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}
Jul 15, 2018, 7:31 pm
#4247
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,002
Jul 15, 2018, 8:00 pm
#4248
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Actually, I just did a little SeatGuru research for the UA flight options from LAX. Looks like my options are through SFO or NKT. Either way, it looks like the seats are the old 2-2-2 configuration. That kind of steers me towards either AC or CP at that point.
Jul 15, 2018, 10:42 pm
#4249
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,446
From YVR, I would suggest you look at BR (Eva) via TPE. Arguably the best overall product from either SFO or YVR. Nice fares from YVR, pricey from SFO.
From SFO, I see very nice fares (under $4000) routing via NRT on NH (ANA). That's a nice option as well.
From SFO, I see very nice fares (under $4000) routing via NRT on NH (ANA). That's a nice option as well.
Jul 15, 2018, 11:44 pm
#4250
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: 42,193
To add a bit more specifics....we are either flying from SFO or Vancouver to Singapore in January and returning to same from Shanghai. I’d rather fly Air Canada’s pods than United’s old Business configuration. SFO would be a 789, which I believe are not in line to get the new (well, 2 year old) seats. Any insight would be helpful as we are looking to book in the next couple of days.
One thing about UA - the 78x seats are the Continental Business First seats and leaps and bounds better than the United Business Class seats which you would find on the old, non-Polaris 772s and 763s. They are perfectly acceptable, and not pod seats, but not direct-aisle either. Much larger, wider and more spacious than the old 9-across UA seats. Another option is YVR-HND-SIN (if NH is operating the 789 - NOT the 788), or YVR-SEA-NRT-SIN on NH. If you want Polaris, you can build a ticket YVR-SFO-HKG/TPE-SIN as another option. PM or email me if you want to go through some pricing exercises on these options.
Jul 16, 2018, 2:42 pm
#4251
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Maryland, near DC
Programs: UA 1k MM, AA EXP MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Diamond, Avis First (oh boy)
Posts: 539
Are there any plans for a Polaris service between SFO-WAS? I fly this almost every week and have chosen other airlines due to the terrible 737 service run on this long flight...
Jul 16, 2018, 2:54 pm
#4252
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,389
If you're asking about the "Premium Transcon Service" (fka p.s.) that's run between EWR-LAX/SFO and BOS/SFO, then there are no announced plans. Conventional wisdom is that SFO-IAD won't support the premium fares charged. For many years, it was only the NYC-west coast market. BOS-SFO was added in part to compete with B6's "Mint" flat-bed service. UA is doing well on the route, selling out most F cabins; upgrades with RPUs can be tough during peak travel and iffy for other than GS off-peak.
Jul 16, 2018, 3:28 pm
#4253
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
no slippers at all SFO- FRA two weeks ago. Got mattress pads on request.
Jul 16, 2018, 3:52 pm
#4254
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,404
I think the monopoly more than the fare structure drives the choice of recliner F -- it would require a huge investment by UA to get enough frames to add another flatbed domestic city pair, and they just don't need to right now. IMO the current $309 differential faring is preferable to the $1,500+ fares within 14 days on p.s. but if you have more money you might feel differently.
Jul 16, 2018, 5:03 pm
#4255
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
Checking schedule for next month, 3 out of 7 SFO-IAD flights are equipped with lie-flat seats (772, 752, and 788). Other option is 3 daily on AS A320.
Jul 16, 2018, 5:12 pm
#4256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,322
There is no Polaris service in the domestic network. There are premium transcon services as others have mentioned between SFO/LAX and EWR/BOS. There are flights with flatbeds between SFO and IAD with no Polaris or Premium transcon-typed amenities such as pillows and duvet etc. Food is the same as the one served on the 737 or A320.
Jul 20, 2018, 3:14 pm
#4257
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
I flew Polaris on the 777-300 on 4/25, SFO-FRA this year, flight UA58.
Looking at another flight on 4/23/19, again on UA58 but this time, that is a 777-200 so no Polaris seats but the dreaded 2-4-2 layout in J.
In fact the other non stop on that date is also a 777-200.
Why would they switch from a Polaris cabin on this route next year?
Are they expecting to have the 777-200s all converted to Polaris seating by next April?
Looking at another flight on 4/23/19, again on UA58 but this time, that is a 777-200 so no Polaris seats but the dreaded 2-4-2 layout in J.
In fact the other non stop on that date is also a 777-200.
Why would they switch from a Polaris cabin on this route next year?
Are they expecting to have the 777-200s all converted to Polaris seating by next April?
Jul 20, 2018, 4:12 pm
#4258
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
I flew Polaris on the 777-300 on 4/25, SFO-FRA this year, flight UA58.
Looking at another flight on 4/23/19, again on UA58 but this time, that is a 777-200 so no Polaris seats but the dreaded 2-4-2 layout in J.
In fact the other non stop on that date is also a 777-200.
Why would they switch from a Polaris cabin on this route next year?
Are they expecting to have the 777-200s all converted to Polaris seating by next April?
Looking at another flight on 4/23/19, again on UA58 but this time, that is a 777-200 so no Polaris seats but the dreaded 2-4-2 layout in J.
In fact the other non stop on that date is also a 777-200.
Why would they switch from a Polaris cabin on this route next year?
Are they expecting to have the 777-200s all converted to Polaris seating by next April?
Jul 20, 2018, 6:03 pm
#4259
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: CYYC/CYYZ
Programs: UA 1K, IHG Spire, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz P.C., GE/NEXUS
Posts: 140
I actually like the on board entree for all the flak UA gets for catering, especially the pork chop, also tried the Japanese menu last week on UA78 and it was comparable to NH's.
I do agree with the 'enhancements' on the mid-flight hot snack, on 12 to 16 hr TPACs it's highly irritating. Mid-flight hot snacks is one of my favourite thing on Asian carriers, most of them are good enough to be entrees on their own.
Grumpy / Disappearing FAs - well this is the USA afterall, you can never compare North American soft service to the Asians. On my last SIN to NRT hop on NH they managed to make me drink 1.5 bottle of sake. I was a bit woozy walking into the NH lounge after that. I'm used to being ignored after the first two drink runs on UA lol. I find the majority of UA's international crews half decent and miles ahead of AC, which is why as a Canadian I go out of my way to stick with UA.
On the ground I love the decent alcohol selection in the Polaris lounges, they're comparable to Centurions and what I drink at home. A nice dram of Ardbeg 10 is miles ahead of the JW black swill they serve in the MLLs in Canada. Even the Glenfarclas 12 on board has AC beat.
My biggest pet peeve on the ground is the Polaris lounge showers in SFO and EWR, the taps in the sink are useless and the water runs burning hot in SFO. Also the attendants are extremely inconsistent and all seem like they hate being there. I was given just one towel last week, and was told toothbrushes were no longer available in SFO, but on the return in EWR had no issues getting a toothbrush.
I do agree with the 'enhancements' on the mid-flight hot snack, on 12 to 16 hr TPACs it's highly irritating. Mid-flight hot snacks is one of my favourite thing on Asian carriers, most of them are good enough to be entrees on their own.
Grumpy / Disappearing FAs - well this is the USA afterall, you can never compare North American soft service to the Asians. On my last SIN to NRT hop on NH they managed to make me drink 1.5 bottle of sake. I was a bit woozy walking into the NH lounge after that. I'm used to being ignored after the first two drink runs on UA lol. I find the majority of UA's international crews half decent and miles ahead of AC, which is why as a Canadian I go out of my way to stick with UA.
On the ground I love the decent alcohol selection in the Polaris lounges, they're comparable to Centurions and what I drink at home. A nice dram of Ardbeg 10 is miles ahead of the JW black swill they serve in the MLLs in Canada. Even the Glenfarclas 12 on board has AC beat.
My biggest pet peeve on the ground is the Polaris lounge showers in SFO and EWR, the taps in the sink are useless and the water runs burning hot in SFO. Also the attendants are extremely inconsistent and all seem like they hate being there. I was given just one towel last week, and was told toothbrushes were no longer available in SFO, but on the return in EWR had no issues getting a toothbrush.
Jul 20, 2018, 6:14 pm
#4260
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 26
Hot bites during meal service?
Can you request one of the hot bite options during meal service? I’m taking my three year old on a trip with me. Thinking realistically, a grilled cheese and soup (if available) would be a better option than the traditional picks. I want her to eat enough to stay asleep. I assume the request would mess with the galley organization during meal service and is best requested after the meal, but I am curious if anyone had made the request.