Even the tray tables and lavatories looked spotless. Stay up-to-date on major lounge openings, exciting developments, and ground service innovations. The bar is equipped with plexiglass shields, though they cause so much glare that communication with the bartender is almost challenging. Here’s what the cramped C74 space looked like mid-afternoon, when the bulk of European flights would normally depart. The old-fashioned work cubicles, in particular, appear that they would require more attention than the new modern desks that are easier to sanitize. This lounge is temporarily closed. On the flip side, there is no provision for families traveling together. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered. November 10, 2020. United is trailing behind competitors in virtually every regard when it comes to the lounge experience—in terms of lounge availability, food offerings, and showers. The gel pillow, full-size pillow, mattress pad, duvet, and slippers make for a restful night, and it’s fortunate that they haven’t been sacrificed on the COVID-19 altar. At least the Christie Cookie Company snickerdoodle cookie was good! Boy, how times have changed. That particular plane only re-emerged from a stint in Wilmington last week. There’s a postcard themed to a United destination, as well as an eye mask, toothbrush, lip balm and earplugs. I would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. How does the airline fare with a single, capacity-restricted club? Great to be back in the air once again on @united ✈️, A post shared by Zach Griff (@_zachgriff) on Aug 21, 2020 at 3:01pm PDT. I hadn’t been on a UA transcon since March 5, and I was excited to see how my pandemic experience compared. It could especially impact United Airlines’ sub-fleet of “High-J” 767s, outfitted last year with 46 Polaris business class seats instead of the normal 30. For more information, review our our Privacy Policy. share Read Article. Why not minimize waste and serve nuts in a ceramic ramekin? The two things I missed most were the old fashioned and Saks duvet. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Because of the pandemic, United has consolidated its lounge operations to a single location in Terminal F. Polaris Lounges nationwide remain shuttered, and all eligible passengers are invited to use the standard United Club. A handful of airlines are blocking seats on every flight to promote social distancing. Under normal circumstances, Newark airport is a hive of activity, and United’s lounges struggle to cope with the crowds. On the 787-10, the biggest of the Dreamliners, the 44 business-class seats are spread across 11 rows in a 1-2-1 configuration. The airline is also building a new flagship club near gate C124 in a bid to permanently mitigate crowding. We eagerly made our way to the bar, and asked for a glass of Champagne. United Airlines' new Polaris business class cabin will be available on long-haul flights between the US and destinations such as London and Tokyo starting later this year. Well, the hard product is still the same — and that’s a great thing. Cabin and Layout: United Polaris Business Class, 48-seat capacity across 12 rows, in a 1-2-1 configuration Seats: 11A, 11D, 12A, 12D Miles Used: 50,000 TAP Air Portugal Miles&Go miles per ticket, bought miles for 1 cent each Taxes and Fees Paid: $53 (€45) per ticket Typical Economy Cost: $6,000 (round-trip) Table of contents. The seat converts to a lie-flat bed and features plenty of personal space. On a more positive note, we arrived early. We never share or resell your information. If you choose the right flight, you don’t necessarily need to splurge for the extra space in Polaris. Unfortunately, to trim costs, United has removed the duvet from eligible domestic flights and replaced it with a day blanket. One of the first things I noticed when I boarded was how clean the plane was. The United Airlines Fleet Website. Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. United isn’t providing meals for most domestic flights (even if you’re sitting up front). One option is the United Polaris lounge in Houston, the airline's luxe international business class lounge. While domestic travel in the US is slowly ramping up—flights are increasingly full, and security lines have returned at most airports—COVID-19 has decimated international travel. Onboard dining in Polaris business class is at economy class levels, and nothing can justify serving breakfast directly on a tray table without a tray or linen. As such, your flight could easily be booked full. And you get the Polaris lounge at ORD. Even though travel demand has declined significantly, the carriers are still offering their top products on these cross-country routes. The TSA is contracting Lavi Industries to build an additional 1,230 units at 37 airports nationwide. You don't have to wait. The intention is good, but execution was unremarkable. The security officers’ workstations just received a major upgrade. We have so many questions about this meal. That doesn’t make too much of a difference for transcon UA flyers. Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. The United Polaris Lounge is available to those holding a boarding pass for travel in United Polaris business class and those holding a boarding pass for long-haul international first or business class on a Star Alliance member airline. Related: Here’s what food and drinks you can expect on your next flight. Once the first group got off the plane, the crew called for another. Even though the plane hadn’t flown in five days, I decided to clean my area again. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. We're very excited about our brand new international premium cabin service — United Polaris SM first and business class — which offers comfort and relaxation for restful sleep in the sky. Polaris seats are pretty standard across United’s fleet. (Those who follow me on Instagram know that Polaris is one of my favorite biz products.) Most, but not all, have the new Polaris business class Another interesting data point: six of these 767s have the new Polaris business class seats, while two do not. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. © 2021 Sound Imagineers, LLC. What follows are 15 thoughts on what’s changed since my pre-pandemic Polaris review. The main coach cabin had just a handful too. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The flight attendants—who outnumbered paying business class passengers—were truly gracious and attentive, and did their best with what they had to work with. Each window seat is either flush with the window (my preference) or the aisle. The new acrylic barriers on display at SFO are currently being installed at airports across the country. But even if you can’t find an inexpensive fare, scoring an upgrade has never been easier. That also left a … As it turns out, just fine. Airlines are bleeding money, and it’s difficult to justify high-end services for a handful of premium passengers per flight. I selected a gin and tonic with my lunch, which was served in a sealed bottle and can. The entire meal was presented wrapped on a single tray, express style, to minimize health risks. Furthermore, schedule changes are happening quite frequently – I was booked to fly the flagship Boeing 777-300ER, but it was swapped to a 777-200 at the last minute. Overall, the special COVID-19 Polaris service at the United Club Newark was an unexpected touch, but in its current incarnation, it’s ultimately a disappointment. Now, Polaris flyers get a small 8.5-ounce bottle of Dasani water served alongside a sanitizing wipe. It was social distancing at its finest—and a sad reminder that Americans can only travel to 20 destinations worldwide. United’s rather loose commitments include a partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and Clorox, “having the goal of disinfecting seats after each use and upon request,” “elevated pre-packaged food offerings,” and “innovating for a healthier tomorrow through our United CleanPlus commitment,” whatever that means. Search this site. Much to the chagrin of my sweet tooth, the ice cream sundae cart has been temporarily removed. ” in 21 reviews “ If I ever need another 6 hr layover in Chicago, I wouldn't hesitate to book the flight. There were no other options available. Members of the loungereview.com team report on their recent experience traveling in United Polaris business class from Newark to Paris. In addition to the United Club near gate C74, United normally operates a luxurious Polaris Lounge for intercontinental business class customers, a modern, full-service lounge in Terminal A, and a temporary pop-up club near gate 93. Seats are arranged in an alternating 1-2-1 configuration. United Polaris® Business Class Named for the North Star, the brilliant point in the nighttime sky that travellers have looked to as their certain guide, Polaris is the shining star of business class that flyers can look to and depend on for true comfort and a sleep experience like no other. On the brighter side, the traditional liquor selection is available. There may be more travelers than a few months ago, but the severe cuts to the international flight schedule have significantly impacted demand. Upon seeing our Polaris business class boarding passes, the lovely United Club front-desk agent brightened up and cheerfully welcomed us. For more travel tips and news, sign up for our daily newsletter. The food served on the flight, dinner and breakfast leaves a bit to be desired. It was a long walk to the international area, past the still-shuttered Polaris Lounge and the future site of the new United Club. As a side note, the United Club Newark still hands out Star Wars-themed kits (which aren’t available onboard anymore) for those who collect them. All guests are given a small to-go bag stocked with water and some snacks. Upon entering the plane, every passenger was given a sanitizing wipe and gloves by request as part of United’s CleanPlus initiative. Flight attendants called groups of rows to deplane together. I love the Polaris seat. After the meal, there was a snack basket available for those seated in Polaris. Center pods are either adjacent to each other (great for couples) or facing the aisles. I selected the pasta, which was served all on one tray with foil and seals intact. United Airlines have been slowly rolling out their plush new Polaris business class offering across the fleet, but in Australia we'll have to hold tight a bit longer – though there's whispers it's not far away. Priced at $32.99 for the entire flight, speeds were some of the best I’ve experienced in recent memory. It's not going to be easy to come up with an all-aisle access configuration on a single aisle aircraft like the 757, without going 1-1 and cutting the number of business class seats (or cutting the legroom on the economy seats). Related: Why more lie-flat seats on United flights isn’t necessarily good news. United Airlines Click here to download. I’ve always slept great in the Polaris pod. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). As for United’s “goal of disinfecting seats after each use and upon request”, it was indeed merely an aspiration. © 2021 THE POINTS GUY, LLC. There are no more printed menus—despite the fact that single-use copies don’t pose a safety risk. The sesame to this world of bliss: a (dated a numbered) card, to be presented to the bar tender. A RED VENTURES COMPANY. COVID-19 Updates. Most stores and restaurants were closed, so the majority of passengers were sitting by the gate. While the Polaris Lounge remains shuttered, he explained that Polaris passengers are eligible for enhanced amenities, including “top-shelf alcohol” and additional food options such as a cheese plate. (But, so much for “any top-shelf alcohol.”) The bartender opened a mini bottle, poured into plastic cups, and promptly stashed the bottle away. Pre-pandemic, fares started at around $600 each way. The airline is also building a … This summer, we reviewed the watered-down United Polaris experience to Europe—it was a tale of shrink-wrapped snacks and an eerily quiet business class […]. But with low fares and easy upgrades, I certainly wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Visit our COVID-19 resource center for information on how the pandemic is impacting airport lounges. There was no cleaning staff in sight, despite the fact that the club has many touch points. Excited to experience United Polaris Business Class? But Premium Plus and coach, as well as Polaris, were all in tip-top condition. For one, I chose to fly midweek with the hope that it wouldn’t be too full. Travelers flying United will soon be able to enjoy a bit more room to catch some inflight snooze time. Instead of operating swanky widebody jets, the carrier put more efficient planes on the routes. Five months later, the Star Alliance carrier is trailing domestic competitors with regards to re-openings: Polaris Lounges are still closed, and only a few United Club locations remain in operation at key hub airports. Unlike pre-pandemic, there was no menu available at the seat. There is absolutely no reason—beyond cost—why the airline cannot offer healthier or more diverse options while still meeting CDC guidelines. The entire Economy Plus section had just one passenger. Business class "suites" are roomy and comfortable. Learn more about our focus and commitment to our customers, dealers, employees and communities EN-CA If you’ve got PlusPoints to burn, now’s a great time to consider using them — especially since international travel is largely off-limits for the foreseeable future. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates on airport lounges! After much anticipation and a few delays, United Airlines says it will open its fifth Polaris business class lounge at Los Angeles International Airport's Terminal 7 on January 12, 2019. Dining tables are few and far between; there’s only four to six chairs around high-top workstations; and solo seating is sparse. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered international travel, and it’s still unclear when the situation might stabilize. They crowded the aisles, making deplaning one of the least safe elements of the flight experience. They then confused everyone by rebranding even their old business class product … I was given a laminated card showing my PreCheck status, allowing me to keep my shoes on and my laptop in my bag. (I wasn’t surprised to learn that Christie is the same company that created the legendary Doubletree cookie.). Please view our advertising policy page for more information. 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