Without notice, United Airlines has introduced Polaris business class branding on select domestic flights. With that change comes one very important change to lounge access.
United Starts Selling Polaris Business Class On Domestic Flights
United Airlines has begun rebranding select premium transcontinental and Hawaii flights as Polaris business class rather than United Business or First. We knew this was coming, but no date had been set for the changeover, which From The Tray Table noticed was…today.
That following routes are impacted:
- Premium transcontinental markets
- Newark (EWR) ⇄ Los Angeles (LAX)
- Newark (EWR) ⇄ San Francisco (SFO)
- Longhaul Hawaii markets
- Chicago (ORD) ⇄ Honolulu (HNL)
- Chicago (ORD) ⇄ Maui (OGG)
- Newark (EWR) ⇄ Honolulu (HNL)
- Newark (EWR) ⇄ Maui (OGG)
- Washington (IAD) ⇄ Honolulu (HNL)
The immediate takeaway is straightforward: front-cabin customers booking these flights now receive Polaris Lounge access where available, which is a real and tangible improvement and puts United on par with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which also give their premium transcon and longhaul Hawaii passengers access to their top lounges.
The move impacts all aircraft operating on these routes, even 757-200s which feature older Polaris seats and no direct aisle access for every passenger.
United Wants Polaris To Become A Bigger Brand
For years, Polaris exclusively referred to United’s longhaul international premium cabin product. That brand came with a fairly clear meaning: lie-flat seats, upgraded dining, Saks bedding, and Polaris Lounge access.
Now United is broadening that definition. Even if that is to match competition rather than lead, it ups the games on domestic flights. It isn’t clear yet if the entire soft product will match Polaris, but it’s most ly there already. Meal service is roughly the same and duvets and pillows are provided.
Mattress pads and the full amenity kit (versus a smaller domestic version) would be the only two major changes that would fully align the soft products of these premium domestic flights with Polaris longhaul.
Basic Fares Coming…
To address crowding in Polaris Lounges, United has eliminated access for many Star Alliance partners and also restricted access for “basic” business class passengers, a new fare category available on longhaul flights.
But be on the lookout for “basic” business class fares coming soon, which are not yet for sale on these domestic flights.
> Read More: United’s New “Basic” Business Class Won’t Lower Prices, It Only Cuts Benefits
> Read More: United Slashes Polaris Lounge Access For Most Star Alliance Business Class Passengers, Further Splintering The Alliance
CONCLUSION
Effective today, United is now branding elect domestic flights Polaris.
This signals that Polaris is evolving from a flagship international cabin into a broader commercial brand that United can sell, expand, and potentially unbundle.
That may be smart business, but domestic premium passengers who now have access should enjoy it before “basic” Polaris tickets are introduced.
Any idea why IAD-HNL is not included? It’s operated as a 767-400ER with faux Polaris. Maybe too many government Y fare upgrades? lol.
That’s included too!
No Polaris on the 8 hour IAH-HNL route??? Insanity
Maybe they can’t bear to call that old 2-4-2 777 “Polaris”?
What will be interesting is whether they keep scheduling the domestic configured 777s on EWR-LAX and EWR-SFO. I’m hoping between the ongoing maintenance issues with the 777s and the current economic climate, they make the decision to retire those frames early.
Seems they are off for now…(though I prefer those to 752s in J).
Wonderful – the already packed Newark Polaris Lounge will now feature standing room only.
Seriously nice to see UA bringing back pre-merger PS Service standards
I tend to think you are correct, but I hope not…and I hope the limiting of access on “basic” fares will at least control the crowding.
Selfishly, this is great news for me. I am fortunate to fly roundtrip between ORD and HNL in Polaris between 10 and 15 times a year.
This is long overdue. Delta and American offered comparable premium lounges. Well done, United.
Meanwhile, AF enhances its culinary experience in the Premium cabin. → https://corporate.airfrance.com/en/news/air-france-enhances-its-culinary-experience-premium-cabin
when will IAH-HNL get the Polaris branding as it is also a non CPU route. That is needed to compete with AA out of DFW
I think IAH/DEN should also be Polaris, but of course DEN doesn’t even have a Polaris Lounge!
GUM-HNL also should be Polaris
HNL needs a Polaris lounge as well. Or keep the ANA suites lounge open later and allow Polaris pax use that
Kudos to UA!