Booked 2 Polaris seats from Lax to Sydney and return Brisbane to San Fran in a few weeks! Booked the 2 straight forward odd row seats next to each other! Can't wait to experience it! Great video!
Great video. I've flown Polaris several times. The first two times I did not go to the lounge. Huge mistake. Now I book longer layovers in cities that have the Polaris Lounge just to enjoy it.
I have my first-ever Polaris flight this Saturday! 10.5 hrs, out of EWR. Can't wait - getting to the airport 5 hrs early to properly take advantage of everything. I've flown domestic first and northern South America business class a bunch of times, but never Polaris (I'll also be flying Swiss lie-flat and Ethiopian lie-flat for comparison)
the part about the seat configuration was so helpful thank you!!! I did not notice it in the seat map at all until you mentioned it, then I saw that the aisle seats look a little inclined. Great video
Few corrections, wine tasting was discontinued years ago, as has the mimosa/bloody mary cart - these were available when Polaris first launched. Slippers and pyjamas are offered on flights 14+ hours or longer, when available. Mattress pads are available on a first come, first served basis and they are not provisioned to 100% of the cabin.
Okay, so great video! We are flying Polaris to Singapore overnight and daytime Premium Plus on the return next spring. We want to experience both. However, if United offers a sweet deal to upgrade then we may consider it.
I don´t understand all that raving about United ice cream. It´s nothing special. But I agree about the lounge, especially the one in San Francisco is really great, compared to the usually crowded lounges in Europe where you rarely have any privacy.
I’ll pay for the premium plus but I’ve never felt it necessary to pay $11000+ for what you get on the flight I feel like the money is better spent when I go on vacation but if you’re rolling in cash then do it 🎉
I know this goes against the conventional wisdom, but I don't think that the window seats in Polaris are better than the aisle seats. Having done both multiple times, I found getting in and out of the window seat to be a little difficult, since the entry space is pretty narrow and set at an odd angle. As a result, I've come to prefer the aisle seats, which are much easier to enter and exit, especially if you need to get up while your tray table is deployed. With an aisle seat, you can just lower the armrest and easily slip out of the seat, without disturbing the tray. Another thing to consider is which side of the cabin you select, based on which of your hands is dominant. For instance, aisle seats on the left side of the cabin will have the storage space on the left, making it easier for righties to reach over; but the window seats on the left side of the cabin will have it on the right, which makes it easier for lefties. On the right side of the cabin, window seats would be better for righties, and aisle seats for lefties, for the same reasons. If this is a consideration for anyone picking seats in the middle, take a close look at the seat map to figure out which one is best for you. On an unrelated note, I'm a little puzzled about the pajamas on longer-haul flights, since I don't think I've ever been on a flight that offered them. Although it sounds great, where are you supposed to change into them? There are many more passengers than there are lavatories, and they are pretty small to begin with.
I have flown Polaris several times due to having flight benefits. It is nice, cant deny that. However, I could never justify the price of these tickets. Too each their own.
A lot of issues are resolved when you recognize that Polaris is a class of service and not a cabin type. The B787s fly on domestic routes; when they do, it’s not the Polaris class of service, even though it’s a lie flat seat. Similarly, the B772s with the dense front cabin generally fly on non-Polaris routes. You’ll see them performing flights to Hawaii in the winter months. The Polaris Lounge is the key point and I’d make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time to use it. DEN is rumored to be getting a lounge “soon.” Finally, if you’re flying into a hub airport without a forward connection, you can’t use the Polaris lounge on arrival (DUB is the exception as it has preclearance). I often connect through SFO, as it gives me a chance to use the lounge there and again at LAX, if you so desire. I should mention too that if you fly into LHR in Polaris, you have access to an arrivals lounge, or you can get breakfast and have a shower. It’s a great facility that’s under used. Keep that one in mind too!
Is the preflight meal choice available for Hawaiian flights? we're booked on Polaris SFO-HNL and I can't find on United's website where to order the meal. We're flying the end of September.
Careful folks. I upgraded from Premium Economy to Polaris when I left for London from Chicago. I was told by the snobby United gate agent when I purchased that it was a window seat. She lied. My seat was angled towards and facing the aisle. If I turned my head like an owl completely around to the left I could see about 2 inches of the window from the pod behind me. I upgraded on a whim and paid $999 for the Polaris plus the $1240 for the Premium Economy for one way ORD to LHR. Was it worth it ? Yeah, it was fun to do, but wouldn't do it again for a 7 hour 40 minute flight. The Premium Economy would be just fine.
Great question. I don’t know the entire list of 14+hour flights but at one point they had the longest flight. I believe it was San Francisco to Singapore
I think the full list it: SFO/LAX - Melbourne/Brisbane/Sydney/HongKong/Singapore/New Delhi, IAH - Sydney, ORD - Shanghai, EWR/IAD - Tokyo/Mumbai/New Delhi/Dubai/Cape Town. And yes they advertised as the longest but Singapore Airlines was flying the same route @@Roamaroo
Please fly business on other airlines before praising united Polaris. EG ANA has a bigger area, more pleasant flight attendants, more accommodating food and beverage services. Overall, Polaris has a customer experience far below any foreign carrier. Note when carriers are ranked internationally, US airlines NEVER get into the top 5, or 10. Don't waste your money on Polaris.
The polaris lounge in San Francisco is a joke. It is like a railway station with people grabbing food helter skelter and if you want to sit down to eat expect a 2 hour wait so you won't be able to use the restaurant. Also what kind of lounge doesn't have espresso machines that you can use to make a cappuccino or espresso...they just have coffee. There are no self server for Beer or Wine (maybe local rules) and theres just one bar tender when I was there and a long line. This place is a disgrace. No idea why people keep talking about it. Oh by the way the Polaris seats are like a coffin, your legs go into that hole and you can't even turn on your side without hurting yourself.
UA hasn't had the wine tasting in years. You enthusiastically present Polaris as a great value in international business class travel. It isn't. Just take a look at their food offerings.
@@SuperEman500 My solution is to fly another carrier. I have 3.7 million miles on United over 40 years, but I refuse to be captive (or "loyal" in airline-speak) to United's product. I've seen the other things that are out there, and I like them. I don't choose international air carriers based on their lounge or their ice cream sundae.
The only thing I really care about is the Polaris lie flat seating for long haul flights. I couldn't care less about the fancy lounges and food options. Except the ice cream. I do like the ice cream. If United had a class that offered Polaris style lie flat seats minus every other amenity, I'd very much prefer that.
United Polaris is really tops, especially their lounges. United really excels with their premium inflight and lounge product, BUT their airport employees still tend to be mediocre to downright rude, especially at SFO. For this reason, I no longer fly them.
I respectfully disagree...just go to the circus that is the Polaris lounge in SFO. The Centurian lounge is so much better. No expresso machines and no self server beer or wine, you have to wait in a long line and the buffet looks likes wolves came to feed on it..its all strewn in all directions and its so crowded and you can never eat at the restaurant since its over 2 hour weight only a psycho would come early for the food there.
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Booked 2 Polaris seats from Lax to Sydney and return Brisbane to San Fran in a few weeks! Booked the 2 straight forward odd row seats next to each other! Can't wait to experience it! Great video!
Great video. I've flown Polaris several times. The first two times I did not go to the lounge. Huge mistake. Now I book longer layovers in cities that have the Polaris Lounge just to enjoy it.
There's nothing better than a great lounge to relax in!
I have my first-ever Polaris flight this Saturday! 10.5 hrs, out of EWR. Can't wait - getting to the airport 5 hrs early to properly take advantage of everything. I've flown domestic first and northern South America business class a bunch of times, but never Polaris (I'll also be flying Swiss lie-flat and Ethiopian lie-flat for comparison)
How was the flight?
the part about the seat configuration was so helpful thank you!!! I did not notice it in the seat map at all until you mentioned it, then I saw that the aisle seats look a little inclined. Great video
Few corrections, wine tasting was discontinued years ago, as has the mimosa/bloody mary cart - these were available when Polaris first launched. Slippers and pyjamas are offered on flights 14+ hours or longer, when available. Mattress pads are available on a first come, first served basis and they are not provisioned to 100% of the cabin.
@@tomr5803 no more wine tasting?! Such a bummer
Okay, so great video! We are flying Polaris to Singapore overnight and daytime Premium Plus on the return next spring. We want to experience both. However, if United offers a sweet deal to upgrade then we may consider it.
Heads up on those flying out of ORD - the Polaris Lounge is closed for upgrades until Q2 2025
I don´t understand all that raving about United ice cream. It´s nothing special. But I agree about the lounge, especially the one in San Francisco is really great, compared to the usually crowded lounges in Europe where you rarely have any privacy.
I’ll pay for the premium plus but I’ve never felt it necessary to pay $11000+ for what you get on the flight I feel like the money is better spent when I go on vacation but if you’re rolling in cash then do it 🎉
Thanks for the helpful tips.
Mattress Pad Game Changer !!
I know this goes against the conventional wisdom, but I don't think that the window seats in Polaris are better than the aisle seats. Having done both multiple times, I found getting in and out of the window seat to be a little difficult, since the entry space is pretty narrow and set at an odd angle. As a result, I've come to prefer the aisle seats, which are much easier to enter and exit, especially if you need to get up while your tray table is deployed. With an aisle seat, you can just lower the armrest and easily slip out of the seat, without disturbing the tray. Another thing to consider is which side of the cabin you select, based on which of your hands is dominant. For instance, aisle seats on the left side of the cabin will have the storage space on the left, making it easier for righties to reach over; but the window seats on the left side of the cabin will have it on the right, which makes it easier for lefties. On the right side of the cabin, window seats would be better for righties, and aisle seats for lefties, for the same reasons. If this is a consideration for anyone picking seats in the middle, take a close look at the seat map to figure out which one is best for you.
On an unrelated note, I'm a little puzzled about the pajamas on longer-haul flights, since I don't think I've ever been on a flight that offered them. Although it sounds great, where are you supposed to change into them? There are many more passengers than there are lavatories, and they are pretty small to begin with.
I have flown Polaris several times due to having flight benefits. It is nice, cant deny that. However, I could never justify the price of these tickets. Too each their own.
very good!!!
A lot of issues are resolved when you recognize that Polaris is a class of service and not a cabin type. The B787s fly on domestic routes; when they do, it’s not the Polaris class of service, even though it’s a lie flat seat. Similarly, the B772s with the dense front cabin generally fly on non-Polaris routes. You’ll see them performing flights to Hawaii in the winter months. The Polaris Lounge is the key point and I’d make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time to use it. DEN is rumored to be getting a lounge “soon.” Finally, if you’re flying into a hub airport without a forward connection, you can’t use the Polaris lounge on arrival (DUB is the exception as it has preclearance). I often connect through SFO, as it gives me a chance to use the lounge there and again at LAX, if you so desire.
I should mention too that if you fly into LHR in Polaris, you have access to an arrivals lounge, or you can get breakfast and have a shower. It’s a great facility that’s under used. Keep that one in mind too!
Wow! All great information! Thank you for sharing.
LHR arrivals lounge only lets you in if you arrive at the lounge before noon. Flight delayed? Big line at Customs? Too bad so sad.
Is the preflight meal choice available for Hawaiian flights? we're booked on Polaris SFO-HNL and I can't find on United's website where to order the meal. We're flying the end of September.
Yes, it is. I just came back from Honolulu. Check it out on the app.
Careful folks. I upgraded from Premium Economy to Polaris when I left for London from Chicago. I was told by the snobby United gate agent when I purchased that it was a window seat. She lied. My seat was angled towards and facing the aisle. If I turned my head like an owl completely around to the left I could see about 2 inches of the window from the pod behind me. I upgraded on a whim and paid $999 for the Polaris plus the $1240 for the Premium Economy for one way ORD to LHR. Was it worth it ? Yeah, it was fun to do, but wouldn't do it again for a 7 hour 40 minute flight. The Premium Economy would be just fine.
Well, you’ve sold me on Polaris :)
Are there many 14+ hour flights that united do?
Great question. I don’t know the entire list of 14+hour flights but at one point they had the longest flight. I believe it was San Francisco to Singapore
I think the full list it: SFO/LAX - Melbourne/Brisbane/Sydney/HongKong/Singapore/New Delhi, IAH - Sydney, ORD - Shanghai, EWR/IAD - Tokyo/Mumbai/New Delhi/Dubai/Cape Town. And yes they advertised as the longest but Singapore Airlines was flying the same route @@Roamaroo
SFO-MNL
SFO TPE, SFO SYD, SFO ATHENS, etc. TONS available
@@ekuche8335 Yes even though SFO-TPE is not 14 hours you can still get Pyjamas
What planes are Polaris on?
Now they're pretty much on every flight over 6 hours
Great review but it's obvious you're looking up at text and reading a script, perhaps try to put in front of the camera.
Only United 787-8 have older version 2-2-2 business class. Except 757 and 737.
They 787s have all be upgraded to the new Polaris.
Please fly business on other airlines before praising united Polaris. EG ANA has a bigger area, more pleasant flight attendants, more accommodating food and beverage services. Overall, Polaris has a customer experience far below any foreign carrier. Note when carriers are ranked internationally, US airlines NEVER get into the top 5, or 10. Don't waste your money on Polaris.
It is truly awful if you have flown on any of these.. JAL, ANA, QATAR, EMIRATES, SINGAPORE, EVA, STARLUX, CATHAY, THAI (New business class)
The polaris lounge in San Francisco is a joke. It is like a railway station with people grabbing food helter skelter and if you want to sit down to eat expect a 2 hour wait so you won't be able to use the restaurant. Also what kind of lounge doesn't have espresso machines that you can use to make a cappuccino or espresso...they just have coffee. There are no self server for Beer or Wine (maybe local rules) and theres just one bar tender when I was there and a long line. This place is a disgrace. No idea why people keep talking about it. Oh by the way the Polaris seats are like a coffin, your legs go into that hole and you can't even turn on your side without hurting yourself.
There are no more "non upgraded planes"
The “domestic” 777s have the old, lie-flat seats.
11. Take off your (backwards) hat in the plane.
UA hasn't had the wine tasting in years. You enthusiastically present Polaris as a great value in international business class travel. It isn't. Just take a look at their food offerings.
So stick with Premium plus then?
@@SuperEman500 My solution is to fly another carrier. I have 3.7 million miles on United over 40 years, but I refuse to be captive (or "loyal" in airline-speak) to United's product. I've seen the other things that are out there, and I like them. I don't choose international air carriers based on their lounge or their ice cream sundae.
The only thing I really care about is the Polaris lie flat seating for long haul flights. I couldn't care less about the fancy lounges and food options. Except the ice cream. I do like the ice cream. If United had a class that offered Polaris style lie flat seats minus every other amenity, I'd very much prefer that.
@@odesangel Lie flat is not comfortable if you are over 6' and a side sleeper..you feel like you are in a straitjacket
i made all of these mistakes and now my dog is a cat.
Racists
United Polaris is really tops, especially their lounges. United really excels with their premium inflight and lounge product, BUT their airport employees still tend to be mediocre to downright rude, especially at SFO. For this reason, I no longer fly them.
I respectfully disagree...just go to the circus that is the Polaris lounge in SFO. The Centurian lounge is so much better. No expresso machines and no self server beer or wine, you have to wait in a long line and the buffet looks likes wolves came to feed on it..its all strewn in all directions and its so crowded and you can never eat at the restaurant since its over 2 hour weight only a psycho would come early for the food there.