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}
Apr 22, 2019, 6:30 pm
#4486
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
On my flight FRA-ORD three weeks ago, the toilet in the former First Class area was out of service. Had blue tape with the sign that it was out of service. Just when I managed to have a seat in the former First Class area. The good news is that Polaris Business was lightly booked so there was never a wait.
Apr 22, 2019, 6:36 pm
#4487
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,990
Sigh. United is spoiled by the strong economy. Flights are full and prices are up. It seems like they don't really care anymore.
The problems will be more obvious when the recession finally hits. Airlines generally take the first and longest hits in a recession.
The problems will be more obvious when the recession finally hits. Airlines generally take the first and longest hits in a recession.
Apr 22, 2019, 6:40 pm
#4488
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
Not all that big of a deal, but an FA asked me (and multiple other people in J) to close their own overhead bins on PEK-EWR. I don't think I have ever been asked by an FA to do that before, even in Y-. She had the height to do it, too.
As for the wine list, UA should stop even bothering listing them - I don't remember the last time they actually catered the wine that was printed on the menu. It seems like they literally are loading random bottles of red and white onto the plane.
As for the wine list, UA should stop even bothering listing them - I don't remember the last time they actually catered the wine that was printed on the menu. It seems like they literally are loading random bottles of red and white onto the plane.
Last edited by PsiFighter37; Apr 22, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Apr 22, 2019, 6:41 pm
#4489
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
Now about 2 hours into a 7 hour flight and just got a drink and the almonds. No sign of anything else. People are paying 8-10k for Holiday Inn Express Service. And i do feel badly for the FA’s because it is clearly corporate driven. Oscar is a figurehead; Kirby runs the show
Apr 22, 2019, 6:48 pm
#4490
Join Date: May 2001
Location: TPA 50%/BKK 30%/HKG 20%
Programs: UA 1K MM - AF G – TK G – AZ Ex – Hilton D – Marriott G – IHG P
Posts: 1,990
The last flight I was on, they DIDN'T list them and I had to ask what the reds were.
And the FA had to [attempt to] read the bottles to answer.... even though I was in the next to last row of C.
And you know the average age of an FA on a TPAC flight right?
And how people over 40 tend to need reading glasses and bright lights...
Apr 22, 2019, 7:31 pm
#4491
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: nyc
Posts: 7
Seems new polaris business is still a hit or miss. Luckily for me, the EWR/SFO - NRT segment I fly regularly has treated me pretty well. Service compares to other intl business like ANA etc.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:38 pm
#4492
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: 67,127
First longhauls on the new Polaris seats for me this past week (I'd previously flown them domestically). All of my prior "Polaris" flights have been on other equipment.
The odd seats are definitely more private, but a mixed bag on sleepability. I wasn't able to get comfortable in 7L; the footwell was marginal (a bit smaller than I like), and I had problems with my knees hitting either the sides (if trying to sleep on my side) or my shins hitting the bottom of the console if I slept on my back. I actually think the 789's Polaris-lite seats are easier sleepers for me, thought the seat cushioning is much better on the 773 (I didn't need the added bedding at all, FWIW, on the Polaris seat).
I flew in an even seat on the way back (4L) to compare. Although I could sleep better on my side (my knees didn't hit the sides of the bed as much), overall, the odd seats are definitely my preference.
Service was fine, although one of the FAs literally seemed to be a retiree from Aeroflot, down to the strong Slavic accent. She mainly handled the service on the opposite side of the cabin, though, so for all I know her actual service was fine. The entire crew on that flight seemed pretty up there in age, late 50s on average.
If you have one of the vegetarian options selected in your profile (and confirm it at T-25 at the latest), IME you get it plated just like any other meal in J. It's been a loooong time since we had the veg special meals served in Y, so I can't swear that they are different meal items than what you'd get in Y if you had a special meal selected, but they definitely are plated the same as any other J meal. My wife had them served on FRA-IAD a couple of times in recent months.
The odd seats are definitely more private, but a mixed bag on sleepability. I wasn't able to get comfortable in 7L; the footwell was marginal (a bit smaller than I like), and I had problems with my knees hitting either the sides (if trying to sleep on my side) or my shins hitting the bottom of the console if I slept on my back. I actually think the 789's Polaris-lite seats are easier sleepers for me, thought the seat cushioning is much better on the 773 (I didn't need the added bedding at all, FWIW, on the Polaris seat).
I flew in an even seat on the way back (4L) to compare. Although I could sleep better on my side (my knees didn't hit the sides of the bed as much), overall, the odd seats are definitely my preference.
Service was fine, although one of the FAs literally seemed to be a retiree from Aeroflot, down to the strong Slavic accent. She mainly handled the service on the opposite side of the cabin, though, so for all I know her actual service was fine. The entire crew on that flight seemed pretty up there in age, late 50s on average.
In viewing this, as well as the "Let's Eat" thread, it seems that not every Polaris route includes a vegetarian entree as part of the Polaris menu. So, if one is flying one of the "non-veg" routes, and their profile indicates a vegetarian dietary request, would there be an "off menu" Polaris vegetarian option, or would they simply be served the same vegetarian option, including the plating/lack thereof, as they'd receive in economy?
I'm looking at ORD-EDI, so if the dinner/breakfast would be the same as in economy, along with the fact that it's not a true Polaris seat since it's a 757, I am not sure I want to bother with the extra expense.
I'm looking at ORD-EDI, so if the dinner/breakfast would be the same as in economy, along with the fact that it's not a true Polaris seat since it's a 757, I am not sure I want to bother with the extra expense.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:53 pm
#4493
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,450
NH service is fabulous. I think it's the most consistently excellent business class service I've experienced.
Apr 22, 2019, 8:23 pm
#4495
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,321
Knowing the wine list seems like a quick win to me. Are UA FA's so overworked that they can't spend 60 seconds memorizing the wine list from an app or PDF on the shuttle to the airport?
Apr 23, 2019, 3:35 am
#4496
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
It's hard to memorize the wine list when UA never caters the wines that are actually on the menu....
Apr 23, 2019, 7:20 am
#4497
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Bucks County
Programs: UAL GS & Million Miler; Delta Lifetime Gold; Hilton Diamond; Marriott Platinum; Legion Etrangere
Posts: 1,609
UA 57- EWR/CDG: Quality of everything on Polaris has taken a turn for the worse. FA’s are shorthanded so service suffers: it is slow rpto the point of being nonexistent and slapdash. Food is right out of “Shawshank”: salty, overcooked slop. Salads are really bad. I will bring my own food on board for return. Wines are pedestrian at best. Missed completely on wakeup. No coffee, juice, or anything else. Wonder if corporate goal is to keep cost of booze/meals under $10. The overall service is easily the worst i have ever experienced overseas and i have been doing this regularly since 1991. Total ripoff
Apr 23, 2019, 10:11 am
#4498
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,883
Funny you mention that.
The last flight I was on, they DIDN'T list them and I had to ask what the reds were.
And the FA had to [attempt to] read the bottles to answer.... even though I was in the next to last row of C.
And you know the average age of an FA on a TPAC flight right?
And how people over 40 tend to need reading glasses and bright lights...
The last flight I was on, they DIDN'T list them and I had to ask what the reds were.
And the FA had to [attempt to] read the bottles to answer.... even though I was in the next to last row of C.
And you know the average age of an FA on a TPAC flight right?
And how people over 40 tend to need reading glasses and bright lights...
When I asked (nicely, with a smile), if he meant to say Pinot Grigio, he got a bit pissy (shrugging his shoulders as if what does it matter).
From now on I will insist on seeing the bottles and I will have my reading glasses at the ready!
Apr 23, 2019, 10:31 am
#4499
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,239
Last flight I asked what the whites were and the FA didn't want to show me the bottles for some reason. He said we have a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir.
When I asked (nicely, with a smile), if he meant to say Pinot Grigio, he got a bit pissy (shrugging his shoulders as if what does it matter).
From now on I will insist on seeing the bottles and I will have my reading glasses at the ready!
When I asked (nicely, with a smile), if he meant to say Pinot Grigio, he got a bit pissy (shrugging his shoulders as if what does it matter).
From now on I will insist on seeing the bottles and I will have my reading glasses at the ready!
Apr 23, 2019, 11:42 am
#4500
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,883