Jan 17, 2020, 6:38 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread -- Active thread is United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service -- 3+ years after Intro
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)}
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)}
United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service {Archive}
May 24, 2018, 8:40 am
#4081
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
The other interesting bit of information was the agent said due to size limitations of the new lounge they would be using buzzing pagers for Polaris customers meaning, if the lounge was full they would receive a pager to enter the United Club and when space became available they would buzz you for entry.
not sure what to think of this one....I’ve been on the level of the club numerous times to shower in the past and don’t believe that floor has sufficient space.
not sure what to think of this one....I’ve been on the level of the club numerous times to shower in the past and don’t believe that floor has sufficient space.
. Hope this is not true at all but then again I was told that flyers dislike small jets (we got crjs), the trotter project (cheese is lunch), no one drinks TJ or SZ (media backlash), and polaris is being enhanced (reports of removed hot bites and limited PDB)
May 24, 2018, 12:06 pm
#4082
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: United
Posts: 73
Personally I thought IAH needed a large PL due to connections (going and coming in my case). OTG found the space, but UA took 2 years to re-plan on hand buzzers . Hope this is not true at all but then again I was told that flyers dislike small jets (we got crjs), the trotter project (cheese is lunch), no one drinks TJ or SZ (media backlash), and polaris is being enhanced (reports of removed hot bites and limited PDB)
. Hope this is not true at all but then again I was told that flyers dislike small jets (we got crjs), the trotter project (cheese is lunch), no one drinks TJ or SZ (media backlash), and polaris is being enhanced (reports of removed hot bites and limited PDB)
May 24, 2018, 12:13 pm
#4083
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
For what its worth, I had a discussion with an agent in the E United Club in IAH concerning the opening of the Polaris Lounge and was told end of June and that they were hiring. The other interesting bit of information was the agent said due to size limitations of the new lounge they would be using buzzing pagers for Polaris customers meaning, if the lounge was full they would receive a pager to enter the United Club and when space became available they would buzz you for entry.
not sure what to think of this one....I’ve been on the level of the club numerous times to shower in the past and don’t believe that floor has sufficient space.
not sure what to think of this one....I’ve been on the level of the club numerous times to shower in the past and don’t believe that floor has sufficient space.
May 24, 2018, 11:08 pm
#4084
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: NYC, BLR, LHR, SIN and a few others
Programs: UA 1K 1.01 MM
Posts: 1,245
After boarding UA38 today I requested the mattress pad, Gel pillow and PJ’s. FA asked if she could wait to deliver till later because they “don’t have enough” and people start asking when they see. She brought them all as promised. Kind of setting them up to fail to not have enough.
May 25, 2018, 1:07 am
#4085
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,133
Had the new seats for the first time in SFO-TPE the other day (my prior Polaris flights have all been on older hard product, from 747 to 752).
I like the 1-2-1 layout and overall like the seat; the foot space when in bed mode was far better than on the PMCO and PMUA J seats I've had. However, it absolutely needs the extra padding! I hope they don't do away with that any time soon; the seats would be uncomfortable as heck with just the default bedding. Also, the arm rest button was already sticking and hard to use, and the table wouldn't stay in place at takeoff.
I like the 1-2-1 layout and overall like the seat; the foot space when in bed mode was far better than on the PMCO and PMUA J seats I've had. However, it absolutely needs the extra padding! I hope they don't do away with that any time soon; the seats would be uncomfortable as heck with just the default bedding. Also, the arm rest button was already sticking and hard to use, and the table wouldn't stay in place at takeoff.
May 26, 2018, 3:45 pm
#4086
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
After flying in the Zodiac Polaris a handful of times the last few months, I’ve had a distinct thought - namely, that the seats are so shielded and private, that’s there’s no openness among the cabin.
This results in no more small talk between, well, anyone. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I miss that. Hell, even in UA F, I can still chat with the pax across the way (easier in the 747 F cabin, but hey). I miss this in today’s premium cabin trend towards privateness at all costs.
No talk, no laughs, no networking, no human connection. Color me disappointed by this admittedly small peice of the equation.
This results in no more small talk between, well, anyone. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I miss that. Hell, even in UA F, I can still chat with the pax across the way (easier in the 747 F cabin, but hey). I miss this in today’s premium cabin trend towards privateness at all costs.
No talk, no laughs, no networking, no human connection. Color me disappointed by this admittedly small peice of the equation.
May 26, 2018, 4:29 pm
#4087
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
After flying in the Zodiac Polaris a handful of times the last few months, I’ve had a distinct thought - namely, that the seats are so shielded and private, that’s there’s no openness among the cabin.
This results in no more small talk between, well, anyone. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I miss that. Hell, even in UA F, I can still chat with the pax across the way (easier in the 747 F cabin, but hey). I miss this in today’s premium cabin trend towards privateness at all costs.
No talk, no laughs, no networking, no human connection. Color me disappointed by this admittedly small peice of the equation.
This results in no more small talk between, well, anyone. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I miss that. Hell, even in UA F, I can still chat with the pax across the way (easier in the 747 F cabin, but hey). I miss this in today’s premium cabin trend towards privateness at all costs.
No talk, no laughs, no networking, no human connection. Color me disappointed by this admittedly small peice of the equation.
Or you can go back to coach and talk all you want.
May 26, 2018, 5:38 pm
#4088
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
Kind of harsh... Everyone's different.
The even numbered middle seats are great for chatting but you don't really do that with strangers... But I agree that element is now lost.
The even numbered middle seats are great for chatting but you don't really do that with strangers... But I agree that element is now lost.
May 27, 2018, 8:42 am
#4089
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: American EXP; British Airways Gold
Posts: 1,896
After boarding UA38 today I requested the mattress pad, Gel pillow and PJ’s. FA asked if she could wait to deliver till later because they “don’t have enough” and people start asking when they see. She brought them all as promised. Kind of setting them up to fail to not have enough.
Talk about over-promising and under-delivering.
May 27, 2018, 9:54 am
#4090
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
Programs: HH Diamond, Sixt Platinum, IHG Spire Ambassador, Marriott/SPG Gold .....
Posts: 3,213
After flying in the Zodiac Polaris a handful of times the last few months, I’ve had a distinct thought - namely, that the seats are so shielded and private, that’s there’s no openness among the cabin.
This results in no more small talk between, well, anyone. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I miss that. Hell, even in UA F, I can still chat with the pax across the way (easier in the 747 F cabin, but hey). I miss this in today’s premium cabin trend towards privateness at all costs.
No talk, no laughs, no networking, no human connection. Color me disappointed by this admittedly small peice of the equation.
This results in no more small talk between, well, anyone. I’m not sure about anyone else, but I miss that. Hell, even in UA F, I can still chat with the pax across the way (easier in the 747 F cabin, but hey). I miss this in today’s premium cabin trend towards privateness at all costs.
No talk, no laughs, no networking, no human connection. Color me disappointed by this admittedly small peice of the equation.
May 27, 2018, 11:56 am
#4091
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
Had the new seats for the first time in SFO-TPE the other day (my prior Polaris flights have all been on older hard product, from 747 to 752).
I like the 1-2-1 layout and overall like the seat; the foot space when in bed mode was far better than on the PMCO and PMUA J seats I've had. However, it absolutely needs the extra padding! I hope they don't do away with that any time soon; the seats would be uncomfortable as heck with just the default bedding. Also, the arm rest button was already sticking and hard to use, and the table wouldn't stay in place at takeoff.
I like the 1-2-1 layout and overall like the seat; the foot space when in bed mode was far better than on the PMCO and PMUA J seats I've had. However, it absolutely needs the extra padding! I hope they don't do away with that any time soon; the seats would be uncomfortable as heck with just the default bedding. Also, the arm rest button was already sticking and hard to use, and the table wouldn't stay in place at takeoff.
May 27, 2018, 2:33 pm
#4092
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Privacy is something I value too, but I do think other configurations (like the reverse herringbone business-class seats of the world) balance it better with an open feel than Zodiac Polaris does.
May 27, 2018, 7:48 pm
#4093
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Cupertino, CA - AA:PLT 2MM; Marriott:Plt; Hilton:Slv
Posts: 562
Data point...I'm 275 and seated in 1L felt they were the most comfortable J class seat I've been in (beating the AA/CX Cirrus). I sleep on my side and was easily able to on both right and left, with knees bent.
May 27, 2018, 9:28 pm
#4094
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SEA, WAS, PEK
Programs: UA 3K UGS 3MM
Posts: 2,176
Wow. I’m more the 100 lbs less than you and felt cramped. Are you a gymnast?
May 28, 2018, 12:54 am
#4095
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1MM GS, Marriott Platinum Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 283
I’m about 5’10 200# and have plenty of room. Certainly more than on the sUA 2-4-2 business but not as much as the GF seat. I LOVE the privacy in the odd window seats. I hate seeing someone else’s screen, either laptop or IFE, and the configuration is fantastic for me.