New Polaris vs LH J EWR to FRA
 

Paid J....have not used the new Polaris seating but LH J always reliably solid although no direct access but upstairs nice.....any suggestions on whether to go UA vs LH.....thanks

If you haven't done the Polaris seat, that's what I'd probably go with. I am a fan of the hard product and direct aisle access.

Plus, departing from Terminal C you get to use the Polaris Lounge prior to the flight which is much nicer than the LH lounge in B.

You will get a lot of dispute on this because LH is not direct aisle access. I agree that the upstairs seats (especially on the A380 which as an aircraft blows away UA's 787/777s) on LH are nice. The new Polaris seating is nice is you get a window, but they fill up quickly.... That seat is worth it. UA's food/beverage and general service level is lower than LH's. If these things matter, then best to avoid UA. Agree that the Polaris lounge is probably slightly better than LH's lounge.

Bottom line IMHO is that if not being disturbed is the key factor, and you can get the coveted odd numbered window seats (which are more private) on a real polaris A/C (77W or retrofited 772) then UA is the better bet. But if you can't get those seats, its not an A/C with the new Polaris seats (e.g. its a 787 or 763 or non-retrofited 772), or you care about soft product, best to avoid UA.

Definitely UA on this one. New Polaris. Much more private. Decent meal in the Polaris lounge and maximize sleep on board so that UA's often disappointing food / service isn't really a factor for this route.

This 747 lover plans to do UA EWR-FRA since it's the quicker flight overnight and LH on the return. Another bonus of the 747-8s of LH is a few channels of live TV such as CNN-i

agreed. UA outbound and LH inbound.

The footwell on LH 747-8 J which makes you play footsies with your neighbor alone already makes the seat terrible. I would recommend UA Polaris J (or 764 J seat if you're flying before it switches over to 787-10).

Polaris over LH J every day for me. LH J soft product is very good, but the seats are not that good and the IFE is subpar for such a worldwide airline.

If you get a good crew the flight on new Polaris can be as good as any LH J flight.

New Polaris J beats LH's "new" business class which is already a generation behind other airlines. You can eat in the Polaris lounge and Polaris food isn't that terrible to makeup for LH's 'love thy neighbor' seat.

All seat pairs on the 748 are "footsie" pairs. I would choose UA; the Polaris seat is vastly superior, but service and food on LH are better usually.

The LH seat is not good for sleeping if you are tall. The Polaris seat is far superior. The Polaris Lounge food is superior to most airline food, so I would recommend that you eat in the lounge and sleep on the flight.

for sure pick the UA polaris.

But eat dinner in the lounge so you can avoid the substandard business class meals that UA serves these days. This approach also can maximize sleep, as others have mentioned.