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
Mar 23, 2017, 8:49 pm
#1216
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 5
Regarding comping drinks for 1Ks in economy - I was recently asked (PHX - ORD) if I would like a cocktail or a beer/wine (comp) as I was a 1K. First time I saw this in many years with UA.
Mar 23, 2017, 8:56 pm
#1217
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,141
(bolding mine)
Regarding temperature: is it just me or they cranking up the temps more & more these days?
I know the FAs modus operandi is to first set the thermostat to "arctic" as the FA are busy with service and they like it cooler, and then set the thermostat to "warm" so that all passengers fall asleep so the FAs have less to do. But recently all my flights have been way too hot.
Maybe they have installed a new thermostat setting "hell"?
NEVER used the thick blanket as it's just way too warm, and only use the thin one. And even that becomes too much sometimes.
Regarding temperature: is it just me or they cranking up the temps more & more these days?
I know the FAs modus operandi is to first set the thermostat to "arctic" as the FA are busy with service and they like it cooler, and then set the thermostat to "warm" so that all passengers fall asleep so the FAs have less to do. But recently all my flights have been way too hot.
Maybe they have installed a new thermostat setting "hell"?
NEVER used the thick blanket as it's just way too warm, and only use the thin one. And even that becomes too much sometimes.
I don't know why UA seems to want to emulate some of the foreign carriers who beats the crap out of them on soft product but have horrid cabin climate.
Mar 23, 2017, 8:58 pm
#1218
Moderator, Omni, Omni/PR, Omni/Games, FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Between DCA and IAD
Programs: UA 1K MM; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 67,141
Oh, forgot to mention that on HKG-ORD, my sparkly flute for PDB was cracked and leaked incessantly. Yet every time I finished it, FA came by and tipped another bottle into it. I tried to stop her a couple of times to no avail. I kept having to chug to prevent a mess. 
Mar 23, 2017, 10:27 pm
#1219
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,358
Mar 24, 2017, 6:52 am
#1220
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,453
77W have steam ovens but they are not the only a/c in the fleet so equipped.
Mar 24, 2017, 12:44 pm
#1221
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Or you could just speak up and politely ask for another glass. Not sure why you decided to put up with an inconvenience like that with such an easy fix.
Mar 24, 2017, 1:24 pm
#1222
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Austin TX
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, AA "nothing",Delta "wannabe", Marriott Platinum
Posts: 72
Its all about the Seat for me
For me, the only value that makes a real difference, is the seat.
On a long haul flight for 15+ hours to be followed by a week or so of hard business is getting good quality rest on the way out to arrive ready to go, and a good recovery rest on the way back.
I love that UA new Polaris BF seating all has aisle access. Being able to slip out to the toilet mid flight and not have to perform acrobatics over someone else, or have them wake you up when they get up is an important factor. Laying flat, bending knees, being warm/comfortable with the right pillow makes all the difference.
As for the food, I can take that or leave it, in fact sometimes I "fast" and just drink copious amounts of water - sparkling or otherwise. Those 16 hours headed homeward are therapy/recovery and are precious. Gone are the days when I have to sit trussed into a seat with a fidgeting or oversize companion next to me and an aching, drooping neck. I can't and wont do it.
So for me the cost of the Polaris seat is well spent and has an un-measurable effect on my well being. I'm happy my employer sees it that way.
Thank you United for improving your product. Or should I be thanking the competition for forcing them to improve? Either way I can tolerate a lot when I travel if I am comfortable, treated like a human being with respect and honesty, and I'll take or leave the food as I find it.
I'll hit 2m miles on my SFO-HKG 777-300
flight next week. My wife loves that she gets all those companion upgrades and perks.
On a long haul flight for 15+ hours to be followed by a week or so of hard business is getting good quality rest on the way out to arrive ready to go, and a good recovery rest on the way back.
I love that UA new Polaris BF seating all has aisle access. Being able to slip out to the toilet mid flight and not have to perform acrobatics over someone else, or have them wake you up when they get up is an important factor. Laying flat, bending knees, being warm/comfortable with the right pillow makes all the difference.
As for the food, I can take that or leave it, in fact sometimes I "fast" and just drink copious amounts of water - sparkling or otherwise. Those 16 hours headed homeward are therapy/recovery and are precious. Gone are the days when I have to sit trussed into a seat with a fidgeting or oversize companion next to me and an aching, drooping neck. I can't and wont do it.
So for me the cost of the Polaris seat is well spent and has an un-measurable effect on my well being. I'm happy my employer sees it that way.
Thank you United for improving your product. Or should I be thanking the competition for forcing them to improve? Either way I can tolerate a lot when I travel if I am comfortable, treated like a human being with respect and honesty, and I'll take or leave the food as I find it.
I'll hit 2m miles on my SFO-HKG 777-300
flight next week. My wife loves that she gets all those companion upgrades and perks.
Mar 25, 2017, 2:03 am
#1223
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
PA just now from the purser on my PEK-SFO 747 flight... "For those of you in Global First and Global Business..." Oops.
Mar 25, 2017, 4:52 am
#1224
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 10 months VLC, 2 months everywhere else
Programs: *A
Posts: 3,770
In my experience, never. However, I have told them to pull the cut out early so it's not the texture of a hockey puck. Came out fine each time except once when turbulence forced the FAs to be seated. Resulted in another hockey puck.
Mar 25, 2017, 5:12 am
#1225
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,358
For me, the only value that makes a real difference, is the seat.
On a long haul flight for 15+ hours to be followed by a week or so of hard business is getting good quality rest on the way out to arrive ready to go, and a good recovery rest on the way back.
I love that UA new Polaris BF seating all has aisle access. Being able to slip out to the toilet mid flight and not have to perform acrobatics over someone else, or have them wake you up when they get up is an important factor. Laying flat, bending knees, being warm/comfortable with the right pillow makes all the difference.
As for the food, I can take that or leave it, in fact sometimes I "fast" and just drink copious amounts of water - sparkling or otherwise. Those 16 hours headed homeward are therapy/recovery and are precious. Gone are the days when I have to sit trussed into a seat with a fidgeting or oversize companion next to me and an aching, drooping neck. I can't and wont do it.
So for me the cost of the Polaris seat is well spent and has an un-measurable effect on my well being. I'm happy my employer sees it that way.
Thank you United for improving your product. Or should I be thanking the competition for forcing them to improve? Either way I can tolerate a lot when I travel if I am comfortable, treated like a human being with respect and honesty, and I'll take or leave the food as I find it.
I'll hit 2m miles on my SFO-HKG 777-300flight next week. My wife loves that she gets all those companion upgrades and perks.
On a long haul flight for 15+ hours to be followed by a week or so of hard business is getting good quality rest on the way out to arrive ready to go, and a good recovery rest on the way back.
I love that UA new Polaris BF seating all has aisle access. Being able to slip out to the toilet mid flight and not have to perform acrobatics over someone else, or have them wake you up when they get up is an important factor. Laying flat, bending knees, being warm/comfortable with the right pillow makes all the difference.
As for the food, I can take that or leave it, in fact sometimes I "fast" and just drink copious amounts of water - sparkling or otherwise. Those 16 hours headed homeward are therapy/recovery and are precious. Gone are the days when I have to sit trussed into a seat with a fidgeting or oversize companion next to me and an aching, drooping neck. I can't and wont do it.
So for me the cost of the Polaris seat is well spent and has an un-measurable effect on my well being. I'm happy my employer sees it that way.
Thank you United for improving your product. Or should I be thanking the competition for forcing them to improve? Either way I can tolerate a lot when I travel if I am comfortable, treated like a human being with respect and honesty, and I'll take or leave the food as I find it.
I'll hit 2m miles on my SFO-HKG 777-300
flight next week. My wife loves that she gets all those companion upgrades and perks.I'm already contented with the current soft Polaris offering and the 77Y seats in J (D and E). It's a bitter-sweet thing, the upcoming conversion to Polaris though: on one hand, I am looking forward to the J experience, and on the other hand, I am dreading the times I will be "allocated" in Y.
Mar 25, 2017, 9:09 am
#1226
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
My second Polaris experience was a huge improvement over the first experience. Just flew LAX-LHR and used the heavier blanket as a matress pad. Did not ask for a gel pillow (mainly because I forgot), but slept well. FA offered to take my jacket without me needing to ask. Food was fine, but I do not catch a plane for the food. :-) Watched a movie while waiting for our plane to have a mechanical issue rectified, then had a meal. Slept until an hour before loading. Change into street clothes and ready to start my day.
Mar 25, 2017, 6:25 pm
#1227
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: san francisco
Programs: No airline status whatsoever, Chase URs, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 567
Oh, how awful! This is a good one, exerda.
Mar 26, 2017, 6:18 am
#1228
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,613
Mar 26, 2017, 10:12 am
#1229
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
Mar 26, 2017, 10:44 am
#1230
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: United Global Services 3MM, Marriott Ambassador, AMEX Platinum, Global Entry/NEXUS
Posts: 239
UA 952 ORD-MUC last night... they had a Polaris teddy bear waiting for everyone on the seats in J when we boarded, I assume this was in recognition of the first international Polaris flight SFO-HKG (hard product) that took place earlier in the day and is referenced on previous threads.