Last week I had the chance to fly a recently retrofitted United 767-300 from Amsterdam to Newark in Polaris Business Class. United has updated the 2-1-2 business class seating aboard many of its 767-300s to a new 1-1-1 configuration featuring the “real” Polaris seats. While these seats are narrower than on the 777-300ER, I did […]
Review: United Polaris 777-300ER San Francisco to Hong Kong
As a lifelong American Airlines customer and frequent Cathay Pacific flyer, United had a long way to go to impress me with their Polaris business class product. They did. Here is another leg in my status run to Hong Kong trip report. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please […]
Review: United Polaris Lounge – San Francisco
This year I split my loyalty somewhat between United and American Airlines along with a handful of discount carriers for direct flights. As a result, I needed to make a status run and chose Hong Kong as my destination. To start that trip, I began at United’s new Polaris Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. […]
Dining and Bar Menus at United Polaris Houston (IAH) Lounge
The new United Airlines Polaris Lounge at Houston (IAH) offers a great mix of a la carte dining options and adult beverages. I’ve consolidated both menus into this post. First, note that all food and drink are complimentary. Tipping is not expected. United Polaris Lounge Houston (IAH) Bar Menu United Polaris Lounge Houston (IAH) Dining […]
Pictures From New United Polaris Lounge In Houston
United will open its fourth Polaris Lounge on Friday, this one in Houston (IAH). United describes its latest addition to the Polaris Lounge portfolio as akin to a “boutique hotel”. Indeed, at 12K square feet the lounge is far smaller than San Francisco and Newark (each over 27K square feet). Even so, United has maintained […]
Houston Polaris Lounge Opens June 29th – Get an Early Bird Look
United Airlines will open its boutique Polaris Lounge in Houston (IAH) on June 29th. But you can get a sneak peek using your United miles before the lounge is opened to the public. 2,500 miles gets you a two-hour visit with food and beverage included. The lounge will be fully operational, so this won’t just […]
Pictures from New United Polaris Lounge in Newark
United Airlines unveiled its new Polaris Lounge in Newark today. The 27K square foot lounge will seat 455 passengers and represents a significant upgrade for premium longhaul Star Alliance passengers departing from Newark. I was unable to be present for the media preview this morning, but United sent me the following pictures: Here are some […]
A “Real” Review of the United Polaris Lounge in SFO
My recent review of new United Polaris Lounge at SFO drew a couple critical comments that it was not “genuine” because pictures were taken prior to the public opening. I dismissed those concerns due to the enormous size of the lounge, but had the chance earlier this week to try out the lounge as a […]
Dining and Bar Menus at United Polaris SFO Lounge
The new United Airlines Polaris Lounge at SFO offers a great mix of a la carte dining options and adult beverages. I’ve consolidated all the menus in this post. First, note that all food and drink are complimentary. Tipping is not expected. United Polaris Lounge San Francisco Bar Menu Over half the wines will be […]
New Cookies Onboard United Polaris Business Class
Chocolate is out, cookies are in. And not just any cookies, but delicious white chocolate cranberry cookies. When United first unrolled its Polaris business soft product, every longhaul flight began with a chocolate truffle in premium cabins. Currently United passes out chocolate with the pre-arrival meal service. But that changes on May 01st, when United ditches […]
My Pictures from the New SFO United Polaris Lounge
Earlier today I had the chance to check out the beautiful new Polaris Lounge at San Francisco. While I’ll save my full review for tomorrow, I want to post a handful of pictures I took of the stunning new facility. The new lounge will include: Two levels across more than 28,000 square feet 440 seats […]
Visit the New United Polaris Lounge in SFO for 2,500 Miles!
United Airlines is running a great promo to introduce flyers to its new Polaris Lounge in San Francisco. For just 2,500 you can experience the new lounge on April 27, 2018. 2,500 miles gets you a two-hour visit with food and beverage included. The lounge will be fully operational, so this won’t just be a […]
Next United Polaris Lounge Opens April 30th at SFO
United Airlines’ next Polaris lounge will open on April 30, 2018 at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The two-level, 28,000-square-foot lounge will include an a la carte dining area, buffet, sleeping/rest area, showers, and of course ample seating and work space. Signature California elements are featured throughout, including locally inspired food and beverages, a wine […]
United Polaris Cutbacks Coming Soon…
Under the guise of maximizing sleep for business class passengers, United Airlines is cutting back service in its Polaris Business Class product. In a memo to flight attendants, United outlines changes to United Polaris coming on May 01, 2018. The rationale: increase sleep. One area customers have been passionate about is the importance of sleep […]
Review: United 777-300ER Polaris Business Class San Francisco to Hong Kong
United Polaris Business Class, and by that I mean the actual new Polaris seat, is a step in the right direction for United. My 15hr flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong gave me plenty of time to test out the new product. This was a business trip and I was traveling with John. We […]
More United Polaris Aircraft Enter Service
While the retrofit process will take several years to fully complete, United has just rolled out its third Boeing 767-300 with new Polaris seating. I wrote about the first 767-300 retrofit here, which is a 1-1-1 configuration with direct aisle access at every seat. It’s narrower than the Polaris seats on the new 777-3ooERs but […]
United Polaris Shop: If You Can’t Steal It, Buy It…
United Airlines’ Saks Fifth Avenue bedding in business class is so popular United has had trouble keeping it onboard. Now you can buy it online, just in time for the holidays. United has had a tremendous problem with the theft of Sak’s Fifth Avenue Business Class bedding. I can understand why as well—the bedding is great. […]
Insider Knowledge: Secret Perks in United Polaris Business Class
Much like the secret menu at In-N-Out Burger, there is a secret menu in United Polaris Business Class that requires a bit of inside knowledge or careful reading to take advantage of. As you board, you’ll find a plush pillow, light blanket, and rolled up heavier blanket already on your seat. That already constitutes one […]
My First Impressions of United 777-300ER Polaris Business Class
Good day from Hong Kong! I’ve made it to HKG after a 15-hour flight from San Francisco on United’s new 777-3ooER in Polaris Business Class. The flight was good, for me at least. My friend John got sick just like I did on the Singapore flight. Hopefully he will recover quickly and I won’t experience […]
Finally, a Trip in “Real” United Polaris Class!
United now calls its international business class product “Polaris” but not all seats are created equal. Only the 777-300ER and one 767-300ER currently have the new Polaris seat installed, a beautiful product that makes United’s longhaul business class much more competitive in an age of 1-2-1 seating. All 777-200s and 787s feature older (but still […]