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
Jun 21, 2019, 6:25 pm
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
This is a bit of a shocker since I consider their domestic F product to be horrible. I have flown Polaris now 4 times, while not crazy impressed (I like the lounges) it seemed definitely better than the near horrific domestic F product. I now fly AS F when I want to do a domestic run an guarantee my self F.
But the FAs in flight just did not care. I'm new to UA but I switched some of my business to them specifically for the F product on lie-flat routes, and I got upgraded on one leg of my only economy trip, so I've flown them almost exclusively in F domestically this year. I've never gotten anything less than absolutely stellar service. You could tell that the FAs cared and were trying to give good service. On my one Polaris flight they were doing the bare minimum and going through the motions. They didn't even serve PDBs, and I've always gotten them on domestic UA flights in F (often with offers of refills).
Jun 21, 2019, 6:43 pm
#62
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
The lounge was absolutely a huge step up from any other business class lounge I've ever been to. I consider it a first class lounge, and a good one at that.
But the FAs in flight just did not care. I'm new to UA but I switched some of my business to them specifically for the F product on lie-flat routes, and I got upgraded on one leg of my only economy trip, so I've flown them almost exclusively in F domestically this year. I've never gotten anything less than absolutely stellar service. You could tell that the FAs cared and were trying to give good service. On my one Polaris flight they were doing the bare minimum and going through the motions. They didn't even serve PDBs, and I've always gotten them on domestic UA flights in F (often with offers of refills).
But the FAs in flight just did not care. I'm new to UA but I switched some of my business to them specifically for the F product on lie-flat routes, and I got upgraded on one leg of my only economy trip, so I've flown them almost exclusively in F domestically this year. I've never gotten anything less than absolutely stellar service. You could tell that the FAs cared and were trying to give good service. On my one Polaris flight they were doing the bare minimum and going through the motions. They didn't even serve PDBs, and I've always gotten them on domestic UA flights in F (often with offers of refills).
Jun 21, 2019, 6:46 pm
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Seems unusual they didn't do PDB, even with the streamlined version of water, juice, champagne they implemented for almost a year--they should have been walking around with drinks tray. My experience has been 100% PDB on all flights since Polaris launch. Even pre-Polaris, PDB has been pretty consistent for me (vs. my experience on AA).
Jun 21, 2019, 8:04 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Blogs are reporting UA is replacing the pajamas. Unsurprisingly, this is NOT an upgrade.
United is Replacing the Pajamas in Business and the New Ones Look Awful
UA is certainly giving me fewer and fewer reasons to spend money with them.
United is Replacing the Pajamas in Business and the New Ones Look Awful
UA is certainly giving me fewer and fewer reasons to spend money with them.
They had better not touch the gel pillows!
Jun 21, 2019, 11:54 pm
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
All my Polaris crews have been outstanding this year. It's a shame UA keeps cutting the product they have to offer their passengers.
Jun 22, 2019, 12:07 am
#66
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Blogs are reporting UA is replacing the pajamas. Unsurprisingly, this is NOT an upgrade.
United is Replacing the Pajamas in Business and the New Ones Look Awful
UA is certainly giving me fewer and fewer reasons to spend money with them.
United is Replacing the Pajamas in Business and the New Ones Look Awful
UA is certainly giving me fewer and fewer reasons to spend money with them.
They shouldn’t put Polaris branding on something so cheap looking. The current PJs are actually worthy of the name (but they just say United in smaller text, which itself is also a nice touch).
Sigh...
Jun 22, 2019, 12:16 am
#67
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,452
I don't have any UA TPACs scheduled (just CX) and am a little bummed about that. I bring the bottoms with me on all my long-hauls. Love the light weight and they've held up very well. My favorite airline PJs overall (though EK are nice too).
Jun 22, 2019, 1:00 am
#68
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: 42,200
I am sure the gel pillows and maybe the mattress pads will be the next to go....hmmm, what else can he cut? Hot bites gone systemwide? No more hot breakfasts systemwide? Why even bother?
Jun 22, 2019, 9:57 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,410
Jun 22, 2019, 10:09 am
#70
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
I have been very lenient with United but my flight PRG-EWR yesterday was pretty bad. The plane hadn’t been cleaned very well; I discovered there was some sort of brown sticky liquid to the right of the seat after I had my pillow there and found it was stained on one side. A dirty fork was there too. No PDB was offered, despite the inbound plane having arrived only 15 minutes late and another 30 minute delay for cargo loading. Not even the champagne cart.
One round of drinks was offered before meal service, and then the crew was rushing to get it finished ASAP. No refills offered at all even as they switched between courses. I had to explicitly ask for it and they seemed put out. The meal was ok but the casserole presentation was pretty pathetic and resulted in a soupy conglomeration for the “Roman gnocchi” which was a lot like a Czech dumpling.
The midflight snack cart was quickly emptied and not restocked.
These are all pretty minor but combined with the old hard product left a rather unpleasant experience overall.
One round of drinks was offered before meal service, and then the crew was rushing to get it finished ASAP. No refills offered at all even as they switched between courses. I had to explicitly ask for it and they seemed put out. The meal was ok but the casserole presentation was pretty pathetic and resulted in a soupy conglomeration for the “Roman gnocchi” which was a lot like a Czech dumpling.
The midflight snack cart was quickly emptied and not restocked.
These are all pretty minor but combined with the old hard product left a rather unpleasant experience overall.
Last edited by villox; Jun 27, 2019 at 6:01 am
Jun 22, 2019, 10:15 am
#71
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVPG, DL GM, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,266
Onboard UA199 PVG-LAX now and no mattress pads available and no first choice of meal for 1K. Crew is great but unfortunately limited ice and limited amenities catered from PVG. Hope this isn’t the new norm or I’ll be shifting more business back to DL.
Jun 22, 2019, 10:24 am
#72
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
Now that is an eclectic meal combo! United is distinctive in offering it.
Jun 22, 2019, 10:43 am
#73
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: 42,200
I have been very lenient with United but my flight PRG-EWR yesterday was pretty bad. The plane hadn’t been cleaned very well; I discovered there was some sort of brown sticky liquid to the right of the seat after I had my pillow there and found it was stained on one side. A dirty fork was there too. No PDB was offered, despite the inbound plane having arrived only 15 minutes late and another 30 minute delay for cargo loading. Not even the champagne cart.
One round of drinks was offered before meal service, and then the crew was rushing to get it finished ASAP. No refills offered at all even as they switched between courses. I had to explicitly ask for it and they seemed put out. The meal was ok but the casserole presentation was pretty pathetic and resulted in a soupy conglomeration for the “Roman gnocchi” which was a lot like a Czech dumpling.
The midflight snack cart was quickly emptied and not restocked.
These are all pretty minor but combined with the old hard product left a rather unpleasant experience overall.
One round of drinks was offered before meal service, and then the crew was rushing to get it finished ASAP. No refills offered at all even as they switched between courses. I had to explicitly ask for it and they seemed put out. The meal was ok but the casserole presentation was pretty pathetic and resulted in a soupy conglomeration for the “Roman gnocchi” which was a lot like a Czech dumpling.
The midflight snack cart was quickly emptied and not restocked.
These are all pretty minor but combined with the old hard product left a rather unpleasant experience overall.
Jun 22, 2019, 10:44 am
#74
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
I have been very lenient with United but my flight PRG-EWR yesterday was pretty bad. The plane hadn’t been cleaned very well; I discovered there was some sort of brown sticky liquid to the right of the seat after I had my pillow there and found it was stained on one side. A dirty fork was there too. No PDB was offered, despite the inbound plane having arrived only 15 minutes late and another 30 minute delay for cargo loading. Not even the champagne cart....
Jun 22, 2019, 11:31 am
#75
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Had a long conversation with the purser on a recent flight FCO/EWR. We discussed a number of things including the horrific inedible food, sloppy seat surroundings but the thing she focused on was that they were understaffed and handicapped to provide even mediocore service. No PDB, one drinks cart per aisle on a 777 meant drinks service took forever as did meal service. Wine selection was from Applebee’s, etc. 32 years flying and she said she was ashamed at how badly things have gotten. Said “Corporate” views constructive comments as whining and also said Corporate listens only to customers who spend $$$. Doubt that but thought i’d put this out there.