Apr 25, 2018, 1:48 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

Last edit by: SPN Lifer

SFO Polaris Lounge Reopened - 4 January 2022

Quote:

United Airlines Unveils United Polaris Lounge at San Francisco International Airport
Lounge is first of four United Polaris lounges expected to open this year

SAN FRANCISCO, April 25, 2018
-- Beginning April 30, customers traveling in United Polaris, the airline's international premium cabin travel experience, will be able to relax and dine prior to their travels or refresh upon arrival in the new United Polaris lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) conveniently located in the International Terminal near Gate G92.
....
United Polaris Lounge at SFO Facts & Highlights

Two levels across more than 28,000 square feet
440 seats
19 different types of seating
492 power outlets and 492 USB ports
8 pieces of art by prominent Bay Area artists, all San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art (SECA) Art Award honorees
5 private daybeds outfitted with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding
8 luxurious shower suites, featuring rainfall showers and Soho House & Co's Cowshed Spa products
Personal valet services, including steaming garments
"The Dining Room" – a private restaurant style dining area with a menu designed by Chef Tritia Gestuvo, a California native, that blends international comfort foods — such as a traditional Chinese congee breakfast and hand-cut pappardelle pasta with mushroom ragout — with staples like the United Polaris Burger
A bistro-like buffet that includes a ramen noodle bar in the afternoon and additional unique-to-San Francisco treats that align with the flight schedule and destinations of United and Star Alliance partners
Cocktails inspired by the Bay Area, including the Mai Tai, invented in Oakland in 1944, and the Pisco Punch, featuring pisco which became all the rage during the California Gold Rush of 1849

....
For more photos of the United Polaris lounge at SFO, visit the United Newsroom

Quote:

Originally Posted by djsflynn

... Also and for those interested, here's a link to download a PDF (10.5MB) copy of the Polaris SFO menus, as provided to media in the press pack: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jjv4i9s97g...0Menu.pdf?dl=0

Access to Polaris lounges (source):

update 29 Sept 2017, effective 1 Oct 2017
Trans-border flights (Canada, Mexico, ..) for UA and partner flights do not qualify

Departure: The airport you are leaving on an international J/F flight* from, i.e. SFO-TPE
Connecting: The airport to or from which you have a short-haul flight to connect to a longer flight, i.e. LAX-SFO-NRT or NRT-SFO-LAX
Arrival: The airport you arrive at after your long-haul flight, i.e. NRT-SFO

Hours - 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. daily
reportedly a la carte dining closes at 9PM

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Apr 29, 2018, 3:08 pm

#91

Kacee

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Just walked past. There were a bunch of boxes of food in the lobby . . . gearing up for tomorrow no doubt!

Apr 29, 2018, 7:26 pm

#92

djsflynn

Join Date: Aug 2007

Location: Sydney, Australia

Posts: 1,841

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesco.g

Wondering, how many out of the 440 seats are at sit down dining in SFO ?

There's seating for 36 in the dining room proper, but there's also stacks of table-seating in the part of the lounge leading up to that (by memory, around halfway from the bar to the buffet) and also across from the self-serve buffet.

Also and for those interested, here's a link to download a PDF (10.5MB) copy of the Polaris SFO menus, as provided to media in the press pack: https://www.dropbox.com/s/jjv4i9s97g...0Menu.pdf?dl=0

Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 29, 2018 at 8:41 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member

Apr 30, 2018, 8:45 am

#93

1kBill

Join Date: Apr 2004

Location: EWR, PHL

Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.

Posts: 4,637

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiowell

And pray that IFL personnel don't come close to the Polaris Lounge.

The voice inside my head was saying that!

Apr 30, 2018, 8:59 am

#94

StuckinITH

Join Date: Nov 2012

Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 3,477

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starman

Numerous semi-closed "study desks". Oddly those padded seats are way too big for one person, but too small for two; if you're a couple, you probably sit elsewhere. That's about the worst criticism I can find so far!

If some face each other like in the ORD Polaris Lounge, you'll see some couples using them and then still try to chat with each other over the distance. Quite annoying! My wife and I sit somewhere else where we find two seats together and forgo the pleasure of using those semi-closed spaces.

Apr 30, 2018, 9:33 am

#95

windhund

Join Date: Sep 2014

Posts: 553

Got here today. Arrived early, so the lounge was pretty empty. Initial impressions: very nice lounge. Most of the spaces have views of Terminal 3, and you can see parts of the international terminal from parts of the lounge. One corner of the dining room has a decent view of the international lounge.

The showers are quite nice. Spa-like. I love the soft lighting, though the color makes some of the whites look a tad yellow. (Not a complaint at all; just something I noticed because I've done design work in the past.) There's a rainfall and regular shower head option. Towels are fluffy and comfortable. Staff are very friendly and polite.

Breakfast buffet was good overall. Didn't get to sample everything. The mini quiche were way too salty for my taste, but everything else was good. Tip: silverware is on placed on the upper part of the buffet (where the glass covering is. Missed that when I went around and had to go back for silverware. In the dining room: the oatmeal and omelet were quite good.

For those who get to fly international J, this is a wonderful treat!

Apr 30, 2018, 10:03 am

#96

uastarflyer

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I know the breakfast menu closes at 11 or so. Can you order off the other menu during morning? Eg the burger or pasta?

before boarding a 11:30 or noon flight I would rather a lunch than a breakfast...

Apr 30, 2018, 10:30 am

#97

windhund

Join Date: Sep 2014

Posts: 553

Quote:

Originally Posted by uastarflyer

The servers said they were serving breakfast only when I went. I was there early so I can’t imagine they would serve lunch then, but I’m not sure if it’d be an option later in the day. The menu did say breakfast was served until 11, but I didn’t see anything about when lunch started.

Apr 30, 2018, 10:39 am

#98

StuckinITH

Join Date: Nov 2012

Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum

Posts: 3,477

Quote:

Originally Posted by windhund

The servers said they were serving breakfast only until when I went. I was there early so I can’t imagine they would serve lunch then, but I’m not sure if it’d be an option later in the day. The menu did say breakfast was served until 11, but I didn’t see anything about when lunch started.

In the ORD Polaris Lounge, they change the buffet offering from breakfast to lunch at 11:00 AM which I also think is late. I never asked anything from the menu as when I'm about to board a 12 or 16 hour flight, I'd rather eat on the plane as it has an entertaining value and helps time go faster. From the buffet, I only graze little snacks and don't overeat.

But I do get the Veuve Clicquot which is better than the Champagne served inflight. Is the Champagne in the SFO Polaris Lounge also Veuve Clicquot?

Apr 30, 2018, 10:49 am

#99

villox

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: London

Programs: UA GS

Posts: 2,438

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckinITH

The bar menu lists the champagne as Piper-Heidsieck.

Apr 30, 2018, 11:56 am

#100

hayzel7773

Join Date: Aug 2016

Location: SFO

Programs: BR Diamond, Dynasty Flyer Paragon, Marriott Lifetime Plat

Posts: 1,926

Does anyone know what time the dining room is open till?

Apr 30, 2018, 12:27 pm

#101

gwade

Join Date: Apr 2001

Location: Cupertino, CA - AA:PLT 2MM; Marriott:Plt; Hilton:Slv

Posts: 562

Whistle Pig...boy howdy, just may need a few before my flight Friday!

SkiPremier likes this.

Apr 30, 2018, 12:42 pm

#102

uastarflyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckinITH

In the ORD Polaris Lounge, they change the buffet offering from breakfast to lunch at 11:00 AM which I also think is late.

That would suggest you cannot order lunch items before 11am

Many transpacs land SFO early morning. After being awake (or simply flying) for 10-15 hours on board I don’t want pancakes and omelettes. Especially if I had a breakfast on board (eg SIN-SFO).

That aspect is disappointing.

Apr 30, 2018, 12:42 pm

#103

EWR764

Join Date: Jan 2005

Location: New York, NY

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Quote:

Originally Posted by villox

The bar menu lists the champagne as Piper-Heidsieck.

Correct, a PH Cuvee 1785. A perfectly good, drinkable NV Champagne at a slightly lower price point than VC Yellow Label. Makes sense for what will be a much higher-throughput lounge than ORD. Wish they'd serve that on board!

BeanTownBoy likes this.

Apr 30, 2018, 1:03 pm

#104

BeanTownBoy

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: BOS

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Quote:

Originally Posted by EWR764

I have noticed that Drappier has appeared on board recently--a nice upgrade from Nicolas Feuillatte!

EWR764 likes this.

Apr 30, 2018, 1:08 pm

#105

villox

Join Date: Mar 2008

Location: London

Programs: UA GS

Posts: 2,438

Quote:

Originally Posted by EWR764

I'm genuinely surprised that the Veuve has stuck around ORD for as long as it has. When you consider that pre-Dec 2016 a United business class ticket only got you whatever was free in the UCs, the Polaris upgrades have been rather remarkable.

Still think they should be handing out vouchers for Polaris passengers departing without a Polaris lounge though...