United introduced a new Polaris business class experience in December 2016, which is their new premium cabin experience. While the initial rollout was slow, there has been a pickup of pace. The airline has four Polaris Lounges now, and planes continue to receive the Polaris cabin. New Boeing 777-300ER aircraft are the ones which sureshot get the Polaris seats.
United Polaris Newark to Mumbai from October 2018
Now, United’s newest Boeing 777-300ER aircraft is going to operate between Mumbai/New York with effect from October 27, 2018. The airline’s newest aircraft type features the all-new United Polaris business class seat and will replace the Boeing 777-200ER on the daily service.
United’s flight to Mumbai will operate with the following schedule:
UA048 EWR2010 – 2140+1BOM 77W D
UA049 BOM0010 – 0540EWR 77W D
United Polaris Business Class
United Polaris, the airline’s most significant product transformation in more than a decade, offers a wide range of experience to the passengers.
Each United Polaris suite-like pod features direct access to the aisle, a 180-degree flat-bed that measures 6’6” and 23 inches wide with infinite seat recline options and one-touch lumbar support. The 777-300ER features 60 seats in business class in a 1-2-1 configuration with direct-aisle access from all seats.
There is ample storage, multiple surfaces that enable passengers to dine while working, universal A/C power as well as 2-USB ports, a 16-inch high-definition entertainment screen, electronic privacy dividers for seats in the center of the cabin, mood lighting and an illuminated “Do Not Disturb” sign. Additionally, a new marble-topped bar unit offers customers in business class a place to grab a mid-flight drink or snack.
United worked with Saks Fifth Avenue to create custom, luxury bedding for United Polaris customers. You’ll have the choice of two different blankets — a quilted duvet and a lighter throw blanket — to help you find the perfect amount of warmth. United also was able to offer United Polaris customers a chef-designed, multi-course inflight dining experience.
Here is a video that showcases the United Polaris product.
United Economy
Seats in United Economy offer two United Private Screening options – personal on-demand entertainment with high-definition seat-back monitors and USB ports along with United’s personal device entertainment, enabling customers to play thousands of hours of movies and television programs on their electronic devices. United Economy also offers complimentary food, soft drinks, juices, beer and wine, tea and coffee as well as in-seat power outlets and the opportunity to purchase satellite Wi-Fi. The aircraft features 102 seats in United Economy Plus in a 3-4-3 configuration with 34 inches of pitch, and 204 United Economy seats in a 3-4-3 configuration with 31 inches of pitch.
Bottomline
This is one up for United on the non-stop market. I know a lot of people patronise Air India on this route, and this is clearly the better premium product. But next year, we will also see Delta join the party, and then it would be a crowd, perhaps. For the moment, Mumbai will enjoy one of the better American products on this route, at least for the foreseeable future.
Have you flown on United Polaris Business Class? What has been your experience with it?
“But next year, we will also see Delta join the party, and then it would be a crowd, perhaps.”
That’s assuming DL has the guts to fight head on with a JFK-BOM instead of a retreating to ATL-BOM like what they’ve done the last time around when things got heated up (and ultimately cancelled).
And we’ve just seen earlier today on how DL claimed their monopoly route of SEA-HKG is totally not worth doing it, only to have CX essentially picking it up just a bit after where they left off.
If you plan to fly this to test it out, remember to choose an odd-numbered L seat if you want a true window seat versus even-numbered L seats have an end-table against the window but also keep in mind that the true window seat feels a bit tight even though comfortable and makes you feel as if you’re in your own private cocoon.
And for all the Vegetarians do note it sucks – but it was on a SFO-HKG flight, for a EWR-BOM-EWR they definitely need to have better Veg food.
And in terms of the soft product, nowhere near my perennial favorite – Qatar. But, much better for an American airline.
Just clarifying I only meant the Polaris business class seats.
For most people, this will be a big downgrade. 10 across in E/E+, slimline seats.
I would rather take AI in coach.