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Invitation to UA Private Event - Polaris Related

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Old Aug 9, 2016, 5:06 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: villox
FTers attending Polaris Events:

Chicago Willis Tower
November 15 2016
  1. goodeats21
  2. Cybertronic
  3. tcdtcd +1
  4. LASUA1K
  5. COSPILOT
  6. Milepig +1
  7. JDT1955 +1
  8. ORDOGG
  9. EWRFlyerAL
  10. villox+1



DEN:
Aug 11, 2016
  1. jjmoore + 1



EWR: (Terminal C, Premier Lobby)
Aug 18, 2016
  1. PsiFighter37 + 1
  2. Billiken. EXTRA TICKET AVAILABLE
  3. EWR764 +1
  4. jackexu
  5. micp3208 (might have an extra)
  6. awu25
  7. UASleeper
  8. AugustW
  9. Readog
  10. goldelite8


IAD - Dulles International Airport (Main Terminal, Ticket Lobby)
Aug 31, 2016
  1. FlyHighInTheSky +1
  2. Alpha Golf
  3. ChrisNY2 +1
  4. IADFlyer123 +1
  5. Portolan + 1
  6. mtbaker + 1
  7. BigBossman +1
  8. Robert +1
  9. thezipper
  10. BZRORG (might have a space open)
  11. thorpeflyer (has a space open)
  12. mh3265a +1
  13. euslaner + 1
  14. Taoyuan


IAH:
Sep 07, 2016
  1. kirkwoodj
  2. AndyInSaigon +1
  3. txaggiemiles
  4. aacharya (might have a space open)
    dmunz +1
  5. azj (may also have a +1 opening, depending on babysitter)

SFO - Dogpatch Studios / 991 Tennessee Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Sept 27, 2016
  1. MatthewLAX
  2. goalie
  3. SF_DUKE
  4. Sykes
  5. Popoemt
  6. Pat89339
  7. 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.


Originally Posted by tuolumne
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
Originally Posted by WormGod
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)?
Observations

Originally Posted by jjmoore
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:
  1. 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!!!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. The memory foam pillow is fantastic - I can't wait to use this one.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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?..
Originally Posted by Juventini
The other piece of info from United people tonight: They are planning to retrofit all 772ERs first, both sUA and sCO in two years and GF eventually will be gone.
Originally Posted by DEN
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.
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Invitation to UA Private Event - Polaris Related

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Old Aug 11, 2016, 11:51 am
  #91  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
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Any IAH people received their tickets?
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 12:21 pm
  #92  
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Originally Posted by kirkwoodj
Any IAH people received their tickets?
I did. It was received 2:08 pm (EST).
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 1:05 pm
  #93  
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
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Originally Posted by aacharya
I did. It was received 2:08 pm (EST).
All that the ticket is an email copy of invite. That is all I got as a "ticket"
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 1:21 pm
  #94  
 
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But it's an attached file, as mentioned by someone upthread?
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 1:32 pm
  #95  
 
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Originally Posted by kirkwoodj
But it's an attached file, as mentioned by someone upthread?
Affirmative.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 1:33 pm
  #96  
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
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Posts: 659
Originally Posted by kirkwoodj
But it's an attached file, as mentioned by someone upthread?
Yeah, attached file that mentions that it serves as my ticket to the event.

I'm curious what the setup will be in the ticketing lobby at IAD. Will they setup some sort of curtains to prevent people from being able to see in?

I hope they have a full-width array of seats (8) as I'd like to try every position, if possible.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 1:46 pm
  #97  
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 9,454
Originally Posted by FlyHighInTheSky
I hope they have a full-width array of seats (8) as I'd like to try every position, if possible.
I doubt that exists. In any event, the seat hardware for the aisle/window pairs is the same as the aisle/center. The windows just don't have the retractable privacy divider and seat on the other side.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 1:48 pm
  #98  
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Not sure what people were hoping for - physical tickets to some address? Then people would complain that they're not home for two weeks, they can't give the 2nd one away except in person.

Me - I like the flexibility an "eticket" provides.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 2:31 pm
  #99  
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I would have gone tonight, but instead will be relaxing in a FC suite on a CRJ200...seat 1B.

Meanwhile, could someone who is large like me...6'3"/240/wide shoulders/looks like Pierce Brosnan...please get in one of those seats and report back? I'd love to know how well they work for bigger folks like me.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 2:32 pm
  #100  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,700
Just received the email with attachment. ^
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 3:25 pm
  #101  
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,511
Originally Posted by FlyHighInTheSky
Yeah, attached file that mentions that it serves as my ticket to the event.

I'm curious what the setup will be in the ticketing lobby at IAD. Will they setup some sort of curtains to prevent people from being able to see in?

I hope they have a full-width array of seats (8) as I'd like to try every position, if possible.
I imagine it'll be in one of those large restricted empty areas in the rear of the main hall behind the ticketing/check-in space.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 4:03 pm
  #102  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 128
Originally Posted by kirkwoodj
Any IAH people received their tickets?
I have just now received the confirmation email with the ticket attachment. This also happens to be the only email/confirmation that I received. I signed up on 9-Aug.
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Old Aug 11, 2016, 4:32 pm
  #103  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Originally Posted by EWR764
With the first event in the series tonight, maybe it would be a good idea to post some suggested questions to ask UA staff at the events, or things to look at in the mockups?

I'd be happy to inquire by proxy for anyone unable to attend.
Great idea!

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 to the press?
tuolumne is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2016, 4:33 pm
  #104  
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,324
Originally Posted by EWR764
With the first event in the series tonight, maybe it would be a good idea to post some suggested questions to ask UA staff at the events, or things to look at in the mockups?

I'd be happy to inquire by proxy for anyone unable to attend.
Great idea!

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
tuolumne is offline  
Old Aug 11, 2016, 5:48 pm
  #105  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
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Originally Posted by tuolumne
Great idea!

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 believe the 787 design isn't finalised yet, but the general idea seems to be that they'll remove one column of seats from the middle of the plane (i.e. the center of the plane will alternate between one middle seat (access to two aisles), and a pair of outside seats - as opposed to the 777 with two middle seats (access to one aisle each) and two outside seats.

Which suggests the 787 could possibly end up with wider seats, but maybe I'm just extrapolating in the wrong way.
televisor is offline  


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