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
Dec 18, 2016, 2:00 pm
#466
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: DCA
Programs: UA 1K; *G and *A Top 1000; HHonors Diamond; *$ Gold; Global Entry
Posts: 2,272
Flew Polaris Business for first time yesterday, ZRH-IAD. Award ticket, booked about 48 hours in advance.
1) So many pillows and blankets. Really took up space in the overheads to the point that the FAs apologized.
2) Meals were somewhat better. Beef short rib was good but not as described in the menu, which mentioned a porcini mushroom sauce- had more of a delmonico sauce. Cheese course was disappointing for a flight out of Switzerland: two slivers of Emmentaler and a small wedge of Gorgonzola. Drinks were offered after the second meal service- not before or during.
3). Are the salt and pepper shakers a Star Wars tie-in? Looked like little Death Stars.
4) The Polaris logo on the menu and chocolate box looks a lot like the logo of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
5) The amenity kit is also underwhelming. Not quite certain how I might be able to reuse it.
1) So many pillows and blankets. Really took up space in the overheads to the point that the FAs apologized.
2) Meals were somewhat better. Beef short rib was good but not as described in the menu, which mentioned a porcini mushroom sauce- had more of a delmonico sauce. Cheese course was disappointing for a flight out of Switzerland: two slivers of Emmentaler and a small wedge of Gorgonzola. Drinks were offered after the second meal service- not before or during.
3). Are the salt and pepper shakers a Star Wars tie-in? Looked like little Death Stars.
4) The Polaris logo on the menu and chocolate box looks a lot like the logo of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
5) The amenity kit is also underwhelming. Not quite certain how I might be able to reuse it.
Dec 18, 2016, 2:16 pm
#467
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Westminster, CO
Programs: UA1K, Platinum Elite
Posts: 343
I flew Polaris DEN-NRT on December 1. Just haven't had time to write a review. Other than the stuffed animal and the new soft pillows that the FA in Biz offered, I don't see much difference. The food was good, and the wine tasting a nice touch, but I just wanted to get served, and get to sleep. The seats are the same UA hard lie flats that I am used to and the mattress pad wasn't much to write home about. So I ate, then tried to catch some zzz's somewhat successfully. The second service was prompt, but I don't remember what it was, so that is diagnostic.
The thing that really was upsetting was the conditions in the lav's from about an hour into the flight. They really were filthy, with no bottled soap in the dispenser rack and paper all over the floor. UA FA's will not lift a finger to keep them clean so that is really no surprise.
Overall, this was a typical, Meh experience and not one that I will repeat unless I have to.
I connected to ANA from NRT-SIN and got upgraded from Economy to Business on that eight hour trip. I'll post a review in the ANA Forum, but it was a delightful, restful and respectful experience. I'm am a fan of ANA from here on out!
The thing that really was upsetting was the conditions in the lav's from about an hour into the flight. They really were filthy, with no bottled soap in the dispenser rack and paper all over the floor. UA FA's will not lift a finger to keep them clean so that is really no surprise.
Overall, this was a typical, Meh experience and not one that I will repeat unless I have to.
I connected to ANA from NRT-SIN and got upgraded from Economy to Business on that eight hour trip. I'll post a review in the ANA Forum, but it was a delightful, restful and respectful experience. I'm am a fan of ANA from here on out!
Dec 18, 2016, 2:54 pm
#468
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,079
If you compare to NH the new product is crap. Even worse for First. Got to compare to DL/AA products to be fair IMO.
Dec 18, 2016, 3:58 pm
#469
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
Comparison of two Polaris flugs - 881 on 12/08 and 882 on 12/18. Food and service on 881 where exceptional and the FA's where outstanding. 882 much less so the service was choppy the food was between warm and room temp. And the FA's where workman like with no Unnecessary interaction. The pajamas are nice and comfortable. Changing out at the end of a 12 hr. Flug is like changing clothes in an outhouse.
It's easier to join the 'club' than change in an upper deck lav.
It's easier to join the 'club' than change in an upper deck lav.
Dec 18, 2016, 4:11 pm
#470
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
The thing that really was upsetting was the conditions in the lav's from about an hour into the flight. They really were filthy, with no bottled soap in the dispenser rack and paper all over the floor. UA FA's will not lift a finger to keep them clean so that is really no surprise.
Dec 18, 2016, 4:30 pm
#471
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Dec 18, 2016, 5:03 pm
#472
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Westminster, CO
Programs: UA1K, Platinum Elite
Posts: 343
the upgrade was free, the NH gate agent said she was giving me a Christmas present with a big smile! I was on a W or V fare. Best thing that ever happened to me.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 18, 2016 at 6:17 pm Reason: repaired quote
Dec 18, 2016, 7:33 pm
#473
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Wow, Merry Christmas to you!
Dec 18, 2016, 8:56 pm
#474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
So far it sucks. This 772 that has been here at sfo for hours just decided to roll up to the gate at 1900 for a scheduled 1935 departure to LHR. Finally boarding but no service from any flight attendants. I walk up to the galley and ask for a beer and was shut down quickly and told "we need to get off quickly" with a curt and snappy tone.
Well that was 20 minutes ago. Might as well be in 45E.
Lipstick on a pig.
ETA there is now a flight attendant walking down the aisle with an armful of life jackets.
Well that was 20 minutes ago. Might as well be in 45E.
Lipstick on a pig.
ETA there is now a flight attendant walking down the aisle with an armful of life jackets.
Dec 19, 2016, 6:14 am
#475
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,214
Really rude purser and a FA serving our section on my recent EWR-HKG flight. My wife discovered that her IFE remote was shoved in the holder with the cable getting trapped under the remote. We couldn't yank it out. The purser came and told her that people don't know how to put the remote back in place, somehow implying that my wife was at fault. When our FA was telling me of the dessert choices, my wife had her headphones on as the FA was addressing me. She caught most of the choices, but missed a couple. The FA just flat out told her that she should not be listening to movies but paying attention to her....totally uncalled for. UA must train the senior crew not to behave like whatever they feel like. Other than that, the food, cutlery, plates and bedding were a massive improvement.
What were the amenities included in this flight? Did they still distribute the bear? My fiance is big fan of bears.
Last edited by PaulInTheSky; Dec 19, 2016 at 10:26 am
Dec 19, 2016, 7:19 am
#476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,227
So far it sucks. This 772 that has been here at sfo for hours just decided to roll up to the gate at 1900 for a scheduled 1935 departure to LHR. Finally boarding but no service from any flight attendants. I walk up to the galley and ask for a beer and was shut down quickly and told "we need to get off quickly" with a curt and snappy tone.
Well that was 20 minutes ago. Might as well be in 45E.
Lipstick on a pig.
ETA there is now a flight attendant walking down the aisle with an armful of life jackets.
Well that was 20 minutes ago. Might as well be in 45E.
Lipstick on a pig.
ETA there is now a flight attendant walking down the aisle with an armful of life jackets.
But I do agree that Polaris seems to be lipstick on a pig.
Dec 19, 2016, 8:37 am
#477
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,033
I suppose they could have delayed boarding until the cabin was fully ready and organised, and thus made the flight even later for everyone onboard, or they could eliminate the PDB service: I know which I would prefer.
But I do agree that Polaris seems to be lipstick on a pig.
But I do agree that Polaris seems to be lipstick on a pig.
Breakfast was an omelette that was tasteless. After attempting to bite the sausage in half with me teeth almost unsuccessfully I promptly spit it into my napkin. I've had better food on short haul LH in coach
Swinearis = FAIL.
Dec 19, 2016, 9:28 am
#478
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1MM, MP 1K, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 463
Interesting that American has allowed meal choice before flight for quite awhile and United is still doing the first and second choice on Polaris. How hard can this be to implement ?
Dec 19, 2016, 9:57 am
#479
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,508
The biggest surprise to me was that UA didn't implement something similar with Polaris. It seems like such a win-win for everybody: people get their first choice almost 100% of the time (save for the occasional catering hiccup) and UA can reduce the number of meals that need to be catered onboard as there is less guessing about how many numbers of each choice need to be boarded.
Dec 19, 2016, 10:07 am
#480
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Plat, GE/TSAPre
Posts: 251
The biggest surprise to me was that UA didn't implement something similar with Polaris. It seems like such a win-win for everybody: people get their first choice almost 100% of the time (save for the occasional catering hiccup) and UA can reduce the number of meals that need to be catered onboard as there is less guessing about how many numbers of each choice need to be boarded.