Summary United Airlines offers a top-notch business class experience with Polaris, including luxury amenities and exclusive lounges. Polaris passengers enjoy benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and access to private lounges before long-haul flights. The Polaris business class seating provides comfort with lie-flat seats, premium dining options, entertainment, and WiFi for a relaxing journey.
United Airlines’ Polaris business class is the carrier’s most premier onboard experience. As the airline has an extensive global network with numerous long-haul flights, there is no question that a true business class needs to be offered. The cabin competes with the likes of American Airlines’ Flagship First and business class and Delta Air Lines’ Delta One but has its own distinct features.
Additionally, United operates different aircraft than both of its US legacy competitors, such as the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner , which sets Polaris apart from other business classes. A booked flight in Polaris also gives travelers access to the Polaris lounge, which is referred to by some as an upgraded lounge from the standard United Club. However, Polaris lounge access is limited to select routes.
United has boosted its premium experiences across all cabins, but Polaris is highly regarded for several reasons. One factor is the amenities that are offered onboard, allowing passengers to relax and refresh regardless of the length of the flight. United invited Simple Flying to an event last week in New York City to see the new products.
United’s business class product has not always been highly regarded, however. According to Upgraded Points , the Chicago-based carrier’s most premium cabin has not had a good reputation within the last few years. The same has been said about the United Clubs – as some have referred to the Polaris lounges as a step up to the airline’s normal airport lounge experience.
United rolled out the Polaris product and opened its first Polaris lounge in 2016. The airline has struggled to expand the product, but more recently, its investments have been on full display. Here are just five elements that make Polaris business class stand out.
1 Two free checked bags & premier access Premium experience beginning on the ground Similar to domestic first class, United Polaris passengers are granted two free checked bags. United has weight allowances for checked bags divided by each cabin experience. Those traveling in economy and premium economy can have to pay to check their bag, but are allowed bags up to 50 pounds (lbs).
In United Business, First, and Polaris, passengers can check two bags, each weighing 70 lbs. This is a nice benefit if a passenger is embarking on a long trip. In addition to the free checked bags , Polaris, first, and business passengers can get to the gate and their seats sooner with Premier Access.
The perk is also eligible to MileagePlus Premier members, MileagePlus Club and Presidential Plus credit card members, and Star Alliance Gold members. Benefits of the perk include: Priority boarding Priority check-in Exclusive security lanes (if they are available) Priority bag handling Passengers can also purchase Premier Access, which starts at $24. 2 Polaris lounge access The best that United has to offer The Polaris experience begins once travelers arrive at the airport.
At select airports, Polaris passengers have access to Polaris lounges , which are exclusive spaces created for long-haul international travel. Travelers must have a same-day boarding pass to enter the lounges. They are also available to passengers with a first or business class ticket on a Star Alliance member airline.
They also must have a same-day boarding pass, but those in first class are allowed to bring one guest into the lounge. The Polaris lounges have showers, allowing travelers to freshen up before or during their long-haul travel. They can also enjoy private rest areas with daybeds, soft lighting, and gentle white noise.
The lounges also have various dining and beverage options. Some locations have a buffet, while others have table service in private dining spaces. Polaris lounges are not located at every airport United serves.
Instead, they are at the airline’s hubs – where the bulk of its long-haul flights originate from: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) 3 Lie-flat seat & amenities Rest and rejuvenation Once onboard, according to Upgraded Points, the seat width is 23 inches, while the pitch ranges from 75 to 78 inches. The seats in the bulkhead rows notably have a few more inches of space. When the seat extends to a bed , there is a footwell at the end, giving ample space for feet.
The footwells on bulkhead seats reportedly have even more space. One of the benefits of Polaris class is that every seat has direct aisle access. However, specific seats cater to each traveler’s preferences: Seats on odd-numbered rows have increased privacy since they are situated directly adjacent to the windows Middle seats on the odd rows are best for couples or partners traveling together as they are parallel and right next to each other Seats on the even-numbered rows have less privacy but better access to the aisle Some of the amenities onboard include a relaxation channel with content created by Therabody and slippers to help travelers stay comfortable during the flight.
For sleeping, United has partnered with Saks Fifth Avenue to provide a Saks Day Blanket, a duvet, and a cooling gel pillow. Mattress cushions are available upon request, and pajamas are even offered on flights longer than 14 hours. 4 Premium dining Dishes from around the globe Polaris passengers are treated to various onboard dishes from the United Polaris menu.
The main meal is served after takeoff and comes with mixed nuts, an appetizer, salad, bread, and one of United’s staples: a made-to-order ice cream sundae for dessert. Midnight snacks are also offered, while a second dining service occurs later in the flight. All drinks, including beer, wine, and liquor, are complimentary.
Some of the alcoholic beverages served onboard include: White Claw Hard Seltzer Bell’s Two Hearted IPA Red & White wine Sparkling Brut Bacardi Silver Rum Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Bailey’s Irish Cream Tito’s Handmake Vodka 5 Inflight entertainment Millions of hours of content Passengers can stay entertained on their long-haul flights with several hundred hours of content. Perhaps one of the best features is that movies, TV shows , or the progression of the flight on a map can be viewed on a 16-inch seatback screen through the United Private Screening portal. The airline allows travelers to view what is playing on their flight on its website.
The network of movies and TV shows are updated monthly and split up into different genres, such as: Blockbusters Classics Then & Now Food & Travel Lifestyle & Reality Various styles of music can also be listened to through United Private Screening. Additionally, WiFi is offered onboard, allowing passengers to surf the web and message others during their long-haul journey. Getting into some of the US' most premium lounges isn't easy.
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