From the airport lounge to the runway landing, United Airlines new business class product, United Polaris, will ensure weary business travellers journey to and from their destinations in comfort and style.
Launching on 1st December, 2016, the United Polaris service will offer enhanced in flight food and beverage options, new custom bedding supplied by Saks Fifth Avenue and new United Polaris airport lounges. The service was created after more than 12,000 hours of research.
“United Polaris will change the game in international business travel with an exceptional level of relaxation and comfort throughout our customers’ journeys,” said Oscar Munoz, president and CEO of United. “This completely reconceived experience exemplifies the new spirit of United and the innovation, excitement and operational momentum across our airline.”
The entire lounge-to-landing experience starts in the new pre-departure United Polaris airport lounge, where travellers can enjoy chef-designed pre-flight dining, spa-like showers and sleep pods, all perfect finds for long-haul United Airlines guests to refresh and dine before boarding their flights. These business class lounges will be available in 9 locations worldwide, with the first to open at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The other locations (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow) will be rolled out in 2017.
It doesn’t stop there. Once a United Polaris customer boards their flight, they’ll be welcomed with gourmet chocolate, and a pre-departure beverage of their choice. During their flight, they’ll choose their meals from region-specific in-flight menus, created by renowned chefs including Bill Kim of well-known Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack. The airline’s Master Sommelier will also curate high-quality wines to be enjoyed in flight. The dessert offerings are just as enticing. Guests can choose from made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes, a dessert cart with an array of petit dessert options and chocolate truffles. For any daytime flights longer than eight hours, and on flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks like lobster macaroni and cheese are available.
A United Polaris experience means a guest will travel in comfort. Custom-designed seats were created just for the United Polaris traveller. Designed with the help of Acumen Design Associates and PriestmanGoode, the seats offer direct access to the aisle, 180-degree flat-bed recline and up to 6 foot 6 inches of bed space. Other features include a “Do Not Disturb” sign, mood lighting, one-touch lumbar support, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen and, for seats in the centre of the cabin, electronic privacy dividers.
Saks Fifth Avenue will supply the airline’s newest service with custom-designed bedding, featuring luxurious duvets, lightweight day blankets and a selection of large or small pillows. Travellers are even welcome to request gel-cooled pillows. As well as bedding, United Polaris guests can enjoy slippers and pyjamas, for anyone travelling longer than 12 hours. Other items available include ergonomically designed eye shades, calming lavender pillow mist and toiletries from Soho House & Co.’s Cowshed Spa.
United Polaris will serve business class customers on routes that cover more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries. The first flight with this service will take place in December on board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, and then on Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, as well as on Boeing 767-300 and 777-200 retrofits.
For more details head to united.com
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