United Polaris Review.

Business Class has always been expensive and just a dream for some travellers. Especially since the pandemic, airfares have skyrocketed and many are still to come back to pre- pandemic prices. Unfortunately, international flights from Australian national carriers remain limited with Virgin still using partners like United Airlines and Qatar. 

So, as empty nesters, when you fork out the $$$$ - often on a trip of a lifetime - you want the experience you have always dreamt about - luxury, professional service, efficient bookings and boarding - and well, nice food and drinks are also part of the dream.

This review looks at the United Polaris product on the B787-8 BNE to SFO. I picked this up for a reasonable rate for June July 2023, booking only a month out. Compared to other airlines, it was about ½ to ⅔ the price of similar offerings at the same time. I was seated in seat 1A in the 1-2-1 format.

I read a lot of reviews about the United Airlines ‘Polaris’ , their business class offering, in the various frequent flyers sites and social media, prior to flying. On the whole, they were not very flattering, but I was keen to see for myself.

In BNE, you are directed to the Air NZ lounge. A nice lounge with nice offerings, particularly the delicious french toast with chocolate sauce, fresh raspberries and mango, made fresh and brought around the lounge by staff.

So what about the flight?

We boarded on time- the process a bit confusing as it seems a lot of people get on before Business and group 1. Anyway, I am sure there is a system. My overhead bin was already full with staff bags and the bags from the people across the aisle, meaning I had to use the bin over row 2.

The welcome was professional and courteous but I was a bit put off when I was offered “water or Prosecco” and an antiseptic wipe in a packet. This is a special occasion for many people- seriously if it is not a great Italian Prosecco - a good french Champagne is the only way to go. The Prosecco arrived in a blue plastic cup - as did the water.

I know- first world problems, but having recently been on the Qatar offering - this welcome was somewhat of a downgrade.

The literature states that on flights over 12 hrs, which this was, you can request fleece lined slippers and pyjamas - however, at the beginning of the flight, I was told that they didn't have any on the flight. Not great if you are travelling for work and don’t want to arrive looking crumpled up. So make sure you wear your comfy clothes just in case!

So we didn't get off to a great start.

One of the things I noticed on entry about the cabin was that the aisles are very narrow. Also the entry to some of the seating pods (odd numbers) would be about 30cm wide max. I am fairly small (5’2”) and I found it a bit cramped. If you are a large person, I am sure you will find this a bit problematic.

The odd number seats offer more privacy and better window views because the table is on the aisle side rather than the window side, and lay vertically instead of on the diagonal.

Also a tip- don’t select row 5A or F by choice, you don't get a window at the seat. 1F will have you right in front the the forward cabin toilet. Convenient but you will hear the flush all night and people queue near your seat.

The food selection was adequate but average, and blankets and amenities kits were provided. The smaller memory foam pillow was very comfortable. The wine list had some decent middle range selections. Entertainment is provided but don't expect latest releases or noise canceling headphones. 

Overall, the cabin just seemed a bit dull - the navy and grey combination now looking dated compared to the more contemporary colour schemes on other brands.

The ‘linens’ for the tables are more like navy blue shiny rayon- lacking the lux of fine linen settings seen on many other airlines in business class and above.

Not long after take off, drinks were served. Luckily the grade of offerings went up from the arrival Prosecco to Champagne Heidsick Monopole Blue Top Brut. Not the best-but certainly better. It was presented quite nicely in stemless glassware this time (thank goodness not in the blue plastic cup!) with warm nuts. For lunch, my salmon was moist and salad was fresh and crisp. Staff were attentive and generous with their top ups and sparkling water, juices and other beverages were offered. All in all, the lunch service was good, not fabulous, not luxurious, but good.

Cheese platters and ice cream sundaes were served for dessert.

The breakfast frittata was average - the potatoes tasted definitely reheated with rather over-done rubbery chicken chipolatas. All items were crammed on a small overcrowded platter rather than served on a plate. No other drinks apart from tea or coffee were offered with breakfast, not even water.

As it was a 13.5 hr flight, after lunch snacks were readily available, including grilled cheese toasties which seemed to be very popular given the number that seemed to be being served up.

The amenities kit, while not designer or glamorous, contains useful items for your flight.

Overall I give the experience a moderate 3 *** out of 5. 

This is really a middle of the road offering and that is reflected in their pricing. It was not bad- just not luxurious or special. 

If you are looking for lux and want to feel spoilt,  then you will need to shell out for the higher quality airlines that are making a name for themselves with luxury and designer offerings such as caviar and french champagne, designer PJs and suites.

While I am here, if you are looking at United first class for any connecting internal flights- I would suggest it is not worth the money unless you are using points or other to upgrade. Don't be mislead by the use of the phrase ‘first class’. It is more like a very average domestic short-haul business class on another airline. The seats were old and tired and not very clean. The food is a reheated frozen dinner. You don't get priority boarding, or at least it seems a lot of people get on before you, and by the time I got on (seat 1E) - the plane was half full and overhead bins were already full and I had to put my carry on at row 8, as did a number of other ‘first class’ passengers. This lead to chaos as you can imagine on disembarkation.

This is not ‘first class’ and they should reconsider the misleading use of the term.

This article is part of the Rose_goes US series.