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 8, 2016, 10:12 am
#931
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: SFO homebase
Programs: Everything -- lately United 1K*G, Marriott Pt, National XElite
Posts: 64
I had a somewhat different initial reaction: wow, no more international J, it's all F! ...and it'll be priced accordingly.
Jul 8, 2016, 11:23 am
#932
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
I had an inspiring dream last night. Somehow, I was on the inaugural Polaris flight. It was on a 747-8, and the Polaris cabin was installed on the upper deck, whilst downstairs was the current business class.
The good news: UA is flying the 747-8, and the Polaris beds are long enough for me to sleep on.
The bad news: The beds are really narrow, and if you're not below average BMI, you're in trouble.
I'm guessing my dream is about as accurate as "an FA told me" - which is great, because in the dream, an FA told me that she had just had a sneak preview of the new First Class product, and it was going to blow my mind. I wasn't sure whether to consider her a credible source.
The good news: UA is flying the 747-8, and the Polaris beds are long enough for me to sleep on.
The bad news: The beds are really narrow, and if you're not below average BMI, you're in trouble.
I'm guessing my dream is about as accurate as "an FA told me" - which is great, because in the dream, an FA told me that she had just had a sneak preview of the new First Class product, and it was going to blow my mind. I wasn't sure whether to consider her a credible source.
Jul 8, 2016, 8:41 pm
#933
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
I had an inspiring dream last night. Somehow, I was on the inaugural Polaris flight. It was on a 747-8, and the Polaris cabin was installed on the upper deck, whilst downstairs was the current business class.
The good news: UA is flying the 747-8, and the Polaris beds are long enough for me to sleep on.
The bad news: The beds are really narrow, and if you're not below average BMI, you're in trouble.
I'm guessing my dream is about as accurate as "an FA told me" - which is great, because in the dream, an FA told me that she had just had a sneak preview of the new First Class product, and it was going to blow my mind. I wasn't sure whether to consider her a credible source.
The good news: UA is flying the 747-8, and the Polaris beds are long enough for me to sleep on.
The bad news: The beds are really narrow, and if you're not below average BMI, you're in trouble.
I'm guessing my dream is about as accurate as "an FA told me" - which is great, because in the dream, an FA told me that she had just had a sneak preview of the new First Class product, and it was going to blow my mind. I wasn't sure whether to consider her a credible source.
You are one wild and crazy guy! (Warning: This is said in the vernacular. No professional opinion has been formed or articulated).
Jul 9, 2016, 8:01 am
#934
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 88
Another video was released the other day:
Meet the experts behind United Polaris
Meet the experts behind United Polaris
Jul 9, 2016, 1:52 pm
#935
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: UA peon (+decades 1K), AA Exec Plt
Posts: 1,117
Jul 9, 2016, 2:44 pm
#936
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: ATL
Programs: UA 3.6 MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,582
So we have 63 pages of posts of speculation, dreams and gushing over polaris and i haven't seen any really useful information ....like drumroll please....the number of Polaris seats per aircraft?
Anyone have that or do i have to go through 63 pages of stuff to find the only real question that matters?
Anyone have that or do i have to go through 63 pages of stuff to find the only real question that matters?
Jul 9, 2016, 2:47 pm
#937
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Posts: 10,909
So we have 63 pages of posts of speculation, dreams and gushing over polaris and i haven't seen any really useful information ....like drumroll please....the number of Polaris seats per aircraft?
Anyone have that or do i have to go through 63 pages of stuff to find the only real question that matters?
Anyone have that or do i have to go through 63 pages of stuff to find the only real question that matters?
Jul 9, 2016, 2:54 pm
#938
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: ATL
Programs: UA 3.6 MM, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 2,582
Yep. I saw the tentative, question mark, is this the seat map link from a blogger in March 2016. It is 4 months later with Polaris set to begin in December and thought someone might have an answer. I will only get excited about Polaris when i see real capacity numbers because they could effectively end awards and GPU upgrades by constraining capacity to the point where they are only selling or TODing upgrades. So i think everyone needs to give that a good think before you plan on situating your touche in one of the new seats.
Jul 9, 2016, 3:23 pm
#939
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
So we have 63 pages of posts of speculation, dreams and gushing over polaris and i haven't seen any really useful information ....like drumroll please....the number of Polaris seats per aircraft?
Anyone have that or do i have to go through 63 pages of stuff to find the only real question that matters?
Anyone have that or do i have to go through 63 pages of stuff to find the only real question that matters?
I'd assume that means 2 cabin to 2 cabin capacity. So a 772 would have around 50 seats.
Whether UA does that will have to wait for the seat map, but the design itself was made to allow an even exchange if UA wanted to use the same real estate.
Jul 12, 2016, 8:53 am
#940
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,392
For what it's worth, this was posted by UA on their FB page:
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. ^TY
Jul 12, 2016, 3:31 pm
#941
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 477
Another video was released the other day:
Meet the experts behind United Polaris
United - Meet the Experts Behind United Polaris - YouTube
Meet the experts behind United Polaris
United - Meet the Experts Behind United Polaris - YouTube
Jul 12, 2016, 5:20 pm
#942
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
As a former UA/CO elite, I am hopeful for what Polaris can be.
It's going to take a lot of work though, on the soft product. I just got off a flight today in BF on the 744 (lower deck). Obvious shortcomings of the hard product aside, the service was night and day from my flights on short-haul NH, and in J on AC long haul on this trip.
Every interaction with the UA FAs was curt to the point of feeling like I was imposing. I'd liken difference between UA's service (on this flight) to the NH and AC flights to being like service at McDonald's or a diner, vs. a friendly sit down restaurant.
If Polaris is to succeed, the service and soft product has to be improved many fold.
It's going to take a lot of work though, on the soft product. I just got off a flight today in BF on the 744 (lower deck). Obvious shortcomings of the hard product aside, the service was night and day from my flights on short-haul NH, and in J on AC long haul on this trip.
Every interaction with the UA FAs was curt to the point of feeling like I was imposing. I'd liken difference between UA's service (on this flight) to the NH and AC flights to being like service at McDonald's or a diner, vs. a friendly sit down restaurant.
If Polaris is to succeed, the service and soft product has to be improved many fold.
Jul 12, 2016, 5:41 pm
#943
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
...
Every interaction with the UA FAs was curt to the point of feeling like I was imposing. I'd liken difference between UA's service (on this flight) to the NH and AC flights to being like service at McDonald's or a diner, vs. a friendly sit down restaurant.
If Polaris is to succeed, the service and soft product has to be improved many fold.
Every interaction with the UA FAs was curt to the point of feeling like I was imposing. I'd liken difference between UA's service (on this flight) to the NH and AC flights to being like service at McDonald's or a diner, vs. a friendly sit down restaurant.
If Polaris is to succeed, the service and soft product has to be improved many fold.
Jul 12, 2016, 5:59 pm
#944
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,451
I think a joint FA contract (with commensurate pay increase) and integration will eventually cure a lot of the complaints with respect to FA service. The "us vs. them" animus begins to evaporate when there is no longer a "them" to demonize.
Jul 14, 2016, 7:19 am
#945
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 659
I just talked to the GS reps at IAD and they said that the GFL here will be changed to a Polaris lounge in about a year. They mentioned that it will be the last hub to get the Polaris Lounge. Hopefully that doesn't mean it's the last hub to get planes with Polaris seats!