2022 Let's Eat - Polaris Business
Jun 27, 2022, 1:33 pm
#841
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,919
It’s pretty bad. Better than BA’s one bite appetizer but not by much. The pandemic era green salad was better. Stay with what works.
The Hallibut was tasty though a starch side would have been nice.
What is the deal these days with on-request PDBs on Polaris flights? I used to be able to get a single mail pre departure from EWR pre-pandemic if I asked. Is this still permitted?
The Hallibut was tasty though a starch side would have been nice.
What is the deal these days with on-request PDBs on Polaris flights? I used to be able to get a single mail pre departure from EWR pre-pandemic if I asked. Is this still permitted?
Really depends upon mood of FA.
Jun 28, 2022, 3:03 am
#842
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: MP - 1K, Hyatt - Platt, SPG - Gold
Posts: 336
Traveled ORD-AMS, skipped the dinner (it was short rib, turbot before I cut off the purser). Woke up in time for breakfast. Option was apple crepe or eggs and avocado. Took the eggs, which were fantastic. The avocado was baked and it was overall far better than the traditional egg-like hockey puck they usually use. Pleasantly surprised.
Jun 28, 2022, 4:30 am
#843
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 56
Flew UA1 SFO-SIN a few months ago.
Polaris lounge was nice, the dining room was at capacity when I went (dinner time) but I got buzzed about 10-15 minutes after. Food menu was ok but not fantastic. Had the cioppino and some wines. Waiter didn't seem too familiar with the wine selection on the menu and brought the wrong bottle over initially, but was friendly enough to bring some of the bottles over for me to take a look afterwards.
Meals on board were... decent, given my low expectations of United. Liquor selection was decent.
Dinner was some beef braise(?) with rice. Decently tasty. This was the only meal which I could peg at a "slightly better than top Y airlines" standard.
Mid-flight snack was unremarkable, forgot to take a picture of the contents of the box but there was some nuts, crackers and hummus.
Breakfast was standard fare. For me, the only thing that differentiated it from Y breakfast was the "tablecloth" and the quality of the champagne. And maybe Y generally doesn't get blueberries.
Polaris lounge was nice, the dining room was at capacity when I went (dinner time) but I got buzzed about 10-15 minutes after. Food menu was ok but not fantastic. Had the cioppino and some wines. Waiter didn't seem too familiar with the wine selection on the menu and brought the wrong bottle over initially, but was friendly enough to bring some of the bottles over for me to take a look afterwards.
Meals on board were... decent, given my low expectations of United. Liquor selection was decent.
Dinner was some beef braise(?) with rice. Decently tasty. This was the only meal which I could peg at a "slightly better than top Y airlines" standard.
Mid-flight snack was unremarkable, forgot to take a picture of the contents of the box but there was some nuts, crackers and hummus.
Breakfast was standard fare. For me, the only thing that differentiated it from Y breakfast was the "tablecloth" and the quality of the champagne. And maybe Y generally doesn't get blueberries.
Jun 28, 2022, 5:23 am
#844
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,322
Flew UA1 SFO-SIN a few months ago.
Polaris lounge was nice, the dining room was at capacity when I went (dinner time) but I got buzzed about 10-15 minutes after. Food menu was ok but not fantastic. Had the cioppino and some wines. Waiter didn't seem too familiar with the wine selection on the menu and brought the wrong bottle over initially, but was friendly enough to bring some of the bottles over for me to take a look afterwards.
Polaris lounge was nice, the dining room was at capacity when I went (dinner time) but I got buzzed about 10-15 minutes after. Food menu was ok but not fantastic. Had the cioppino and some wines. Waiter didn't seem too familiar with the wine selection on the menu and brought the wrong bottle over initially, but was friendly enough to bring some of the bottles over for me to take a look afterwards.
On the offerings of snack boxes, I have received the same on the SQ flight but not on flights to Sydney/Melbourne. I wonder how they determine what snacks to load. On recent flights to Australia, at least sandwiches were avaiable as mid-flight snacks.
BTW, I highly recommend the cheese plate in the Polaris Lounge menu @sfo, IAD and EWR, but not LAX. I have not tried it at IAH and ORD yet.
Jun 28, 2022, 1:20 pm
#845
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: New York
Posts: 17
I flew Polaris today for the first time since the pandemic from GVA - EWR and the food offering was way worse than I expected. On a 9 hour flight I found the food to be embarrassingly poor quality and quantity.
Here is all the food I was offered on a flight departing Geneva at 9:30am.
Warm nuts and beverage served shortly after take off
Breakfast was small and poor quality. How can this be the size of the main meal on a 9 hour flight?
Another look at just how small the breakfast burrito was
For dessert they did have a sundae but I went with the cheese. Nothing memorable and served with a single cracker.
Before landing they served a burger that was more in line with an economy meal
Flying Polaris before the pandemic the food was actually a highlight but this flight definitely turned me off to United. We'll see if they attempt to turn it around but I still can't believe this was the offering on a long haul daytime flight.
Here is all the food I was offered on a flight departing Geneva at 9:30am.
Warm nuts and beverage served shortly after take off
Breakfast was small and poor quality. How can this be the size of the main meal on a 9 hour flight?
Another look at just how small the breakfast burrito was
For dessert they did have a sundae but I went with the cheese. Nothing memorable and served with a single cracker.
Before landing they served a burger that was more in line with an economy meal
Flying Polaris before the pandemic the food was actually a highlight but this flight definitely turned me off to United. We'll see if they attempt to turn it around but I still can't believe this was the offering on a long haul daytime flight.
Jun 28, 2022, 1:52 pm
#846
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO / LHR
Programs: UA GS 2.2MM / UC / AS Gold 75K / Bonvoy Plat / Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,028
I flew Polaris today for the first time since the pandemic from GVA - EWR and the food offering was way worse than I expected. On a 9 hour flight I found the food to be embarrassingly poor quality and quantity.
Here is all the food I was offered on a flight departing Geneva at 9:30am.
Warm nuts and beverage served shortly after take off
Breakfast was small and poor quality. How can this be the size of the main meal on a 9 hour flight?
Another look at just how small the breakfast burrito was
For dessert they did have a sundae but I went with the cheese. Nothing memorable and served with a single cracker.
Before landing they served a burger that was more in line with an economy meal
Flying Polaris before the pandemic the food was actually a highlight but this flight definitely turned me off to United. We'll see if they attempt to turn it around but I still can't believe this was the offering on a long haul daytime flight.
Here is all the food I was offered on a flight departing Geneva at 9:30am.
Warm nuts and beverage served shortly after take off
Breakfast was small and poor quality. How can this be the size of the main meal on a 9 hour flight?
Another look at just how small the breakfast burrito was
For dessert they did have a sundae but I went with the cheese. Nothing memorable and served with a single cracker.
Before landing they served a burger that was more in line with an economy meal
Flying Polaris before the pandemic the food was actually a highlight but this flight definitely turned me off to United. We'll see if they attempt to turn it around but I still can't believe this was the offering on a long haul daytime flight.
Encourage you to write in with your photos - it actually helps them go back to the vendor.
Jun 28, 2022, 2:29 pm
#847
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: USA
Programs: UA Platinum, 1MM
Posts: 13,458
I flew Polaris today for the first time since the pandemic from GVA - EWR and the food offering was way worse than I expected. On a 9 hour flight I found the food to be embarrassingly poor quality and quantity.
Here is all the food I was offered on a flight departing Geneva at 9:30am.
Flying Polaris before the pandemic the food was actually a highlight but this flight definitely turned me off to United. We'll see if they attempt to turn it around but I still can't believe this was the offering on a long haul daytime flight.
Here is all the food I was offered on a flight departing Geneva at 9:30am.
Flying Polaris before the pandemic the food was actually a highlight but this flight definitely turned me off to United. We'll see if they attempt to turn it around but I still can't believe this was the offering on a long haul daytime flight.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jul 3, 2022 at 5:49 pm Reason: FlyerTalk is a diverse, multi-cultural community.
Jun 28, 2022, 3:09 pm
#848
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: AFKL PLT, BA Gold, SK Gold, AY Gold, A3 Silver, LH FTL, IHG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 408
UA961 FRA-EWR
I had super low expectations to begin with so there were really no major disappointments with the catering. The cauliflower thing was just as horrible as expected but the fish was ok. Best part of the meal was the pre-arrival veggie plate which was more or less the culinary highlight of this flight. Service by the crew was ok. I just have to say that UA is light years behind of most carriers when it comes to the meals on international business class. If I compare this to my Air France business class experience on CDG-MEX, I can just say wow…
Bloody Mary and Coke with warm nuts.
Halibut with fennel(?) in tomato sauce and the “famous” cauliflower “salad” with grapes.
Very spartan cheese plate
Ice cream
Pre-arrival vegetable with couscous
I had super low expectations to begin with so there were really no major disappointments with the catering. The cauliflower thing was just as horrible as expected but the fish was ok. Best part of the meal was the pre-arrival veggie plate which was more or less the culinary highlight of this flight. Service by the crew was ok. I just have to say that UA is light years behind of most carriers when it comes to the meals on international business class. If I compare this to my Air France business class experience on CDG-MEX, I can just say wow…
Bloody Mary and Coke with warm nuts.
Halibut with fennel(?) in tomato sauce and the “famous” cauliflower “salad” with grapes.
Very spartan cheese plate
Ice cream
Pre-arrival vegetable with couscous
Jun 28, 2022, 3:12 pm
#849
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,300
UA961 FRA-EWR
I had super low expectations to begin with so there were really no major disappointments with the catering. The cauliflower thing was just as horrible as expected but the fish was ok. Best part of the meal was the pre-arrival veggie plate which was more or less the culinary highlight of this flight. Service by the crew was ok. I just have to say that UA is light years behind of most carriers when it comes to the meals on international business class. If I compare this to my Air France business class experience on CDG-MEX, I can just say wow…
Bloody Mary and Coke with warm nuts.
Halibut with fennel(?) in tomato sauce and the “famous” cauliflower “salad” with grapes.
Very spartan cheese plate
Ice cream
Pre-arrival vegetable with couscous
I had super low expectations to begin with so there were really no major disappointments with the catering. The cauliflower thing was just as horrible as expected but the fish was ok. Best part of the meal was the pre-arrival veggie plate which was more or less the culinary highlight of this flight. Service by the crew was ok. I just have to say that UA is light years behind of most carriers when it comes to the meals on international business class. If I compare this to my Air France business class experience on CDG-MEX, I can just say wow…
Bloody Mary and Coke with warm nuts.
Halibut with fennel(?) in tomato sauce and the “famous” cauliflower “salad” with grapes.
Very spartan cheese plate
Ice cream
Pre-arrival vegetable with couscous
Jun 28, 2022, 3:15 pm
#850
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: ORD / PHX
Programs: UA LT 1K 3MM (former 12 yr GS), Bonvoy Amb/LT Plat
Posts: 1,340
Wow! You got cheese AND ice cream!!??
Very fortunate you are!!
🙄🙄
Very fortunate you are!!
🙄🙄
Jun 28, 2022, 3:17 pm
#851
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,300
Jun 28, 2022, 3:23 pm
#852
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: AFKL PLT, BA Gold, SK Gold, AY Gold, A3 Silver, LH FTL, IHG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 408
...I just politely asked if they have any extra ice creams, and the FA brought me one in 30 seconds.
Jun 28, 2022, 4:25 pm
#853
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,919
I will say I LOVE that Belgian chocolate truffle ice cream!
Jun 28, 2022, 4:35 pm
#854
Join Date: Jan 2011
Programs: AFKL PLT, BA Gold, SK Gold, AY Gold, A3 Silver, LH FTL, IHG Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 408
This tub of ice cream was the one presented as one of the Polaris dessert options other two being the cheese plate and some sort of cake.
Jun 28, 2022, 6:02 pm
#855
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: United, Southwest
Posts: 571
OH NO! My ZRH - ORD flight in October leaves at 9:50 AM. Bummer. Will the FA's microwave a slice of pizza if I bring one on board??? (just kidding) . . . . . Sorry to hear about VS although I did notice one male FA on my flight a few years back with the really tasty food, who spent nearly the entire flight chatting with a couple of women. There was an 'seat' - like an ottoman, that he sat on. Blocked the way to the lav.
Last edited by WheelsUpGal; Jun 28, 2022 at 6:03 pm Reason: addition