Although United is gradually phasing out its international first class product, 777-2oos featuring an eight-seat first class section could conceivably be operating for the next three years as United gradually retrofits its fleet. What is the difference between Polaris First and Business on United? Is it worthwhile splurging for Polaris First?
First, let’s start with United’s branding challenge. Not all “United Polaris” seats are the same. Currently, United’s actual, new Polaris Business seats are found only on 777-3ooERs and a single retrofitted 767-300.
But that hasn’t stopped United from labeling its entire lie-flat premium cabin across the fleet, with some seats more than a decade old, as Polaris. For this post, I will be comparing Polaris First to the Polaris Business class seats available on the same aircraft. Please note there is another variant of business class seats offered on certain two-cabin 777-200s, 767s, and 787s.
1. Seat
The most pronounced differences between Polaris First and Business is the seat. While the new Polaris Business Class seat is arguably even comfortable (and certainly more private) than the current Polaris First seat, I’ll be comparing Polaris First vs. Polaris Business on pre-merger United 777-200s, the only aircraft where these seats will be found (as the 747 fleet is retired and the 767 more rapidly retrofitted).
Polaris First contains open suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. The cabin contains eight seats, though one seat is reserved for pilot rest. In lie-flat mode, the bed is 6’6″ and the seat is 23″ wide.
United Polaris Business class on aircraft equipped with Polaris First is far denser. The 777-200 configuration is 2-4-2 in business class. Each seat is lie-flat, but if you’re stuck in the middle getting over your neighbor may be annoying. Seat width is 20″ and the bed is 6’2″ in lie-flat mode.
Polaris First is far more comfortable and roomy.
2. Personal Storage
One of the biggest complaints concerning the “old” Polaris business class seats are the lack of personal storage. On the eight-across 777s there is absolutely no personal storage except for a small cubby hold for your shoes beneath the ottoman.
Meanwhile, the Polaris First seat has incredible personal storage, especially if you have a window seat. Note the compartments in the photo above — one is about two feet deep and encompasses the entire frame of the seat. There is also a cabinet adjacent to the seat with a mesh pocket that can hold your wallet, passport and mobile phone. On the other side is another deep cabinet that has plenty of room for personal items.
2. Amenity Kit
Polaris First passengers receive an enhanced amenity kit with additional items, which vary by cycle. These have included mouth wash, hand sanitizer, hand lotion and a wooden comb in the past. Lately, however, the contents seem to be identical to the business class kit except the color of the kit itself.
3. Pillows
United eliminated one of the two pillows from Polaris Business Class earlier this year. That second pillow has not been eliminated from Polaris First Class. It is unnecessary anyway, as the larger pillow is ideal for sleeping and memory foam gel pillows are available upon request.
4. Mixed Nut Refills
In Polaris First, refills are offered on mixed nuts from a silver dish. Refills are rarely offered in Polaris Business.
5. Canapés
Served with the mixed nuts, Polaris First passengers are offered a small canapé to begin the meal service. Polaris Business passengers receive only mixed nuts.
6. Soup
One of my favorite aspects of flying in Polaris First is the inclusion of a soup course with the main meal service. United does soup very well–I’ve never had bad soup. Last winter, United offered grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup or lobster bisque in both Polaris First and Polaris Business. Hopefully soup will return to the Polaris snack menu this winter.
7. Choice of Salad Dressing + Cracked Pepper
When United rolled out its new Polaris dining concept last December, it eliminated choice of salad dressing and bread in Polaris Business. While even Polaris First no longer has a bread choice, passengers are still offered two kinds of salad dressings that are ladled from a bowl. Polaris Business class passengers receive a bottle of oil and vinegar on their meal tray. Speaking of meal trays, Polaris First passengers are served on trays now just like in Polaris Business. Polaris First does still include fresh cracked pepper on your salad.
8. Service
There is no doubt, in my sample of six Polaris First flights, that service is much more personalized than in Polaris Business. While service is always hit or miss on United, the small cabin inherently lends itself to more personalized service.
CONCLUSION
You can see that the differences between Polaris First and Polaris Business are rather limited in terms of soft product, though Polaris First seat is far better than Polaris Business on the same aircraft. Would I splurge for Polaris First? It depends on the route. Not to Europe, where Polaris is 80K and too short to justify the 10K premium over partner business class. But to Asia, I’d take United Polaris First over ANA and Asiana transpacific business class (not over EVA). The price is identical: 80K one-way for partner business class or United Polaris First.
What is your experience flying Polaris First? Was it worth it?
Nice write up. Thanks for this.
I flew United First to Europe from California prior to their shift to Polaris and loved it. I recently flew Polaris Business on the same route and my experience was similar to yours. It was about what I expected: lay flat seats but narrower than First, good food, drink, and service but none of it as good as First. For 10k more, I’d take First if I could get it. Otherwise, Polaris is not a bad business class product. Sure beats coach for those 10+ hour flights.
Thanks for your comment, Ken! I agree — business beats even the best coach product.
I like how your Polaris First pics are from the 747, not the 772 🙂
Anyway, I’ve got a Polaris First flight in January from SFO-LHR. Main difference, as you point out, is the seat between the two on the 772. For that reason alone, I’d definitely splurge on Polaris First.
Now if your comparing the ex-continental 772 business vs. the united 772 first, not entirely sure the points difference is worth it…but knowing me, i’d probably splurge as First wont be around much longer!
We have to go back further for 777 shots! 😉
http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2011/05/02/washington-dulles-to-frankfurt-in-united-airlines-first-class/
So United as I understanding is phasing out selling Polaris first. Are those seats just going to be sold as Polaris Buisness until the aircraft get retrofitted or retired?
The tomato basil soup and cheese sandwich are still being offered as a mid-flight snack on the IAD-PEK or NRT flights.
The one big difference between the old First Class (8 passengers) vs the new Polaris Business First (60 passengers) is staffing and thus, service:
Two flight attendants work the 8 passenger configuration (1 in a large galley and 1 aisle f/a – often the galley f/a can get into the aisle to assist). And more often than not, a pilot is alloted a FC seat for rest. So that leaves 7 passengers to serve.
Six flight attendants work 60 passengers with a 2 galley configuration. Two f/a frantically work the very small galleys with rarely a chance to assist in the aisles. Four (4) f/a work the aisles (one of the 4 is the ISM/Purser who can be called away to deal with “issues”).
And that doesn’t address the number of lavatories available to 60 passengers vs 7 passengers – all trying to change out of pajamas and freshen up for landing.
Thanks for your comment.
No comparison. United Business – you are very close for to your seat mate, or two seat mates if you have a middle seat. No privacy. It is fine if you are traveling as a couple but otherwise not pleasant. United First you have privacy. Particularly in the A and K seats. Seat is better. Narrow foothole in Business can make sleeping harder. Not an issue in First. Storage non-existent in Business. Great in First. Agree with all of the other differences – much better service.
I’ve flown Polaris Business (2-4-2) 777 a couple of times IAH to HNL and I really don’t like it. I’ve been fortunate to be on fuselage 2 side of things, and the center 4 configuration looks deeply horrible. Also, you may be facing forward or backward in a staggered fashion so privacy drops to zero and its just creepy looking at your fellow travelers the whole trip. Underseat storage is zero/doesn’t exist. I felt cramped even with “lots of space.”
Service is good but not spectacular. The entertainment system is very good and seats are comfortable but anyone who is not on the aisle is in an uncomfortable climb over situation.
I would trade a 2-1-2 767 any day for this abomination. Loved the singlet center row.
Being at the front end of the aircraft still is more comfortable that 3-3-3 or 3-4-3. but surely we can do better.
Matthew, thanks for the detailed review.
I have choice to take Polaris First or Polaris NEW business class to Hong Kong. Which would you choose ?
Hi Jack, if it is only 10K extra, I would upgrade to Polaris First.
I have an upcoming flight in Polaris biz, any reason I should avoid the rear facing seats? HNL – SFO, daytime flight. Paid way too many miles for two seats… but had few decent options. I haven’t flown backwards before, I’m intrigued by it, I’ll most likely keep these seats unless there’s a good reason to face forward.
No reason. Rear are fine.
Hi Matt, I apologize if this question has been asked already, but I can’t seem to find an answer on any of the blogs out there. What is UA planning on doing with the Polaris First cabins once Polaris First is eliminated? I believe they plan on eliminating Polaris First this year, but the Polaris First hard product/seats will obviously be flying on the pmUA 772’s well into next year and the year after that. In other words, any word on how they will be assigning those seats moving forward, once Polaris First is eliminated this year? Status? Fare class? I ask because I want to fly in the 772 Polaris First cabin one last time before it’s removed from all aircraft, but I can’t for the life of me figure out how to book the cabin. UA doesn’t seem to be selling seats in that cabin on many flights (i.e. the 8:00AM from EWR to ORD), but rather, the entire F cabin is filled by J upgrades between check-in and departure.