Jan 17, 2020, 6:38 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread -- Active thread is United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service -- 3+ years after Intro
United website - Explore: http://view.ceros.com/united/polaris-business-class/p/1
from UA's Facebook stream
Official Polaris Lounge Access Rules are here: Polaris Lounge Access Rules
United Polaris Business and Polaris First pax may access the Polaris lounge at connecting airports and their final destination within 24 hours of departure or arrival.
*A international J and F pax may only access the Polaris lounge at the departure airport. For purposes of Polaris lounge access, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guam are excluded from the definition of "international."
Seat Chart.
Press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300278706.html
NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aspiration of making weary business travel a relic of the past, United Airlines today unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline's most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers.
Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.
"United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers' journeys," said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. "This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline."
Path-Breaking Design
In setting out to create a transformative business class experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new look for the United Polaris cabins.
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.
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.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Bill Kim of acclaimed Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack.
The airline will offer an upgraded wine experience, with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options, chocolate truffles and wine flights. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.
Raising The Bar With United Polaris Business Class Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered.
The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Dec. 1, 2016. Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.
United Polaris Introduction
United will begin to introduce United Polaris on Dec. 1, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago. The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the U.S. airline industry's most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris.
** Flights with pajama service (for both directions)
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
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
United website - Explore: http://view.ceros.com/united/polaris-business-class/p/1
from UA's Facebook stream
Only customers traveling in United Polaris business class or United Polaris Global First on international flights and customers in Star Alliance international first or business class cabins on flights longer than six hours will have access to the United Polaris Lounge.
United Polaris Business and Polaris First pax may access the Polaris lounge at connecting airports and their final destination within 24 hours of departure or arrival.
*A international J and F pax may only access the Polaris lounge at the departure airport. For purposes of Polaris lounge access, Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, and Guam are excluded from the definition of "international."
Seat Chart.
Press release: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...300278706.html
NEW YORK, June 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With the aspiration of making weary business travel a relic of the past, United Airlines today unveiled its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline's most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing, departure-to-landing experience for intercontinental travelers.
Named after the North Star, United Polaris is the shining new star of business class travel that flyers can turn to for a tranquil and restful journey.
"United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers' journeys," said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. "This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline."
Path-Breaking Design
In setting out to create a transformative business class experience, United chose to outfit its widebody fleet with a custom-designed, exclusive-to-United seat, rather than select an option already in the marketplace. Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats United Kingdom, each United Polaris seat will offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space.
Crafted as individual, forward-facing, suite-like pods, each customer's personal suite will feature a "Do Not Disturb" sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, several storage areas, multiple surfaces for simultaneous working and dining, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the center of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers. Complementing the new seats, United and PriestmanGoode have also conceived an all-new look for the United Polaris cabins.
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris' path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.
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.
Elevated Dining Experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Bill Kim of acclaimed Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack.
The airline will offer an upgraded wine experience, with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United's Master Sommelier. Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options, chocolate truffles and wine flights. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.
Raising The Bar With United Polaris Business Class Lounges
United will also open an exclusive portfolio of United Polaris business class lounges in nine locations around the world – the only lounge of its kind offered by a U.S. airline to business class customers – that will feature custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers and chef-inspired hot meals served in a boutique restaurant setting so customers can refresh and dine before boarding their planes. Premium sparkling wines and spirits, refreshing snacks and bottled water will also be offered.
The first new United Polaris lounge will open at Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Dec. 1, 2016. Lounges in eight other locations – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow – will follow in 2017.
United Polaris Introduction
United will begin to introduce United Polaris on Dec. 1, 2016, with the new inflight food and beverage experience, new custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, new amenity kits and the new United Polaris lounge in Chicago. The United Polaris business class seat will first take flight in December on Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and subsequently on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
United Polaris will serve business class customers flying the U.S. airline industry's most global route network, reaching more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries.
More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris.
[From [email][email protected] 11/15/2016]
Starting December 1, 2016, United Polaris Business Class service will replace United BusinessFirst service on international flights, and United Polaris Global First service will replace the current United Global First service.
Between 2017 to 2019 eight additional United Polaris lounges will open at EWR, HKG, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR, NRT and SFO. We do not have the exact opening dates at this time. A scheduling announcement will be forthcoming.
Starting December 1, 2016, United Polaris Business Class service will replace United BusinessFirst service on international flights, and United Polaris Global First service will replace the current United Global First service.
Between 2017 to 2019 eight additional United Polaris lounges will open at EWR, HKG, IAD, IAH, LAX, LHR, NRT and SFO. We do not have the exact opening dates at this time. A scheduling announcement will be forthcoming.
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
{Similar Threads:
Polaris Lounge Roadmap 2017-2018 (wiki) (thread)
Polaris lounge ORD - opened 01 Dec 2016 (wiki) (thread)
SFO Lounge changes? Which will become Polaris? Shower options?(wiki) (thread)
United Polaris-New Business Class seats & inflight service and new Polaris Lounges(wiki) (thread)}
United Polaris - New Business Class seats & inflight service {Archive}
May 21, 2017, 1:54 pm
#2926
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,147
I just booked LAX-SYD with MEL-LAX return in J for January-February.
I will also book a separate SFO-LAX round trip in Y to connect to the long-haul flights.
I should be able to get into the Polaris lounges in SFO and LAX in January and February? That is the SFO Polaris lounge for the outbound, the LAX polaris lounge for the outbound, then the NZ lounge (if any) at MEL for the return and LAX polaris lounge before connecting to the LAX-SFO flight in Y?
The return on the long haul is MEL-AKL-LAX, both segments on J on NZ. So probably an NZ lounge in AKL during a 2-hour connection there as well, assuming the NZ lounge is going to be better than anything UA might have there.
I will also book a separate SFO-LAX round trip in Y to connect to the long-haul flights.
I should be able to get into the Polaris lounges in SFO and LAX in January and February? That is the SFO Polaris lounge for the outbound, the LAX polaris lounge for the outbound, then the NZ lounge (if any) at MEL for the return and LAX polaris lounge before connecting to the LAX-SFO flight in Y?
The return on the long haul is MEL-AKL-LAX, both segments on J on NZ. So probably an NZ lounge in AKL during a 2-hour connection there as well, assuming the NZ lounge is going to be better than anything UA might have there.
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ge/access.aspx
http://www.staralliance.com/lounge-finder
http://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy
May 21, 2017, 2:21 pm
#2927
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
You might want to look at these sites for more information:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ge/access.aspx
http://www.staralliance.com/lounge-finder
http://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...ge/access.aspx
http://www.staralliance.com/lounge-finder
http://www.staralliance.com/en/lounge-access-policy
A boarding pass for travel in United Polaris business class
Customers in United Polaris business class may access a United Polaris lounge at departure, connecting and arrival airports along their eligible same-day routing.
Customers in United Polaris business class may access a United Polaris lounge at departure, connecting and arrival airports along their eligible same-day routing.
That's assuming I can get the boarding pass for LAX-SYD at SFO.
Similarly for the return, I will have NZ boarding passes, though the AKL-LAX flight operated by NZ is a UA codeshare. So maybe I would get flak at the LAX Polaris lounge (assuming it's open in January or February) if I tried to use it before taking my LAX-SFO flight.
But if the LAX Polaris lounge is in a different terminal than my LAX-SFO flight, it may be moot, because I'll probably only have 2 or 2.5 hour connection at LAX between the flights, so not enough time after getting through customs, re-checking bag and having to worry about getting to a different terminal.
May 21, 2017, 2:24 pm
#2928
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,010
According to the first link:
So that suggests I should be able to, even though the SFO-LAX and LAX-SYD outbounds are separate tickets, with only the latter in Polaris J.
That's assuming I can get the boarding pass for LAX-SYD at SFO.
Similarly for the return, I will have NZ boarding passes, though the AKL-LAX flight operated by NZ is a UA codeshare. So maybe I would get flak at the LAX Polaris lounge (assuming it's open in January or February) if I tried to use it before taking my LAX-SFO flight.
But if the LAX Polaris lounge is in a different terminal than my LAX-SFO flight, it may be moot, because I'll probably only have 2 or 2.5 hour connection at LAX between the flights, so not enough time after getting through customs, re-checking bag and having to worry about getting to a different terminal.
So that suggests I should be able to, even though the SFO-LAX and LAX-SYD outbounds are separate tickets, with only the latter in Polaris J.
That's assuming I can get the boarding pass for LAX-SYD at SFO.
Similarly for the return, I will have NZ boarding passes, though the AKL-LAX flight operated by NZ is a UA codeshare. So maybe I would get flak at the LAX Polaris lounge (assuming it's open in January or February) if I tried to use it before taking my LAX-SFO flight.
But if the LAX Polaris lounge is in a different terminal than my LAX-SFO flight, it may be moot, because I'll probably only have 2 or 2.5 hour connection at LAX between the flights, so not enough time after getting through customs, re-checking bag and having to worry about getting to a different terminal.
May 21, 2017, 2:36 pm
#2929
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
May 21, 2017, 2:48 pm
#2930
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
OK, looks like all UA flights, domestic and international, arriving and departing, are in Terminals 7 and 8, which are the furthest from TBIT.
So unlikely to use the *A Lounge at TBIT, probably stuck with United Club at Terminal 7 for the outbound.
For the return, NZ6 arrive at Terminal B, as of today. So I could use the lounges there but once I recheck my bags at customs to my LAX-SFO flight, I don't even know if I can access the lounge areas there without re-entering security. (that's assuming NZ will check my bag through from MEL all the way to SFO on my separate LAX-SFO flight).
Then I eventually have to get over to probably Terminal 8.
May 21, 2017, 4:12 pm
#2931
Moderator: United Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Topic Reminder
This thread is about the Polaris "redo" for UA international premium cabin. There are a number of good threads for discussion of LAX and presently available lounges.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-ua-flyer.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ec-2016-a.html
Let's return to the discussion of Polaris here.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
This thread is about the Polaris "redo" for UA international premium cabin. There are a number of good threads for discussion of LAX and presently available lounges.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-ua-flyer.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ec-2016-a.html
Let's return to the discussion of Polaris here.
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
May 22, 2017, 7:07 am
#2932
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,703
Think they're taking their sweet time to catch all the glitches at the ORD PL before wholeheartedly getting building at the other hubs.
May 23, 2017, 11:34 am
#2933
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
NRT-DEN last weekend. l like the gel pillow and they actually turned the temp down a bit when I asked to cool it off.
I'm underwhelmed with the hard product/food. Pork on the way out was an abomination. Beef on the way back was barely passable.
SPAM nigiri sushi in NRT? Seriously?
Really underwhelmed by 'Polaris'.
I'm underwhelmed with the hard product/food. Pork on the way out was an abomination. Beef on the way back was barely passable.
SPAM nigiri sushi in NRT? Seriously?
Really underwhelmed by 'Polaris'.
May 23, 2017, 11:51 am
#2934
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Bay Area
Programs: DL SM, UA MP.
Posts: 12,729
Supposedly Spam is not looked down upon by Asians like it is by Americans.
May 23, 2017, 1:54 pm
#2936
Join Date: Mar 2012
Programs: Mileage Plus 1K; Marriott Platinum; Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,355
NRT-DEN last weekend. l like the gel pillow and they actually turned the temp down a bit when I asked to cool it off.
I'm underwhelmed with the hard product/food. Pork on the way out was an abomination. Beef on the way back was barely passable.
SPAM nigiri sushi in NRT? Seriously?
Really underwhelmed by 'Polaris'.
I'm underwhelmed with the hard product/food. Pork on the way out was an abomination. Beef on the way back was barely passable.
SPAM nigiri sushi in NRT? Seriously?
Really underwhelmed by 'Polaris'.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi
May 23, 2017, 2:00 pm
#2937
Suspended
Join Date: May 2017
Location: In the Swiss amoeba's head
Programs: Lowest level possible
Posts: 2,829
May 23, 2017, 3:48 pm
#2938
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
If the food was set out before departure of the NRT-HNL flight, it might have been Spam musubi, which is very popular in the Hawaiian Islands.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spam_musubi
May 23, 2017, 3:51 pm
#2939
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Diamond, NK Gold, Mariott LT Plat/Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 925
Polaris lounge question. I'm flying ORD-EWR and then EWR-HAM on two separate tickets (F for ORD-EWR and Polaris J for EWR-HAM). Am I able to use the ORD Polaris lounge or no, because it's two separate tickets?
May 23, 2017, 4:18 pm
#2940
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
Don't know if anyone has any direct experience but per the rules yes as long as you present the boarding pass for the EWR-HAM flight at the lounge.