I had the chance to visit the brand new United Airlines Polaris Lounge in Washington Dulles (IAD) yesterday ahead of its public opening tomorrow, October 21, 2021. Put simply, the space is stunningly gorgeous and this new lounge will be a great perk to international business class flyers from Washington Dulles. First Look: United Airlines […]
United Airlines Will Open Polaris Lounge In Washington Dulles Later This Month

United Airlines will open a brand new Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles Airport later this month, its first international business class lounge opening since the pandemic began. United Airlines Will Open New Polaris Lounge In Washington Dulles (IAD) After 19 months, United Airlines will begin to open Polaris Lounges again, its premium lounges reserved exclusively […]
Review: United Airlines Polaris Business Class To Brazil And Back

What is it is like to fly United Airlines Polaris Business Class To Brazil? This review highlights my journey from Chicago to São Paulo on a 787-9 then from São Paulo to Houston on a 777-200. My flight from Chicago to São Paulo was operated by a Boeing 787-9 that had not yet been retrofitted. […]
What Kind Of Food Does United Airlines Serve In Polaris Business Class?

I’ve reviewed the 787-10 on United Airlines many times and don’t need to do so again. But I did want to provide a catering update for those wondering what food and drink you might expect if you are traveling in United Polaris Business Class this summer to Europe. Food + Drink In United Airlines Polaris […]
United Airlines Will Open More United Clubs In June, But No Polaris Lounges

With domestic travel demand roaring back to 2019 levels, United Airlines is re-opening a handful of airport lounges at both hubs and line stations. The carrier also plans to open even more United Clubs by Labor Day, though Polaris Lounges are unlikely to re-open this year. Which United Clubs Will United Re-Open Next? By the […]
How Many United Airlines Aircraft Have Been Retrofitted To Polaris Business Class Cabin?

One upside to the pandemic is that it allowed airlines to accelerate planned maintenance and retrofits. In the case of United Airlines, it has retrofitted more aircraft to feature its latest Polaris business class seat and is drawing closer to completion. Here’s the current breakdown of retrofits completed and in progress. United Airlines Polaris Retrofits […]
Review: United Airlines 787-8 Polaris Business Class [2021]

In February, I traveled to London on United Airlines to attend a funeral. My outbound journey was via Chicago O’Hare and inbound journey via Washington Dulles. Both flights were on a 787-8, though I had the old configuration on the outbound flight to London Heathrow and new configuration on the inbound flight to Washington Dulles. […]
Review: United Airlines 787-10 Polaris Business Class [2021]

As the pandemic hits its first anniversary, what can you expect onboard a transcontinental flight on United in the forward cabin? This review covers United Airlines Polaris business class onboard the 787-10 Dreamliner from Los Angeles to Newark. United Airlines 787-10 Polaris Business Class Review [2021] After being dropped off in Terminal 7, I proceeded […]
French Toast Or Quiche? Breakfast In United Polaris Business Class

My Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. Good morning. I thought we’d start out the day with a look back at breakfast on my United Airlines flight […]
Details: United Airlines Upgrades Polaris Pre-Arrival Meals

After teasing upgrades for several months, United Airlines will improve its pre-arrival meals in Polaris Business Class. United Airlines Improves Polaris Pre-Arrival Meals Since the pandemic began, United has severely cut back on catering expenses on both domestic and international flights in premium cabins. On longhaul flights, the most noticeable cutback has been on pre-arrival […]
Christmas Eve Breakfast In United Polaris Lounge LAX

I’m looking back fondly this morning on one year ago, when I enjoyed a tasty breakfast in United’s Los Angeles (LAX) Polaris Lounge after a 13-hour flight from Sydney, Australia. Christmas Eve Breakfast @ LAX United Polaris Lounge In what seems so long ago, I embarked on a mileage run December 22-24th last year to […]
United Airlines Completes 777-200 Polaris Retrofits

Flying the 777-200 on a longhaul international United Airlines flight? You’ll no longer have to check the seat map to see which type of configuration you can expect in business class. United has completed its Polaris retrofit process and also added Premium Plus seats across its 777-200 longhaul fleet. United Airlines Completes 777-200 Retrofits In […]
Review: United Airlines 787-9 Polaris Business Class – International Pandemic Edition

Tremendous service and a comfortable seat made up for a reduced serving offering, but I have to admit my flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco greatly exceeded my expectations. This United Airlines Polaris business class review will give you an idea of what to expect during the pandemic on United’s recently retrofitted 787-9. United Airlines […]
The Last Supper In The Polaris Lounge…

United has shuttered all of its Polaris lounges, hopefully just on a temporary basis. What are we missing during this time? Dinner In United Polaris Lounge Newark Last week, I enjoyed linner (lunch and dinner in one sitting) in the Newark Polaris Lounge prior to my United flight to Cape Town. It wasn’t deliberate, but […]
EU Ambassador Bolts From Impeachment Hearing To United Polaris

U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland must have a very good driver after leaving Capitol Hill at 4:00PM and somehow still making his 5:50PM flight to Brussels on United. After providing testimony implicating President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and perhaps even Vice President Mike Pence in the Ukraine “quid pro […]
Review: United 787-10 Polaris Business Class Newark To Los Angeles

If you’re going to be delayed, it’s always nice to be delayed in a premium cabin…like United’s 787-10 Polaris business class. With storms raging across the country, our flight was re-routed after we had pushed back from the gate, creating a flight path approximately one hour longer than planned. That required returning to the gate […]
First Impressions Of United 787-10 Dreamliner Polaris Class

I recently had the chance to finally fly United’s 787-10 Dreamliner. Here’s my initial thoughts about this brand new aircraft. I was flying from Newark to Los Angeles and after a long economy class flight (due to strong headwinds) from Milan to Newark, I was quite happy to step onboard this flight. Business class on […]
United Polaris On Display At Saks Fifth Avenue

United Airlines is front and center at Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship New York City store this weekend. Through Monday, Saks Fifth Avenue is highlighting United’s new summer destinations from Newark and its Polaris business class product in the ground floor street windows of its 5th Avenue store. United is offering summer seasonal service to the […]
A Tasty Vegetarian Choice In United Polaris

Each week, my Meal of the Week feature examines an airline meal from my travels over the years. This may be a meal from earlier in the week or it may be a meal served over a decade ago. I recently enjoyed a fairly healthy (I think) dinner on United that I want to recommend here. If […]
One Year Later: How Is United Polaris Lounge Holding Up At SFO?

Between flights last weekend, I had 2.5 hours in United’s SFO Polaris Lounge. How is it holding up one year later? I’ve reviewed this lounge twice already…once during a media preview and again as a passenger. The lounge is spacious and comfortable, with amenities including a sit-down restaurant, buffet, sleeping rooms, showers, and private restrooms. […]

