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 […]
Lounge Dining: À La Carte vs. Buffet
What’s more important to you in a premium cabin airline lounge: a great buffet or a la carte dining? In trying to be objective, I’ve put together three pros and three cons for buffets and the same for sit-down dining. Buffet Pros: More variety Speed (instant gratification) Chance to showcase quality Buffet Cons: Lower quality […]
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 […]
Why Did Singapore Airlines Close Lounge in Seoul?
Next up in my Australia trip report is a review of the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounge in Seoul Incheon. But that seems almost pointless considering Singapore unexpectedly shut down the lounge last month. Instead, let’s focus on the reason behind the closure. The KrisFlyer lounge was starting to show its age even when was I […]
My Conversation with United CEO Oscar Munoz
I hate to disappoint you, but rather than not saying anything I do want to provide an update on my recent conversation with United CEO Oscar Munoz. Last week I asked What Would YOU Ask United CEO Oscar Munoz? I received a number of excellent questions and was looking forward to a respectful yet probing conversation […]
Richard Quest Explores United Polaris
United Airlines and CNN’s Richard Quest have been working for three years on the latest edition of Business Traveler. The program tracks United’s Polaris Business Class from its birth to takeoff. I think this three-part video is 24 minutes well invested. You’ll track the seats conception, rationale, production, and launch. You’ll also sample the new […]
United’s New Taxi Ad Campaign: Newark is Closer
Keep an eye out for yellow cabs in New York City with electronic timers on them: it is part of United’s new ad campaign. United Airlines wants to “dispel the myth” that a ride to JFK is quicker than a ride to Newark (EWR). To demonstrate this, it is using GPS real-time traffic data to “educate” the public about travel […]
When Will the Next United Polaris Lounge Open?
United opened its Polaris Lounge in Chicago O’Hare last December and it has received rave reviews. I’m going to deliberately route through Chicago on an upcoming trip just to try it out. But ORD is just one hub. When will United open up additional Polaris Lounges? Remember, Polaris Lounges differ from United Clubs in that […]
Surprise Meal on United Proves Why Meals Don’t Matter
Not to beat a dead horse, but my United flight from San Francisco to Frankfurt yesterday demonstrates why economy class meal service likely has little effect on loyalty and negatively impacts revenue. I generally do not upgrade when flights are so empty that I can guarantee a center section of four seats to myself. Of course that is […]
Would You Pay 250K Miles for First United Polaris 777-300ER Flight?
United Airlines is running an auction this week for two seats in Polaris (business) class on a special Chicago to San Francisco flight debuting its new 777-300ER and Polaris Business Class seats. But how much is too much? The Auction Here’s how United describes the auction, currently going on here with about 48 hours left– […]
United May Cut p.s. Name, but not Premium Service
In 2004, United Airlines introduced p.s. (premium service) onboard its transcon flights between New York Kennedy and Los Angeles/San Francisco. This enhanced domestic product mimicked an international flight with menus, enhanced meals, and a premium business and first class seat. When UA closed its JFK station in 2015, p.s. shifted to Newark. But rumors have […]
Review: Houston to Lagos in United Airlines 787 Business
I flew United’s 787-8 for the first time from Houston to Los Angeles just weeks after it was introduced in 2012, but almost two years passed before I had the chance to fly it again, this time from Houston to Lagos. My day started in Chicago but I gave myself a five hour buffer in case of […]
