njxbean

I am looking into whether or not i want to upgrade into the business first cabin for a Hou-Syd long haul.

I was told the following by United. Is this correct?


The reason for the inquiry is that i need to know if the seats allow for a child seat. Im told that the seats wont work in United Polaris First Class, but they are fine in Business First. Right now the aircraft says its Business First, but does this typically change? Obviously if it does then i will simply have to not upgrade as i cant risk upgrading and then being in a seat that will not allow it. Just curious others experiences on this. Wanted to post this here as opposed to the child forum since there is more knowledge here regarding aircrafts.

Thanks!

Kmxu

jsloan

The 787-9 has Polaris Business and will not have Polaris First. UA is extremely unlikely to put a three-cabin plane on that route, and, if they did, you wouldn't be in Polaris First anyway; you'd still be in Polaris Business.

I have no idea why the UA Travel with Children page lists a Polaris First cabin on a 787; they've never had one.

njxbean

I actually got that information from a United rep. Sigh.

Thanks. This was information direct from United. Now the flight is in December, so i suppose this could change?

jsloan

UA has never put a three-cabin plane on that route; I'm not sure that their 772ER has the range for it.

Even if they did, it wouldn't matter -- you wouldn't be seated in Polaris First with a business class ticket.

DetroitFlyer

It is unlikely a 777-200 or even a 777-300 could make IAH-SYD without a severe payload restriction, so expect a 787 with Polaris business.

Kacee

It is grossly inaccurate.

To echo prior comments, the aircraft on this route will be the 789 with a business class cabin arranged in a 2-2-2 layout.

alf0906

It will be Polaris Business Class. There is no longer BusinessFirst, and there is no Polaris First in two cabin 787s. (Polaris First is being phased out in general.) My guess is that you are confused by the statement on the United website that say you cannot use car seats "in United Polaris® first class on 767, 777 and 787 aircraft." I think United is using shorthand for the premium cabin when it says "first class," and you will not be able to use a car seat in the Polaris cabin of the 787.

I am almost certain that the FAA rule for car seats requires that the airplane seat (NOT the car seat) be forward facing. The Polaris seats on the 787 are at an angle and thus not forward facing in relation to the fuselage. If you could find an alternate flight with a 777 that has forward facing seats available, then you may be able to use the car seat.

How old and big is your child? There are fixed bassinets in Row 6 of the Polaris Business cabin on the 789. I am having trouble posting a link, but if you Google "liveandletsfly 787-9 review london to los angeles," the first hit is a blog review that will show you the bassinet. It would only work for an infant, probably six months or younger.

njxbean

Per United: They dont mention forward facing seats on an angle. Where are you seeing this? This would definitely be something i need to consider if true.

Also we wouldn't be able to do a bassinet as he will be 1 year old by then.

Thanks for the great responses thus far. i knew i would get better info here than from UA sigh.

jsloan

I think the page, as written, is borderline incomprehensible. I wouldn't jump to any conclusions.

I think you're reading way too much into "forward facing." The seats in the 787-9 are forward facing for any reasonable definition of the words. The intent is to prevent the seats from being used in an environment where the seat provides no protection in the case of a sudden deceleration.

I believe the prohibition against using the seats in Polaris First is due to the shoulder harness -- which makes me a little surprised that they're not prohibited in the 77W and new retrofits, to be honest.

Becca1007

If you have a toddler, you could use the CARES harness, it will work on the business seat.

salisboss

The aircraft seat can be up to 18* off center and still allow a car seat per the FAA. Does anyone know what angle the Polaris seats would be on this route?

alf0906

On your first point, I agree that the page is borderline incomprehensible, but I don't know what other conclusion there is given that the 788 and 789 are both two cabin planes.

On your second point, I would disagree about "any reasonable definition." Federal regulations often provide a definition that is contrary to "any reasonable definition." :-) Someone took the time to look it up, seat must not be angled more than 18*.

You may be right that the shoulder harness is an issue as well.

WineCountryUA

Does not that also include those with air bags?

njxbean

Thanks for the response. We were actually looking at this. I believe he has to be 22lbs to use CARES(he is 9 months now and ~19 lbs so he should make it but it will be close). So i want to cover all options. I guess we need to start feeding the kid more!