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
Oct 30, 2018, 5:42 pm
#1921
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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
Hence why I said "the part I didn't like". There are a lot of products out there beyond BA F where your bed gets made for you, it's something relatively simple United could do to compete a little more.
Oct 30, 2018, 5:44 pm
#1922
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
Somehow I doubt that any of the 3 big US companies make the beds in Business. It's not in the culture of the US.
Oct 30, 2018, 7:08 pm
#1923
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,132
Performing customer service is really hard when staffing levels --by design-- are insufficient. That being said, if UA hired FAs that came from a service culture, the work would get done.
Oct 30, 2018, 7:27 pm
#1924
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Princeton, NJ
Programs: United 1K, 2MM, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 47
Was on one of the first "true Polaris" flights from EWR-BOM earlier this week.
Overall, it was very good. Once I figured out all the seat adjustments I was able to get quite comfortable. (I still don't know what some of the switches do - what does the red half "moon" mean?) And the legroom and seat/bed width was one of the best I've had. The side cupboard and the lighting was excellent and user friendly. I asked for, received and wore the pajamas, which were comfortable. I had a terrific night's sleep after not being able to find any movies I wanted to watch; I guess I've flown too often recently to have any new movies on tap. Hopefully something changes for my return next month.
The not so good. They mixed up my food order and the FA wasn't one of the best. I don't think she smiled once during the entire flight and she complained that this plane had an extra 100 people on board after I said how much I liked the seats. Really, is that true? I asked mid-flight for a grilled cheese and soup and it was ok. I've had better, as in better toasted, warmer, on different flights but this was still edible. And the flight was on time.
Overall, I was happy with the Polaris product - especially so after an awesome experience in the Polaris lounge at EWR about which I wrote separately. Cheers all
Overall, it was very good. Once I figured out all the seat adjustments I was able to get quite comfortable. (I still don't know what some of the switches do - what does the red half "moon" mean?) And the legroom and seat/bed width was one of the best I've had. The side cupboard and the lighting was excellent and user friendly. I asked for, received and wore the pajamas, which were comfortable. I had a terrific night's sleep after not being able to find any movies I wanted to watch; I guess I've flown too often recently to have any new movies on tap. Hopefully something changes for my return next month.
The not so good. They mixed up my food order and the FA wasn't one of the best. I don't think she smiled once during the entire flight and she complained that this plane had an extra 100 people on board after I said how much I liked the seats. Really, is that true? I asked mid-flight for a grilled cheese and soup and it was ok. I've had better, as in better toasted, warmer, on different flights but this was still edible. And the flight was on time.
Overall, I was happy with the Polaris product - especially so after an awesome experience in the Polaris lounge at EWR about which I wrote separately. Cheers all
Oct 30, 2018, 7:50 pm
#1925
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
Oct 30, 2018, 7:55 pm
#1926
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,025
True, there are about 100 more passengers on board versus the two class 777-200 they are used to flying. By and large, FAs find this a very difficult aircraft to work in general, but especially in Y.
Oct 30, 2018, 8:04 pm
#1927
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
In addition to UA, I've flown long-haul J this year on CX, BR, CI, NH, and LX. No one made up my bed on any of those carriers. Apart from UA, NH is the only one of them which even offers a mattress pad.
They did make up my bed on KE F. But that's F.
Oct 30, 2018, 8:17 pm
#1928
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,174
My first Polaris experiences
UA 888 PEK-SFO 777-300
Lounge: The SFO Polaris Lounge is incredible. One of the best lounges I've been to anywhere in the world. The hard product, the bartenders, the liquor selection, I didn't eat though the food looked pretty good. I wished I'd had more time.
Seat: I had 5A which is flush against the window and it was a really good seat. Comfortable seating upright, lounging and one of the best flat beds I've slept in. I'm tall and bulky so this was really appreciated.
Entertainment: Meh. Not United's strong suit. Not enough movies and shows honestly and there's no music either. Channel 9 was on though which was nice. The Wifi is of course terrible. It was incredibly slow for the first few hours of the flight then didn't work at all for at least the last four and a half hours
Service: Overall very good. Excellent f/a on my side of the aisle who complimented me for dressing up and did his best with the fact that he has to handle a 50 seat cabin with just one other person. The only part I didn't like was when I asked for a mattress pad and a flight attendant handed it to me without a word. So I just made up my own bed.
Food: The worst part of the flight. My entree (Three Cup Chicken) was awful. Tasted worse than frozen food microwave Chinese food. The appetizer was also uninspired and when you're serving everyone plastic trays it looks a little chintzy. I do like that PDBs are served in real glasses though..
UA 888 PEK-SFO 777-300
Lounge: The SFO Polaris Lounge is incredible. One of the best lounges I've been to anywhere in the world. The hard product, the bartenders, the liquor selection, I didn't eat though the food looked pretty good. I wished I'd had more time.
Seat: I had 5A which is flush against the window and it was a really good seat. Comfortable seating upright, lounging and one of the best flat beds I've slept in. I'm tall and bulky so this was really appreciated.
Entertainment: Meh. Not United's strong suit. Not enough movies and shows honestly and there's no music either. Channel 9 was on though which was nice. The Wifi is of course terrible. It was incredibly slow for the first few hours of the flight then didn't work at all for at least the last four and a half hours
Service: Overall very good. Excellent f/a on my side of the aisle who complimented me for dressing up and did his best with the fact that he has to handle a 50 seat cabin with just one other person. The only part I didn't like was when I asked for a mattress pad and a flight attendant handed it to me without a word. So I just made up my own bed.
Food: The worst part of the flight. My entree (Three Cup Chicken) was awful. Tasted worse than frozen food microwave Chinese food. The appetizer was also uninspired and when you're serving everyone plastic trays it looks a little chintzy. I do like that PDBs are served in real glasses though..
Oct 31, 2018, 1:37 am
#1929
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: California
Programs: UA 1k
Posts: 107
At least UA offers a mattress pad.
In addition to UA, I've flown long-haul J this year on CX, BR, CI, NH, and LX. No one made up my bed on any of those carriers. Apart from UA, NH is the only one of them which even offers a mattress pad.
They did make up my bed on KE F. But that's F.
In addition to UA, I've flown long-haul J this year on CX, BR, CI, NH, and LX. No one made up my bed on any of those carriers. Apart from UA, NH is the only one of them which even offers a mattress pad.
They did make up my bed on KE F. But that's F.
i have sometimes had the UA FAs offer, too, either when they brought it or if they caught me standing up unwrapping the bedding. (But yeah, not consistently). I am not sure it’s different on NH; maybe a little more likely on NH they’ll offer if they catch you fussing with it?
Oct 31, 2018, 9:26 am
#1930
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
I don't expect the UA FAs to make my bed, that is just not part of standard J service on most airlines. I'm just glad UA offers the mattress pad.
Nov 6, 2018, 2:57 pm
#1931
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Since I can't double-post, here is my post with seat, pod, cabin photos from my recent UA SFO-AKL flights UA 917 and 916. Meal and other photos will follow later.
United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service.....
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30401223-post4332.html
United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service.....
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30401223-post4332.html
Nov 23, 2018, 2:40 pm
#1932
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 103
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 23, 2018, 2:44 pm
#1933
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,418
It's not uncommon when they use an international aircraft on a domestic route. Varies by flight and station. Definitely a welcome treat.
Nov 23, 2018, 3:01 pm
#1934
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NY
Programs: AA: ExPlat & 3MM; UA: 1k; KL: Plat 4 Life; Hyatt: Plat; SPG, Marriott, Hilton: Gold
Posts: 2,707
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.