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}
Dec 10, 2018, 8:31 am
#4396
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
Dec 10, 2018, 8:37 am
#4397
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Denver
Programs: United Mileage Plus
Posts: 7
Well that makes a lot more sense. The ticket was labeled Polaris business. But I certainly recognized the aging seats and the hilariously old wired remote with phone and PlayStation capabilities. So I won't rule out Polaris as unimpressive... yet.
Dec 10, 2018, 5:12 pm
#4398
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: MSP
Programs: DL MM (thanks PMNW!), DL PM, UA PLT, just about every darn hotel program-generally GOLD type level
Posts: 783
Just flew the new Polaris cabin PVG-ORD. I like a hard a mattress so found the seat comfortable. Loved the privacy in an odd window seat. I enjoyed playing with all the new toys but I do have a question that even the awesome FA couldn’t answer. I bet you guys can: What does the little lit up button under the small reading light do?
As far as soft product: FA great. Food blah, beef was inedible for this non-picky eater. I flew the first weekend of Polaris (NRT-ORD) so long ago. What a sad comparison.
As far as soft product: FA great. Food blah, beef was inedible for this non-picky eater. I flew the first weekend of Polaris (NRT-ORD) so long ago. What a sad comparison.
Dec 10, 2018, 5:33 pm
#4399
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,509
Just flew the new Polaris cabin PVG-ORD. I like a hard a mattress so found the seat comfortable. Loved the privacy in an odd window seat. I enjoyed playing with all the new toys but I do have a question that even the awesome FA couldn’t answer. I bet you guys can: What does the little lit up button under the small reading light do?
Dec 11, 2018, 11:36 am
#4400
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,553
In the last week, I flew ORD-NRT on NH in business (773) and HKG-SFO on UA in Polaris (773). I have to say that the overall experience on UA was more to my liking than on NH - and that surprises me. I hadn't flown NH in business for a few years, so I was interested in the comparison with multiple recent long-haul Polaris flights (on 773s).
NH came out better in a few regards: Nicer menus, slightly better champagne/wine, toilets were periodically tidied, and there was a feeling of more space (bigger footwells and lower density of people).
UA's seat was more comfortable, the blankets/pillows were superior, the beef tasted better and was served hot, the portions of food and drink were slightly larger, and the service was at least as good. UA has air nozzles for each seat, which I really like (NH doesn't). Despite the continued cuts to Polaris, it's still a very good product, assuming you get the Polaris seats and don't get a lazy or grumpy flight attendant.
NH came out better in a few regards: Nicer menus, slightly better champagne/wine, toilets were periodically tidied, and there was a feeling of more space (bigger footwells and lower density of people).
UA's seat was more comfortable, the blankets/pillows were superior, the beef tasted better and was served hot, the portions of food and drink were slightly larger, and the service was at least as good. UA has air nozzles for each seat, which I really like (NH doesn't). Despite the continued cuts to Polaris, it's still a very good product, assuming you get the Polaris seats and don't get a lazy or grumpy flight attendant.
Dec 11, 2018, 10:26 pm
#4401
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 19
I have read through multiple threads and been googling nonstop... hoping one of the experts can help.
We are booked in United Business(Polaris) from ORD-FRA next Monday 12/17, the 6:15pm flight.
United is showing the old seating map, but looking through these threads it sounds like they show the old seating map in case of equipment swaps.
When googling it looks like many of the bloggers flying this route in the past were on an updated plane.
Is there any good source to tell which type of plane or seating configuration it will be?
I'm just curious if we have any chance at getting the newer Polaris product/seating or if we are stuck in the 2-4-2 business seating.......
We are booked in United Business(Polaris) from ORD-FRA next Monday 12/17, the 6:15pm flight.
United is showing the old seating map, but looking through these threads it sounds like they show the old seating map in case of equipment swaps.
When googling it looks like many of the bloggers flying this route in the past were on an updated plane.
Is there any good source to tell which type of plane or seating configuration it will be?
I'm just curious if we have any chance at getting the newer Polaris product/seating or if we are stuck in the 2-4-2 business seating.......
Last edited by Midwestgirl22; Dec 11, 2018 at 10:30 pm Reason: not done
Dec 11, 2018, 11:09 pm
#4402
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,478
That flight is currently scheduled to operate with N787UA, which is the old configuration. Aircraft assignments are pretty uncertain up to about three days out however, and can change even later than that.
Dec 12, 2018, 3:32 am
#4403
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Virginia and Vitoria, ES Brazil
Programs: UA 1K, Million Miler, *G, JJ, AD, Global Entry, CLEAR, H.O.G. Life Member
Posts: 1,407
Dec 12, 2018, 7:01 am
#4404
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: MFR
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,885
I have read through multiple threads and been googling nonstop... hoping one of the experts can help.
We are booked in United Business(Polaris) from ORD-FRA next Monday 12/17, the 6:15pm flight.
United is showing the old seating map, but looking through these threads it sounds like they show the old seating map in case of equipment swaps.
When googling it looks like many of the bloggers flying this route in the past were on an updated plane.
Is there any good source to tell which type of plane or seating configuration it will be?
I'm just curious if we have any chance at getting the newer Polaris product/seating or if we are stuck in the 2-4-2 business seating.......
We are booked in United Business(Polaris) from ORD-FRA next Monday 12/17, the 6:15pm flight.
United is showing the old seating map, but looking through these threads it sounds like they show the old seating map in case of equipment swaps.
When googling it looks like many of the bloggers flying this route in the past were on an updated plane.
Is there any good source to tell which type of plane or seating configuration it will be?
I'm just curious if we have any chance at getting the newer Polaris product/seating or if we are stuck in the 2-4-2 business seating.......
Same thing is happening with my IAH-MUC on a CO763.
Just keep watching it every day and right up until the last minute so you don’t get stuck with some awful middle seats.
Dec 12, 2018, 7:28 am
#4405
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 19
I’m on that flight in early January, so I’ve been watching the daily flight status. It’s been flip flopping between an old 772 and Polaris for weeks now.
Same thing is happening with my IAH-MUC on a CO763.
Just keep watching it every day and right up until the last minute so you don’t get stuck with some awful middle seats.
We were originally flying from ORD-MUC on Lufthansa in Business, but I called United to rearrange my itinerary a bit (this is a multi leg pretty much round the world trip) and we kept running into roadblocks with availability (even though it was showing on United's site). The agent was amazing, I told her what I was ultimately trying to do, she put me on hold and started arranging things with the supervisor. They even gave me seats on flights that were not saver awards just to get me what I wanted. However, in doing so... they moved me from Lufthansa business to this flight
I was really looking forward to flying business for the first time on a long haul flight and had specifically picked Lufthansa over United due to the Polaris uncertainty.... fingers crossed we get lucky but going to keep my expectations in check. As of right now my husband and I are in the middle section but have a middle and aisle seat (no window seats left when this was booked).
I’m on that flight in early January, so I’ve been watching the daily flight status. It’s been flip flopping between an old 772 and Polaris for weeks now.
Same thing is happening with my IAH-MUC on a CO763.
Just keep watching it every day and right up until the last minute so you don’t get stuck with some awful middle seats.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 12, 2018 at 7:58 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Dec 12, 2018, 4:33 pm
#4406
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
The easiest way to tell is to look at the seatmap for business, if the seats are orange and have a 2-4-2 configuration, it is the old config. If not 2-4-2 and seats are dark blue, it is the new config.
Dec 12, 2018, 6:47 pm
#4407
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
United's site is as good as any. However, on ExpertFlyer, you can set email alerts for aircraft changes.
The easiest way to tell is to look at the seatmap for business, if the seats are orange and have a 2-4-2 configuration, it is the old config. If not 2-4-2 and seats are dark blue, it is the new config.
The easiest way to tell is to look at the seatmap for business, if the seats are orange and have a 2-4-2 configuration, it is the old config. If not 2-4-2 and seats are dark blue, it is the new config.
is there some other way to tell you are on "real" Polaris? A certain set of buttons on the seat, rear facing seats, something? It's too late to check the seat map. It's full.
Dec 12, 2018, 7:08 pm
#4408
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Is it really that simple? I'm on EZE-IAH on 1/6/19 on 772 2-2-2. I thought South America got old equipment. I would be happy to be on the real Polaris.
is there some other way to tell you are on "real" Polaris? A certain set of buttons on the seat, rear facing seats, something? It's too late to check the seat map. It's full.
is there some other way to tell you are on "real" Polaris? A certain set of buttons on the seat, rear facing seats, something? It's too late to check the seat map. It's full.
Dec 12, 2018, 7:10 pm
#4409
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 129
Is it really that simple? I'm on EZE-IAH on 1/6/19 on 772 2-2-2. I thought South America got old equipment. I would be happy to be on the real Polaris.
is there some other way to tell you are on "real" Polaris? A certain set of buttons on the seat, rear facing seats, something? It's too late to check the seat map. It's full.
is there some other way to tell you are on "real" Polaris? A certain set of buttons on the seat, rear facing seats, something? It's too late to check the seat map. It's full.
Dec 12, 2018, 7:13 pm
#4410
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: RDU
Posts: 5,242
Anything especially interesting about those seats? Is there a guide anywhere. Curious if they have USB power.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Dec 12, 2018 at 7:56 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member