2017 Let's Eat - Polaris First & Polaris Business
Jan 17, 2017, 5:03 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,635
Jan 18, 2017, 8:29 am
#77
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,437
For that matter what other carriers roll a cheese cart down the aisle in C/J these days? I don't think pmUA even offered that but it was a carry-over from pmCO BF.
Granted don't get me wrong, having a selection of crackers and having the cheese options presented to me is nice, but I still think the whole crackers in plastic and cheese pre-plated thing is not as big of an issue as people are making. Given the fact that once the product is fully rolled out, UA will be offering pre-flight dining in the Polaris lounges, I think this particular issue will fall by the wayside.
Jan 18, 2017, 9:09 am
#78
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BOM-SIN-EWR
Programs: UA*G (1K again), Sixt Plat, *was*: SQ QPP01 & SK EBS/EBG, LH SEN, AA EXP, 9wPlat
Posts: 8,612
But other than changing the actual delivery, they are still giving customers the option of cheese plus the sundae.....most other carriers either give customers a choice of one or the other. I don't see it as complete take-away but that people indicated they would rather have an overall faster service in lieu of having an FA in the aisle (probably not even knowing what cheese they were serving) cutting it off the block, tossing some crackers, and then moving down the aisle.
For that matter what other carriers roll a cheese cart down the aisle in C/J these days? I don't think pmUA even offered that but it was a carry-over from pmCO BF.
Granted don't get me wrong, having a selection of crackers and having the cheese options presented to me is nice, but I still think the whole crackers in plastic and cheese pre-plated thing is not as big of an issue as people are making. Given the fact that once the product is fully rolled out, UA will be offering pre-flight dining in the Polaris lounges, I think this particular issue will fall by the wayside.
For that matter what other carriers roll a cheese cart down the aisle in C/J these days? I don't think pmUA even offered that but it was a carry-over from pmCO BF.
Granted don't get me wrong, having a selection of crackers and having the cheese options presented to me is nice, but I still think the whole crackers in plastic and cheese pre-plated thing is not as big of an issue as people are making. Given the fact that once the product is fully rolled out, UA will be offering pre-flight dining in the Polaris lounges, I think this particular issue will fall by the wayside.
They actually *hate* the new procedure.
The only bugger who was happy was a 3 month rookie who *actually* stated (to me directly/honestly?
) that "it saves us a lot of time" - and he was hardly interacting with any pax at all - completely zero service, operated like a robot on board. (BOM-EWR)(No bread basket after initial tray plopped down for dinner or breakfast, and only 2-3 refills of my chosen drink)
The same service supervisor was flying with me on all my 3 segments, and on the 2nd one I got to speak to him about why I switched to LH F for my first return...
exCOn service is fantastic - they still try so hard, despite the restrictions.
In fact, I queried one of the LH FAs on one intercontinental segment about their "restaurant" service (which is what appears to be what UA is following now) and she replied that they had modified the service procedure (all the time servicing from a cart - not as nice as PMCOs though - the standard version) as it didn't work.
Agree that this "Polaris" modification of pmCO is more than others provide, but it is still "less" than what/how pmCO used to implement and serve.
(Note I never flew CO until they had just merged with UA, but grew to love their on-board product. Unfortunately their ground service was rude, obnoxious and inefficient at EWR, so I continued flying on LH ex-EWR from Terminal B)
Last edited by SuperFlyBoy; Jan 18, 2017 at 9:31 am
Jan 18, 2017, 9:59 am
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 27,015
But other than changing the actual delivery, they are still giving customers the option of cheese plus the sundae.....most other carriers either give customers a choice of one or the other. I don't see it as complete take-away but that people indicated they would rather have an overall faster service in lieu of having an FA in the aisle (probably not even knowing what cheese they were serving) cutting it off the block, tossing some crackers, and then moving down the aisle.
For that matter what other carriers roll a cheese cart down the aisle in C/J these days? I don't think pmUA even offered that but it was a carry-over from pmCO BF.
Granted don't get me wrong, having a selection of crackers and having the cheese options presented to me is nice, but I still think the whole crackers in plastic and cheese pre-plated thing is not as big of an issue as people are making. Given the fact that once the product is fully rolled out, UA will be offering pre-flight dining in the Polaris lounges, I think this particular issue will fall by the wayside.
For that matter what other carriers roll a cheese cart down the aisle in C/J these days? I don't think pmUA even offered that but it was a carry-over from pmCO BF.
Granted don't get me wrong, having a selection of crackers and having the cheese options presented to me is nice, but I still think the whole crackers in plastic and cheese pre-plated thing is not as big of an issue as people are making. Given the fact that once the product is fully rolled out, UA will be offering pre-flight dining in the Polaris lounges, I think this particular issue will fall by the wayside.
Can't find them in any store.
Jan 18, 2017, 10:55 am
#80
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,437
But then I remembered that pmCO used to have an actual box of the cracker selection that would be loaded and the FA's would then setup on the carts in the galley. Granted you'll end up with the other kind of crackers but looks like it has the biscuits you want:
http://britishfooddepot.com/jacobs-b...LjnBoCLCHw_wcB
The shipping cost appears to be around $10 or so on top of the $15 for the box.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:11 am
#81
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,437
Regarding pmCO BF; well I suppose it depends on one's perspective. At the time I think they were able to substitute a strong soft product at the expense of a somewhat mediocre hard product. When other carriers were rolling out either lie-flat or near-flat angled seats in Business Class, CO still had barcaloungers and seemingly stuck to the idea that the new BF seat would debut on the 787. Well the 787 delivery date came and went...and then it pushed out even further. It wasn't until late 2009/early 2010 that they started to install it on the 777s. Granted the service/food was much closer to First Class, but there was little done over the entire existence of the product to keep it fresh or competitive. The best example of this is the marketing video from when BusinessFirst was introduced:
Other than the white serving jackets on the FA's and the clothes that the passengers were wearing, its hard to tell the difference between BF in 1993 vs BF in 2010.
Jan 18, 2017, 11:12 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: EWR, NJ
Programs: UA 2 MM, UA 1K
Posts: 663
Any experience to South America yet? Specifically IAH-EZE...
Jan 25, 2017, 1:26 pm
#83
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: ual,aa
Posts: 50
What late night meals served in business class?
I will be in business class SFO to SYD next week - supposed to be Polaris class. Flight leaves SFO at 11:40 pm. The itinerary mentions dinner but not breakfast. This seems strange to me. We will have approx 3-1/2 hrs at airport prior to flight - don't know if lounge available that late or if food available. Thinking we should have dinner in airport restaurant - am wondering if anyone has taken this flight and how meals handled. Thanks a lot!
Jan 25, 2017, 1:31 pm
#84
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,726
Dinner at takeoff, breakfast before landing, snacks/sandwiches available throughout the flight, between the 2 full meals.
Jan 25, 2017, 1:36 pm
#85
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 289
Plenty of food available between meals on TPAC Polaris.
Jan 25, 2017, 8:52 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,767
Jan 25, 2017, 9:58 pm
#87
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
Couple more data points
Jan 2017 UA 79 EWR NRT
same as in post 8, the wines:
WINE & CHAMPAGNE
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Jean-Luc Colombo Les Forots 2014 (Cotes du Rhone)
Colby Red 2014
Replica Chardonnay 2015
Domaine de la Villaudiere L'Evidence 2015
Swartland Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2015
Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut nv
Jan 2017 UA896 HKG ORD
WELCOME DINING SERVICE
STARTERS
Chilled Appetizer
Parma ham, semi-dried tomato, melon, caramelized
pecan port reduction
Salad
Mixed greens, radish, orange
Served with dressing and assorted breads
ENTREE
Seared Beef Tenderloin
Demi-glace, potato Napoleon, pumpkin, bell
pepper, asparagus
Chicken Satay
Coconut rice, bok choy, carrot, eggplant
Miso-Glazed Salmon
Steamed rice, mixed squash, pea, black sesame seed
Stir-Fried Noodles
Oyster sauce, baby corn, green bean, pumpkin
DESSERTS
Enjoy a selection from the following:
International Cheees assortment
Served with grapes, crackers and port
Signature Sundae
Served with choice of toppings
Sweet Treats
Please ask your Flight Attendant for today's selections
[Apple tartlets, tiramisu, and macaroons]
ANYTIME A LA CARTE MENU
Indulge in comfort foods and sweet or salty snacks
anytime during the flight
Cold Bites
Fresh seasonal fruits
Sweet and salty snacks
Roasted turkey and cranberry sandwich
Vegetable salad wrap
Help yourself at any point after our dining service
Hot Bites
Pork fried rice (bowl)
Tomato basil soup with aged cheddar grilled cheese
sandwich
Asian-style instant noodle
Please place your order with a flight attendant and
allow a few minutes for this item to be freshly prepared
ARRIVAL DINING SERVICE
All entrees are served with yogurt, breakfast breads,
butter and fruit preserves
Frittata
Sun-dried tomato
Served with pork sausage, potato, spinach and a side
of fruit
Chinese-style Rice Porridge
Corn
Served with savory congee garnish and a side of fruit
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Served with a side of cereal and milk
Jan 2017 UA 79 EWR NRT
same as in post 8, the wines:
WINE & CHAMPAGNE
Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Jean-Luc Colombo Les Forots 2014 (Cotes du Rhone)
Colby Red 2014
Replica Chardonnay 2015
Domaine de la Villaudiere L'Evidence 2015
Swartland Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2015
Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale Brut nv
Jan 2017 UA896 HKG ORD
WELCOME DINING SERVICE
STARTERS
Chilled Appetizer
Parma ham, semi-dried tomato, melon, caramelized
pecan port reduction
Salad
Mixed greens, radish, orange
Served with dressing and assorted breads
ENTREE
Seared Beef Tenderloin
Demi-glace, potato Napoleon, pumpkin, bell
pepper, asparagus
Chicken Satay
Coconut rice, bok choy, carrot, eggplant
Miso-Glazed Salmon
Steamed rice, mixed squash, pea, black sesame seed
Stir-Fried Noodles
Oyster sauce, baby corn, green bean, pumpkin
DESSERTS
Enjoy a selection from the following:
International Cheees assortment
Served with grapes, crackers and port
Signature Sundae
Served with choice of toppings
Sweet Treats
Please ask your Flight Attendant for today's selections
[Apple tartlets, tiramisu, and macaroons]
ANYTIME A LA CARTE MENU
Indulge in comfort foods and sweet or salty snacks
anytime during the flight
Cold Bites
Fresh seasonal fruits
Sweet and salty snacks
Roasted turkey and cranberry sandwich
Vegetable salad wrap
Help yourself at any point after our dining service
Hot Bites
Pork fried rice (bowl)
Tomato basil soup with aged cheddar grilled cheese
sandwich
Asian-style instant noodle
Please place your order with a flight attendant and
allow a few minutes for this item to be freshly prepared
ARRIVAL DINING SERVICE
All entrees are served with yogurt, breakfast breads,
butter and fruit preserves
Frittata
Sun-dried tomato
Served with pork sausage, potato, spinach and a side
of fruit
Chinese-style Rice Porridge
Corn
Served with savory congee garnish and a side of fruit
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
Served with a side of cereal and milk
Jan 26, 2017, 3:45 pm
#88
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: United Premier 1K, United Club lifetime member, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 132
Mel-lax 1/16/17
Traveled on Polaris on MEL-LAX earlier this month. General comments on the food:
Overall a great experience. I'd remarked that the food was much better than my last trip to Australia earlier in the year, and the FA said they'd been getting great feedback on the new food offerings. Hope they keep it up and don't try to roll back some of the upgrades on the food/wine again.
- Overall, a major upgrade from previous meals. Nice presentation, better quality foods and wines, and the flight attendants seemed genuinely proud of the new offerings
- The appetizer was nice, but nothing too special
- The Parmesan Crusted Pork (my travel companion had) looked fantastic and got rave reviews as one of the best business class meals (aside from perhaps SQ)
- The Seared Snapper didn't look as interesting, but the flavour was fantastic, and I was really please
- The one disappointment was the cheese plate - a single packet of crackers was inadequate given the portion of cheese, and the flight crew wasn't given extra crackers. Why not give them a full box of crackers and let them portion out the crackers along with the cheese depending on customer preference
- The mini desserts were nice, and very tasty
- For the mid-flight snack, I was genuinely intrigued to see Fish and Chips as an option. I was feeling like something a bit lighter, so I went for the grilled cheese and soup, but I don't think I've ever seen Fish and Chips offered on a plane before.
- I was really impressed at the Eggs Benedict type breakfast. Eggs were poached to about a medium (impressive), and the fruit plate was very nice
Overall a great experience. I'd remarked that the food was much better than my last trip to Australia earlier in the year, and the FA said they'd been getting great feedback on the new food offerings. Hope they keep it up and don't try to roll back some of the upgrades on the food/wine again.
I couldn't resist out of curiosity and DID order the fish and chips mid-flight. I grant you, it didn't look promising when it arrived (see photo), but surprisingly, it tasted good. The fish was not crispy-battered, but it did have a flavorful coating and the fish itself was flaky, white, and fresh-tasting. The chips were also good - again, not crispy per se but more like seasoned potato wedges. The portion size of this dish was just right for a mid-flight snack.
I'm also posting a picture of the chicken entree since that was another item from this menu that wasn't already pictured in gcashin's post. It was very tasty!
Jan 27, 2017, 9:08 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,347
I flew MEL-LAX with this same menu on January 16 and agree that it was very good overall. I was also impressed by the poached eggs, though my one complaint about that dish was that the Hollandaise sauce was more like just gobs of mayonnaise smeared on the eggs. If it had been the more normal consistency of Hollandaise sauce, the dish would have been perfect.
I couldn't resist out of curiosity and DID order the fish and chips mid-flight. I grant you, it didn't look promising when it arrived (see photo), but surprisingly, it tasted good. The fish was not crispy-battered, but it did have a flavorful coating and the fish itself was flaky, white, and fresh-tasting. The chips were also good - again, not crispy per se but more like seasoned potato wedges. The portion size of this dish was just right for a mid-flight snack.
I'm also posting a picture of the chicken entree since that was another item from this menu that wasn't already pictured in gcashin's post. It was very tasty!
I couldn't resist out of curiosity and DID order the fish and chips mid-flight. I grant you, it didn't look promising when it arrived (see photo), but surprisingly, it tasted good. The fish was not crispy-battered, but it did have a flavorful coating and the fish itself was flaky, white, and fresh-tasting. The chips were also good - again, not crispy per se but more like seasoned potato wedges. The portion size of this dish was just right for a mid-flight snack.
I'm also posting a picture of the chicken entree since that was another item from this menu that wasn't already pictured in gcashin's post. It was very tasty!
Agreed on the poached eggs with hollandaise - perhaps a bit thick, but I'm sure the consistency is tough to get right when reheated on a plane. Overall quite good, though.
Definitely a big improvement over previous flights to/from Australia IMO.
Feb 1, 2017, 10:27 pm
#90
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Could be anywhere...
Programs: United Platinum
Posts: 250
Flying SFO-TPE with Mr. Kryssa on Saturday. This will be our first time in Polaris. Has anyone seen the menu for this route? Thanks 