecting airports and their final destination within 24 hours of departure or arrival.
*A international J and F pax may only access the Polaris lounge at the departure airport. For purposes of Polaris lounge access, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guam are excluded from the definition of "international."
Seat Chart.
Press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300278706.html
NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aspiration of making weary business travel a relic of the past, United Airlines today unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline's most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers.
Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.
"United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers' journeys," said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. "This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline."
Path-Breaking Design
In setting out to create a transformative business class experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new look for the United Polaris cabins.
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.
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.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Bill Kim of acclaimed Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack.
The airline will offer an upgraded wine experience, with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options, chocolate truffles and wine flights. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.
Raising The Bar With United Polaris Business Class Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered.
The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Dec. 1, 2016. Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.
United Polaris Introduction
United will begin to introduce United Polaris on Dec. 1, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago. The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the U.S. airline industry's most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris.
[From [email][email protected] 11/15/2016]
Starting December 1, 2016, United Polaris Business Class service will replace United BusinessFirst service on international flights, and United Polaris Global First service will replace the current United Global First service.
Between 2017 to 2019 eight additional United Polaris lounges will open at EWR, HKG, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR, NRT and SFO. We do not have the exact opening dates at this time. A scheduling announcement will be forthcoming.
Starting December 1, 2016, United Polaris Business Class service will replace United BusinessFirst service on international flights, and United Polaris Global First service will replace the current United Global First service.
Between 2017 to 2019 eight additional United Polaris lounges will open at EWR, HKG, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR, NRT and SFO. We do not have the exact opening dates at this time. A scheduling announcement will be forthcoming.
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
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
Archive - United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service {Archive}
United Polaris - Business Class seats -- hard product comments
Feb 7, 2020, 9:19 pm
#331
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,222
So, just flew the first segment SFO TPE and it was like flying a different airline. I will give credit where it's due, but we had a great crew and amazing experience:
1. grabbed the mattress pads while boarding (they were in a bag and didn't want to miss out), but when we requested pajamas, they were brought almost immediately
2. all Polaris items including gel pillow were in place before boarding
3. greeted in person at seat by purser who thanked me for being a million miler 1K. Asked for CH9 and he went upfront to request it, and we had it on until the reserve crew took over
4. my FA gave amazing, charming and friendly service during the flight, although she appeared a little frayed by breakfast time, but still very good
5. food portions were small, the sundae was 50% smaller than the CO days, but everything was delicious and a stark contrast to the borderline inedible gruel from Air Canada
Hope to have a similar experience on the way home, but this was in stark contrast to far too many so-so or downright negative experiences in Polaris over the years.
Why can't United be consistent??
1. grabbed the mattress pads while boarding (they were in a bag and didn't want to miss out), but when we requested pajamas, they were brought almost immediately
2. all Polaris items including gel pillow were in place before boarding
3. greeted in person at seat by purser who thanked me for being a million miler 1K. Asked for CH9 and he went upfront to request it, and we had it on until the reserve crew took over
4. my FA gave amazing, charming and friendly service during the flight, although she appeared a little frayed by breakfast time, but still very good
5. food portions were small, the sundae was 50% smaller than the CO days, but everything was delicious and a stark contrast to the borderline inedible gruel from Air Canada
Hope to have a similar experience on the way home, but this was in stark contrast to far too many so-so or downright negative experiences in Polaris over the years.
Why can't United be consistent??
Feb 7, 2020, 9:33 pm
#332
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,088
I really like Polaris. Our last three trips to Europe have been LH Business Class. We had excellent service though the food was so-so. UA Polaris food and hard product were quite superior to LH.
LH seats are narrow, hard, and have no privacy. They’re just wide open.
The thing is...UA makes it darn near impossible to get award seats in biz class. And the LH non stop out of Austin is hard to beat, too.
LH seats are narrow, hard, and have no privacy. They’re just wide open.
The thing is...UA makes it darn near impossible to get award seats in biz class. And the LH non stop out of Austin is hard to beat, too.
Feb 8, 2020, 8:51 am
#333
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 28
Have flown China Airlines in business to Taipei and the seat is good with very good food. I really like the UA polaris seat as it has everything you need. It is comfortable, allows full stretch and provides privacy. My only complaint is the closeness of the tray table. I will take it over all others. The food is not good but I am not flying for the food.
Feb 8, 2020, 11:06 am
#334
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san francisco
Programs: No airline status whatsoever, Chase URs, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 567
Why can't United be consistent? It's 95% crew, IMHO. If crew treats their pax as valued guests, flights are usually delightful up front. If, like my flight to Beijing last fall, they're robotic and barely do their jobs, it's an uncomfortable flight no matter how good everything else is. I found the Polaris (my first) plane very weird in configuration ... all that stuff stacked on the seat, very narrow aisles and access meant that it was annoying to try to stow everything and get settled in. Had the crew been even slightly interested in my comfort, I would have forgotten all about the initial battle to get seated. Once "in there" it was very comfortable ... except for the Saks stuff all over the floor. Other than the very charming and efficient purser, not one crew member ever asked me if I wanted or needed anything. They flew up and down the aisles so fast you had no opportunity to flag one down; that was obviously their goal. Makes a girl feel unwanted!
Last edited by jsn55; Feb 8, 2020 at 11:10 am Reason: typo
Feb 8, 2020, 11:55 am
#335
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
I'm not sure where they would put stuff besides the seat. Personally, I'd rather have a larger seat/pod than wider aisles. If I had to sacrifice seat size for a wider aisles, seat size wins.
Feb 8, 2020, 12:04 pm
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
The one exception was the time I got a battlefield upgrade. The FA had moved the polaris items into a bin when the seat was unoccupied, but she brought them as soon as I got to the seat.
Feb 8, 2020, 3:21 pm
#337
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
Is this rare? I've only flown Polaris a few times but I've always found everything there when I boarded. Same with PP for that matter.
The one exception was the time I got a battlefield upgrade. The FA had moved the polaris items into a bin when the seat was unoccupied, but she brought them as soon as I got to the seat.
The one exception was the time I got a battlefield upgrade. The FA had moved the polaris items into a bin when the seat was unoccupied, but she brought them as soon as I got to the seat.
Feb 8, 2020, 3:46 pm
#338
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Every EWR-LHR flight I've been on since Polaris launch, gel pillow has been on my seat at boarding.
Feb 8, 2020, 7:24 pm
#339
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: SNA (home), LAX, BOM/PNQ, LHR
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Marriott Gold Elite, IHG Platinum, HHonors Silver
Posts: 965
Whelp, I've only flown Polaris on this route once, every other time its been from LAX to LHR. Must've been an oops flight then. Especially since I flew the 8pm departure.
Feb 8, 2020, 10:12 pm
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Between AUS, EWR, and YTO In a little twisty maze of airline seats, all alike.. but I wanna go home with the armadillo
Programs: CO, NW, & UA forum moderator emeritus
Posts: 35,432
r that. I am not big but I find it makes a difference.
Feb 8, 2020, 10:19 pm
#341
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Polaris In-flight Experiences
Feb 13, 2020, 10:53 am
#342
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL, LHR
Posts: 219
I'll be flying hte 767-300, 1-1-1 Polaris configuration IAD --> GVA with the family in a few months. Any recs on best seating arrangements to keep an eye on the wife and 5yo?
Since it's 1-1-1 I'm leaning toward getting all window seats on the same side of the aircraft - back to back to back - just so aisle access is the same and convenient for all 3 of us. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Since it's 1-1-1 I'm leaning toward getting all window seats on the same side of the aircraft - back to back to back - just so aisle access is the same and convenient for all 3 of us. Any thoughts or recommendations?
Feb 13, 2020, 10:59 am
#343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
That would be my suggestion. If one parent wants to make the sacrifice of sitting in an even-number window seat you can absolutely spot the 5yo climbing out of the seat in front. You will not, however, be able to see each other but that's the primary "feature" of Polaris.
Feb 13, 2020, 3:01 pm
#344
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
That would be my suggestion. If one parent wants to make the sacrifice of sitting in an even-number window seat you can absolutely spot the 5yo climbing out of the seat in front. You will not, however, be able to see each other but that's the primary "feature" of Polaris.
Feb 13, 2020, 4:32 pm
#345
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: PHL, LHR
Posts: 219
That would be my suggestion. If one parent wants to make the sacrifice of sitting in an even-number window seat you can absolutely spot the 5yo climbing out of the seat in front. You will not, however, be able to see each other but that's the primary "feature" of Polaris.
Any difference between snagging, say, seats 3L, 4L, and 5L vs something toward the back like 15L 16L, 17L - with regards to a little guy/family?