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}
Jun 14, 2016, 7:17 am
#811
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 9,452
Jun 14, 2016, 8:10 am
#812
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
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Nothing has changed regarding NRSA travel in decades. Many Employees have contracts & all airlines pretty much have the same way of handling NRSA travel. This is for NON business related travel. There are 2 groups of employees, Management and non mgmnt. The list goes from mgmnt employees at the top (broken down by seniority) and then non mgmnt (again, by seniority). American carriers have always offered empty first & business class seats to NRSA passengers but NOTHING IS EVER GUARANTEED. Years ago, when UA had 2-2 seating on the 742 & 744 they even had a high density configuration with 36 FIRST class seats (JFK-NRT & LAX-HKG). Back in those days (mid 90's) UA was actually able to fill all 36 seats w paying passengers & NRSA's would get Biz class pretty easily. Of course those days all airlines except BA still had 2-2 seating in F but the hard and soft product that UA offered could actually compete with almost any foreign carrier (UA served DP in F, food was excellent, even concierges would meet & greet F passengers on arrival at the gate). It's a shame how UA destroyed its F class. But as F class turned to garbage it was great for NRSAs as less people would pay for F freeing up seats for free
Jun 14, 2016, 8:33 am
#813
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Posts: 10,159
Jun 14, 2016, 9:02 am
#814
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,452
For the first few weeks I would expect to see the 77W on domestic routes ex-EWR. Long haul service with the 77W probably won't commence until the late Jan/Feb timeframe.
Jun 14, 2016, 9:07 am
#815
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Morris County, NJ
Programs: UA 1K/*G, Avis Pres, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,305
Here's to hoping. I still haven't caught a Dreamliner yet since they don't fly ex-EWR. If the 77W's fly domestic out of EWR, I'll catch a leg somewhere. Any of the domestic hubs (SFO, DEN, IAH, IAD, LAX) except ORD have customers nearby for me to go visit.
Jun 14, 2016, 9:19 am
#816
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,452
I think EWR-SFO/LAX/IAH are fair bets to see them early.
Jun 14, 2016, 9:26 am
#817
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: United Plat
Posts: 499
Jun 14, 2016, 11:48 am
#818
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
... but the hard and soft product that UA offered could actually compete with almost any foreign carrier (UA served DP in F, food was excellent, even concierges would meet & greet F passengers on arrival at the gate). It's a shame how UA destroyed its F class. But as F class turned to garbage it was great for NRSAs as less people would pay for F freeing up seats for free
Jun 14, 2016, 12:49 pm
#819
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
Jun 14, 2016, 1:03 pm
#820
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
Saver Intl First tickets were 100K miles at the time. They subsequently became more expensive. As ChinaTrader noted, one big difference was the NRSAs typically got the 2nd best seats back then. Now they get the best and paying customers get the 2nd best.
Jun 15, 2016, 3:54 pm
#821
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SFO, ORD, IAD
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat Pro, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Plat
Posts: 355
This blogger claims that the rollout/retrofit of the Polaris seat to aircraft other than the 14 77W on order won't begin until mid 2018. Has this been confirmed? Are we really going to have to wait a full two years from now for more than 14 aircraft in the fleet to have the new seat?
Jun 15, 2016, 4:16 pm
#822
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: BOS
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Posts: 1,777
This blogger claims that the rollout/retrofit of the Polaris seat to aircraft other than the 14 77W on order won't begin until mid 2018. Has this been confirmed? Are we really going to have to wait a full two years from now for more than 14 aircraft in the fleet to have the new seat?
Jun 15, 2016, 8:34 pm
#823
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: SFO homebase
Programs: Everything -- lately United 1K*G, Marriott Pt, National XElite
Posts: 64
So it's good for the few additional people who score an upgrade, but for everyone else, it means less room.
Exactly.
If they provide an experience that is as good or better than what we now get in business, I would agree. But we really don't yet whether the increased density will, over the long run, be acceptable. According to other posts in this thread, at the roll out several UA employees were visibly interested in the opinions of the people who were allowed first hand access as to the density issue.
Exactly.
If they provide an experience that is as good or better than what we now get in business, I would agree. But we really don't yet whether the increased density will, over the long run, be acceptable. According to other posts in this thread, at the roll out several UA employees were visibly interested in the opinions of the people who were allowed first hand access as to the density issue.
Jun 16, 2016, 3:51 pm
#824
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 88
Positive review from today's event in Chicago:
United Airlines' Polaris dog-and-pony show arrives in Chicago, bringing some good news
http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/n...w-arrives.html
"First the really good news from today's Polaris sneak peek — the seat. As has been noted repeatedly since the first big Polaris reveal in New York City a couple of weeks ago, the onboard seat is the centerpiece of the whole premium cabin overhaul. The new Polaris seat has two major things going for it based on this reporter's experience today. The first big plus is that it's wide enough for a passenger to go to sleep lying on his or her back. Many of the early iterations of lie-flat seating were much too narrow, forcing passengers to sleep on their sides, if they could sleep at all. The second piece of good news is that the seat is exceptionally well-padded..."
United Airlines' Polaris dog-and-pony show arrives in Chicago, bringing some good news
http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/n...w-arrives.html
"First the really good news from today's Polaris sneak peek — the seat. As has been noted repeatedly since the first big Polaris reveal in New York City a couple of weeks ago, the onboard seat is the centerpiece of the whole premium cabin overhaul. The new Polaris seat has two major things going for it based on this reporter's experience today. The first big plus is that it's wide enough for a passenger to go to sleep lying on his or her back. Many of the early iterations of lie-flat seating were much too narrow, forcing passengers to sleep on their sides, if they could sleep at all. The second piece of good news is that the seat is exceptionally well-padded..."
Jun 16, 2016, 4:00 pm
#825
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: United Gold, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 207
Nothing has changed regarding NRSA travel in decades. Many Employees have contracts & all airlines pretty much have the same way of handling NRSA travel. This is for NON business related travel. There are 2 groups of employees, Management and non mgmnt. The list goes from mgmnt employees at the top (broken down by seniority) and then non mgmnt (again, by seniority). American carriers have always offered empty first & business class seats to NRSA passengers but NOTHING IS EVER GUARANTEED. Years ago, when UA had 2-2 seating on the 742 & 744 they even had a high density configuration with 36 FIRST class seats (JFK-NRT & LAX-HKG). Back in those days (mid 90's) UA was actually able to fill all 36 seats w paying passengers & NRSA's would get Biz class pretty easily. Of course those days all airlines except BA still had 2-2 seating in F but the hard and soft product that UA offered could actually compete with almost any foreign carrier (UA served DP in F, food was excellent, even concierges would meet & greet F passengers on arrival at the gate). It's a shame how UA destroyed its F class. But as F class turned to garbage it was great for NRSAs as less people would pay for F freeing up seats for free