Last edit by: villox
FTers attending Polaris Events:
Chicago Willis Tower
November 15 2016
DEN:
Aug 11, 2016
EWR: (Terminal C, Premier Lobby)
Aug 18, 2016
IAD - Dulles International Airport (Main Terminal, Ticket Lobby)
Aug 31, 2016
IAH:
Sep 07, 2016
SFO - Dogpatch Studios / 991 Tennessee Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Sept 27, 2016
Questions/Requests for Event Attendees
For those unable to attend, please post any questions you would like attendees to ask of UA staff at the various events. Attendees, please feel free to fill in your own answers/observations.
Hopefully this exercise will get the UA FT community up to speed on the product, and perhaps allow us to offer the company some actionable feedback before the Polaris rollout.
Observations
Chicago Willis Tower
November 15 2016
- goodeats21
- Cybertronic
- tcdtcd +1
- LASUA1K
- COSPILOT
- Milepig +1
- JDT1955 +1
- ORDOGG
- EWRFlyerAL
- villox+1
DEN:
Aug 11, 2016
- jjmoore + 1
EWR: (Terminal C, Premier Lobby)
Aug 18, 2016
- PsiFighter37 + 1
- Billiken. EXTRA TICKET AVAILABLE
- EWR764 +1
- jackexu
- micp3208 (might have an extra)
- awu25
- UASleeper
- AugustW
- Readog
- goldelite8
IAD - Dulles International Airport (Main Terminal, Ticket Lobby)
Aug 31, 2016
- FlyHighInTheSky +1
- Alpha Golf
- ChrisNY2 +1
- IADFlyer123 +1
- Portolan + 1
- mtbaker + 1
- BigBossman +1
- Robert +1
- thezipper
- BZRORG (might have a space open)
- thorpeflyer (has a space open)
- mh3265a +1
- euslaner + 1
- Taoyuan
IAH:
Sep 07, 2016
- kirkwoodj
- AndyInSaigon +1
- txaggiemiles
- aacharya (might have a space open)
dmunz +1 - azj (may also have a +1 opening, depending on babysitter)
SFO - Dogpatch Studios / 991 Tennessee Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Sept 27, 2016
- MatthewLAX
- goalie
- SF_DUKE
- Sykes
- Popoemt
- Pat89339
- dordal
Questions/Requests for Event Attendees
For those unable to attend, please post any questions you would like attendees to ask of UA staff at the various events. Attendees, please feel free to fill in your own answers/observations.
Hopefully this exercise will get the UA FT community up to speed on the product, and perhaps allow us to offer the company some actionable feedback before the Polaris rollout.
My question would be relating to aircraft type and the requisite amount of dimensional variations.
I.e, do we have another situation wherein the 787 seat is going to be smaller in every dimension than the 777 seat a la AA's [Zodiac] Concept D seat, or CO's Super Diamond seat? If so, are they showing the 777 seat model at these events
I.e, do we have another situation wherein the 787 seat is going to be smaller in every dimension than the 777 seat a la AA's [Zodiac] Concept D seat, or CO's Super Diamond seat? If so, are they showing the 777 seat model at these events
1. I travel with my wife. Do any of the new seat configurations allow interaction (e.g. talking, sharing food)? Hard to tell from the United pics.
2. Does this mean that I will be able to enjoy the same meal in the lounge that I would have on the plane? Will I still be able to get a meal on the plane if I have one in the lounge (e.g. if I am rushed and cannot finish the meal before boarding)?
2. Does this mean that I will be able to enjoy the same meal in the lounge that I would have on the plane? Will I still be able to get a meal on the plane if I have one in the lounge (e.g. if I am rushed and cannot finish the meal before boarding)?
The DEN event was actually quite nice. Enjoyed a glass of Pinot, which was actually very good. Nibbled on some of the cuisine as well, which was above average compared to past experience with UA. I wouldn't say great, but above par.
Here are a few notes to share after asking some questions to the staff that was present at the event:
Here are a few notes to share after asking some questions to the staff that was present at the event:
- First and foremost, the seats are quite comfortable, and are more spacious (6'6") and private than current BF sCO seats. No more climbing over other pax to access the aisle!!!
- The inside seats are far more private than the outside seats. I do not like how the outside seats are nearly flush with the walkway. I would be concerned that people walking by may bump into my actual seat.
- The tray tables are sophisticated yet simple - they can be positioned to be completely available and still allow the pax to exit the seat to the aisle. They have a little flip slot for tablets to prop up. Very nice.
- There was not nearly enough knowledge among the staff about menus and meal choices on flights. They have not published any menus, and the only information being distributed is that there is a large variety of main course options, and the choices for a given flight will be seasonal, as well as route dependent.
- The memory foam pillow is fantastic - I can't wait to use this one.
- make-down bedding is available (comforter), but they were very direct in saying that there won't be enough to accommodate every Polaris seat on the plane. They will be first-come first-serve.
- I appreciate that I will be able to enjoy my meal in the Polaris lounge, and not have to worry about having to stay awake for the first 3 hours of a TATL / TPAC flight in order to get my meal. In-flight, there will be an open refreshment and snack bar for those that wish to dine / graze at will. There will be a "do not disturb" button that will notify the FA's to not bother.
- I got mixed responses on the route for the inaugural flight (some believe it will be a hub-hub, and a couple believed it would be EWR-TPAC. They all were consistent in saying that the inaugural 777-300 flight would occur sometime in December, as UA plans to take possession of the aircraft by Dec. 1. I hope for EWR-SFO.... wishful thinking. It will probably end up being some silly route like ORD-IAD... who knows?..
The seats were very interesting however. The center quad seats were fully functional and, although I felt a little claustrophobic, they were comfortable. It took a bit of time to understand the controls and where everything is. One set of two seats (everyone has isle access of course) seems to be a bit more confined due to the layout but I was told they are all the same size wise, it's just an optical thing. I think I'd have to actually fly in both to see if I preferred one or the other. The window seat display was roped off so it wasn't available to try but looked similar in size and functionality.
One question I did ask is if there is any in-seat storage during take off and landing and the answer was no. You could tuck away a phone or iPad probably, but not much else.
Equipment, food and amenities were all addressed, that just leaves the cabin crew. There is always room for improvement in this area with United.
I was told by one host that a Polaris Lounge was scheduled for DEN. Two further questioned hosts said there were no plans for a lounge in DEN, which makes more sense. The airports mentioned were EWR, ORD, SFO and IAH, but no time frame was offered.
One question I did ask is if there is any in-seat storage during take off and landing and the answer was no. You could tuck away a phone or iPad probably, but not much else.
Equipment, food and amenities were all addressed, that just leaves the cabin crew. There is always room for improvement in this area with United.
I was told by one host that a Polaris Lounge was scheduled for DEN. Two further questioned hosts said there were no plans for a lounge in DEN, which makes more sense. The airports mentioned were EWR, ORD, SFO and IAH, but no time frame was offered.
Invitation to UA Private Event - Polaris Related
#496
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
I was at the SF event several weeks ago, and I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. The A and D seats along the windows in rows one 1, 3, and 5 will be very private and have views out of three windows. IMHO, they will be among the best C class seats in the air. If anything the aisle hugging angled seats in even rows felt over exposed (and a bit tight). My takeaway: know where you are going to sit!
#497
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
#498
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago
Programs: UA GS 1MM, CM PP
Posts: 689
I didn't mean too much by that comment. I've just never done any FT live events or DOs, so I didn't know what to expect. It was a pretty mixed, diverse crowd. A lot of people in their 50s and a lot in young 30s. Decent mix of male/female (definitely more females than I typically encounter in int'l C/F classes). Some of foreign origin, not surprisingly, being in a metropolitan area and at a global airline event.
#499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Chicago
Posts: 11,513
In all seriousness, Chicago liquor license 2,434,095 is registered to UNITED AIRLINES, INC. The address is listed as 11601 W TOUHY AVE UNITED FIRST INT'L and the license term began on 01/16/2016. That license has a field "Doing Business As" and that field reads UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE. So it appears they are just using the existing liquor license from the old United First Lounge with a new d/b/a: United Polaris Lounge.
Funny thing, there is a license for food (2,434,096) also registered to UNITED AIRLINES, INC. also with the address listed as 11601 W TOUHY AVE UNITED FIRST INT'L and the license term began on 01/16/2016. That license has a field "Doing Business As" and that field reads UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE. I don't see why they wouldn't be ready to serve food as well on 12/1.
#500
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
United is already under a non-prosecution agreement with the DOJ for their conduct with local officials at EWR; why not add another hub to the mix?
In all seriousness, Chicago liquor license 2,434,095 is registered to UNITED AIRLINES, INC. The address is listed as 11601 W TOUHY AVE UNITED FIRST INT'L and the license term began on 01/16/2016. That license has a field "Doing Business As" and that field reads UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE. So it appears they are just using the existing liquor license from the old United First Lounge with a new d/b/a: United Polaris Lounge.
Funny thing, there is a license for food (2,434,096) also registered to UNITED AIRLINES, INC. also with the address listed as 11601 W TOUHY AVE UNITED FIRST INT'L and the license term began on 01/16/2016. That license has a field "Doing Business As" and that field reads UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE. I don't see why they wouldn't be ready to serve food as well on 12/1.
In all seriousness, Chicago liquor license 2,434,095 is registered to UNITED AIRLINES, INC. The address is listed as 11601 W TOUHY AVE UNITED FIRST INT'L and the license term began on 01/16/2016. That license has a field "Doing Business As" and that field reads UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE. So it appears they are just using the existing liquor license from the old United First Lounge with a new d/b/a: United Polaris Lounge.
Funny thing, there is a license for food (2,434,096) also registered to UNITED AIRLINES, INC. also with the address listed as 11601 W TOUHY AVE UNITED FIRST INT'L and the license term began on 01/16/2016. That license has a field "Doing Business As" and that field reads UNITED POLARIS LOUNGE. I don't see why they wouldn't be ready to serve food as well on 12/1.
#501
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,279
Of course the other food items stations are not part of the onboard Polaris menu, as they are clearly from catering, as some of those had questionable quality, I had a few pieces of sushi, the rice was really dry like they were sitting in the air for hours.
Last edited by ORDnHKG; Nov 18, 2016 at 6:52 pm
#502
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,901
Just a guess, but the Polaris lounge, with its waiter service meals and full buffet, likely required a whole new kitchen to be created, and probably a different license for the type of preparation going on. They probably need inspections as well. It's probably not so simple as re-using a permit.
#503
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I don't believe that is true, I don't know how long did you stay there, but later in the evening around 8 or so, the waiters brought out little chocolate squares with nuts in it, and also tiny apple pie (these were not available in the buffet, only passed out by the waiters), these two items are the same ones being pictured in the Polaris description in the first few pages of the note book.
Of course the other food items stations are not part of the onboard Polaris menu, as they are clearly from catering, as some of those had questionable quality, I had a few pieces of sushi, the rice was really dry like they were sitting in the air for hours.
Of course the other food items stations are not part of the onboard Polaris menu, as they are clearly from catering, as some of those had questionable quality, I had a few pieces of sushi, the rice was really dry like they were sitting in the air for hours.
I believe the staff was talking about the entree / hot food stations when they said only the short ribs were going to be offered on board.
I also wonder if the chocolates in the gift bag are going to be the ones given out with PDBs? It was OK, but I thought rather salty. Tossed the remainders after a single bite.
#504
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
The chocolates & dessert bites look really yummy.
Was anybody able to confirm, that those items will NOT be served with pdb/first drink service, but saved for the dessert phase of the meal
service?
(original/earlier renderings had chocolate paired with champagne)
Was anybody able to confirm, that those items will NOT be served with pdb/first drink service, but saved for the dessert phase of the meal
service?
(original/earlier renderings had chocolate paired with champagne)