Reimagined United Polaris International Business Class launched

CHICAGO—Last week United Airlines began the roll out of its all-new United Polaris business class, the airline’s most significant product transformation in more than a decade, featuring a reimagined, sleep-enhancing experience for intercontinental travelers. United Polaris began service at 12:01am local time on Dec. 1 in all of the airline’s markets.

Announced in June, the first phase of United Polaris features an elevated inflight food and beverage experience, tranquil custom bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue, exclusive amenity kits with products from Soho House & Co’s Cowshed Spa, and the opening of the first of nine United Polaris lounges around the world, at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

“In our quest to be the best airline in the world, we are rethinking and reimagining all we do. United Polaris offers an elevated customer experience and redefines the meaning of premier business travel,” said Oscar Munoz, CEO of United. “The high quality of amenities United Polaris provides is matched only by the service and care our employees demonstrate from lounge to landing.”

Sleep-enticing amenities
In rethinking the international business class experience, United conducted more than 12,000 hours of research, and sleep emerged as the single most important priority for international business class travelers. United Polaris’ path-breaking design and sleep-enhancing focus was inspired and informed by insights from hundreds of customers and employees, inflight product simulations and more than 100 product evaluations.

“With United Polaris, we set out to put the legacy of the weary business traveler to bed for good,” said Julia Haywood, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of United. “What we heard from our customers, and what resonated as a very consistent theme, was that they needed a tailored experience that would maximize comfort and sleep. Arriving at your destination well rested is something we all strive for when we travel, and for our customers traveling halfway around the world, optimal performance when they arrive at their destination is the only option.”

In a first-of-its-kind relationship, United has worked with leading luxury specialty store Saks Fifth Avenue for custom-designed bedding. All designed to provide the best sleep in the sky, the new bedding collection will feature plush duvets, lightweight day-blankets and a large and small pillow for each United Polaris customer. In addition, mattress cushions will be available upon request.

Slippers will be available on all flights, and customized United Polaris pajamas will be available by request on flights longer than 12 hours. Flyers will also be able to request a gel-cooled pillow. New amenity kits will feature ergonomically designed eye shades, calming pillow mist and additional products from Soho House & Co’s Cowshed Spa.

With the introduction of United Polaris, the airline intends to donate tens of thousands of pillows, blankets and other inflight service items to Fisher House Foundation, which United and its employees have long supported.

Additionally, United will offer a new and unique channel for customers on its inflight entertainment system focused on sleep and relaxation. Customers will be able to relax with soothing nature scenes, guided meditation sessions from Headspace, and experience Slow TV as they settle-in onboard.

Elevated dining experience
Upon boarding their flight, each United Polaris customer will be welcomed with a pre-departure beverage of his or her choice and gourmet chocolate. On morning flights, passengers can choose a sweet and bubbly Mimosa or create their own savory and spicy Tito’s Handmade Vodka® Bloody Mary. On afternoon and evening flights, passengers can create their own wine tasting menu, with a customized wine flight with the highest-quality options curated exclusively by United’s Master Sommelier. While in the air, customers will enjoy regionally influenced in-flight menus updated seasonally, developed in partnership with The Trotter Project and its critically recognized chefs, including Chef Bill Kim of Chicago restaurants Urbanbelly, bellyQ and Belly Shack and Chef Jesse Dunford Wood, chef-owner at Parlour in London.

Inflight service will also include made-to-order signature ice cream sundaes and a dessert cart with a variety of petit dessert options. On daytime flights longer than eight hours and on all flights longer than 12 hours, hot mid-flight snacks such as lobster macaroni and cheese will be available.

More information on the United Polaris business class can be found at united.com/Polaris. Photos and video can be found at newsroom.united.com/United_Polaris. (United)