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 23, 2017, 5:53 pm
#2941
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
(I have no experience, just what I would think would be logical reaction if they are being strict/by the book)
May 23, 2017, 5:55 pm
#2942
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
I've flown on separate tickets before and they let you in as long as you've flown in the past 24 hours. For future flights within the next 24 hours they will also let you in. My separate ticket experience has been international one leg and domestic the other, so similar to your situation.
May 23, 2017, 6:00 pm
#2943
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Seoul
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 983
Spam is also extremely expensive here, and is seen as a delicacy. In fact, during Lunar New Year you usually buy "gift boxes" for friends and family to celebrate, and these can range from alcohol to quality cuts of beef, and one of the major sellers is the Spam gift box.
Anyway so at least in Asia Spam is highly regarded.
Shoot, even in both Japan and Korea they have a ramen station where you can eat Jin ramen in both the business AND first class lounges. For multiple airlines. It's great, I eat it every time I'm in the lounge.
May 23, 2017, 6:45 pm
#2944
Join Date: May 2015
Programs: All the programs!
Posts: 1,006
Some of the Asian airlines have instant noodles in their U.S. lounges. It would be great if they also have spam though!
May 25, 2017, 7:39 am
#2945
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,272
My biggest complaint with Polaris on-board service is that it takes much longer to get a pre-departure drink. The FAs need to deal with those silly-shaped cups/holders and I think this leads to a delay. It seems like pre-Polaris, almost immediately after arriving in my seat, an FA would ask if I wanted something to drink. Doesn't seem to happen that quickly any longer...
May 25, 2017, 7:50 am
#2946
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,438
My biggest complaint with Polaris on-board service is that it takes much longer to get a pre-departure drink. The FAs need to deal with those silly-shaped cups/holders and I think this leads to a delay. It seems like pre-Polaris, almost immediately after arriving in my seat, an FA would ask if I wanted something to drink. Doesn't seem to happen that quickly any longer...
May 26, 2017, 9:05 am
#2947
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, Hyatt Lifetime Glob, Marriott Titanium/Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,272
My biggest complaint with Polaris on-board service is that it takes much longer to get a pre-departure drink. The FAs need to deal with those silly-shaped cups/holders and I think this leads to a delay. It seems like pre-Polaris, almost immediately after arriving in my seat, an FA would ask if I wanted something to drink. Doesn't seem to happen that quickly any longer...
- Again, a long delay with PDB. I think part of this is related to the plane's configuration; 767 means boarding from the front, and queue of Y passengers (not their fault, but interferes with FAs' ability to navigate the aisles.
- Is it just me, or does it seem like IFE gets reset on the ground a majority of flights? I was 20 minutes into a movie and the system was re-set. Annoying.
- My gel pillow's case was visibly dirty in more than one spot. My neighbor gasped at it. It was replaced.
- Not enough slippers for everyone.
- I do not drink bloody Mary's, so I find this initial service a combination of amusing and annoying. I invariably ask for something else and it takes a while to get my choice to me. I also find a delay in the pre-meal/nuts drink service because the FAs need to set up the elaborate bloody Mary cart. Count me out, please.
- On a positive note, ALL my cashews were whole! ^
- Meal choices were blah. I like lamb, but I don't love it. Tired of this being the main choice for meat main.
- Wines are still predictably mediocre. At least I can read about how disappointing they will be.
- Ice cream used to be an eagerly awaited treat. Now, served in pre-packaged cup =
Unimpressed in 4D.
May 26, 2017, 10:04 am
#2948
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: CO
Programs: UA OG-1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,360
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 26, 2017, 11:34 am
#2949
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Cameras on Polaris video screens?
On a recent flight, sitting in Polaris/First, I couldn't help noticing what looked like a video camera staring back at me from the video screen. I suppose it's possible that these are standard-issue video screens that just happen to have camera capabilities, and there's not actually a camera in there, or it's not functional, but it still seems strange to me...
May 26, 2017, 11:46 am
#2950
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,461
One is a light sensor, I think, to adjust the screen brightness automatically. The other I'm not sure about. Or maybe both are part of the sensing system.
May 26, 2017, 11:47 am
#2951
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
It a light sensor that dims the monitor
May 26, 2017, 12:32 pm
#2952
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Anybody know what's with audio (songs) not being available? The only option was Audiobooks. Another royalty issue? Every other airline appears to have this sorted out, but UA 
On a +ve note, I got a second serving of the nuts!
On a +ve note, I got a second serving of the nuts!
May 26, 2017, 1:00 pm
#2953
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
May 26, 2017, 1:37 pm
#2954
Join Date: Jul 2015
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 873
Further to my comment above, I am starting to pay closer attention to this service. On flights from the US to Europe, I sleep from wheels-up to wheels-down, so nothing to offer about service. On the way home, I am typically working and inattentive. However, some observations from seat 4D on BCN-EWR:
- Again, a long delay with PDB. I think part of this is related to the plane's configuration; 767 means boarding from the front, and queue of Y passengers (not their fault, but interferes with FAs' ability to navigate the aisles.
- Is it just me, or does it seem like IFE gets reset on the ground a majority of flights? I was 20 minutes into a movie and the system was re-set. Annoying.
- My gel pillow's case was visibly dirty in more than one spot. My neighbor gasped at it. It was replaced.
- Not enough slippers for everyone.
- I do not drink bloody Mary's, so I find this initial service a combination of amusing and annoying. I invariably ask for something else and it takes a while to get my choice to me. I also find a delay in the pre-meal/nuts drink service because the FAs need to set up the elaborate bloody Mary cart. Count me out, please.
- On a positive note, ALL my cashews were whole! ^
- Meal choices were blah. I like lamb, but I don't love it. Tired of this being the main choice for meat main.
- Wines are still predictably mediocre. At least I can read about how disappointing they will be.
- Ice cream used to be an eagerly awaited treat. Now, served in pre-packaged cup =
Unimpressed in 4D.
- Again, a long delay with PDB. I think part of this is related to the plane's configuration; 767 means boarding from the front, and queue of Y passengers (not their fault, but interferes with FAs' ability to navigate the aisles.
- Is it just me, or does it seem like IFE gets reset on the ground a majority of flights? I was 20 minutes into a movie and the system was re-set. Annoying.
- My gel pillow's case was visibly dirty in more than one spot. My neighbor gasped at it. It was replaced.
- Not enough slippers for everyone.
- I do not drink bloody Mary's, so I find this initial service a combination of amusing and annoying. I invariably ask for something else and it takes a while to get my choice to me. I also find a delay in the pre-meal/nuts drink service because the FAs need to set up the elaborate bloody Mary cart. Count me out, please.
- On a positive note, ALL my cashews were whole! ^
- Meal choices were blah. I like lamb, but I don't love it. Tired of this being the main choice for meat main.
- Wines are still predictably mediocre. At least I can read about how disappointing they will be.
- Ice cream used to be an eagerly awaited treat. Now, served in pre-packaged cup =
Unimpressed in 4D.
May 26, 2017, 1:47 pm
#2955
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
It was originally a bloody mary/mimosa cart, haven't noticed the latter lately. Upcoming TATL is a mix of PM and AM flights, will try to pay closer attention...