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
#61
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IAH, SGN, BKK
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 396
I got no confirmation. Maybe I'm not going!
#62
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: IAD...and loving it?!
Programs: UA Platinum (1MM Gold), HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 858
That hasn't happened for me yet, but I'm just over 24 hours at this point.
#65
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: UA1K .455 MM, Hilton and Marriott Gold
Posts: 397
I received an email confirmation the next day. It came as a zero mile purchase of a premier event. I am going to the IAD event, sorry already have a plus one.
#66
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott L-T Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,521
Received a confirmation e-mail and now, another one with a jpg attachment (the ticket).
Connecting through EWR on the 18th.
The event is landside, which makes the most sense.
Connecting through EWR on the 18th.
The event is landside, which makes the most sense.
#67
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 687
The Premier lobby is not that big, I'm curious to how big this set up will be. At first I was anxious to go, but if this thing is small, and there won't be more than 10 minutes of activities, I'll start to question my decision to drive an hour to Newark....
#68
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
That makes sense, but was thinking it could possibly be airside. Might be harder to convince my wife (and myself) to make this trek out on NJT. I had promised her dumplings at the new joint in C2!
#69
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IAH, SGN, BKK
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 396
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: DAY
Programs: UA 1K 1MM; Marriott LT Titanium; Amex MR; Chase UR; Hertz PC; Global Entry
Posts: 10,159
I have added to the wiki for you both.
#75
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
IIRC, the Premier Lobby is on Level 3, right? I'd imagine they might use the space at the very end of the level for the event, if I had to guess...
Also - I noticed that the tickets said 'first come, first serve' - anyone think it's actually going to get capacity-constrained and they would not let people in?
Also - I noticed that the tickets said 'first come, first serve' - anyone think it's actually going to get capacity-constrained and they would not let people in?