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}
Jul 22, 2017, 12:24 pm
#3151
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Just a random musing coming off of LH MUC-LAX in F.
Yes the food and service were top notch. However, there was no official pre-landing meal.
You had the full gut busting meal service after take off. After that the rest of the flight you were on your own from a choice of about 6-7 other snacks (hot roast beef sandwhich, tom kha soup, salad, pasta, etc). Yes the FA came by about 2h before landing asking me what I would like but call me old fashion I kind of like having a "meal" or menu already somewhat decide for me.
Others may think differently, but just a thought. I feel if UA did it like that in Polaris you'd have a lot of people here finding a way to gripe and call it "cost cutting".
Yes the food and service were top notch. However, there was no official pre-landing meal.
You had the full gut busting meal service after take off. After that the rest of the flight you were on your own from a choice of about 6-7 other snacks (hot roast beef sandwhich, tom kha soup, salad, pasta, etc). Yes the FA came by about 2h before landing asking me what I would like but call me old fashion I kind of like having a "meal" or menu already somewhat decide for me.
Others may think differently, but just a thought. I feel if UA did it like that in Polaris you'd have a lot of people here finding a way to gripe and call it "cost cutting".
Jul 22, 2017, 2:44 pm
#3152
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,322
LH's service, meals, and everything about their First Class craps all over UA. Your menu is here. I like eating when I want, not when the FA's force me to. There's nothing cost-cutting about LH's approach.
Jul 22, 2017, 4:05 pm
#3153
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
Yes, you're old fashioned LH's service, meals, and everything about their First Class craps all over UA. Your menu is here. I like eating when I want, not when the FA's force me to. There's nothing cost-cutting about LH's approach.
LH's service, meals, and everything about their First Class craps all over UA. Your menu is here. I like eating when I want, not when the FA's force me to. There's nothing cost-cutting about LH's approach.My other 4-5 LH F flights I thought I recall them having a menu for pre-arrival but those were mostly EU-East Coast vv and not to the West Coast but maybe it is SO.
I didn't say there was anything about LH cutting cost. I was musing about what people HERE would say if UA just had 1 meal service on FRA-SFO and then the rest it was a choose your own adventure of snacks.
Jul 22, 2017, 5:28 pm
#3154
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Jul 22, 2017, 11:41 pm
#3155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
I know the menus are posted in advance. I actually didn't even look up the menu until that morning when waiting at Split and noticed there wasn't an arrivals menu and maybe thought it just got cut off the PDF.
My other 4-5 LH F flights I thought I recall them having a menu for pre-arrival but those were mostly EU-East Coast vv and not to the West Coast but maybe it is SO.
I didn't say there was anything about LH cutting cost. I was musing about what people HERE would say if UA just had 1 meal service on FRA-SFO and then the rest it was a choose your own adventure of snacks.
My other 4-5 LH F flights I thought I recall them having a menu for pre-arrival but those were mostly EU-East Coast vv and not to the West Coast but maybe it is SO.
I didn't say there was anything about LH cutting cost. I was musing about what people HERE would say if UA just had 1 meal service on FRA-SFO and then the rest it was a choose your own adventure of snacks.
Jul 23, 2017, 6:18 am
#3156
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,117
I agree what is the big deal?
Even on the 'long' flights I take there are few people asking for them. It is a small fraction of Polaris flyers who want them. Constancy has been United's greatest problem with their premium products.If your going to brand all these flights "Polaris" and that is your premium product it needs to be a constant premium product. From the time I step into the lounge until I step off the plane, that product is within United's control. But it has not chance of being a constant premium product for a few years because they don't have or want to use the resources to bring all the lounges on line in a reasonable time frame and these imo idiotic self imposed rules on who has PJs, slippers and the ilk.
Note: If your flight may have pajamas on board even if it is not deemed worthy. Never hurts to ask.
Even on the 'long' flights I take there are few people asking for them. It is a small fraction of Polaris flyers who want them. Constancy has been United's greatest problem with their premium products.If your going to brand all these flights "Polaris" and that is your premium product it needs to be a constant premium product. From the time I step into the lounge until I step off the plane, that product is within United's control. But it has not chance of being a constant premium product for a few years because they don't have or want to use the resources to bring all the lounges on line in a reasonable time frame and these imo idiotic self imposed rules on who has PJs, slippers and the ilk.
Note: If your flight may have pajamas on board even if it is not deemed worthy. Never hurts to ask.
Jul 23, 2017, 8:18 am
#3157
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
I agree what is the big deal?
Even on the 'long' flights I take there are few people asking for them. It is a small fraction of Polaris flyers who want them. Constancy has been United's greatest problem with their premium products.If your going to brand all these flights "Polaris" and that is your premium product it needs to be a constant premium product. From the time I step into the lounge until I step off the plane, that product is within United's control. But it has not chance of being a constant premium product for a few years because they don't have or want to use the resources to bring all the lounges on line in a reasonable time frame and these imo idiotic self imposed rules on who has PJs, slippers and the ilk.
Note: If your flight may have pajamas on board even if it is not deemed worthy. Never hurts to ask.
Even on the 'long' flights I take there are few people asking for them. It is a small fraction of Polaris flyers who want them. Constancy has been United's greatest problem with their premium products.If your going to brand all these flights "Polaris" and that is your premium product it needs to be a constant premium product. From the time I step into the lounge until I step off the plane, that product is within United's control. But it has not chance of being a constant premium product for a few years because they don't have or want to use the resources to bring all the lounges on line in a reasonable time frame and these imo idiotic self imposed rules on who has PJs, slippers and the ilk.
Note: If your flight may have pajamas on board even if it is not deemed worthy. Never hurts to ask.
Jul 23, 2017, 3:32 pm
#3158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,411
On my last two Polaris flights, the first crew proactively offered pajamas and maybe 60-70% of the cabin (forward cabin on 789) wore them. The second crew did not, and I felt like the only one who got them.
Jul 23, 2017, 6:12 pm
#3159
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
United Polaris First
I'm going BRU-ORD in Polaris First in September on a 777-200. I know we will be getting the old UA Global First seats, not the new Polaris Business seats. I assume we will get the new bedding, some decent food, "Polaris" services/soft product. I assume there will be no PJs and no teddy bears (although I'll ask, just in case miracles happen) - at 9.5 hours, my goal will be to get some sleep. We've got a 3-4 hour layover in ORD before continuing on to SEA in UA domestic first. I assume we will have the flagship Polaris lounge in ORD for food and maybe a shower to refresh.
I know the BRU-ORD flight will be on an old airframe, and in fact I'm expecting the old First seats will probably be more comfortable/better for sleeping than newer Polaris seats that will eventually (someday) replace them.
Have I got all that about right? My expectations calibrated appropriately?
Thanks.
I know the BRU-ORD flight will be on an old airframe, and in fact I'm expecting the old First seats will probably be more comfortable/better for sleeping than newer Polaris seats that will eventually (someday) replace them.
Have I got all that about right? My expectations calibrated appropriately?
Thanks.
Jul 23, 2017, 6:43 pm
#3160
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
I'm going BRU-ORD in Polaris First in September on a 777-200. I know we will be getting the old UA Global First seats, not the new Polaris Business seats. I assume we will get the new bedding, some decent food, "Polaris" services/soft product. I assume there will be no PJs and no teddy bears (although I'll ask, just in case miracles happen) - at 9.5 hours, my goal will be to get some sleep. We've got a 3-4 hour layover in ORD before continuing on to SEA in UA domestic first. I assume we will have the flagship Polaris lounge in ORD for food and maybe a shower to refresh.
I know the BRU-ORD flight will be on an old airframe, and in fact I'm expecting the old First seats will probably be more comfortable/better for sleeping than newer Polaris seats that will eventually (someday) replace them.
Have I got all that about right? My expectations calibrated appropriately?
Thanks.
I know the BRU-ORD flight will be on an old airframe, and in fact I'm expecting the old First seats will probably be more comfortable/better for sleeping than newer Polaris seats that will eventually (someday) replace them.
Have I got all that about right? My expectations calibrated appropriately?
Thanks.
Jul 23, 2017, 7:04 pm
#3161
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: Northwest, United
Posts: 3,256
Jul 23, 2017, 9:13 pm
#3162
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,453
Jul 23, 2017, 11:42 pm
#3164
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,411
The GF seat is amazing, enjoy!
Jul 24, 2017, 7:02 am
#3165
Join Date: Nov 2014
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 1,679
Agreed, on my first flight they offered and that was where 1/2 of the cabin had them, when they are not proactively offered less have them.