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 18, 2016, 3:56 am
#856
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
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. I was very happy paying for UA Intl F back in those days. Wasn't interested in cash upgrades, etc (I did use my GPU's from LAX-HKG a few times a year and never had a problem getting ON (NF back then). The point is that I still had my choice of carriers, SQ, CX, etc but with the exception of the crews, the soft product was on par & the hard product was almost the same across all carriers so UA would win out as MP was the deal breaker (EK didn't even bother with a FF program till 2000). But even though MP remained the best program around for another 10 years or so, it was certainly not enough to stop passengers like me and many others to switching to the carriers that upgraded hard/soft product. It seems to me that UA could have kept pace with the competition in F if it wanted but just gave up on it at the same time 1-1 seating and/or suites were being introduced on the foreign competition.What a shame how a world class carrier can commit suicide the way UA (and all American carriers did starting at the beginning of this century
Jun 18, 2016, 3:45 pm
#857
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
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lol and you're probably not far off for the poor souls in E-.
Jun 18, 2016, 6:06 pm
#858
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: UA GS / MM
Posts: 208
looking at the announcement, 747 with 52 BF seats will not be refitted. Does this mean UA's most profitable routes out of SFO currently served by 747s will not be getting Polaris in any foreseeable future?
Jun 18, 2016, 6:23 pm
#859
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,471
It will have the soft product but not the hard product. Some 747 routes will go 77W or 789.
Jun 18, 2016, 6:58 pm
#860
Suspended
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Posts: 12,729
747 Upper Deck BF is nice, pretty spacious. But the equipment is old.
Jun 18, 2016, 6:59 pm
#861
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: ORD-LAS
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Posts: 4,419
787's wont have it until 2020 or later so no difference. It will take years to get everything done.
Jun 18, 2016, 7:31 pm
#862
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Jun 18, 2016, 7:56 pm
#863
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: EWR, BDL
Posts: 4,471
End of 2018. Company expects to have 3 on property by that time. Hearing some will fly out of EWR others will fly out of SFO.
Jun 18, 2016, 9:50 pm
#864
Join Date: Dec 2014
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Jun 22, 2016, 6:06 am
#866
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 88
Insights into the creation of Polaris:
https://skift.com/2016/06/22/the-une...ss-class-seat/
Interesting points:
"Acumen’s designers figured out how to replace United’s two current business class configurations... with one that allows easy aisle access for all, and they did so without requiring the airline to remove any seats. According to Acumen, after retrofits, United’s Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s will have exactly as many premium seats as today – in the same space. 'They had been told by other manufacturers that this wasn’t doable,' said Ali Ersan, one of the designers."
"One of the trickiest parts was developing a design that could work on many aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350... But Acumen figured it out. Most of United’s wide-bodies will have one seat on each window, with two in the middle. But the 767s will have what is essentially a 1-1-1 configuration."
"'It’s fine to talk about how efficient it is,' Ersan said. 'But the most important thing about this layout is the efficiency of it without compromising the passenger space. Anyone can create a a really efficient layout but if a passenger can’t be comfortable in it, no airline is going to buy it.'"
https://skift.com/2016/06/22/the-une...ss-class-seat/
Interesting points:
"Acumen’s designers figured out how to replace United’s two current business class configurations... with one that allows easy aisle access for all, and they did so without requiring the airline to remove any seats. According to Acumen, after retrofits, United’s Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s will have exactly as many premium seats as today – in the same space. 'They had been told by other manufacturers that this wasn’t doable,' said Ali Ersan, one of the designers."
"One of the trickiest parts was developing a design that could work on many aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350... But Acumen figured it out. Most of United’s wide-bodies will have one seat on each window, with two in the middle. But the 767s will have what is essentially a 1-1-1 configuration."
"'It’s fine to talk about how efficient it is,' Ersan said. 'But the most important thing about this layout is the efficiency of it without compromising the passenger space. Anyone can create a a really efficient layout but if a passenger can’t be comfortable in it, no airline is going to buy it.'"
Jun 22, 2016, 6:37 am
#867
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Insights into the creation of Polaris:
https://skift.com/2016/06/22/the-une...ss-class-seat/
Interesting points:
"Acumen’s designers figured out how to replace United’s two current business class configurations... with one that allows easy aisle access for all, and they did so without requiring the airline to remove any seats. According to Acumen, after retrofits, United’s Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s will have exactly as many premium seats as today – in the same space. 'They had been told by other manufacturers that this wasn’t doable,' said Ali Ersan, one of the designers."
"One of the trickiest parts was developing a design that could work on many aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350... But Acumen figured it out. Most of United’s wide-bodies will have one seat on each window, with two in the middle. But the 767s will have what is essentially a 1-1-1 configuration."
"'It’s fine to talk about how efficient it is,' Ersan said. 'But the most important thing about this layout is the efficiency of it without compromising the passenger space. Anyone can create a a really efficient layout but if a passenger can’t be comfortable in it, no airline is going to buy it.'"
https://skift.com/2016/06/22/the-une...ss-class-seat/
Interesting points:
"Acumen’s designers figured out how to replace United’s two current business class configurations... with one that allows easy aisle access for all, and they did so without requiring the airline to remove any seats. According to Acumen, after retrofits, United’s Boeing 777s and Boeing 787s will have exactly as many premium seats as today – in the same space. 'They had been told by other manufacturers that this wasn’t doable,' said Ali Ersan, one of the designers."
"One of the trickiest parts was developing a design that could work on many aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350... But Acumen figured it out. Most of United’s wide-bodies will have one seat on each window, with two in the middle. But the 767s will have what is essentially a 1-1-1 configuration."
"'It’s fine to talk about how efficient it is,' Ersan said. 'But the most important thing about this layout is the efficiency of it without compromising the passenger space. Anyone can create a a really efficient layout but if a passenger can’t be comfortable in it, no airline is going to buy it.'"
Looking forward to Polaris, and hopefully to be one of the first to experience and review it when the inaugural flight is announced.
I just hope that the roll-out of the new seats doesn't take 6 years. UA should take the right path and get the entire int'l fleet modified as quickly as possible, as this will benefit them in the long run by attracting more HVF's (if the product is all that it is hyped up to be). In the meantime, I am looking forward to experiencing the in-flight service aspect of Polaris later this year.
Jun 22, 2016, 8:33 am
#868
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Join Date: May 2007
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Posts: 12,694
"One of the trickiest parts was developing a design that could work on many aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 767, Boeing 787 and Airbus A350... But Acumen figured it out. Most of United’s wide-bodies will have one seat on each window, with two in the middle. But the 767s will have what is essentially a 1-1-1 configuration."
Jun 22, 2016, 8:40 am
#869
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Posts: 2,176
Jun 22, 2016, 8:49 am
#870
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 9,454
The 777 Polaris configuration on a 787 (especially in the narrower forward part of A-zone) would be a very tight squeeze.