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 17, 2016, 7:48 pm
#961
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,617
Today I flew SFO-IAD on a 777, and spent time talking to several FAs. Each of them said they were voting "yes" on the new contract, they were looking forward to having a better business product, and yes, they were happy they had real coffee to offer their customers. I got the distinct impression they were embarrassed by the last 3 years, and are hopeful for a future turn around.
Jul 17, 2016, 10:06 pm
#962
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,694
IIRC they're on some crazy fast delivery schedule, like 14 frames in 5 months or something (which would be ~40% of Boeing's 777 output).
Jul 18, 2016, 8:01 am
#963
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
That's correct... supposedly all 14 77W will be on property by the summer 2017 busy season, and that even takes into account the recent 777 production cut to 7 frames/month. It is remarkable to see how quickly the 777 backlog dried up.
Jul 18, 2016, 12:50 pm
#964
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NJ
Programs: UA 1K, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, etc
Posts: 69
Anyone know when Polaris will begin on the EWR>HNL nonstops?
Jul 18, 2016, 1:08 pm
#966
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,480
That's not a BF route, so it won't get the Polaris soft product.
ETA: Though if they keep the 764s on the route, they would presumably get the hard product at some distant point in the future.
ETA: Though if they keep the 764s on the route, they would presumably get the hard product at some distant point in the future.
Last edited by Kacee; Jul 18, 2016 at 1:17 pm Reason: clarified hard vs. soft product
Jul 18, 2016, 7:40 pm
#967
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: AAdvantage EXPLAT, Hilton Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Citi Exec MC, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,443
So true. Some will attribute it all to Asian cultural differences. But the FAs in Europe (including on Alitalia) are so much better too. I was blown away by the last few European flights I took. United should fly a few execs (and maybe some lead FAs) on some of these carriers. Then they could get a clue about what good service is supposed to be.
UA's network is generally one of the best for transpacific, so when it comes to going over the pacific, most folks will probably think UA first instead of thinking, hmm, ANA for Japan, Air China for China, Air NZ for South Pacific, Singapore for Southeast Asia...
Last edited by matrixwalker2012; Jul 18, 2016 at 9:01 pm
Jul 19, 2016, 8:45 am
#968
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Looks like they did a show-and-tell for some customers yesterday in Denver. Decent pictures of people actually using the seats.
Jul 19, 2016, 8:47 am
#969
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
Looks like they did a show-and-tell for some customers yesterday in Denver. Decent pictures of people actually using the seats.
"United will convert all existing business-class seats on its “north of 300 aircraft” to the new style by 2021, Walter said. It also plans to do away with its higher-end Global First class because the new seating stretches the same length — 6 1/2 feet long and 23-inches wide.
“We have the same exact number of (business-class) seats and we haven’t compromised at all on (first-class) dimensions,” she said."
Looks like restroom and galley refits are part of the rollout:
"The new business-class seating, as well as new bathrooms and galley areas, will be rolled out to the rest of its fleet by 2021 so all planes will have a standard facilities."
Looks like Oscar spoke at the Biz Travel convention yesterday
http://convention.gbta.org/
And who knew Julia Louis Dreyfuss is on the conference speaking circuit
Jul 19, 2016, 9:04 am
#970
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
A public commitment (long) on timing:
"United will convert all existing business-class seats on its “north of 300 aircraft” to the new style by 2021, Walter said. It also plans to do away with its higher-end Global First class because the new seating stretches the same length — 6 1/2 feet long and 23-inches wide.
“We have the same exact number of (business-class) seats and we haven’t compromised at all on (first-class) dimensions,” she said."
Looks like restroom and galley refits are part of the rollout:
"The new business-class seating, as well as new bathrooms and galley areas, will be rolled out to the rest of its fleet by 2021 so all planes will have a standard facilities."
Looks like Oscar spoke at the Biz Travel convention yesterday
http://convention.gbta.org/
And who knew Julia Louis Dreyfuss is on the conference speaking circuit
"United will convert all existing business-class seats on its “north of 300 aircraft” to the new style by 2021, Walter said. It also plans to do away with its higher-end Global First class because the new seating stretches the same length — 6 1/2 feet long and 23-inches wide.
“We have the same exact number of (business-class) seats and we haven’t compromised at all on (first-class) dimensions,” she said."
Looks like restroom and galley refits are part of the rollout:
"The new business-class seating, as well as new bathrooms and galley areas, will be rolled out to the rest of its fleet by 2021 so all planes will have a standard facilities."
Looks like Oscar spoke at the Biz Travel convention yesterday
http://convention.gbta.org/
And who knew Julia Louis Dreyfuss is on the conference speaking circuit
Jul 19, 2016, 9:09 am
#971
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 11,468
Looks like they did a show-and-tell for some customers yesterday in Denver. Decent pictures of people actually using the seats.
So, not sure what to read into some statements such as this one:
"United plans to add more Economy Plus seats with more legroom to its cabin, too"
Jul 19, 2016, 9:15 am
#972
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Thanks for the link. Some interesting tidbits, even though article seems to be written in a rush, given a few typos/confusing conclusions.
So, not sure what to read into some statements such as this one:
"United plans to add more Economy Plus seats with more legroom to its cabin, too"
So, not sure what to read into some statements such as this one:
"United plans to add more Economy Plus seats with more legroom to its cabin, too"
Jul 19, 2016, 9:26 am
#973
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: NYC: UA 1K, DL Platinum, AAirpass, Avis PC
Posts: 4,599
I was a bit surprised to see the quote about first class going away. I get that it's their strategy, but not really sure why they "announce" it in a quote. Wonder if he wasn't supposed to say it. I also didn't realize that there was a business travel convention here in Denver.
Instead of 'announcing' they're phasing out first class, they announced Polaris.
Jul 19, 2016, 10:15 am
#974
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
Wonder if that was supposed to be "north of 200" but misheard, or an inadvertent slip foreshadowing more WB orders?
Thanks for the link. Some interesting tidbits, even though article seems to be written in a rush, given a few typos/confusing conclusions.
So, not sure what to read into some statements such as this one:
"United plans to add more Economy Plus seats with more legroom to its cabin, too"
So, not sure what to read into some statements such as this one:
"United plans to add more Economy Plus seats with more legroom to its cabin, too"
Jul 19, 2016, 10:24 am
#975
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 477
Interesting... even counting all 757-200s (unclear whether they are in line for Polaris retrofit, my guess is no), all existing 767-300/400, all 777-200 (though not all will apparently get the Polaris seats), 777-300ER, 787s both on order/delivered and A350-1000 orders, I still can't get to 300, by my count!
Wonder if that was supposed to be "north of 200" but misheard, or an inadvertent slip foreshadowing more WB orders?
I suppose a 3-4-3 reconfiguration for 777s would result in more E+ seats, like the 77H.
Wonder if that was supposed to be "north of 200" but misheard, or an inadvertent slip foreshadowing more WB orders?
I suppose a 3-4-3 reconfiguration for 777s would result in more E+ seats, like the 77H.