Upgrading International Air: United Polaris Reviewed

Posted onAuthorChris Owen2 Comments

For many cruise travelers sailing from North America, driving or taking a short flight to the port of embarkation is a solid option.  But what if we make that cruise begin in Alaska, Europe, Australia or any other popular place around the planet?  An entirely different skill set is required for everything from booking to packing.  The flights are longer. They often happen at a time of day when we would normally be sleeping. Upgrading air plans from economy to business class can help make that jump to International travel easier if not pleasant. Today we look at one choice for upgrading international air: United Polaris class.

Upgrading International Air

The occasion was a 7-night Mediterranean sailing round-trip from Barcelona with Carnival Cruise Line aboard new Carnival Horizon. Offered by many cruise lines, the Mediterranean is one of the most popular destinations for North American cruisers making the jump to international travel.  To get there commonly requires an overnight flight from North America to Europe and usually a connecting flight from our home city as well.  Flying from Orlando International Airport via United Airline’s Polaris Business Class proved to be a good choice, even on aircraft not exactly the best fit for the experience.

Just a few minutes visiting the United Airlines website and the expectation is set high:  United Polaris Business Class is all about the experience, regardless of the aircraft.  That ‘regardless of the aircraft’ part made a huge difference on our flight.  You see, a lot of focus in United’s Business/First class offering is on the new United Polaris seat.  Now offered on a growing new fleet of Boeing 777-300’s that seat is also being added to existing 767-300’s and 767-400’s like the aircraft on our flight. That makes sense: the comfort of the seat ranks number one on the list of reasons travelers choose business class air.   As important as that reason may be, those seats are not on all the aircraft in the United fleet that promote the Polaris-class experience.

Indeed, our flight United Polaris seat was absent.  Still, there was a lot to like about this class of service, including:

  • Saks Fifth Avenue Bedding- And you thought just cruise lines partnered with land-based name brands.  Airlines do as well, a fact highlighted here with luxury bedding for United Polaris customers. Choose from two different blankets;  quilted duvet and a lighter throw blanket.
  • Restaurant Quality Dining made all the difference on our flight. United Airlines has partnered with chefs from The Trotter Project to create a menu that features fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavors from around the world.  A rather extensive wine list is nicely paired with the menu as well and taps vintages from Germany, France, Argentina, Spain, California and Australia with champagne & sommelier’s choice selections varying by fight hand-picked by wine expert Doug Frost.
  • Sleep Themed Amenities include cozy slippers and an amenity kit with premium flight-sized skincare items from Soho House’s Cowshed Spa. Earplugs and an ergonomic eye mask block out any ambient distractions during sleep. On flights longer than 12 hours: 100% cotton pajamas upon request.
  • Premier Access® premium travel services include a quick check-in desk at the airport.  
  • United Private ScreeningSM gives us the ability to find out which entertainment options will be provided during the flight, via the Inflight Amenities tab in the Flight Status information for your flight, available on united.com or via the United app.
  • United Wi-FiSM– did not work on our flight …but then I did not try very hard.  There was a lot to enjoy without the Internet.  Yes, I said that. Had the Internet worked, it would have been complimentary in Polaris class.
  • Inflight Magazines- Hemispheres is United’s in-flight magazine, also available online. Rhapsody is United’s monthly luxury lifestyle and literary magazine.

This short video introduces us to United Polaris Business Class:

 

Polaris is actually one of six general classes of service aboard United Airlines.  Let’s back this up a bit to take a quick look at the difference between them:

  1. United Polaris℠  the top-of-the-line business class experience reimagined from lounge to landing focused on bringing “the best sleep in the sky” says United.
  2. United First®- is available on flights within the U.S. and Canada.  Turn left when boarding the aircraft here as well. The plane just does not fly as far.
  3. United Business®-  is available service on flights between the U.S. and Latin America or the Caribbean. Like United First but not quite as nice.
  4. Premium Transcontinental Service®–  Extra comfort coast to coast on flights between New York/Newark and Los Angeles, New York/Newark and San Francisco, and Boston and San Francisco. Full meals too.
  5. United Economy Plus®- Brings a little more leg room that can make a difference on a long flight.
  6. Basic Economy– This is where we end up without upgrading.

Confirmed: United Airlines Polaris-level service delivered everything promised, even without the Polaris seat or Internet connection.  That’s actually quite a statement when we consider that the airline itself lists the seat as a top reason for moving to this higher-priced position on the aircraft.  How does this stack up against other airlines when it comes to upgrading international air? That’s coming up next as this lovely flight in United Polaris takes on American Airlines for the reverse flight back to Orlando.

The same route going the other way.
Different time of day
Different time zone adjustment
Different airline
As domestic air carrier brands familiar to most North American cruise travelers, both are top contenders.

For now, scenes below document my experience.

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