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 27, 2018, 1:46 am
#1951
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
Yes, PJ and mattress pad. How could I forget? probably they are not been frequently requested.
I was focusing on in-flight amenities and experience, so no comments on the speed of the plane conversion and lounge rollout.
As one of the IAD based flyers, the impact of new seats and Polaris Lounge are mostly wishful thinking for most of us at this point.
We are a few days from the two year anniversary of the Polaris rollout - a game changer according to the US management.
What is the fair assessment?
It does not really matter to me because I fly UA for its routes and schedules and the extra benefits GS get, regardless of the state of its Polaris offerings.
If I think hard enough, I guess the only thing added that makes a difference to me between the former United International Business and International Polaris is the nice gel pillow. Over time when most of the planes get the refreshed cabins and 2 or 3-year old "new" Polaris seats installed, I will benefit from the hardware. Polaris Lounge at IAD....when does Halley comet pass by Earth again?
The catering and reduced drink offerings are back to square one as far as I can tell.....
I was focusing on in-flight amenities and experience, so no comments on the speed of the plane conversion and lounge rollout.
As one of the IAD based flyers, the impact of new seats and Polaris Lounge are mostly wishful thinking for most of us at this point.
We are a few days from the two year anniversary of the Polaris rollout - a game changer according to the US management.
What is the fair assessment?
It does not really matter to me because I fly UA for its routes and schedules and the extra benefits GS get, regardless of the state of its Polaris offerings.
If I think hard enough, I guess the only thing added that makes a difference to me between the former United International Business and International Polaris is the nice gel pillow. Over time when most of the planes get the refreshed cabins and 2 or 3-year old "new" Polaris seats installed, I will benefit from the hardware. Polaris Lounge at IAD....when does Halley comet pass by Earth again?
The catering and reduced drink offerings are back to square one as far as I can tell.....
Nov 27, 2018, 10:44 am
#1952
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,456
Yes, PJ and mattress pad. How could I forget? probably they are not been frequently requested.
I was focusing on in-flight amenities and experience, so no comments on the speed of the plane conversion and lounge rollout.
As one of the IAD based flyers, the impact of new seats and Polaris Lounge are mostly wishful thinking for most of us at this point.
We are a few days from the two year anniversary of the Polaris rollout - a game changer according to the US management.
What is the fair assessment?
It does not really matter to me because I fly UA for its routes and schedules and the extra benefits GS get, regardless of the state of its Polaris offerings.
If I think hard enough, I guess the only thing added that makes a difference to me between the former United International Business and International Polaris is the nice gel pillow. Over time when most of the planes get the refreshed cabins and 2 or 3-year old "new" Polaris seats installed, I will benefit from the hardware. Polaris Lounge at IAD....when does Halley comet pass by Earth again?
The catering and reduced drink offerings are back to square one as far as I can tell.....
I was focusing on in-flight amenities and experience, so no comments on the speed of the plane conversion and lounge rollout.
As one of the IAD based flyers, the impact of new seats and Polaris Lounge are mostly wishful thinking for most of us at this point.
We are a few days from the two year anniversary of the Polaris rollout - a game changer according to the US management.
What is the fair assessment?
It does not really matter to me because I fly UA for its routes and schedules and the extra benefits GS get, regardless of the state of its Polaris offerings.
If I think hard enough, I guess the only thing added that makes a difference to me between the former United International Business and International Polaris is the nice gel pillow. Over time when most of the planes get the refreshed cabins and 2 or 3-year old "new" Polaris seats installed, I will benefit from the hardware. Polaris Lounge at IAD....when does Halley comet pass by Earth again?
The catering and reduced drink offerings are back to square one as far as I can tell.....
Nov 27, 2018, 11:39 am
#1953
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,928
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
Did I miss something or are hot bites gone even on the ULH flights?
Nov 27, 2018, 12:03 pm
#1954
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
Nov 27, 2018, 12:13 pm
#1955
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
As a lifetime GS why not write UA and see what kind of response you get and I agree that Polaris is a major fail, you also missed that the Wine Flight is gone too. UA needed to do something about their inflight service the biggest issue was, not delivering what they promised. The best inflight experience possible.
Catering has become a mess in terms of provisioning, domestically and internationally, all in the name of saving $.
Nov 27, 2018, 12:31 pm
#1956
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: NZ *E
Posts: 346
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
Other airlines like NZ manage to do a full second meal service (with plated entrees, multiple courses, etc) so I'm not sure how UA can't handle this.
You're right though, fly on a non-Polaris 777 or 787 and it really doesn't feel like anything different to when it was first introduced -- in fact it's worse now I can't upgrade to Global First.
Nov 27, 2018, 12:45 pm
#1957
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 128
Yes, PJ and mattress pad. How could I forget? probably they are not been frequently requested.
I was focusing on in-flight amenities and experience, so no comments on the speed of the plane conversion and lounge rollout.
As one of the IAD based flyers, the impact of new seats and Polaris Lounge are mostly wishful thinking for most of us at this point.
We are a few days from the two year anniversary of the Polaris rollout - a game changer according to the US management.
What is the fair assessment?
It does not really matter to me because I fly UA for its routes and schedules and the extra benefits GS get, regardless of the state of its Polaris offerings.
If I think hard enough, I guess the only thing added that makes a difference to me between the former United International Business and International Polaris is the nice gel pillow. Over time when most of the planes get the refreshed cabins and 2 or 3-year old "new" Polaris seats installed, I will benefit from the hardware. Polaris Lounge at IAD....when does Halley comet pass by Earth again?
The catering and reduced drink offerings are back to square one as far as I can tell.....
I was focusing on in-flight amenities and experience, so no comments on the speed of the plane conversion and lounge rollout.
As one of the IAD based flyers, the impact of new seats and Polaris Lounge are mostly wishful thinking for most of us at this point.
We are a few days from the two year anniversary of the Polaris rollout - a game changer according to the US management.
What is the fair assessment?
It does not really matter to me because I fly UA for its routes and schedules and the extra benefits GS get, regardless of the state of its Polaris offerings.
If I think hard enough, I guess the only thing added that makes a difference to me between the former United International Business and International Polaris is the nice gel pillow. Over time when most of the planes get the refreshed cabins and 2 or 3-year old "new" Polaris seats installed, I will benefit from the hardware. Polaris Lounge at IAD....when does Halley comet pass by Earth again?
The catering and reduced drink offerings are back to square one as far as I can tell.....
Nov 27, 2018, 1:00 pm
#1958
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
I completely agree. It's unfortunate, but this is what I expected when it was originally rolled out. I thought most of the changes at the roll out were gimmicky and wouldn't last, and this has been the case. The mimosa and bloody mary cart is gone, wine flights gone, mid-flight offerings reduced, and there hasn't been any change, better or worse, that I can tell, in the quality of the service.
Nov 27, 2018, 1:41 pm
#1959
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 128
You managed your expectations well! Aside from a few obvious enhancements (flimsy welcome champagne 'glass' that just screamed to be knocked over, the mimosa/bloody mary cart service that falls apart the moment you want a drink from the galley, ice cream bowls) I was expecting a few things to stay: Wine Flights, bread basket, etc. And I did (foolishly) think some things would improve: crew taking pride in the new product, general food offerings, maybe even a Signature Drink, etc. We are virtually back to square one though.
Nov 27, 2018, 1:59 pm
#1960
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,337
I have observed sometimes the FA are just too lazy to look for them, occasionally, after they found them prior to breakfast, they have come around to offering them as another breakfast option.
Again, we are going back to the PMUA model of “consistently inconsistent”. I cannot comment on PMCO, other than their caterings were superior before the merger.
Nov 27, 2018, 2:22 pm
#1961
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,203
$300/15K miles for broken seats standard I’m guessing? I got my ETC voucher upon landing but my husband didn’t. We somehow managed to get two inoperative seats today. Considering it was the new Polaris seat on a 767, I’m surprised there were 3 busted seats (& my tv too). Guess that’s the reason we got moved from row 1 to 9. Only half joking...(was R/PZ fare).
Crew was super hands off. Didn’t see anyone for hours. I couldn’t use my call button because my seat was 100% dead, no lights or buttons worked. Overall a very meh flight obviously. Shame too since the flight over to Rome was fantastic.
Crew was super hands off. Didn’t see anyone for hours. I couldn’t use my call button because my seat was 100% dead, no lights or buttons worked. Overall a very meh flight obviously. Shame too since the flight over to Rome was fantastic.
Last edited by airb330; Nov 27, 2018 at 2:29 pm
Nov 27, 2018, 2:23 pm
#1962
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: SFO/CDG
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 211
I was on this flight yesterday. One glass of real champagne and then they were serving the crap for PDB without telling the passengers (pouring in galley). They ran out of almost all of the wine inflight. Almost no one was drinking so I can't imagine they would have even made it through the first service with a different passenger mix.
Nov 27, 2018, 2:29 pm
#1963
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA 1K MM, AC 50K MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 278
It’s not even that the wine flights are gone these days — there’s often very little wine at all available on the return flights to the US. For the third flight transatlantic in a row CDG-SFO, there was only one bottle of white wine available that was passed across the aisle and shared sparingly, and no vodka or buffalo trace at all. They now round-trip cater the alcohol from the US to save money, hence they are frequently out of items on the return.
Catering has become a mess in terms of provisioning, domestically and internationally, all in the name of saving $.
When somebody asked, they poured a mini bottle from economy class.
Since UA is now round-trip catering alcohol from the US, they should lock down half of the inventory to be reserved for the return flight. Or better still, go back to the original method of fully restocking in the outport city. This cost saving is sabotage to the Polaris product.
Nov 27, 2018, 2:31 pm
#1964
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,203
Oh I’d like to point out it was obvious the crew weren’t doing a lot of drink runs because the alcohol/wine was barely catered. No PDB of champs here either today.
Nov 27, 2018, 2:48 pm
#1965
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SYD, CBR, BDL
Programs: UA 1K, VA Platinum
Posts: 1,198
Is it possible they are still catering beverages in Sydney? I’ve had more Buffalo Trace from Sydney than I care to admit . This week the cart in the small 3-row second cabin had 6 bottles of red (2 of each) for each side on the first service as well.
. This week the cart in the small 3-row second cabin had 6 bottles of red (2 of each) for each side on the first service as well.