An Exclusive Look at United’s New Polaris Product

Photo: United
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

In June, United’s CEO Oscar Munoz officially launched their new business class product called Polaris. The completely redesigned product aims to give passengers a consistent product from airport to aircraft.

Designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode and manufactured by Zodiac Seats in the UK, each United Polaris seat will offer direct aisle access, a 180-degree flat-bed recline, and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space. Polaris also features a gel-cooled pillow and numerous high-quality amenities that increase customer satisfaction on routes highly frequented by business travelers. In addition, the new product also features an inflight walk-up snack bar.

Polaris isn’t just an inflight product, but also extends into the airport with an exclusive lounge. On December 1st, 2016, United will unveil the first lounge at Chicago O’hare, and will later launch more at hubs such as Newark, Washington-Dulles, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, and Tokyo Narita, to name a few. These lounges will feature dining, drinks, day beds, showers, and various other amenities.

United plans to officially introduce the product in December on their new Boeing 777-300ER, followed by the 787-10 and A350-1000. Later, the airline plans to add the product on the 767-300 and 777-200.

In addition to full aisle access and an extended lie flat bed, the seats are easily reclinable with the movement of a dial. The seats also feature a marble side table for drinks and other items. Lastly, they are also equipped with full power outlets, a do not disturb sign, and a tablet equipped tray table.

Watch the video:

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

One response to “An Exclusive Look at United’s New Polaris Product”

  1. ricport Avatar
    ricport

    I generally like UA, but this is yet another example of them being too little, too late. Compared to the ME3 or SQ,, this offering is significantly inferior. If any of the US legacies expect to be competitive for international business travel dollars, they need to step up their game considerably.

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