Jan 22, 2017, 3:51 pm
Last edit by: wilp888
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.
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.
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
Trip reports with photos:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post27799060
Polaris In-flight Experiences
Nov 23, 2018, 10:07 pm
#1936
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 48
So I took UA Polaris SFO-AKL earlier this month, first experience actually riding in a Polaris cabin. Overall I simply found the seats to be too narrow - when I try to sleep and my shoulders are hitting both sides of the seat, it feels more like trying to sleep in a coffin. The food and service was pretty good and overall, was just mainly a disappointment in the seat.
I was on ANZ on the way back and everything just felt like it was done right - except for their awkward orientation of the seats, which I got over pretty quick. The seat was wide enough but I struggled to be comfortable with my height (6'2).
I would fly both again in the future but given a choice/price I'd probably opt for ANZ. Not sure how surprising that conclusion is but I was 100% a rookie to both cabins.
I was on ANZ on the way back and everything just felt like it was done right - except for their awkward orientation of the seats, which I got over pretty quick. The seat was wide enough but I struggled to be comfortable with my height (6'2).
I would fly both again in the future but given a choice/price I'd probably opt for ANZ. Not sure how surprising that conclusion is but I was 100% a rookie to both cabins.
Nov 23, 2018, 10:21 pm
#1937
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
The cattle stanchion one, or the herringbone one where someone stares at you the whole flight?
I much prefer the UA Polaris seats, and the fact that one can lower to sleep position without FA guidance.
Nov 23, 2018, 10:25 pm
#1938
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 48
Yea I can see the whole "come make my bed for me" thing being a bit annoying after a while. It was the one where we were facing each other on a 789 - really awkward but I get why they did it - makes the cabin feel really open/larger than it is.
Nov 23, 2018, 10:29 pm
#1939
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,335
The issue I always have/had with NZ is that I usually sleep more than once. NZ really expects and caters to a one time sleep experience, preferably a few minutes after initial meal service. That simply doesn't work for me. Although I can appreciate the exclusivity of it, it is simply not my preference. I'd choose Polaris any day, and cheered the day UA resumed service to New Zealand!
Nov 24, 2018, 1:04 pm
#1940
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
So I took UA Polaris SFO-AKL earlier this month, first experience actually riding in a Polaris cabin. Overall I simply found the seats to be too narrow - when I try to sleep and my shoulders are hitting both sides of the seat, it feels more like trying to sleep in a coffin. The food and service was pretty good and overall, was just mainly a disappointment in the seat.
Nov 24, 2018, 2:45 pm
#1941
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
So I took UA Polaris SFO-AKL earlier this month, first experience actually riding in a Polaris cabin. Overall I simply found the seats to be too narrow - when I try to sleep and my shoulders are hitting both sides of the seat, it feels more like trying to sleep in a coffin. The food and service was pretty good and overall, was just mainly a disappointment in the seat.
....
....
I usually choose the window/straight seat. I find it a little annoying that there is the "wall" between you and the side of the plane. You'd get alot more room without it but it is a handy storage area.
Nov 24, 2018, 2:59 pm
#1942
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423
But I agree much depends on personal preferences. I've slept (or tried to sleep) on most of the J seats out there, and really appreciate the padding on the Polaris seat. It's one of the few that doesn't cause me shoulder and hip pain.
Nov 24, 2018, 3:44 pm
#1943
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
I think width will always be an issue. You get alot of length to work with in an airplane. Not so much width
Nov 24, 2018, 3:46 pm
#1944
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,780
But were are straying OT.
Agree it depends on sleep position and remembering the side panels are adjustable.
Nov 24, 2018, 3:56 pm
#1945
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,268
To me, it was also the large side area on the 747 UD window seat where you can store stuff.
On the polaris seat, you have something similar with the space between the wall where you can store stuff but on the polaris seat, its a wall that blocks you when you are sleeping.
I think those higher walls on both sides is what gives that "coffin feel" versus being open. But I guess that is the price of privacy too. There is only so much those seat manufacturers can do with the limited width of the plane.
On the polaris seat, you have something similar with the space between the wall where you can store stuff but on the polaris seat, its a wall that blocks you when you are sleeping.
I think those higher walls on both sides is what gives that "coffin feel" versus being open. But I guess that is the price of privacy too. There is only so much those seat manufacturers can do with the limited width of the plane.
Nov 26, 2018, 12:27 pm
#1946
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Flew Flight 762 on Nov. 17 from Dulles to IAH on a non-Polaris seat 763, and to my surprise found all the Polaris bedding, pillows (including gel), and amenity kits at every First Class seat. Assume this is an uncommon occurrence for a domestic flight? I haven't experienced it before on a non-international flight.
Nov 26, 2018, 1:50 pm
#1947
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 343
Amenity kits should include lint rollers after using the blankets. I was picking huge swaths of lint off my clothes all morning after going SFO-SIN roundtrip.
I had a very pleasant crew on SFO-SIN and I guess an ok one on the way back.
I had a very pleasant crew on SFO-SIN and I guess an ok one on the way back.
Nov 26, 2018, 8:03 pm
#1948
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,318
Almost two years after the introduction of International Polaris services, my assessment is that United has done a full circle and we are back to pretty much the same offerings as the old united International business class except for the following:
1. New linen, plates and cups etc - inconsequential constricted changes
2. Gel Pillow and extra blanket - don’t need the extra blanket but the gel pillow is a nice touch!
3. Extra sweet deserts in additional to cheese plate and in cream - makes little difference to me.
Items that used to be offered but eliminated in Polaris:
1. Mid flight Hot noodle soup
2. Sandwiches and wraps as mid flight snacks
1. New linen, plates and cups etc - inconsequential constricted changes
2. Gel Pillow and extra blanket - don’t need the extra blanket but the gel pillow is a nice touch!
3. Extra sweet deserts in additional to cheese plate and in cream - makes little difference to me.
Items that used to be offered but eliminated in Polaris:
1. Mid flight Hot noodle soup
2. Sandwiches and wraps as mid flight snacks
Nov 26, 2018, 11:52 pm
#1950
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,423