I enjoyed a smooth longhaul journey on United Airlines onboard the 777-200ER in Polaris business class from Dubai to Newark, a flight I’d argue is a better option than Emirates’ older business class cabin on the same route.
United Airlines 777-200ER Polaris Business Class Review (Dubai – Newark)
I’ve reviewed the 777 longhaul business class product several times on United, but never on the Dubai route, which is one of United’s longer flights and also operated in cooperation with Emirates, which had a very big upside that I will discuss below.
Booking
I purchased a one-way ticket from Dubai (DXB) – Newark (EWR) – San Francisco (SFO) – Burbank (BUR) for $1371.05, with the Dubai – Newark – San Francisco flights booked in PremiumPlus, United’s premium economy cabin. I then used 30 PlusPoints to (try to) upgrade both segments. Only the Dubai – Newark ended up clearing (which of course was the more important segment). It cleared 24 hours before departure, leaving me with a limited seat selection in the cabin.
Check-In
After a long layover spent at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, we showed up at Dubai Airport only 80 minutes prior to departure. The United check-in area is shared with Emirates and was very quiet (yes, we cut it a bit close…) and we quickly retrieved our boarding pass, checked two bags, and cleared security (via e-gates…no exit stamp).
Boarding
Both my friend and I had “SSSS” on our boarding pass (indiciating secondary screening required), but no one said anything about it…
Boarding had already commenced and we got in line (in fact, signs were showing “final call”) and were soon comfortably settled onboard.
United Airlines 163
Dubai (DXB) – Newark (EWR)
Thursday, April 6
Depart: 01:55 AM
Arrive: 08:45 AM
Duration: 14hr, 50min
Distance: 6,861 miles
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Seat: 4L (Polaris Business Class)
United’s longhaul product is predictable..and that’s a good thing.
Seat
The United 777-200ER cabin has 50 seats spread over two cabins in a 1-2-1 configuration.
I prefer bulkhead seats or at least odd-numbered window seats because those offer more privacy, but I took what I could get when the upgrade cleared, which in this case was 4L.
The seat was stacked high with pillows and blankets…United does bedding very well (the bedding has evolved slightly since my flight, but you can still expect a large pillow, cooling gel pillow, day blanket, and duvet).
This was an ex-Continetal Airlines 777, so there were no air vents. While the cabin did not seem to become too warm, that may be one reason I did not sleep as well on this flight.
Don’t forget to request a mattress pad if you fly in Polaris…it makes a difference.
I don’t prefer the even-numbered A and L seats becuase you often end up with just half a window…or half of one and half of another, which makes controlling an interesting game between you and your seatmate(s).
Finally, note the Polaris seat has a universal outlet and two USB-A chargers.
Food + Drink
This flight featured dinner after takeoff, a midflight snack, and breakfast before landing.
Dinner
Dinner was served after takeoff, starting with a hot towel, a choice of beverage, and mixed nuts.
Among the many appetizing options, I chose the beef tagine, a Moroccan-inspired stew that is slowly cooked for hours (at least in theory). The dish was served with turmeric-infused Israel couscous, olives, roasted red onion, and parsley. A home run.
What was a bit odd was that the salad (halal bulgur, bean and corn salad with mesclun, cumin seed, and cumin vinaigrette) and appetizer (sumac chicken with Aztec farro, jicama, bean and corn salad with smoked paprika aioli) were largely the same. Fattoush and lentil soup would have been preferred, but this was not bad. Bonus: buttery garlic bread and French butter.
Next I enjoyed a delicious cheese course with crackers and grapes before concluding the meal with an ice cream sundae topped in whipped cream, strawberries, and almonds.
A very nice meal which helped me quickly fall asleep for the next six hours.
Midflight Snack
This is a 14-hour, 50-minute flight and typically I can sleep for 10 hours on these longhauls. This time, I awoke roughly halfway through the flight and unable to fall back asleep, ordered a snack: potato leek soup and a wrap with with hummus, olive tapenade, cheese, and lettuce. I also had a bag of potato chips and a piece of fruit cobbler left over from the dinner service. It hit the spot.
A self-serve buffet was set up in the cabin: leftover items from the main meal service, chocolate, cookies, chips, and whole fruit.
Breakfast
The biggest surprise, though, was for breakfast prior to landing in Newark. I ordered the halal grilled beef tenderloin, which was served with scrambled eggs, truffle Hollandaise sauce, grilled tomatoes and rösti potatoes with onions.
You always take a risk in ordering airline steak, but this was a very decent cut of beef and cooked medium well (still too much, but better than well-done). It really hit the spot and the truffle Hollandaise sauce was excellent.
I also loved the full-sized croissant and especially the generous bowl of fruit with ripe and sweet watermelon, raspberries, and blueberries. A great breakfast indeed. Even the yogurt did not have too much sugar (something I often complain about when airlines serve yogurt).
I noticed a lot of people were sleeping through breakfast, so I asked the flight attendant if I could also try the halal buttermilk pancakes, served with cinnamon butter, apple compote, and maple syrup. Wow. The pancakes (I guess the cinnamon butter was key) were so delicious!
Thank You Emirates
Why was the food so good? Emirates and United have specifically consulted on the catering on this route. Yes indeed, I’d say this route offers the best catering in the system right now. Every meal on this flight was excellent and it shows me very clearly that serving excellent food onboard is 100% possible on United.
Amenities
Pajamas are available on fights over 12 hours. I asked for a pair and the flight attendant looked very annoyed, but discreetly brought me a pair and whispered that I should not let others see this because United did not load enough for everyone.
That’s fair enough on the part of the flight attendant – United should load enough for everyone and I understand that it disincentizes proactively offering any at all.
I change into pajamas on flights that are longer than 10 hours and changed immediately after takeoff on this one.
The “Away” hard-shelled amenity kit included Sunday Reily skin products (the current amenity kits contain Therabody skin products), a dental kit, eye shade, ear plugs, socks, tissues, and a pen.
Slippers were also offered (already placed on each seat).
IFE + Wi-Fi
A Wi-Fi pass was $21.99 (unlimited time and data) and since I only slept for about six hours, I ended up using it, though I also ended up watching two movies on the flight. Wi-Fi speeds were acceptable…though not “high speed” (hopefully something that will dramatically change with the introduction of Starlink).
United consistently offers an excellent library of movies and TV shows (games and audio are lacking) and I watched a couple of movies during the flight (which I will not bother to opine on, but both would earn mixed reviews in my book).
United’s noise-canceling headphones are not as good as what Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, or American Airlines offer, but I so greatly appreciate that they are not collected before landing…
Lavatories
I used the lavatory to change into my pajamas and then change back out and it was quite clean, even in the last hour of the flight.
The 777-200ER business class cabin has one lavatory in the front of the forward business class cabin and two next to the galley between cabins.
Service
I’d rate the service as unmemorable. Flight attendants were efficient, but not overly friendly and I was not addressed by surname (often the mark of a good crew). But I did appreciate the junior flight attendant working the breakfast service was more than happy to give me a second breakfast (and even offered me a third…).
CONCLUSION
Yes, an Emirates review on this route would have been more interesting for regular readers, but I was happy to try this route on United and very happy about the catering in Dubai (and I hear it is just as good out of Newark on this route).
I’m glad to see United fly to so many parts of the world and was thankful to use my PlusPoints to move from premium economy to business class (I’ll miss 1K status next year).
United may not win “best of” anything (although I think you can make an argument for the bedding), but I find it a very consistent product and I (almost) always end up enjoying my flights.
Have you heard anything about the plating being replaced?
I feel like it needs a major refresher
I honestly do not mind it…I think it is unique and attractive. The bowls are a big improvement over the casserole dishes.
If fares are similarly priced, there is absolutely no chance I would fly United or any other US airline over Emirates coming from Dubai.
Sorry, but I refuse to fly Emirates’ old and outdated business class seats. United isn’t class leading, but it is solid, and Polaris seats are much better than Emirates J.
You’re exactly right. 100% depends on the product.
Are you talking about the staggered 1-2-1 seating on Emirates or the 2-3-2 seating? Or both?
Yes, critcal distinction indeed.
And I don’t think the food is better on Emirates, at least on ex-DXB flights.
Service is hit or miss.
Wi-Fi…hit or miss.
A380 bar would be a differentiatior! Not sure I’d choose even “new” EK 777 over UA.
The 787 has too narrow of seats for bus. class ; only 20″ wide, while prem. econ. is 18″ ; its just too narrow
on a long haul ; its hard to change positions in such limited space & I’m only 5’8″. Doesn’t SQ have a 26″
wide seat in bus.?
That appetizer for dinner with beans, corn; very gas producing; why don’t they do a shrimp cocktail, caviar,
or smoked salmon ? You’d think they’d try to compete with Emirates or SQ.
Emirates has always been a hit for me.
That is amazing for being older that you can sleep 10 hours on a plane. That is two nights sleep for me in my bed. Did your friend get seat next to you or different row??
Just behind me.
United would win ‘best of” for route network out of the United States. There’s no denying that. Though on this flight, I’m not sure Polaris is materially worse than EK business class. In some ways, I would imagine UA is better. EK isn’t about to win any “best of” awards for their business class either.
A funnier comparison, to me at least, is AA’s route to DOH. I can’t think of a single aspect where AA is even “on par” with QR, though I guess if I could confirm a SWU it would be a nice snag.
You’re right about AA v. QR, but the SWU was the reason I flew AA…
https://liveandletsfly.com/american-airlines-777-200-business-class-doha-review/
Too bad you didn’t get to the airport early to experience the lounge. I was curious as to what lounge you would use.
Emirates Business is designated lounge.
I’m constantly amazed at the amount of food you eat in lounges and on flights yet manage to stay in shape.
It amazes me too sometimes, but I workout six days per week and eat very healthy at home.
This is not a -window-seat
You could say it’s an aisle seat, but it’s really both…
I flew this route a few months ago and agree that food is great on this route because United must use Emirates caterer and it shows.
Food and presentation looks like what you’d get in the lobby restaurant of a Courtyard by Marriott at best. The Polaris menu and branding needs a refresh. It all looks so bland, boring, and uninspiring. The Polaris seat itself is quite comfy and the bedding is generous. Service on United remains meh.
Emirates offers an even less upscale experience, and a tacky one at that, but it’s just so much more fun to fly than United.
I’ve flown the same route and prefer Emirates (I get upgraded to First some times).
Although I have to admit when seeing this UAL has upgraded their product when they do have to compete.
If UAL could do this on their regular routes I’d be enthralled. Alas…….
Besides the food, did it feel like United was doing anything better than normal on this route? All things being equal, I would have a difficult time choosing United over Emirates unless it was considerably cheaper.
Nothing else – but I do think UA has better bedding and a better seat than EK.
Yes, EK has much better alcohol and a nicer menu, but UA’s really not so bad on this particular route, even on the old 777-200…
spent at teh Grand Hyatt Dubai
teh????????????????????????????????
T h a n k s
w i t h
t h e
b e s t
w i s h e s
Ah, so you’re taking creative license with spelling now. Perhaps it’s fitting for a travel blogger—venturing boldly where grammar and credibility are merely optional. Between your typos and attitude, I’m starting to feel like trusting your reviews is as risky as flying with budget airlines. If you’re planning on doubling down on this kind of prose, maybe list ‘poetic license’ under your credentials. Best wishes back at ya.
Could you explain something that baffles me? When I read a blog and don’t like an article, I stop reading it. I feel no need to post on that. Why do some feel the need? Are they just like the people who starts a long-winded monolog with a stranger?
Do you have the same policy when you read a random blog comment you don’t like or just for articles?
Well said Jim!
I just flew the United Newark to Dubai route followed by Emirates from Dubai to Hanoi. The Polaris on United was definitely better than the emirates business class to Hanoi. United was a 777-200 and Emirates was a 777–300 with the 2-2-2 configuration. I would say meals were about equivalent, which makes sense, although service on Emirates was slightly more attentive. Only small complaint was don’t bother with United grilled cheese sandwich, it’s like a brick.
The food looks delicious… How do you stay fit with all the airplane food and flying at all times of day and night? Especially since you seem to eat all the regular food and not special diet meals. I am a frequent traveler for work myself and sometimes find it challenging to stay healthy and thin between lounges, planes and hotels… Maybe worth doing a post on the subject…
I can do a post on it…but I do strict interminent fasting with a high protein diet and six workouts per week while at home. I’ve also eliminated candy, junk food, and most alochol from my diet unless I am traveling.
Please do a fitness post with pics.